Has anyone had recent experience in buying a weekly Carte Orange (a metro/bus/RER pass good for one week, Monday-Sunday)? I have heard conflicting reports on whether this is available to non-residents. Rick Steve's France book says that it is no longer available to non-residents. But I have read other posts that say this is not the case, including one resident of Paris who checked at the metro station.

I was there in June 2002 and had no trouble buying the Carte Orange on two seperate occasions.

There has been no official change of policy. We got one in June.....<BR><BR>Nobody will come right out and say what the rule is.....you read vague statements such as Carte Orange is intended for residents of Paris only. But there are few clerks who will not sell one to anybody. Just march bravely up to the clerk and say, "La Carte Orange pour une semaine pour quartre personnes s'il vous plait" and I don't think you will have any trouble.

Gina,<BR><BR>Was there in July and no problem getting it either. Just remember to bring a photo.

We bought our carte orange from the self-service machine in English. We didn't need our picture until our very last day when a metro official asked to see our card. He gave us the official card (we'd been using the small ticket until then) and told us about it being for residents but he didn't seem to be too bothered that we were using it. It was great riding the metro 5-10 times today without a care.

Don't listen to Andi...it is very dangerous and wrong.<BR><BR>Yes you can buy the actual ticket that is inserted inthe turnstile at the machine but in theory and in practice it is invalid without the actual Carte Orange which is a card whose number you are supposed to put on the ticket/coupon. The bus drivers would not have accepted it and Andi is very lucky he and his family members were not heavily fined for not having a valid ticket......

Bus drivers never even looked at ours--you don't put the ticket in--you just show the Carte Orange. Ours had nothing to write a number on--just a magnetic stripe ticket.

Gretchen and Andi - the Carte Orange has two "parts" - one is the small ticket w/ mag stripe and the other is a card you fill out and paste your photo on. You are supposed to write a number found on the magnetic ticket onto the photo card, thus matching the card and the ticket up. If you go thru a turnstile (ie Metro) then you insert the little ticket and retrieve it. If you ride a bus you show the photo card to the driver. If the controllers stop to check you, you can be fined for not utilizing the pass correctly. The weekly Carte is sold thru Weds, otherwise you have to wait to purchase the next one.

hi<BR>bought la carte orange last summer in paris from auber metro station, did not have any problem.<BR>just have yr pic ready and don't worry.<BR>it couldn't be easier.<BR>

Just to correct what I think was a slip up above-- you are supposed to write the number FROM the Orange Card ONTO the ticket, not vice versa. The reason is because the Orange Card is your permanent ID number, and each new replacement ticket you buy must have your permanent number written on it. This is to make sure multiple people don't sure the tickets as they are for unlimited travel. The Carte Orange itself tells you that right on the front in the lower righthand corner -- it says "numero a reporter sur le coupon" next to your ID no. which means "number to carry over to the coupon" (although "numero" is abbreviated). The ticket itself has a blank line on it with No. next to it to show you where to write the number. <BR><BR>You must get the ID card, it's not optional. There is no reason not to get one, it doesn't cost you anything. Perhaps someone can get away with it if they are lucky, but you are supposed to have one and can be fined, I'd guess, just like you can be fined for not being able to show your ticket upon exiting if asked. I think tourists should follow the regulations of the places they visit, especially on public transporation issues because you are taking great advantage of a wonderful system at very cheap rates because it is subsidized by the state/taxes. People not caring about that or thinking they can get away with things are what causes people to dislike tourists, espec. certain nationalities, I imagine, and that might not be a good idea.

I do not believe Andi' story. If a metro inspector had really asked to see the card, they would have been fined immediatey. They do not carry the cards around with them. The cards are not valid without a photo. If people abuse the Carte Orange, they will no doubt crack down on selling them to non-residents. The taxes Parisiens pay cover the discounted carte orange pass. Shame on Andi for posting here!

Thanks, Christina - I had it backwards. Must be time to go back to Paris, need a refresher!

Alice, thanks for that clarification. We have only bought it once and the person who sold it must have done that for us. I will check and now be more knowledgeable when we return.

"If people abuse the Carte Orange, they will no doubt crack down on selling them to non-residents."<BR><BR>I don't understand the meaning of this. Nowhere is it written that Carte Orange must not be sold to non-residents of Paris. I have read information received from RATP and it says that Carte Orange is intended for residents of Paris etc. and every so often I read of a zealous Metro clerk not selling one to a non-resident, but there is no absolute official policy banning the sale of same to non-residents. At least not one that I have ever seen.

We have purchased the Carte Orange card at different metro offices three times in Paris. We have never been given any trouble and I did not know it was only for residents? We were not trying to break any rules just following what I had read regarding best way to travel the metro for a week's stay in Paris. Any way, I will do it again on my next trip to Paris unless I am unable to purchase one. It is a great way to travel the metro.

I am planning to purchase a carte orange when I am in Paris in October. I am a bit confused as to the reference of 'just remember to bring a small photo'. Should I bring a small photo or do they have a photo booth? From what I have been reading the carte orange is the best deal even for four days. Does anyone know if the Paris Viste Pass give many discounts to tourist attractions?

Kelly, some of the larger Metro stations have photo machines--it's just easier to already have your picture (any old picture about 1 1/4 inches (3 cm) square). I find Andi's story a bit doubtful also because the picture is laminated onto the card. But at 13.25e/week, it is a great deal even for 4 days and I have never seen anything that says it is restricted to residents and have had no trouble buying it (though once you get your permanent Carte Orange, you can buy replacement coupons/tickets from the machines).

We bought the card orange many times t he last time last May. No problem and it is wonderful . Take notice it goes from Monday to Sunday night.INo problem what so ever!!!!!!!!<BR>Last time we bought it at the Odeon Metro station, you can keep the carnet for future trips. For the first time it is easier if you bring a picture.<BR>I think it is fantastic in as much that you can hop in on a bus even if it is not the perfect bus for your destination and get off and take another is necessary. It is so much nicer to take buses versus metros..I guess metros are better than buses in winter only.,Bon voyage, just go and buy one...it is a very SIMPLE thing.......