Re: First solo trip to Paris
 

Can we purchase Navigo passes at the TI or Tobac at CDG? If not, where is the most convenient place to purchase them at the airport? We will be arriving at T 2B. Or, is there a safe convenient place near Hoted De Ville area?
What is the size of the Navigo pass when in its"sleeve" In inches, si'l vous plait.
How serious is the May 8th Victory Day holiday?
Thank you soo much for being helpful. We leave May 2 and I am getting EXCITED.

It's about the size of a credit card, you do need a photo, they can be purchased at any metro station. If you don't have a chipped credit card, you will need cash for the machines or go to a manned window. Sorry don't know about airport as I always use a taxi or a shuttle when arriving

Thank you, avalon. We have our pictures. Maybe someone else will address the location question.

<<Can we purchase Navigo passes at the TI or Tobac at CDG? If not, where is the most convenient place to purchase them at the airport? We will be arriving at T 2B. Or, is there a safe convenient place near Hoted De Ville area?>>

Hi Mayi-not sure what you are asking about the Hotel de Ville area? If you mean to buy the pass then yes, the metro there will sell them. If you mean is the area a safe one to stay in, the answer is also yes. I stayed there as a single woman for 2 months on business and came and went all times of the night. It is basically the Marais, and the only area I would not choose to stay in around there would be closer over towards the Les Halles shopping area. I have found they kind of hassle tourists there at night-lots of young people hanging out around that area because there are cheap fast food places-so basically not as nice than east of Hotel De Ville towards St. Paul for instance. In terms of good hotels nearby, there are many in the Marais-a good way to look for yourself would be to put the hotel de ville on google maps and search nearby for hotels between there and the St Paul area for instance. Otherwise, if you give folks an idea of your budget I am sure you will many good suggestions.

The pictures should be about 1-1/8" to 1-1/4" square. You get them at manned Metro stations, not at a Tabac.

jpie-sorry about the miscommunication. Yes, I did want to know if we could buy a pass somewhere other than the metro station at Les Halles. I have read that that it is not a safe station. Glad to hear that we can walk over to the one at Hotel de Ville. We rented an apartment close to the Pompidou Center. Being a couple of "older folks" we may not be out very late at night. Thank you for your input reguarding the area and suggestion to stay a little further east of where we will be on this trip. This will not be my last trip to Paris!!!

nukesafe-I have the pics all ready to go. Thanks

Got it-just to make sure I didn't mislead you it looks like the Le passe Navigo découverte, which is the one meant for non-residents is available in all metro stations, but you are right that the nearest Agence for Navigo nearby is at Les Halles. I think the station itself is not that "un-safe", but one of the issues is that it is quite large, as is Chatelet nearby. I hope you like the neighborhood by the way. We lived right kitty corner to the Pompidou for 3 years and love the area for restaurant, bus connections etc.

Hi jpie-Would you consider posting some eating places-especially for lunch in the area? We do not eat very often at Paris's dinner time. Also, is there a place to do laundry in the area? We will be on St.Martin. May not need it but knowing will be good-just in case. One object for the trip may be learning to use buses-we have the map on the reverse side of the large metro map. Any suggestions for a smaller one? I have a street map and a small metro map.

Hi Mayi:

I am pasting an excerpt of some questions from someone who is staying near the same area in June. Also feel free email me personally for more specific questions as they come up at [email protected]

In terms of laundry, I am not sure where exactly you are on St. Martin, but one that I have used is at:

40 Rue de Montmorency, 75003 Paris‎
tel: - 01 48 04 72 76‎

It is a self service and fine-open til 11PM too!

In terms of food, you have a nice market street close to you on Rue Rambuteau. There are good bakeries, fruit stalls, fish mongers, butchers etc. A good way to check it out is to put 22 Rue Rambuteau, Paris, France 75003 into google maps and then look at the street view. It give you a good idea of the neighborhood. You can also type restaurants into the search nearby and you will be amazed at what comes up. Le Hangar and Dome du Marais are 2 we always recommend in the area. Le Hangar is right across from the Pompidou in a little dead end across from the doll museum of all things:

Le Hangar
12 Impasse Berthaud, 75003 Paris‎
tel: 01 42 74 55 44‎

Dome Du Marais
53 Bis Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75004 Paris‎
Tel 01 42 74 54 17‎

There is also kind of a famous regional restaurant that is very nearby called Ambassade d'Auvergne http://www.ambassade-auvergne.com I haven't actually ever eaten there-it is region with kind of "heavy" cuisine but you can read about it on the site and see what you think.

If you are serious foodie, let me know and I will steer you to some more resources for that. We actually eat a lot of ethnic food in Paris and save our $$ for French food when we travel in the country where it is cheaper....

Also be sure to check out the area around rue Montorgueil-it is a famous and old market street-one of the best in Paris. The area also has a bunch of covered passageways which are great to wander through and shop or just window shop.

The size is like a foto in your passport. It's possible to buy the Navigo pass at CDG and everywhere in Paris.