Hello Fodorites!

We will be meeting my brother and his finace at Châtelet - Les Halles RER station Sept 5 2009. They will be coming from the airport, and we will already be in Paris. This is the closest stop to our apartment. Can anyone recommend a good place to meet up (a particular exit number would be fine for ex. Exit 7 or Exit Rue de Rivoli).

Merci!
Jamikins

I wouldn't try to meet someone IN the station at Châtelet. Pick a spot outdoors, like the Place du Chatelet or maybe in front of the Tour St-Jacques. The interior of that station is a maze.

ha ha, this is funny, trying to meet someone at a particular spot in that RER station..... I guess you are serious. Have you ever been in that station? Is there some simpler metro station that is fairly close to your apt instead?

I wouldn't suggest doing what you are doing, but if so, I guess the RER entrance on rue Berger.

Well thats why I was asking for help! Hahaha

I've been to the station but dont remember what is around and I know it is big but my brother cant afford to take a cab to meet us somewhere and with luggage this is the direct station to our apartment. I suppose I could ask them to change lines, but that seems equally as complicated as getting to a particular numbered exit.

In London I usually say - meet me outside Exit 2 at Bank station for example and thats fairly easy.

Is something like this not possible at this station? Do they have exit numbers, or street names like my examples above? I cant remember whether the metro does (hence my question haha)

Thanks for the help!
J

Sure it is possible, but I'm not sure you are comprehending the size of the station. Châtelet - Les Halles is the largest subway station in the world. It is a huge complex. 3/4 of a million people pass through the station daily. This is why Christina was suggesting an alternate station to meet at. Virtually any other station in Paris would be easier to do what you are trying to do. You certainly could pick an exit such as rue Berger, but I can think of easier ways to meet up with people.

Chatelet is huge - the other posters are correct that it will be difficult to find each other. Why don't you choose a stop either side of Chatelet and meet there, it will be much easier. You can catch the metro one stop to meet them and they can get off one stop earlier or later. Once you meet up you can help with his luggage if necessary.

Where is the apartment at?

If they are coming from the airport, I would then suggest you wait for them directly on the platform. For example, organize a meeting point in the front of the train, telling them not to leave the platform until you reached them

Why don't you meet them at the airport? I would think it would be easier than meetin at Chatelet.

Go north! Go to the Gare du Nord stop on the RER. Have them follow the signs to the Gare du Nord platforms at street level and pick one of the platform numbers ahead of time for your rendez-vous. These platforms are easy to get to from their point of view. And you will know that if they stay put, you will find them. The RER Gare du Nord stop is easier to navigate by simply following the signs to that train station; it is well marked and they shouldn’t have to think too hard (jet lagged, newbies, etc.)

The other option would be for a more complicated correspondence – St. Michel just south of Les Halles. I would advise against this one.

This (as you may know) will require you to jump on the transit system to get to GDN station and meet them and then all of you jumping back on to go south to Les Halles. If that is too much trouble, and you want to risk them getting lost, have them TRY to exit following the signs marked with the exit of your choice. Where is your apt located? That would narrow it down b/c there are so many exits to choose from.

~Jay

Hahahaha...so this turned out to be much more complicated than anticipated. Their flight get in very early morning, so selfishly I dont want to go all the way out

Think I may take a look at the map and take your advice to have them get off at GDN, and meet them there.

Thanks again, you guys are fantastic as always!
J

Jamikins - Use the "street view' option on Google Maps to capture an image of a feature that you want to meet at. That way they have something to "look" for when they get above ground.

I searched on Les Halles Paris France and the Chatelet - Les Halles RER station was identified right there.

Ohhh so Châtelet - Les Halles is the largest subway station in the world??? No wonder we were so lost in there we almost were in tears!!! Thankfully we figured it out (after about 20 very confusing minutes) and avoided it after.

Good luck meeting your friends!

I think getting outside to a meeting point would be a bit much for first-time travelers, so meeting them on the platform would work best. That way, you can use your (marginally better) familiarity with the station to expedite getting them on their way.

You will make your way to the platform serving <B>RER B Direction Saint-Remy-les-Chevreuse</B>, and situate yourself where the engine stops.

The party you are meeting will exit their car, turn towards the front of the train, and proceed down the platform until they encounter you.

Robespierre...thank you! That is a brilliant idea. I think we can all handle that!