Normandy, Brittany & the Best of the North_ With Paris (Fodor's) - Fodor's [106]
Taxis are readily available; the fare will be around €50–€60, depending on traffic.
Orly
There are several options to get to Paris from Orly Airport. Take the free OrlyVal shuttle train, departing every 7 minutes, to the Antony station; then take the RER-B line into Paris. The fare is €9.85 and it takes about 25 minutes. Or, take the airport shuttle bus to the RER-C line station; trains leave every 15 minutes. The fare is €6.20 total (bus and train have separate tickets).
Air France buses run every 12 minutes between Orly and Montparnasse station, Les Invalides and L’Etoile/Arc de Triomphe. The fare is €11.50, and the trip can take from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. RATP also runs the Orlybus between the Denfert-Rochereau métro station and Orly every 15 minutes, and the trip costs €6.40.
WHEN TO GO
The City of Light is magical all year round, but it’s particularly gorgeous in June, when the long days (the sun doesn’t set until 10 PM) stretch sightseeing hours and make it ideal to linger in the cafés practicing the city’s favorite pastime—people-watching.
Winter can be dark and chilly, but it’s also the best time to find cheap airfares and hotel deals. April in Paris, despite what the song says, is often rainy. Summer is the most popular (and expensive) season, and at the height of it, in July, Paris can feel like a city under siege, bursting at the seams as crowds descend en masse.
Keep in mind that, like some other European cities, Paris somewhat shuts down in August—some restaurants are closed for the entire month, for example—though there are still plenty of fun things to do, namely, free open-air movies and concerts, and the popular Paris Plage, the “beach” on the right bank of the Seine.
September is gorgeous, with temperate weather, saner airfares, and cultural events timed for the rentrée (or return), signifying the end of summer vacation.
TIPS ON DINING
Dining and Lodging Price Categories (In Euros)
Restaurants
Hotels
¢
under €13
under €80
$
€13–€17
€81–€120
$$
€18–€24
€121–€175
$$$
€25–€32
€176–€250
$$$$
over €32
over €250
Restaurant prices are for a main course at dinner, including tax (5.5%) and service; note that if a restaurant offers only prix-fixe (set-price) meals, it has been given the price category that reflects the full prix-fixe price. Hotel prices are for a standard double room in high season, including tax (19.6%) and service charge.
Generally, restaurants are open from noon to about 2:30 and from 7:30 or 8 to 10 or 10:30. It’s best to make reservations, particularly in summer, although the reviews only state when reservations are absolutely essential.
Brasseries often have nonstop service; some are open 24 hours. Assume a restaurant is open every day, unless otherwise indicated. Surprisingly, many prestigious restaurants close on weekends and sometimes Monday. July and August are the most common months for annual closings, although Paris in August is no longer the wasteland it once was.
SAVING TIME AND MONEY
Paris is one of the world’s most visited cities, so it pays to be prepared. Buy tickets online when you can. Investigate alternate entrances at popular sites and check when rates are reduced. Also, most major museums are free the first Sunday of each month. A Paris Museum Pass can save you money and allows you to bypass the lines. It’s sold at the destinations it covers and at airports, major métro stations, and the tourism office in the Carrousel du Louvre (2-, 4-, or 6-day passes are €32, €48, and €64, respectively | www.parismuseumpass.com). Stick to the omnipresent ATMs for the best exchange rates.
HOURS
Paris is by no means a 24/7 city,