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I find the quickest and the most economical way to get from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport into Paris is the RER (Regional Express Network) line B. The trip to Gare de Nord takes approximately 40 minutes and to Chatelet-Les Halles 45 minutes. Paris Airport Shuttle is an alternative to public transportation. They can arrange trasnport into the city either by shuttle bus or a private car. One of the advantages of using this service over public transportation is you get door-to-door service, but of course the trade off is its more expensive.
Getting around the city is not a problem because Paris has one of the best subway systems in the world, both in terms of service and cost. The Paris Visite card is a good idea for those who will be using public transportation frequently. Available in 1, 2, 3 or 5 day passes and good on all forms of public transportation. Another option is the Carte Orange (weekly or monthly passes are available). Valid from Monday-Sunday. The public transportation system is operated by RATP. The website has an English version for the itinerary planner. If you are leaving from JFK in New York City you can purchase the Paris Visite Pass at the Metropole Facile in Terminal 1. Once you arrive at CDG you can use the pass on the RER.
I find the Pariscope, a weekly guide useful for finding out about films, theater, concerts, art exhibitions and so fourth I might add there is a section on what’s happening in English. This publication is available at some hotels and newsstands. Another source for information and published in English is The Paris Free Voice (published monthly). There is a list of cultural activities for the month. You can purchase the newspaper at bookstores that cater to the ex-pat community such as The Shakespeare and Co in the Latin Quarter or the Village Voice Bookstore in St. Germain-des-Pres. You may find the publication in cafes and restaurants that are frequented by Americans or Brits might carry the newspaper. Time Out has an online city guide for Paris at www.timeout.com/paris/. Under - This Week there are current listing for events and exhibitions.
If you are planning on going up into the towers of the Cathedrale Notre-Dame be sure to arrive early because the line for this popular attraction can get quite long especially during high season. To go into the cathedrale itself is free; however, there is an admission charged for the towers, but well worth the price of admission for the view of Paris and to see the famous gargoyles.
Parisinfo.com is the “official web site of the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau” and a good online source to find out what’s going on in Paris
Discover France offers cycling tours and guided walking tours throughout France.
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