So what size picture do I take with me to buy the Navigo and does it have to be exactly the right size?

Thank you!

A face shot , about 1"x1". A friend bought her ND last week and was just handed the folder and cards , they never even looked at her picture. She had to affix it herself

I would emphasize that there are no rules - extant or proposed - that would proscribe traveling from Paris to Issy and back on a Navigo, and from Issy to Versailles and back on single tickets. The fact that one does these trips "nested" is of no consequence.

norween - go to www.ratp.fr, select "Station," enter "issy" and punch "Plan de quartier." When the map appears, click the RER icon to see what zone the station is in.

I wonder which generates more conjecture - <i>Carte Orange</i>, or <i>Oyster</i>!

Robespierre, i'm working in Issy and the RER stations (Issy plane and Issy ville) are both in zone 3
The metro stations (Corentin Celton and Mairie d'Issy) are in zone 2.
A zone 2 ticket doesn't work in Issy's RER turnstiles.

On all of the RATP and SNCF zone maps, Issy-Val de Seine and Issy on the RER C are clearly in zone 2. What are you looking at, Norween? Meudon-Val Fleury is the first stop in zone 3.

The zone maps on the RATP site sure must be very distorted then if the two RER Issy stops are in zone 3, as the big zone map clearly shows them in zone 2, not even on the border. Those aren't the names of either one, though, they are Issy Val de Seine and just Issy on the RER zone map. Issy Val de Seine is just over the border of the edge of Paris, I don't see how it could be in zone 3.

I'm not looking at a map but at the ticket i have to buy to go to work ! (and i buy it at Issy Val de Seine)
The last RER station in zone 2 on the RER line C is Boulevard Victor

Boulevard Victor is in Paris. that's zone 1!

Boulevard Victor is indeed in Paris - But believe me or not Issy Val de Seine is in Zone 3

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...artenaire=ratp

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...eur&amp;fm=pdf

http://www.stif-idf.fr/IMG/pdf/carte...mblancgris.pdf

Just look at the map, Norween.

http://www.transilien.com/web/site/a...adaire/lang/en

&gt;&gt; A zone 2 ticket doesn't work in Issy's RER turnstiles. &lt;&lt;

There is no such thing as a &quot;zone 2 ticket&quot;. There are O/D tickets for rail trips (plus an exception on T2 tram line and T+ tickets.

I must emphasize on the fact that kerouac, Robsepierre and my modest person are very well documented and well-read on the Paris transit systems. Might I suggest that you do the same ?

Many thanks to those who stuck to the subject of my questions. I appreciate all the info. Apparently when I get there in a couple of weeks on a Monday, staying for 7 days, I will have a choice of a Carte Orange or a Navigo Decouverte.
If that's the case, which one trumps the other? I.e., is one preferable to the other?

I'd go ahead and get the <i>Navigo</i> - <i>Carte Orange</i> will be obsolete next year according to http://www.ratp.info/informer/passe_navigo_orange.php

We got the Navigo Decoverte on Monday with absolutely no sweat. It one time extra 5 euro charge for issuance is more than made up for by the convenience, IMO. You just wave the thing at the sensor, while everyone else is fumbling with their ticket in the machine.

The clerk will just give you a packet in which are two cards and a plastic holder. One card has a place for your picture -- peel off the patch over the sticy part and stick your picture on. Both cards slip into the plastic holder, with the picture card alligned so that the number on the card which contains the chip alligns with a hole on the picture card.

Sounds complicated, but it is self evident, when you see it.

Have a great trip!

http://knowledgeme.free.fr/

Photo of the two parts, described above.

Thanks VERY MUCH for this specific, practical information. A Pass ND it will be.
--Logan