Preparing your business trip to Paris
Transport
Getting to the center of the city from the airport
Paris has 3 international airports. There a few different ways to leave them.
- Paris Charles de Gaulle:
To reach the city center, you can use the regional line, RER B, or private “Bus direct” which costs 22€ and reached both the Eiffel tower and Montparnasse. You'll also find public buses such as the 351, 350, or 19.
- Paris Orly:
From there, use the regional rail networks, as the RER B or RER C, or the Tramway 7. You wiwll also fint a “Bus direct” and the 183 oublic bus which leads to Porte de Choisy.
- Paris Beauvais:
A bus can take you from Beauvais airport to Porte Maillot in Paris. The airport is also well connected and is located 70 km far from Paris !
Of course, taxis and transportation services are also available, at a relatively expensive prices however.
How to move around in the city ?
- Metro: Paris has 16 metro lines, for 300 stops. It is the quickest and easiest way to get around. It runs from around 6.00am to 1.00am, and passes every 2 minutes at peak hours. A simple ticket costs 1,9€ and 10, a “carnet”, cost 14,5€.
- Bus: Madrid has a dense bus’s network (64 bus lines). It runs 7am to 9pm. Some bus stops can host usb ports to recharge your smartphone. To have an idea of your journey time, allow 5 minutes per stop. At night, the “noctilien” bus, the night bus service, operates from 12.30am to 5.30am, and has 47 lines.
A single bus ticket from the bus driver is 2€.
- Taxi: Taxis are everywhere at a high fares by European standards.
- RER- Suburban Expresse Railway: The RER is a 5 lines train service that serve Paris dans the Paris region. It works from 6am to 12.45am every day. The price is the same as the metro, and if your station metro has a connection with a RER, than you can use an only ticket. If not, you’ll have to use a new ticket.
- Train: The “transilien” are regional train departing from major Paris train stations, as Nord, Lyon, Est, Montparnasse, Saint-Lazare and Austerlitz. You can buy tickets and passes at automatic ticket machines and ticket desks. The price depends on the distance.
- Tramway: Paris has 4 tramway lines. Tram tickets are the same as the metro and the RER ones.
Eating
Renowned for its gastronomy, Paris has many delicious restaurants. Here's few that we recommend you enjoy with your clients and colleagues:
- Bistrot Paul Bert ($$): An authentic bistro which will remind you of old Paris. There, you must give the steak and apple tart a taste
- Chez Casimir ($$): Located near Gare du Nord, this restaurant offers brunch, buffet lunches, and cheese boards
- Le Chateaubriand ($$): Serving innovative dishes and great cocktails within a no-choice menu
- L’atelier de Joel Robuchon ($$$): Started by legendary French chef and restaurateur Joel Robuchon before his death in 2018, the restaurant offers classic seasonal dishes
- Breizh Café ($$): Only the best spot to get the most typical french culinary experience that is the crêpe
Where to stay
Here is a list of 10 Parisian hotels that have applied Covid-appropriate measures to ensure traveller security:
- Ibis Paris Alesia Montparnasse***
- Novotel Paris Porte d'Italie***
- Hotel Peyris Opera***
- Quality Hotel & Suites Bercy Bibliothèque***
- Le 123 Sebastopol Astotel****
- Radisson Blu Paris Champs Elysées*****
- Joyce Astotel***
Leisure
Here are the top 3 places not to miss while on a short visit to Paris
- Eiffel tower
One of the world's most iconic attractions, the Eiffel Tower was created in 1889 for the World Exposition. It reaches an astonishing height of over 300 meters, offering a view from which you can absorb a complete panorama of Paris.
- The Louvre
The world's most visited museum's entrance is characterized by I. M. Pei's sleek glass pyramid. The Louvre hosts an abundant art collection including some of the world’s most celebrated artworks, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Michelangelo’s Dying Slave.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral
The Gothic cathedral combines rose windows, stunning sculptures and Gothic carvings. Built in 1163, it is also the setting of Victor Hugo’s literature classic The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
