Welcome Guide Paris

You can find detailed information on the many museums and monuments in Paris here

Among the most famous and unavoidable museums, you will find the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée National d’Art Moderne (Centre Pompidou – Beaubourg), the Grand Palais, the Palais de Tokyo (Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris) … Most national museums are closed on Tuesdays. European citizens under 26 years of age have free access to the permanent collections of the national museums (temporary exhibitions are usually subject to a fee.) The other museums offer a reduced rate for students (a student card is required.) Most of them are free on the first Sunday of each month.

In addition to these great museums, Paris also offers the possibility to visit many small museums and art galleries such as the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain, the Musée Rodin, the Maison Européenne de la Photographie, the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson, etc. There are many small art galleries in several districts, but especially in the Marais district (3rd and 4th arrondissements).

The “Arts & Culture” section of Time Out Paris can be a good starting point to find information on current exhibitions.

Paris has the highest density of cinemas in the world (number of cinemas per capita), which will give you the opportunity to see almost any type of film you might be interested in, from independent foreign films to huge blockbusters. Some cinemas, especially in the Latin Quarter, specialize in old classics or cult films. You will always be able to watch the recent releases either in the original version with French subtitles or in a version dubbed in French. The entrance fee can be a bit expensive (around 12 or 13 €) but most cinemas offer discounts for students (entrance around 8 €). It is also often possible to purchase a discounted multiple entry pass.

Most cinema chains (Gaumont, UGC) focus on popular releases while the MK2 cinema devotes more attention to independent films. There are also many independent cinemas that are worth visiting for their program, but sometimes also for their building, their history and their atmosphere (the Pagode, the Louxor, the Cinéma des Cinéastes, the Studio 28…) There are weekly guides that can help you find the films that are playing in any cinema: the‘Officiel des Spectacles, for example. These guides also contain information on current plays and exhibitions.

For film buffs, the Cinémathèque française is a place not to be missed (screenings, festivals, museum, exhibitions, library, etc.)

During the summer, the City of Paris organizes free outdoor screenings.

If you want to buy tickets to shows or plays, check out Billetreduc.

If you want to discover French films with English subtitles, visit LostinFrenchlation.

Paris also offers many great options for live music lovers, from large concert halls and outdoor festivals to small independent venues and cafes. Among the most famous large venues, there is the AccorHotels Arena, the Zenith or the Olympia. The smaller venues are the Cigale, the Point Ephémère, the Trabendo, the Maroquinerie and many others. All of these venues offer an eclectic program but tend to focus on indie and electronic music. Jazz lovers will find several jazz clubs in the city, especially in the Latin Quarter and in the 1st arrondissement. These places all have a website detailing their program. You can also find a detailed program of most of the concerts in a small free booklet called LYLO (Les Yeux Les Oreilles ) available in many bars and cafés.

As far as record stores are concerned, you can also enjoy many options ranging from chain stores like the FNAC and Gibert Joseph – which are also great bookstores with well-stocked independent record shops (Born Bad, Pop Culture, Music Fear Satan, Souffle Continu, Ground Zero, Silence de la Rue…). More details available here.

Paris has about 500 parks and gardens. Be sure to visit the ones in your area. Find the whole list here!

Sports clubs in Paris and on campus

Forest Hill Aquaboulevard

4 rue Louis Armand

Telephone: 01 53 78 10 90

Check with your school for discounts

Front de Seine

44 Emeriau Street

Telephone: 01 45 78 88 00

Squash Front de Seine

22 Theatre Street

Telephone: 01 45 78 88 00

Neoness fitness room (gym) 18 rue Juge

Telephone: 01 80 48 02 88

Pools

Keller Pool

14 Engineer Robert Keller Street

Telephone: 01 45 71 81 0

The Saint-Louis Pool

2 rue Juliette Dodu, 75010 Paris

Swimming pool Atlas School

18 rue de l’Atlas, 75019 Paris

Catherine Lagatu Pool

155 avenue Parmentier, 75010 Paris

Municipal Olympic Pool

17 place Charles de Gaulle, 92400 Courbevoie

Swim Stars La Défense

56 passage de la Coupole, 92400 Courbevoie

Flea markets and second hand goods shops

If you want to find furniture, used clothes or anything else you need without spending a lot of money, flea markets are perfect!

Paris has listed all the flea markets in the capital here.

If you want to know more about the cultural agenda of Paris, visit the official website of the Paris Tourist Office.

The Paris metro system is quite extensive and is the best way to get around. The metro consists of 14 lines and covers the central region of Paris and extends into some suburbs. As soon as you arrive, you must get a monthly pass called “Navigo”, or as a student you can get the “Imagin’R” card. It is more efficient to get a monthly pass than to buy a ticket every time you ride the subway.

Don’t forget to download the RAPT Bonjour application or consult the metro map.

If you prefer to walk, this map will help you to know the distance between each “metro mouth”.

The RER is a fast train, larger than the metro, which crosses Paris and its suburbs. You must purchase a ticket, the cost of which varies depending on the area you are traveling to. The RER lines are named in alphabetical order from A to E. You must buy a special RER ticket if you choose to travel with this transport system or buy access to zones 1 and 5 on your Navigo.

Buses are also convenient for short distances; however, for long distances, it is better to take the metro or RER. You can find a bus map on the website above.

1. T+ tickets

• One ticket (for all zones): 2,10 €
• Book of 10 tickets (for all zones): 16.90 €
• A ticket in a bus: 2 € (one-way tickets are sold only on board of the buses valid for one bus trip, no changes).

You can consult the whole selection of tickets on the following page: https: //www.ratp.fr/titres-et-tarifs

You can now buy your ticket directly on your phone with the application.

Origin-destination ticket

The origin-destination ticket allows you to travel between two stations in the Île-de-France region on the RER lines.

It is used in one way or another, for example: Paris – la Défense and la Défense – Paris. The one-way ticket from or to Paris, from or to La Défense, is €2.80. Tickets to or from Paris can use a metro and RER connection in Paris.

2. The Navigo Pass

The other option is to obtain a Navigo Pass. It is available immediately at the counter in metro stations and in authorized stores without having to fill out an application. It costs 5€. It is open to all (no obligation to live or work in the Ile-de-France). It is accompanied by a name card with photo (25x30mm format).

• The weekly subscription from Monday to Sunday is €22.80 for all zones. It is valid on the metro, bus and RER in Paris.
• You can purchase a monthly Navigo Pass for an unlimited number of trips upon arrival. With this card, you will be able to use the metro, bus and RER for all zones. Currently, the cost for all zones with a monthly subscription is €84,10
• Please note: Most subway stations do not have elevators or escalators. If you have heavy luggage to carry, you may have to carry it up the stairs.

3. The Imagin’R card for students

It is a transportation card valid for one year for students under 26 years of age and for an unlimited number of trips in the zones selected. It costs 365 €/year (30 €/month), which is 50% less than the Navigo pass (84.10 €/month).

Regardless of the zones you choose, you will be able to travel throughout the Ile-de-France region on weekends, vacations and from July 1 to August 31. The first day of validity of this card can be September 1, October 1, November 1, December 1 and January 1.

You can easily get more information on the Imagin’R website. Or you can ask at a counter in the metro for the form to fill out. Imagin’R also offers discounts on many leisure activities (cinema, etc.).

If you stay less than a year in Paris, and therefore do not use your Imagin’R card during the whole year, you can stop your subscription by sending a letter of cancellation accompanied by the document justifying that you are no longer a student, to the following address:

AGENCE IMAGINE R – TSA 16039 – 95905 CERGY PONTOISE Cedex 9 by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt at least 15 days before the end of your last month in Paris.

Vélib’ is a large-scale bicycle sharing company. To use the system, users must obtain a subscription or Pass, which allows subscribers an unlimited number of rentals. https://www.velib-metropole.fr/fr

• The Pass can be purchased for 5 €/ for a daily rental (24H HOUR PASS- CLASSIC) or 15 €/ for a 3 days rental (3 DAY PASS).

• For occasional users, a V-Libre subscription can be taken out from 1 €/30 min for ordinary bikes and 3 €/30 min for electric bikes.

• For regular users, a 12-month V-Plus subscription (more than 4 trips per month) can be purchased from €3.10/month or a 12-month V-Max subscription for €9.30/month (€7.10 if you are under 27 years old) including regular and electric bikes.

• Please note: with a subscription, the bike rental is free for the first half hour of each individual trip; the number of free trips per day is unlimited. A trip that takes more than 30 minutes will incur a charge of €1 to €4 for the next 30 minutes. Increased pricing is intended to keep bikes on the road.

For more information, to subscribe or to buy a Pass, visit the Vélib website or you can also download the application).

How does getting a bike work?

When you register, you can choose either to download the subscription onto your Navigo card or to obtain a Vélib’ Métropole card (which will be sent to your home.) Then, you enter your e-mail address and create a password to access your account. You must provide your contact information and agree to the Terms and Conditions of Access and Use (TACU). Payment is made by credit card via a secure area. To confirm the subscription, you must choose a 4-digit secret code, and an 8-digit access code. Both codes will be emailed to you and available in your online account. You will need your codes for your first rental. The Vélib’ Métropole card and the Navigo pass allow direct access to bicycles at Vélib’ stations.

To access a bike at the Vélib stations, swipe your Navigo card or your Vélib’ Métropole card on the screen, then enter your 8-digit access code and press the “V” button. Then enter your 4-digit code and swipe your Navigo card or your Vélib’ Métropole card again. Once the message “Start OK” appears on the screen, you can take your bike. To return your bike at the end of your trip, choose any Velib station, then insert the bike’s wheel into the delimiter so that it is locked. If the screen is not active, press the “V” button. When the “STOP” message appears and you hear two beeps, you’re good to go. If there is only one beep, you must put your bike back to lock it.

Discover the bike paths in Paris with the Vélib application or via this map.

French cabs are licensed by the local prefecture, which imposes strict rules regarding technical inspection, passenger capacity (maximum three) and working hours. Private minicabs do not really exist, and all cabs operate in the same way and at the same cost in each region. They tend to charge more depending on the time of day (i.e. early morning and late evening). Paris cabs can be called in the street, in the numerous cab stands found in each arrondissement or booked by phone. The cab companies in Paris are the following:

• G7 (G seven): You can download the app or call the company at 3607 (call is not free.)
• PAM 75 for people with disabilities
• Alpha Taxis

If you are planning to travel in France or Europe after or during your studies, there are many starting points.

From three airports:

Orly airport

From or to Orly airport, you can use the following transportation:

• The RER B with a connection to Anthony with the OrlyVal shuttle – 35 minutes – 12,10 €.
• The Orlybus – 30 minutes – 9,50 €.
• Tramway T7 – 30 minutes – 1,90 €.
• Bus 91-10 – 80 minutes – 6 €.
• Tramway T9 + bus 183 – 60 minutes – 1,90 €.
• The RER C + the 183 – 50 minutes – 6, 40 €.
  For more information, please visit the Paris Airport website.
• Cabs: the flat rate for a trip to Paris “rive droite” is 37 €, and to Paris “rive gauche” is 32 €. For more information, please visit the Paris Airport website. Please note: real cabs are located in the stations at the arrival gates and are legally allowed to pick up customers. These official cabs can be recognized by the lighted sign on the roof of the vehicle. They must accept credit/debit cards as payment. We recommend that you book a ride in advance. If you are approached at the baggage claim by people claiming to be cabs, we invite you to refuse any offer of transport.

Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport:

From or to Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, you can use the following transportation options

• RER B – between 35 and 25 minutes – 11,40 €.
• Buses 350 & 351 – between 70 and 80 minutes – 6 €.
• The RoissyBus – about 60 minutes – 12.50 €.

For more information, please visit the Paris airport website

• The SNCF Charles de Gaulle 2 train station offers several destinations throughout France.

For more information, please visit the Paris Airport website.

• Cabs: the flat rate for a trip to Paris “rive droite” is 53 €, and to Paris “rive gauche” is 58 €. For more information, please visit the Paris airport website. Please note: real cabs are located in the arrival gate stations and are legally allowed to pick up customers. These official cabs can be recognized by the lighted sign on the roof of the vehicle. They must accept credit/debit cards as payment. We recommend that you book a ride in advance. If you are approached at the baggage claim by people claiming to be cabs, we invite you to refuse any offer of transport.

Upon arrival, many services can be offered at these two airports:

• ATMs if you need to withdraw money. There are forty-five of them. For more information, please visit the Paris Airport website.
• Exchange offices if you need to buy euros. There are three offices at Orly airport and fourteen at Charles de Gaulle airport. For more information, please visit the Paris Airport website.

• Lost and Found offices if you have lost a personal item while in one of the airports, you can fill out an online form. If the object is found, it is sent to the Lost and Found Department of the Paris Police Headquarters. If an item is lost on board, in transit, in an airline lounge or on a boarding/deplaning bus, you must contact the airline’s baggage department. Any damaged or missing items must be reported before leaving the airport. For more information, please visit theParis Airport website.
• Information kiosks help you stay informed and orient yourself in the airport. For more information, please visit the Paris Airport website.

Beauvais Airport:

From or toBeauvais airport, you can use the following transportation:

• The Paris-Beauvais shuttles: the one-way ticket is 15,90 € – the round trip is 29,00 €. For more information, please visit the airport website
• The regional train (TER) from the Gare du Nord in Paris. For more information, please visit the airport website.
• Cabs: from the Beauvais train station to the airport, the price of a cab during the day is about 15 € (from 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays). The night rate is about 20 € (from 7 pm to 7 am on Sundays and holidays). The journey takes about 10 minutes. To go from Paris to the airport, count about 170 € per day trip and 210 € per night trip. The trip takes between one hour and 90 minutes, depending on the time of day and your point of departure in Paris. We recommend that you book a cab in advance. For more information, please visit the airport website.

Upon arrival, many services can be offered to you:

• ATMs are available, as well as multi-currency ATMs.
• The Baggage and Lost Property Department can help you if your luggage is not delivered or if you forget something on the plane or at the airport. Any damaged or missing items must be reported before leaving the airport.

For more information on the above services, please visit the Beauvais Airport website.

Transport by train from France:

• SNCF (transnational train): Ouigo, Inoui, IDTGV, iDbus. Do not hesitate to download the SNCF Connect application.

In Paris, the SNCF stations are :

• Austerlitz station
• East Station
• Bercy Bourgogne – Pays d’Auvergne station

• Montparnasse train station
• North Station
• Gare de Lyon
• Saint Lazare train station

Train transportation in Europe

• Rail Europe
• Eurostar (Paris – London)

You can easily get to campus by metro, RER, or Vélib.

• The Eiffel campus is located in the 15th arrondissement.

Metro line 6 : Bir-Hakeim and Dupleix stations

Metro line 8 : La Motte-Piquet Grenelle station

Metro line 10 : Charles Michels station

RER C : Champs de Mars Tour Eiffel station

Bus 42 : stop rue Rouelle.

The nearest Velib stations: rue Emeriau, Boulevard de Genelle

• The La Villette campus is located in the 10th arrondissement.

Metro line 2 : Colonel Fabien station

Bus 75 : stop Sambre et Meuse

The nearest Velib station: Claude Vellefaux – Sambre et Meuse

• The Paris Auteuil campus is located in the 16th arrondissement.

Metro line 10 & 9 : Michel-Ange Molitor and Exelmans stations

Bus 62 : Exelmans stop

Bus 88 : Exelmans stop

The nearest Velib stations: Exelmans Michel-Ange and Molitor Michel-Ange

• The Cœur Défense campus is located in the La Défense business district.

Metro line 1 : Esplanade de la Défense station

Tramway T2 : La Défense – Grande Arche station

RER A, L, U : La Défense – Grande Arche station

The nearest Velib station : Arche-leonard de Vinci

Bakeries – between 5 and 12 euros

Le Gallic Bakery

133 avenue Emile Zola

Telephone: 01 45 75 20 64

Bakery and coffee shop : Le Fournil de Pierre

10 rue du commerce

Telephone: 01 45 75 16 48

A la petite chocolatière

66 avenue de la Motte Picquet

Telephone: 01 47 83 32 87

Poilâne Bakery

49 boulevard de Grenelle

Telephone: 01 45 79 11 49

Baker SECCO

75 boulevard de Grenelle

Telephone: 01 45 67 17 40

Pistachio and chocolate

33/35 rue de lourmel

Telephone: 01 45 75 56 03

For those looking for gluten-free bakeries, you can find out more here.

International cuisine – between 5 and 15 euros

Brasserie Le Pont De Seine

1 boulevard de Grenelle

Telephone: 01 45 79 38 05

Café du Commerce

51 rue du Commerce

Telephone: 01 45 75 03 27

The Bouquet of Grenelle

68 avenue de la motte Piquet

Telephone: 01 47 34 30 01

Café du Commerce

51 rue du Commerce

Telephone: 01 45 75 03 27

Main Counter

29 boulevard de Grenelle

Telephone: 01 45 78 72 66

Bistrot dupleix

62 boulevard de Grenelle

Telephone: 01 45 77 24 96

Metropolitan

83 boulevard de grenelle

Telephone: 01 40 56 00 02

The Pierrot

67 avenue de la Motte-Picquet

Telephone: 01 47 34 17 76

142 Contemporary creperie

59 Saint-Charles Street

Telephone: 01 40 59 84 01

Café Créperie Suzette

117 boulevard de Grenelle

Telephone: 01 47 83 39 71

At the Moka

92 boulevard de grenelle

Telephone: 01 45 78 19 68

Tipaza (Eastern Cuisine)

150 avenue Emile Zola

Telephone: 01 45 79 22 25

To the last subway (Basque)

70 boulevard de grenelle

Telephone: 01 45 75 01 23

Pastapapa

7 rue Lourmel

Telephone: 01 45 77 66 47

Restaurant for high budgets – more than 20 euros

Tagawa (Japanese restaurant)

37 bis rue Rouelle

Telephone: 01 45 75 93 21

Le Concert de Cuisine (Japanese restaurant)

14 rue nélaton

Telephone: 01 40 58 10 15

The Court Bouillon

51 rue du théâtre

Telephone: 01 45 77 08 18

The Watering Place

24 Dr. Finlay Street

Telephone: 01 45 77 14 59

The campus cafeteria

We have a cafeteria on campus for you to enjoy your lunch. You can use the cafeteria from Monday to Friday.

You can also bring your own lunch. We have microwaves at your disposal.

Bakery – between 5 – 12 euros

Baker – Pastry chef

50 avenue de Flandre, 75019 Paris

6 € for lunch

International cuisine – between 10 and 15 euros

Kimsou (burgers)

30 avenue de Flandre, 75019 Paris

Piatto (pizzas, pastas)

32 avenue de Flandre, 75019 Paris

McDonald’s

2 avenue Secrétan – 75019 Paris

Professor wings

49 rue de l’Aqueduc, 75010 Paris

French cuisine – around 7 euros

Typick Café

37 quai de la Seine – 75019 Paris

6.90 € the student menu

Bakery – between 5 – 12 euros

Bakery

186 avenue de Versailles

75016 Paris

Bakery

100 Boileau Street

75016 Paris

Bakery

34 boulevard Exelmans

75016 Paris

Bakery

152 avenue de Versailles

75016 Paris

Caterer

95 boulevard Exelmans

International cuisine – between 10 and 15 euros

O’Tacos

211 avenue de Versailles

75016 Paris

McDonald’s

234 avenue de Versailles

75016 Paris

Sakura

50 boulevard Exelmans

75016 Paris

Flavors of Tokyo

158 avenue de Versailles

75016 Paris

Big Buddha

107 Boulevard Exelmans

75016 Paris

French cuisine- between 10 and 20 euros

The Trinquet

8 quai Saint Exupéry

75016 Paris

The Indiana Café

2 place de la porte de Saint Cloud

75016 Paris

Moliteuil Brewery

55 rue Molitor

75016 Paris

CROUS restaurants

There are 15 university restaurants around Paris. Find the list here!