Overview
Paris is known as the city of Lights and it absolutely deserves this name. Paris is located in the north-bending arc of the river Seine and includes two islands, the Île Saint-Louis and the larger Île de la Cité, which form the oldest part of the city. Paris has an oceanic climate.
Statistics
Location: Ile-de-France region, France
International Dialing code: 33
Time zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October)
Average temperatures (January): 4°C (39°F)
Average temperatures (July): 19.5°C (67°F)
Official Language: French
Currency
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in Paris, France. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
1.00 GBP = 1.13 EUR
1.00 USD = 0.69 EUR
Note: These currency exchange rates are not updated daily and should be used as a guideline only.
Emergency Contacts
Police: 17 - free call
Fire service : 18 – free call
Ambulance : 15 – free call
Attractions
Eiffel Tower
Cathedral of Our Lady
The Sacred Heart Basilica
Louvre National Museum
Rodin Museum
Museum of Orsay
Quai Branly
Georges Pompidou Centre
Paris Plage
National Picasso Museum
Nightlife
When in Paris, faire la fête (party) Parisian-style with the coutured elite in ever-trendy venues. Fashionable areas for nightlife include Bastille, Marais and Champs-Elysées, to mention just a few. While discos are few and far between in Paris, there is no lack of elegant, classy entertainment options. Just walking around the city at night is a beautiful experience in itself.
Shopping
Paris is a shopper's paradise. The Glitterati will feel at home in the Haute Couture shops found on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, while trend-setting fashions will be found in Rue Etienne Marcel shops.
Bargains are in abundance at the three main flea markets situated around the old gates of the city. They are, however, teeming with pickpockets and shoppers should be on their guard. Les Bouquinistes, which consists of rows of bookstalls perched against the walls of the Seine River, is a great place for bookworms to browse and barter.
Hotels
The hotels in Paris have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
Category 4 – Over €300
Category 3 – From €200 to €300
Category 2 – From €100 to €200
Category 1 – Up to €100
These prices are per room per night and include all taxes and breakfast.
Resturants
The restaurants in Paris have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
Category 4 – Over €125
Category 3 – From €75 to €125
Category 2 – From €40 to €75
Category 1 – Under €40
These prices are for a three-course meal for one with a bottle of house wine or equivalent.