Paris Information

Some helpful information about Paris gathered from various sources
Arrival in Paris, Lodging, Things to Do, Dining

These recommendations are from third parties. I do not have any personal information about these places. Take the recommendations but make allowance for the fact that tastes vary and you may find a different experience than what you read here.

This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Here are some videos about Paris from New York Habitat.

Arrival in Paris

There are two international airports that serve Paris: Roissy Charles de Gaulle (CDG), the larger of the two, about 15 miles northeast of Paris (near the town of Roissy); and Orly (ORL), about 9 miles south of Paris.

There is a variety of public and private transportation options available that you can use to get from the airport to your hotel.

You can go to the Paris Metro website to get the Paris Visite pass as well as various others including a Paris Museum pass.

RER vs Metro

The Paris RER is the Regional Express Network which is a commuter train system with 5 lines, RER A through E, which cover central Paris plus much of Ile-de-France and can be used interchangeably with the Metro in central Paris.
The RER is faster than the Metro, with fewer stops & greater distances between stations and is separated into fare zones 1-5.
It is a scheduled service which is mostly above ground, except within central Paris. (RER Schedule)
Bicycles are allowed on the RER except during rush hour (not allowed between 6:30-9 AM and from 16:30 - 19:00).
The Paris Metro is the Métropolitan chemin de fer (Metropolitan railway), a subway/tube/underground train system with 16 lines, 1 through 14 plus two short secondary lines (3bis and 7bis) just in central Paris.
The Metro has shorter distances between stations and has a single fare zone. (Interactive Metro Map)
It is an unscheduled service which is mostly underground (subway/tube like).
Bicycles are not allowed on Metro, except on Metro Line 1 on Sundays and holidays.

This page shows a good overview of the RATP options from the airports into Paris.

From Charles de Gaulle
- You can use the RoissyBus from Charles de Gaulle airport to the Opéra in the center of Paris.
- You can use RER line B from Charles de Gaulle airport into Paris.
From Orly
- You can use the OrlyBus from Orly airport to Place Denfert-Rochereau in the center of Paris or OrlyVal from Orly airport to Anthony Station and then use RER train lines B or C, or the Metro to anywhere in Paris.
- You can use this RATP website to get information about RER line C from Orly airport into Paris, as well as bus options..

There are also taxis and private shuttle services available.

Lodging

These recommendations are from third parties. I do not have any information about these places. Take the recommendations but make allowance for the fact that tastes vary and you may find a different experience than what you read here.

Hotels

Hotel Amour
Favored by fashion followers and young artists, it has a good location and reasonable prices.
8 rue Navarin, 75009 Paris (9th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 1 48 78 31 80
Email:
Hotel Joyce
Another reasonably priced hotel in a good location.
29 rue la Bruyère , 75009 Paris (9th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33(0) 1 55 07 00 01
Email: hotel.joyce@astotel.com
Hotel Thérèse
Discreet and warm, Hotel Thérèse is just reborn. You are invited to rediscover the new hotel with its chic retro charm where comfort and wellbeing remain the key elements.
Reasonable prices in the heart of Paris's elegant Right Bank.
5-7, rue Thérèse - 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 (0) 1 42 96 10 01
Email: info@hoteltherese.com
Hotel Lancaster
A discreet mansion house just off the Champs-Elysées, not far from the Arc de Triomphe, the Hospes Lancaster is an exclusive and intimate boutique hotel that was constructed in the year of 1889 and represents the essence of the most refined Parisian culture.
A bit more expensive.
7 Rue de Berri 75008 Paris (8th arrondissement)
Telephone: 0033 1 40 76 40 18
Email:

Or if you'd rather rent an apartment:

Most of these seem to be rather expensive.

Chez Vous Paris
From the website: Paris is divided into 20 official districts or arrondissements. The choicest of these, according to most visitors, are the first, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh, near the river Seine in the heart of the city. All Chez Vous Paris apartments are located in these five districts.
Heaven in Paris
From the website: Welcome to a different kind of vacation. Rent a Haven in Paris luxury villa or apartment and discover an entirely new way to travel.
Paris Luxury Rentals
From the website: Paris Luxury Rentals offers you the finest selection of luxury vacation apartment rentals in Paris' most prestigious areas.
Perfectly Paris
This one seems to have a little more reasonable rates.
From the website: How can you experience Paris as only a local does? The answer is simple. Instead of booking a hotel for your stay which is just a bedroom, rent one of our self-catering apartments where you can have all of the privacy, room and convenience you need.
Paris Attitude
This one has more options as far as the rates.
From the website: With more than 5,000 apartments in every arrondissement of Paris, we can meet any request, from studios to 7-room apartments, modern lofts or traditional Haussmann-style homes. All our apartments are ready, furnished and equipped with everything you need, even linens and cooking utensils.

Things to do

How to Skip the Longest Lines in Paris
To see how Wendy and her family managed to skip a one hour long line at the Louvre and over two hours at the Eiffel Tower, click here.

If you are looking for music:
Best Venues for Music in Paris. Information from the New York Habitat blog.

Miscellaneous

Rue Mouffetard One of the oldest neighborhoods in Paris, Rue Mouffetard, in the 5th arrondissement, is lined with cafés, restaurants, shops and an open market.
Free walking tour Every day at St. Michel in the Latin Quarter and in Montmartre you can join a free walking tour of Paris.
Free pub crawl In Montmartre you can join a free pub crawl of the bars in the area.
Walk along the Champes Elysees An amazing street filled with fine dining, cafés, shopping and people.
Explore the famous cemeteries Go to the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise to see the resting place of Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde. In the Cimetiere de Montmartre you can find the resting place of Alexandre Dumas and Edgar Degas. These cemeteries are both free and very interesting.
Free art Along the fence of the Jardin du Luxombourg near the Sénat there are free exhibits that in another city would not be free.
Chocolate Tour in Paris, A Tour of Chocolate Shops in Paris and a Chocolate Map of Paris
Paris Pub Crawl: Literary Pubs in Saint Germain des Pres
Five Places to take Stunning Outdoor Photos in Paris from Jean-Michel Leclercq Photography
Girls' Guide to Paris ...an all-encompassing online city guide... ...features and manages over 4,000 pages of fun ideas, services and insider tips for shopping in, dining in and visiting Paris...
Top 15 Must-Do's in Paris information from the Girl's Guide to Paris
La Quincave
Wine cellar with wine tasting and snacks.
17 rue Bréa, 75006 Paris (6th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 29 38 24
Email:
Shakespeare & Co. book store
An "English" book shop opened by an American, George Whitman, in 1951. Located across from Notre Dame on the left bank, it is not your typical chain book store. Be sure to have your book stamped with their insignia on the way out.
37 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris (5th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 (0) 1 43 25 40 93
Email: news@shakespeareandcompany.com

Churches

Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris is happy to welcome you: pilgrims, Christians, visitors from all over the world, believers and non-believers, everyone who is willing! Notre-Dame de Paris is a church, a place of Roman Catholic worship, where Christians come together to pray. It opens its doors to you to participate in services or to freely visit the cathedral all year long. Access to the cathedral is open and free of charge every day of the year, during the opening hours.
6 Parvis Notre-Dame, Place Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris (4th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 (0)1 42 34 56 10
Email:
La Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre
From all across Paris you have seen the Basilica, situated in the heart of the town. Now you have arrived. Before you go in to begin your visit take a little time to discover the history of the Basilica, which is an on going adventure. All year round, you can make the most of the appropriate welcome services but it is also thanks to your generosity that the Basilica can continue its mission. You can continue to help the Basilica. You can also discover the celebrations here at the Basilica with a new short video of the Holy Week and Easter celebrations.
Climb up the dome to have a fanstastic view of Paris.
35, Rue Du Chevalier-De-La-Barre, 75018 Paris (18th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 1 53 41 89 00
Email: basilique@sacre-coeur-montmartre.com

Parks

Tuileries Garden
A public garden located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde in the 1st arrondissement.
Rue de Rivoli, Ile-de-France, Paris (1st arrondissement)
Telephone:
Email:
Luxembourg Garden
One of the finest gardens in Paris. Bordering with the Sénat building, it is embellished with numerous statues and offers many attractions.
Rue de Médicis Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris (6th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 42 64 33 99
Email:
Place des Vosges
The oldest planned square in Paris, on the line between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements.
off of Rue du Pas de la Mule (4th arrondissement)
Telephone:
Email:
Metro: Chemin Vert or Bastille

Museums

Le Petit Palais Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris
Museum of Arts & Crafts, indludes works by Renoir and Rodin and many others. It was built for the Universal Exhibition in 1900, paired with the Grand Palais, in the Parisian Belle Époque style.
Avenue Winston Churchill - 75008 Paris (8th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 53 43 40 00
Email:
Musée d'Orsay
Housed in the formet Orsay train station, with soaring architecture of glass and iron. It was built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition.
62, rue de Lille, 75343 Paris (7th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 (0)1 40 49 48 14
Email:

Shopping

E. Dehillerin
Dehillerin distributes high quality kitchen and pastry utensils for the catering professionnals, as well as hobby cookers. This is where Julia Child bought most of her cooking equipment when she lived in France.
18 et 20, rue Coquillière - 51, rue Jean- Jacques Rousseau - 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 1 42 36 53 13
Email: info@e-dehillerin.fr
Établissements Lion
7 rue des Abbesses, 75018 Paris (18th arrondissement)
Telephone:
Email:
G. Detou
Pâtisserie
58, rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris (2nd arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01.42.33.96.43
Email:
Jacques Genin
Fondeur en Chocolat — chocolat, patisserie, confiserie
133, rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris (3rd arrondissement)
Telephone: +33(0)1 45 77 29 01
Email: contact@jacquesgenin.fr
Le Petit Atelier de Paris
Fondeur en Chocolat — chocolat, patisserie, confiserie
31, rue de Montmorency, 75003 Paris (3rd arrondissement)
Telephone: +33(0)1 44 54 91 40
Email: contact@lepetitatelierdeparis.com
Maison Pos
90, rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris (11th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 43 70 83 01
Email: contact@maison-pos.com
Salon du fromage Hisada
47 rue de Richelieu 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 42 60 78 48
Email:

Dining

Five Must Eat Paris Snacks
This blog gives information about five things you should be sure to eat while you are in Paris. As you walk around the city, keep your eyes open for these treats.
Paris by Mouth a collaborative website, edited by established food writers
Hungry for Paris The best 102 Paris restaurants are reviewed.
The most scrumptious pastry shops in Paris from the USA Travel website.
Cantine California
A food truck in Paris
Check the website or send an email for locations
Telephone:
Email: contact@cantinecalifornia.com
La Maison Angelina Angelina's Tea Room
Patisserie, tea room and more in various locations around Parils including Rivoli (226 Rue de Rivoli,) Musée du Louvre, Galeries Lafayette, Palais de Congrès and others.
Several locations in Paris
Telephone: +33 (0)1.42.60.88.50
Email:
Kooka Boora café
Long lines and high prices, but great coffee. For a good combination, visit the Rose Bakery just down the street.
62, rue des Martyrs 75009 Paris (9th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 56 92 12 41
Email:
Metro: Pigalle, Notre-Dame-de-Lorette or Anvers
Maison Berthillon
Stop in here for a mid afternoon ice cream break.
29-31 rue Saint Louis en l'Ile 75004 Paris (4th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 43 54 31 61
Email:
Metro: Pont Marie, Saint Paul or Cardinal Lemoine
Pierre Hermé Pâtisseries Macarons & Chocolats Pierre Hermé Paris
Several locations in Paris (and many other locations around the world)
- Bonaparte
  72 rue Bonaparte 75006 Paris (6th arrondissement)
- Vaugirard
  185 rue de Vaugirard 75015 Paris (15th arrondissement)
  Telephone: +33 01 47 83 89 96
- Cambon
  4 rue Cambon 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
- Paul Doumer
  58 avenue Paul Doumer 75016 Paris (16th arrondissement)
- Opéra
  39 avenue de l'Opéra 75002 Paris (2nd arrondissement)
- Galeries Lafayette
  40 boulevard Haussmann 75009 Paris (9th arrondissement)
- publicisdrugstore
  133 avenue des Champs Elysées 75008 Paris (8th arrondissement)
- Galeries Lafayette Maison
  35 boulevard Haussmann 75009 Paris (9th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 43 54 47 77
Email:
La Tête Dans les Olives
Extra virgin olive oil from Sicily, sun-dried tomatoes, salted capers, olives, sun-dried white figs, fennel seeds, bay leaves, dried tuna and tuna roe.
2 rue Sainte Marthe 75010 Paris (10th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 09 51 31 33 34
Email: casanova@latetedanslesolives.com
Metro: Colonel fabien, belleville ou Goncourt
Crémerie-Restaurant Polidor
Historic restaurant in the 6th Arrondissement that has been frequented by such illustrious notables as James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway, André Gide, Antonin Artaud, Jack Kerouac, and Henry Miller. It is still a popular restaurant on the left bank especially among college students.
41, rue Monsieur-Le-Prince, 75006 Paris (6th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01.43.26.95.34
Email: lepolidor@aol.com
Metro: Odéon is the closest station
Boutique Hugo Desnoyer a butcher in Paris
A butcher shop of tradition and quality. Run by Hugo Desnoyer who is a meticulous and passionate butcher. His reputation was built upon the selection of the finest products. Here you will find the finest quality meats.
45, rue Boulard 75014 Paris (14th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 45 40 76 67
Email:
Aux Lyonnais
Esprit Bistro per Alain Ducasse. His most accessible restaurant, with reasonably priced prix fixe menus.
32 rue Saint Marc, 75002 Paris (2nd arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 42 96 65 04
Email: auxlyonnais@free.fr
Metro: Richelieu-Drouot or Quatre-Septembre
Coutume Café
In a Paris that seems to favor functionality over actual enjoyment of coffee, owners partners Tom Clark and Antoine Netien hope to integrate an amazing product into the culture and to never sell out. This is a good spot to have a morning brew, tasty lunch or a weekend brunch.
47, Rue de Babylone 75007 Paris (7th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 45 51 50 47
Email: info@coutumecafe.com
Metro: Sevres Bablyone
Au Passage (Facebook page)
1 bis passage saint sébastien, 75011 Paris (11th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 1.43.55.07.52
Email: baraupassage@gmail.com
Espresso and Ristretto
The owner and friendly barista, Arnaud Laroche, roasts the coffee beans in house and hopes to get the French to change their habits and understand real coffee at the right temperature.
67, rue de Charenton 75012 Paris (12th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 09 52 72 20 77
Email:
Metro: Bastille
Aux Deux Amis (Facebook page)
45, rue Oberkampf, Paris, 75011 (11th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 1 58 30 38 13
Email:
La Caféothèque
The coffee beans are roasted and brewed in house.
52, rue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, 75004 Paris (4th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 53 01 83 84
Email:
Metro: Pont Marie or Hotel de Ville
Benoit Paris L'Esprit Bistrot par Alain Ducasse
20, rue Saint-Martin, 75004 Paris (4th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 (0)1 42 72 25 76
Email: restaurant.benoit@wanadoo.fr
Blé Sucré
Breakfast or lunch...
7 rue Antoine Vollon, 75012 Paris (12th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 43 40 77 73
Email:
Breizh Café
109, rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris (3rd arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 42 72 13 77
Email:
Caffé dei Cioppi
Italian restaurant in Paris
Book your reservation a few days in advance
159 rue du Faubourg St. Antoine, 75011 Paris (11th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 43 46 10 14
Email:
Kunitoraya Villedo
Get a Japanese bento box
5 rue Villedo 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
Telephone:
Email:
Restaurant Le Cambodge
Fresh Cambodian food
10 avenue Richerand 75010 Paris (10th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 44 84 37
Email:
Pousse-Pousse
Raw, vegan, gluten-free French food. Also cooking classes.
7 Rue Notre-Dame-de-Lorette 75009 Paris (9th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 1 53 16 10 81
Email: contact@poussepousse.eu
Zerda Cafe
Ducasse-approved couscous.
15 rue Rene Boulanger 75010 Paris (19th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33-1-42-00-25-15
Email:
Chez George
1 Rue du Mail 75002 Paris (2nd arrondissement)
Telephone: +33-1-42-60-07-11
Email:
Du Pain et des Idées (Bread and Ideas)
Roots in the past but eyes to the future, both age-old regional specialties as well as true innovations can be found in this boutique. Of course, the butter croissant is a classic, but a must-try is the pain des amis©, a flatbread featuring a thick crust and a nutty taste.
34 rue Yves Toudic - 75010 Paris (10th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 42 40 44 52
Email:
Frenchie Restaurant
An innovative seasonal menu from Chef Gregory Marchand. Also visit the Frenchie Bar à Vins across the street.
rue du Nil 75002 Paris (2nd arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01.40.39.96.19
Facebook Page
Gontran Cherrier, Artisan Boulanger
Quote from the website: What I like about bread is the slight roasted caramel taste characteristic of a well cooked crust and the slightly acid aroma of the fermentation of the inside of the loaf... I love bread and bread fills my life.
22 rue Caulaincourt 75018 Paris (18th arrondissement)
8 rue Juliette Lamber 75017 Paris (17th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 46 06 82 66
Email: contact@gontrancherrierboulanger.com
Hugo & Victor
Boutique Locations
- Boutique Rive Gauche
  40 bd Raspail 75007 Paris (7th arrondissement)
  Telephone: + 33 1 44 39 97 73
- Boutique Marché Saint Honoré
  7 rue Gomboust 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
  Telephone: + 33 1 42 96 10 20
- Printemps Haussmann
  64 bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris (9th arrondissement)
  Telephone:
Joséphine "Chez Dumonet"
117 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris (6th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 1 45 48 52 40
Email:
Agapé Substance
66 rue, Marazine - 75006 Paris (6th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 1 43 28 33 83
Email:
l'Ami Jean
If you're looking for a place that's open later, try the meaty flavorful fare of Chef Stéphane Jego.
27 Rue Malar, 75007 Paris (7th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 47 05 86 89
Facebook Page
la Patisserie by Cyril Lignac
24 rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris (11th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 43 72 74 88
Facebook Page
la Patisserie des Rêves
111 rue de Longchamp, 75016 Paris (16th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 47 04 00 24
Email:
La Téte dans les Olives
2 rue Sainte Marthe 75010 Paris (10th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33(0)9 51 31 33 34
Email:
Le Baratin
Several French chefs enjoy eating at Chef Raquel Carena's heartfelt cooking at this wine bar.
3 rue Jouye-Rouve, 75020 Paris (20th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 43 49 39 70
Email:
Le Bistro Paul Bert
Contemporary bistro food, and don't forget to try the Paris-Brest, a praline pastry.
18 rue Paul Bert, 75011 Paris (20th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 43 49 39 70
Email:
Le Comptoir du Relais
An innovative and informal bistro from Chef Ives Camdeborde, who revitalized the bistro to be more creative and affordable.
9, Carrefour de l'Odeon 75006 Paris (6th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 44 27 07 97
Email:
Le Dauphin
131 avenue Parmentier, 75011 Paris (11th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 55 28 78 88
Email:
L'Entrée des Artistes
8 rue de Crussol, 75011 Paris (11th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 09 50 99 67 11
Email:
Le Pantruche
Located in an area where tourists rarely go, the irreverent and inventive menu from Chef Franck Baranger is worth going out of your way for.
3, Rue Victor Massé 75009 Paris (9th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 48 78 55 60
Email:
Le Verre Volé
67, Rue de Lancry 75010 Paris (10th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 48 03 17 34
Email: leverrevole@wooz.com
Le Voltaire
27 Quai Voltaire 75007 Paris (7th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 42 61 17 49
Email:
Le Papillon Café
129 rue Mouffetard 75005 Paris (5th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 43 31 66 50
Email:
Metro: Nearest Transit Stations: Censier - Daubenton, Les Gobelins, Place Monge
L'Office
3 rue Richer, 75009 Paris (9th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 47 70 67 31
Email:
Neva Cuisine
2 rue de Berne, 75008 Paris (8th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 45 22 18 91
Email:
Restaurant Jean-François Piège
For a fun place that is more fashion show than restaurant, wear your finest outfit to sample the fare from Chef Piège.
Also Brasserie Thoumieux and Hôtel Thoumieux
79, Rue Saint-Dominique 75007 Paris (7th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 47 05 49 75
Email:
Sébastien Goudard
22, Rue des Martyrs, 75009 Paris (9th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 71 18 24 70
Email: patisserie@sebastiengaudard.com
Septime
80 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris (11th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 43 67 38 29
Email:
Spring Paris
Chicago native Daniel Rose seems right at home offering delicious food in Paris.
6, Rue Bailleul, 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 45 96 05 72
Email:
During the day, try Spring Boutique.
52 Rue de l'Arbre Sec 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 58 62 44 30
Email:
Télescope
5 rue Villedo 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 42 61 33 14
Email: info@telescopecafe.com
Facebook Page
Verjus
47 Rue de Montpensier 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 42 97 54 40
Email: verjusparis@gmail.com
Facebook Page
Vivant
43 rue des Petites Ecuries, 75010 Paris (10th arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 42 46 43 55
Email:
Yam'Tcha
Chinese food from Chef Adeline Grattard might make you forget French food altogether.
4 rue Sauval, 75001 Paris (1st arrondissement)
Telephone: +33 01 40 26 08 07
Email: