<BR>I've been to the French Rivera however, never to Paris. Need some help for when I first arrive. How far is CDG airport from the center of Paris? Should I take a taxi, subway or train? How much will a taxi cost and do they accept CC. Have not finalized hotel yet, which arrondissement would be best for the first time visitor. In other words, what would be convenient to the Arc, Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Notre-Dame. Is staying on the river anything special? Would also like to know you favorite internet sites for Paris. <BR>Thanks to everyone who responds, I love adding and posting to this site.

Hi Fran, the easiest way into Paris is to reserve the Airport Shuttle. You can do that on the internet by going to <BR>"cometoparis.com". Thats what I did last month. They give you a 800 number to call when at the airport. They will tell you what door to go to and will pick you up and drop you at your hotels front door.

Fran--- you have already checked the posts on Paris, but....what? Not an answer yet? Nothing that appeals to you? What are you specifically looking for? I can assure you that some of the information posted on this forum by the Paris regulars is far and beyond, the best guidance you can get, including from some $25/guidebooks. <BR> <BR>Paris can definitely be overwhelming for a first-time visitor, so take a deep breath and tackle one aspect at a time, i.e. which area to stay?, then, which hotel in that area?, etc... <BR> <BR>To address area, I recommend the 6th or the 7th arrondissement for a first-time visitor. The 7th specifically is a chic and proper Paris neighborhood. There, I am a huge fan of Hotel Muguet. Quiet, but not boring at a walking distance from the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadéro, the Invalides, Musee Rodin, Musee D'Orsay, two metro stations, etc. Check out the following websites http://www.parishotels.com/ and <BR>http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/. If that still doesn't help, Deborah Baldwin, excellent travel writer, wrote a special article for The Washington Post, Cheaps Sleeps On Paris http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/tra...tels041899.htm. A good website to read about arrondissements is http://www.paris.org/ <BR> <BR>There are dozens of posts about how to get from CDG to Paris center. You could get detailed metro maps and route planner at http://www.ratp.fr/index_eng.htm (Paris subway map). <BR> <BR>One of my favorite Paris websites is http://www.pageszoom.com/rc.cgi?lang=en <BR>Just enter the address of the business/hotel/ etc and this site will show you up & down pictures of the street. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. Have the best time in Paris. May is a beautiful month to be there.

Use the airport shuttle as mentioned and reserve it in the states via internet. It's no hassle, and takes about an hour.

Let me make a few general observations about visiting Paris. Before reaching any conclusions at all about what to see and how long to say, read a minimum of 3 guide books on Paris for attractions and descriptions of the various attractions, events, and arrondisements. For hotels, I would suggest looking in the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th Arrs for a comfortable place. I would pick my hotel as a hotel per se and not by its location next to some special attraction because if the hotel is close to one attraction, it is going to be removed from something else. The bus and metro system is so good that nothing within the Paris ring highway is very far away time wise. Perhaps it is because I have studied the maps, but I find Paris to be the easiest large city in the world to get around in, although Vienna is close. If you are going to in Paris during June, July, August or September, I recommend a room that is air cooled for two reasons: a. you will be more comfortable in terms of temperature and humidity and b: you will be quieter, particularly if your room opens on a street. <BR> <BR>In my trips there I have used hotels near the Eifel Tower (7th) and the 6th and on the northern edge of the 14th, just a hundred or so yards from Raspail and Monparnasse. The restaurants La Coupole and L'o' la Biche were within easy walking distance. A bus went right to Musee d'Orsay and Musee Rodin and just about every other major attraction as well. <BR> <BR>Because France is more than Paris and so many prime attractions lie within a few hours commute of Paris, I think you need to make a prioritized list of what you want to see. Then try to group them geographically. Many people will suggest that you visit this or that place. I don't like to do that until I know what the reader wants to see and do. (I will make one exception, I was so taken with the whole of Vaux-le-Vicomte that recommending a visit to see it is something I now do with almost missionary zeal. It is a culminant achievement in chateau design and construction.) <BR> <BR>For my next trip, there is always the decision to make: do I try a different hotel and see a new aspect of Paris, or do I return to one I know will be comfortable and puts me into familiar surroundings where I know the Metro and bus routes?? <BR> <BR>My last caution is don't plan on seeing too much in a day. First, some of the attractions can be overwhelming and you want to stay longer. Second, there are so many unexected attractions that seem to suddenly appear that I almost never to directly to or come directly back from most places, unless it is raining, which is not at all uncommon in Paris. <BR> <BR>So read some, ask some, and decide what it is you like that will satisfy you. <BR>People are full of advice, but they don't see the world through your eyes.

<BR>Thanks for the advice, to the one who was not very nice let me explain more. I just returned from China where I was hightly prepared, read books, studied maps, etc. I try to travel once a month and this trip is in two weeks, so not much time. I'm planning to go for a long weekend, and need quick help. Mainly wanted to know what to expect when I first arrive, sorry I thought that was clear. Since when in Europe I generally use the ATM to get local cash. That is why I had asked about CC for the taxi or shuttle. Is there an ATM in the airport? <BR>Thanks again for the helpful suggestions.

Fran: We used the airport shuttle the last time we were there and would highly reccomend it. But to answer your questions about the taxi drivers taking credit cards, we were told they do. You will notice the waiters in all the restaurants in Paris bring the telxon type gizmo directly to your table when you present a credit card. I thought this was very clever as there is no running back to the register to get authorization. And we were told the taxi drivers do the same thing. the terminal is portable. So if you get stuck with no cash, no problem. Hope this helps.

Fran, was that me that was not nice to you????? I am really sorry if it was me and my response came across the wrong way. I still hope it was of some help....

Hi Fran <BR>I have a long computer file on Paris, info from my own trips and also gleaned from other sources like this forum, also oodles of websites <BR>If you'd like to look at it, email me.

Hi Fran: <BR>There's lots of good info here on Paris. Everyone has their likes and dislikes. One of your questions is about ATM at the Airport. There are many but I have found that the ones in the main terminal are always busy. I head over to Train Station entrances and find them with no one there. Three or four ATMs for your use. I usually take about 400 francs to get me started. Paris has ATM all over. Check if the Hotel you use is near the stops for the Air France Shuttle Bus. The trip is about 1hour-1hour and twenty minutes depending on traffic. Cost is 17 francs one way I have used Credit Cards in the taxi. The portable terminal they use is amazing. Taxis charge extra for luggage. Hope this helps you. Have Fun in Paris!

Lived there for a few years. I think the 5th, 6th, and 7th are the places to stay. I prefer the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles in the 5th, but, as another person has said, the Hotel Muguet is congenial. I use it for business travel. <BR>Coming from the airport I take a taxi. Usually 120 to 150 FF plus 10 FF for each bag into the trunk so hold onto small bags. At the current exchange rate that is pretty cheap imo, and there are ALWAYS taxis handy at the airports. Taxis put you at your destination faster than any other means except the Metro, but the Metro is a hassle with baggage. <BR>At CdG the taxi line is to your right as you step out of the terminal. <BR>Staying on the river is nothing special, but do take the boat ride, the Bateaux Mouche, which you can get info on from your concierge. Do the Eiffel Tower at night to avoid the huge crowds, see the city lit up, and eat dinner at the Jules Verne which is up there. It rates a Michelin star which is the definition of very good cuisine. We enjoyed it immensely. <BR>Bon voyage.