Have always used the Paris Visite while in Paris. We will be ther 11 days and just read about the Navigo Découverte. We pay $5 each for a card and then have our picture applied to it. My question is, what is the photo for? How does the card work to get through the turnstyles?

Hi travelbound44 here is a link to the website for the Navigo card and all you'll need to know. Hope this answers your questions.

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

Susan

Need a clarification. The purple light that you swipe the card across is the same place you would put a Paris Visite or single ticket?

If I remember correctly the purple validation target is on top of the turnstile, very easy to find and much easier to use the Navigo than dealing with the single tickets that you insert into the turnstile. On the bus you can't miss the appropriate spot on the yellow ticket machine. You'll become a pro in no time.
Susan

Thanks Suspaul.

I did not try it, but I was told that you can leave your Navigo card in something, like a purse or backpack, and merely pass that over the sensor. It reads it through the material and lets you through. No fumbling to dig it out each time.

The photo is for identification. The pass is only for one unique person, and it has your photo and name on it. Otherwise, a group of people could buy one and pass it around amongst them and all use it at different times. Paris would go broke if a single pass could have unlimited use by anyone. I'm sure a lot of people do that now, but it's illegal and if you were checked, you'd get a big fine if you were using someone else's.

Ok now the picture thing makes sense, thanks.

My daughter was in Paris for the month of August and used the Navigo Découverte. She kept the pass in her neck bag and just swiped the bag over the detector device whenever she went through the turnstiles. Open sesame.

It is simply the most convenient way of traveling in Paris

Can't imagine why anyone would rent a car or even take a taxi in Paris. The metro and bus systems can get you anywhere. This pass is good from Monday through Sunday. It offers the best price. We have used the Visite pass and this trip we will use the T-Ticket, book of 10 rides for $12. I believe this is also called a Carnet. The system is easy to figure out.

Most women just drag their handbag over the target.