Quick Facts & Travel Information about Paris
Welcome to the fabled “City of Lights” or “City of Love.” Paris is certainly both and has always been considered one of the most romantic cities in the world. Whether an artist, a businessman or a tourist, you will enjoy the long walks from Montmartre to the Quartier Latin. Going through some of the finest Roman and medieval monuments, sooner or later you will end up at a café, standing on the Pont Neuf Bridge, or exploring a vintage fashion shop in the Marais district.
Source: arrivalguides.com (this guide was updated: 2015-02-10)
Do & See
Paris’ beautiful location right by the peaceful and romantic river Seine makes for a perfect setting whether your plan is to stroll around without haste or see as many attractions as possible. Over 30 million tourists come to Paris each year, drawn by the mouth-watering cuisine and of course, the exciting fashion. No wonder the capital of France is one of the most visited cities in the world!
Dining
Paris is internationally renowned as the capital of gastronomy and boasts a huge range of eateries. Each place has its own particular atmosphere and style, whether recipes are local or from all over the world. In Paris, you must differentiate between restaurants, bistros or brasseries. A bistro is usually small, featuring simple fare, sometimes with entertainment. A brasserie serves hearty meals along with beer and wine, usually cheap and with a liquor and coffee bar. It is the right place to test the high-quality products and delights of traditional French cookery thanks to the talented and creative chefs. Parisian restaurants are real ambassadors of good taste, offering superlative ingredients, including premium wines and cheeses, enriching the experience. But do not worry, there are good places for all budgets. Whether it is a restaurant, a bistro, or a brassiere, you will be able to enjoy a real culinary feast with gourmets from all over the world!
Shopping
Shopping in Paris means famous designers and luxurious brands such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. But you will also find more affordable brands matching your budget in the huge department stores or many popular neighbourhoods. There are famous gastronomical establishments for gourmets, too.
Accommodations
Paris has the world’s widest choice of hotels with a full range of prices, offering something for everyone. Here you can find over 80,000 rooms in sumptuous sophistication, or cool and cosy spots. Expect a lovely experience in smaller, more personalized atmosphere hotels.
To keep you in the flea market & vintage spirit during your stay in Paris, how about spending a night or two in one of our favorite “retro design” hotels of the city? We have hand-picked for you, our favorite three vintage design hotels.
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- Fabric Hotel (Industrial Design): The Fabric Hotel in Paris draws decorative and ornamental inspiration from the industrial past of the Oberkampf district. The brick-built walls, plentiful space, unconcealed supporting structures and the immense windows admitting plenty of natural light effectively illustrate this approach. Occupying 4 floors, the Fabric Hotel boasts 33 ultra-comfortable rooms in a resolutely contemporary setting. Where: 31 rue de la Folie Méricourt, 11th arr., 75011 Paris, France
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- Best Western Premier 61 Paris Nation (“Back to the 1960s”): Close to the Gare de Lyon, the Best Western Premier 61 Paris Nation Hotel is located next to Nation and Porte de Vincennes in the 12th arrondissement in Paris. This 4-star establishment is a contemporary reflection of 1960s Paris. Behind its pretty brick façade at number 61 rue de la Voute, the hotel’s decoration and furniture evoke all the imagination of the early 1960s. Where: 61, rue de la Voute, 12th arr., 75012 Paris, France
- Platine Hotel Paris (“The Madmen and the 1950s”): Vincent Bastié, the architect behind the design of the Platine Hotel, digged into the 1950s to create a decor which is both chic and recreational. The hotel’s decidedly glamorous atmosphere invites guests on a journey, both through time, at the heart of Hollywood’s golden era, as well as through space, with the discovery of the America of that decade with its diners, movie sets and modern buildings. Highlight: The hotel is located 1.5 miles from the Porte de Vanves flea market. It can be reached by car within 10 minutes (25 minutes in subway via Metro Line 10 + Metro Line 13). Where: 20 rue de l’Ingénieur Robert Keller, 15th arr., 75015 Paris, France
Bars & Nightlife
Paris’ night life offers you lots of trendy and popular bars serving all kinds of drinks with a good mix of people, music and sometimes live DJ’s. Paris has an intense and diversified night life. From high-tech dance clubs to mellow jazz haunts, there is always something that fits your mood. Also try the famous cabaret venues for a great dose of vibrant entertainment.
Cafes
Start your day in one of Paris’ many cafés with a delicious croissant and an espresso, relax with an afternoon tea, or have an aperitif with friends. Many cafés are part of bistros and brassieres, functioning like bars and feature great music with a wide range of drinks.
Essential Information
Population: 2.8 million
Currency: Euro (EUR) €1 = 100 cents
Emergency numbers: Emergency: 112 & 15 / Police: 17 / Fire Brigade: 18
Newspapers: Le Monde, Le Figaro, Pariscope, L’Officiel des Spectacles
Opening hours: General opening hours in Paris are from Mon-Sat 9 am-7 pm. Smaller shops may close between midday and 2 pm on Mondays. On Sundays and public holidays shops are closed. Many department stores have one late-night opening day, called “nocturne”, when shops are open until 9 pm. Supermarket times may differ depending on neighbourhood.
Tourist information: Tourist Information Office, 25 rue des Pyramides, Paris (+33 1 49 52 42 63). Opening hours: 1 November to 30 April: Mon-Sun 10 am-7 pm. Closed on 1 May / 2 May to 31 October. Mon-Sun 9 am-7 pm
