elaine

Hi I have friends going to Paris next week and they are thinking about taking a sightseeing bus. I've never done one. I have read that the new one is L'Open, which is a hop-on, hop-off <BR>arrangement operated by ratp in conjunction with private operators. Anyone know anything about it? I can't seem to find a website. <BR>Has anyone used Balabus or Parisbus? <BR>I'd like to find out what the stops are for any of them.

Ruth

We were in Paris in early May and used the Open bus one day. Found it to be very handy to get to the major sites. They have a little commentary which tells you something about what you're passing. They do have a website but I don't seem to have bookmarked it. You can probably find it through a search or through a paris tourist site. The website has maps, prices and operating hours.

elaine

thanks <BR>I did find a website, as a link from another site <BR>if anyone wants it, it's <BR>http://www.ratp.fr/Voy_q_eng/ <BR>f_travel_eng.htm

Beth

Elaine, <BR> <BR>I've done Parisbus a couple of times and loved it. What was nice is the ticket you buy if for two days (48 hours). You can jump off and jump on as well. I know there are numerous stops: directly across from Musee d'Orsay(Seine side), in front of the Eiffel Tower, on the Seine side of the Louvre, Champs Elysee in front of the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame. There are more, but those are the most memorable ones. <BR>I highly recommend taking a tour bus, especially if it is your first visit to a city. It helps you get comfortable with the layout of the city and also helps you decide what places you want to spend more time visiting. I think the cost was 125FF/$21USD at the time. <BR>This was about 18 months ago. <BR> <BR>Beth

Loy

The Open Bus: My wife and I rode the Parisbus twice last July, 1999. These were open buses, at 125FF each, ticket valid for two days. One of the days, we bought the tickets late in the afternoon, and they extended them for the next two full days. On/off as often as you like. The stops were Tour Eiffel, Champ de Mars, Musee du Louvre, Notre Dame, Musee d'Orsay, Opera, Champs Elysees-Etoile, Grand Palais, and Trocadero. The entire circuit took 2 hours, 15 minutes. Buy tickets from the driver or host/hostess at any stop. The buses run basically 20 to 30 minutes apart. Last bus at last stop (Trocadero) was at 7:10 pm. There is also a green bus, which is open, that runs similarly to the red Parisbus. Maybe even the same company. It is great to watch the traffic from these buses! Twice around, and you feel like you are starting to get to know where things are. Have fun. Loy

Terry

Hi Elaine. the Paris L'open tour is under the RATP web site. it gives the whole schedule and it sounds fabulous. it has a main route that starts at Madelaine at 9:45 am and ends after 20 stops at concorde royale. then it has a Bercy extension and a Montmartre extension. The cost is 135FF for two consecutive days. My wife and myself with our 6 yr old will be in the 6th on the 18th of this month until the 26th and we plan to use this bus.If you can't finf the RATP site let me know and I will give you more info. Terry