Scott

I will be taking the Eurostar train from London to Paris on Monday, 24 May.I’ll only be in Paris for 8-9 hours. My questions: <BR> <BR>(1) Is there a metro stop in the Gare de Nord that can easily transport me to wherever I need to go in Paris? <BR> <BR>(2) Should I exchange my currency for francs at the Gare de Nord, or should I do it beforehand somewhere in the UK? Or even in the U.S.? <BR> <BR>(3) What are the must-sees for a first-time visitor to Paris who will only be there for 8 hours? Please suggest 3 or 4 at most, for obvious reasons. <BR> <BR>Thanks very much all! <BR>Scott <BR>

Vincent

Well, it looks like a challenge on a quiz show, but I will try to address it : <BR>1) Logically enough for one of the biggest commuter stations in Europe, there are three metro lines and one RER line available at Gare du Nord. Just follow the very clear multilingual signs out of the Eurostar. <BR>2) You can exchange your currency in either of the three locations you mention. It's maybe better to do it in the US, in your own bank, you might have to pay less commission than in an anonymous bureau de change abroad. As in all big stations and airports, there are plenty of them Gare du Nord, but with lousy rates. <BR>3)If I were you, I would : <BR>a - take the RER B to St Michel-Notre Dame (2 stations, 5 mn) : you'll be in the Latin quarter, you'll see Notre Dame ; maybe a stroll on the Ile de la Cité <BR>b- From that same station, take RER C to station Champ de Mars : you'll be just under the Eiffel Tower. Admire it, but only go up if the line is not too long. <BR>c- Cross the River to Trocadéro ; see the Eiffel Tower from the other bank. d- Take the metro at Trocadéro, direct to Charles de Gaulle Etoile. If you feel like it, climb the Arc de Triomphe to see the view. <BR>e- Walk down the Champs Elysées to the metro Franklin D. Roosevelt <BR>f- Take the metro to station "Louvre-Palais Royal", enter the Louvre courtyard with I. M. Pei's pyramid <BR>g- Cross the courtyard to the Seine, stroll down to Châtelet <BR>h- If you still have time, take the metro at Châtelet for three stations, get out at Bastille, see the column, the Opera, and walk in Le Marais. <BR> <BR>But I do hope next time you'll devote more time to it ! <BR>

RJD

There is at least one ATM machine in the Gare du Nord. Much better deal for changing money than the Bureau de Change where the lines are long and rates poor.

elvira

The Gare du Nord has a Metro/RER entrance inside the station (dead center in the middle so it's hard to miss). Take the RER suburban train to St Michel. Climb the stairs, look toward the river, to your right is Notre Dame (a must see). To the left, further down, across the river, is the Louvre (a must). There's about 4 hrs right there. On the same side of the river (left bank) as the St Michel stop, further left is the Musee d'Orsay (impressionist paintings) behind it is les Invalides (Napoleon's tomb), then further west is the Eiffel Tower. Those three will take another 4 hours at least. There you go. If you go to the top of the Eiffel Tower you can see the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur and the Trocadero from above. If you have more than 9 hours, I could list a whole bunch of other things to do, but you've got Paris in a nutshell with those sights that border the river (the river itself is part of the city, so walk to Notre Dame, walk along the river to the Louvre, then cross the river to the Musee d'Orsay), walk to les Invalides, then metro to the Eiffel Tower. Find a restaurant somewhere along the way and eat, ditto with a cafe for a beer or coffee. If you miss something (say, climbing the Eiffel Tower), don't sweat it. Walking around Paris is more than enough to make you feel like you've been there (and make you crave more!) Have fun!

Richard

Scott, I like Vincent's tour. I would change currency into FF before I got to France, since time is of the essence. $50.00USD should be plenty. Buy a carnet, a book of 10 tickets for the metro so you don't waste time standing on line. Insert the ticket into the turnstile and keep it until you exit at your destination, they will do spot checks once in awhile. For a map of the Metro, go to http://metro.ratp.fr:10001/bin/selec...h/france/paris. The Metro is easy to use, maps in every station. I think you're short-changing yourself to spend only 8-9 hours in Paris, we've been going there for 8-9 years and feel we still have things to discover.

Scott

Vincent and everyone, <BR> <BR>Thanks very much for the wonderful advice. I knew you guys would come through <BR> <BR>As for my short stay in Paris, alas, I know I’m short-changing myself big-time, but logistically it can’t be helped. I’ll be back one day, undoubtedly, but this trip is concentrated on London with Paris a quick day-trip. Thanks again! <BR> <BR>

greg

For one day trip there are two options for metro/bus/RER. <BR> <BR>Carnet of 10 tickets or MOBILIS one day pass. The latter is cheaper, but only good for one day (which should not be a problem.) Since price difference is so little, really nothing to agonize about. Details at <BR> <BR>http://www.ratp.fr/Transpor.eng/Tarifs.eng/ <BR> <BR>Re: ATM, yes I found one at Gare du Nord but had to wait in a long line. Since I have seen my share of broken ATMs, I would be nervous if that is the only source of Francs and have to spend precious time looking for another ATM even to leave the station. There was a usual high commission exchange bureau inside Waterloo waiting lounge after customs clearence, which gave just hair better rate than the one outside the customs area. So it is a trade off - better rate at Paris ATM or high commission but assured no wait once you get to Paris, or exchange just enough money to get you off into the city and few attractions before arriving Paris and get the rest from an ATM in the city when you find one you can get on immediately if no such luck at the Gare.

lynn

Hi Scott - <BR> <BR>Vincent is right on the money with his suggestions. I guess he should be, he lives there. My husband even thinks this would be a great "orientation day" for someone who has more time but just wants to do some basics really quick. <BR> <BR>One "nutty" suggestion from me... <BR> <BR>The Louvre is obviously too huge for for you to fit in on your schedule, however, if you just wanted to see 2 or 3 things...(and, I'm only saying all this because I loved the Winged Victory and would urge you to see it if you can, even if you skip the other 2!) <BR> <BR>If you want to go in and see the three main attractions (Winged Victory, Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo), and, if you can spare $40 for such a short museum visit, you can buy the Carte Musees et Monuments and get in ahead of the line (we have never had to wait even 1 second), see the 3 biggies, and leave. Shouldn't take more than 1 hour. Also, while you are walking to each piece, you'll pass through rooms of various paintings and statues. You can take some pictures as you pass and, viola! You did the Louvre! Granted, very shallowly, but, you did go and see the famous stuff. <BR> <BR>Many people will think this is ridiculous, but, if you don't have all day and want to at least see the major famous pieces, this is one way to fit it in to your schedule. <BR> <BR>Just a (crazy) thought!