Parking in France
 

Im driving from Germany to Paris this summer. I've heard that parking is an issue in that there aren't many places to park even at your hotel. Does anyone have any advice or know what the situation is like there? I'm thinking of staying at the Mon Reve Amadeus.

Yes, it is quite rare to have parking right AT your hotel in Paris (same is true in many big cities around the world). But a lot of hotels have made arrangements for parking within a few hundred yards. No better way to find about this than to telephone, fax or e-mail your hotel directly.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>[email protected]<BR>

&quot;Parking &quot; in Paris is an oxymoron.<BR>Bail the car out of town and use public transportation. tnen you will have a vacation!<BR>Bon Voyage!

Parking on the street in Paris is BEYOND rare and limited…thus the reason for EXTRA compact cars. Do not be surprised if you see Parisians parallel parking using the front and rear bumpers of other cars to squeeze in. Damage IS done, but also legal. <BR><BR>Also, the side mirrors collapse against the side of the car, allowing people to pass on the sidewalk (if there even is one!) and for other cars to get down a street. <BR><BR>Few and few between are very efficient underground parking areas clearly marked outside with a large ‘P’ on a blue sign, followed by the name of the parking area, mostly named after the ‘area’ in which it is in. You drive down, take a ticket, park, and pay upon leaving. These are paid by the hour and vary in different areas of Paris and average around 10 E an hour/per 2 hours.<BR>

When you park in an automated garage or parking lot, you take the ticket with you. When returning there will be a machine to accept payment and validate your ticket so that you can drive out.

RonZ<BR><BR>I learned that parking rule the hard way. When I went to drive out of the garage and nobody was at the gate, the folks in cars behind me were less than amused.

I agree with Deloris. Dump the car as soon as you get to Paris, it saves on money and nerves.

Agree with others. Dump the car outside of Paris (CDG Airport is a good spot), and take the train (RER-B from CDG Airport). Saves you the trouble of driving into Paris, where a car would be the last thing you would want in any event.<BR><BR>Happy travels.<BR><BR>John H

Oh, goodness, yes! Get rid of the car before you get to Paris! You can't even imagine - and I love driving in Paris. &Iacute;f you come into Paris with a car, forget all hope of doing any sightseeing or eating. You'll be in that car day and night trying to find a place to park it or taking lengthy public transportation missions from wherever you did park it to wherever you are staying. Don't even think about it.