Prof Lazerow and Louis IX Paris - Palais de Justice
[Note: These tips have been provided by former students and others. As we cannot keep prices updated, inflationary increases should be expected.]
Finding An Apartment On Your Own
We do not encourage you to do this before you arrive. However, if you want to do this yourself, go to France USA Contacts or e-mail franceusa@aol.com them for a copy. There will be a charge for this publication which has apartment rentals, places to eat and drink, kids programs, discount coupons, etc.. You can also pick up a free copy of the France USA Contacts in Paris at the Accueil des Jeunes, 119 Rue St. Martin (opposite the Centre Pompidou). FYI: If you do rent an apartment, before you actually arrive in Paris, sight unseen, and then later change your mind once you have arrived, then most landlords will not return any monies you have paid in advance.
Bars
Paris Texas - metro stop: Rambuteau, Les Halles near the Pompidou Centre or - 4, Place Edmond Michelet; Sunday and Monday $8 for 2 for 1 cocktail; Tuesday night well drinks for $5; Wednesday night ladies nite 2 for 1 drinks; Thursday Reggae night - rum drinks $4; Friday and Saturday Margaritas $6 - Buffalo Wings $4; 8p-llp (watch your money) all week happy hour drinks $4. Harry's Bar - (oldest cocktail bar on the continent) 5 Rue Daunou, off the Ave de L'Opera. You take the M-l towards the Pont de Neuilly direction to the Palais Royale Musee du Louvre. For a list of Irish Bars - go to Maison de Lirlande, 9 Rue de Niromedsuil; Gambions - Thurs, Fri, Sat, and Sun 10p-6a - bands and drinks in basement they carry 30 different kinds of beer - off the Blvd de Sebastopol take a left onto Rambuteau; Crasy Violin (Violin Dingue) - in the Latin Quarter - on Rue de La Nontagne and Genevieve 8 by the Mobear metro stop on Genevieve Street, 6-9p happy hour $3 beers- student hangout. Gambrinos God of beer - on Lombard near Les Halles; go in the basement on weekends for live music in a "rustic" dungeon-like atmosphere. Good fun - everyone sings along. Cafe des Brut Arts - near the Pompidou Centre - very casual. Cafe Costes -corner of St Denis and Rue Berge about 1 1/2 blocks off Blvd de Sebastopol- now this is a great place to sit, rest your feet, people watch and be entertained by street performers across the street at the fountain. While you are there you must explore the restrooms! It will be an experience!!! They are behind the stairs and down on the right hand side. Cafe Beaubourg - near the Pompidou Centre. The most attractive interior in all of Paris. A glass of name brand wine is about $6, but a carafe of wine is also the same amount. Cruisin Lan - 18 Rue de Des Halles - darts, Irish bar - pool table; Connolly's Corner - Irish pub 12 Rue de Mirbel. Lots of Irish and British patrons. Moloko in the Pigale district, down the street from the Moulon Rouge. Be careful here, if there are only women there, you may be expected to buy more then wine. Banana Cafe in Chatalet/Les Halles area is open after 2:00am. The Hemmingway Bar in the Hotel Ritz is very nice but costly. High style cocktails about $20. (All prices are estimates) look here for student choices for restaurants and bars
Before you go:
You might want to consider that while most students want their materials unbound so they only need carry what is necessary to class, it is cheaper to have them bound in the US than in Paris. We strongly recommend that you purchase one of the many available student guides before you reach Paris. Examples are: the Let's Go Europe, Let's Go France, Fromm's or Michelin books on Paris - it may be triple the price in Paris!
If you do not speak French, bring an English/French dictionary with you. Few French people acknowledge that they speak English, even at the airport!! When you arrive in Paris, buy the Paris by Arrondissement Guide Book (Plan-du-Paris Par Arrondissements-red book, which comes with a full size pull-out map in the back for about $5 at any Tabac (like our 7-11 stores), or a map of Paris.
Paris, is divided into 20 arrondissements (municipal sectors) which spiral out from around the area of the central Paris. These sectors comprise the traditional Parisian neighborhoods immortalized by painters, poets, and novelists.
Bookstore
For English language books, go to the W. H. Smith bookstore. Take the metro to Concorde exit. When you come up the stairs from the Metro it's directly across the street on "Rue Cambon". The Shakespeare Bookstore is on the left bank by Notre Dame.
Business Hours
Bank business hours are 9-4:30p weekdays. Store hours: are usually from 9:30-6:30p. Business hours: 9-6p weekdays with 1 hour for lunch beginning at 12:30 or 1 pm, some banks actually close up for that time. Holidays: May 1 (labor day); May 8 (VE day) Ascension day sometime in May; Whit Monday sometime in May; July 14 (Bastille day-their 4th of July); and August 15 (Feast of the Assumption).
Child Care
KIDS' CORNER
Weary parents visiting the city's cultural hot spots with children will be glad to take note of an excellent address. They should head straight for "L'Enfance de l'Art". Run by Claudine Breon, this government approved kids' workshop, in the Tuileries gardens, near the Louvre museum, offers 4 to 12-year-olds a whole range of next generation artistic activities, picnic included. (9:30AM to 5:30PM, weekdays only -- 30 Euros for a one and a half hour workshop; 50 Euros per half day/Serre du Jardin des Tuileries, Terrasse du bord de l'eau; tel: 011.331.42.96.19.33). We do not know if this is still in operation. Try calling them to make sure.
Dance Clubs
The Locomotive, next to Moulin Rouge in the Pigale district by Moloko. The least expensive of dance places in Paris at about $8. Open all night, it has two dance floors, one funky and the other 91X19 style, or new wave. Thobaris open all night too, admission includes one cocktail. Les Bains/Bandouuie off Sebastopol across from St. Denis Church by Les Halles. A very chic, stylish, hip crowd. Grace Jones (movie star and singer) frequents this hot spot. Dress your best, no tennis shoes, although denim is ok. Also go in smaller groups to improve your chances of getting in. To many Americans scare the doorman. Bring your wallet; about $25 cover and cocktails are also about $28 ea. Lascala - Rue de Rivoli by the Louvre. Women get in free most nights. Otherwise the cover is $18. Very, very large inside and it features dance music. The crowd is beautiful and fun, although keep a watch out for the Flamingo Show around 1:00am. Mirrors, lights, and good dance balls decorate this nightclub.
Eurail Pass
Your Eurail Pass is valid on the French National Railway (SNCF) which is also linked to the metro stations. Your Eurail Pass is not valid on the bus or metro. You will need to either buy an "Orange Card" for the month, for about $45. This card starts on the very first day of the month and can be purchased at any metro station window. This card gives you unlimited use of the metro and bus (depending on how may Zones you buy) in any direction for the entire month or you can purchase a block of 10 single metro tickets, for 1-2 zones only, which you can get at any metro station window for about $10. But this, 10 single metro ticket method, is only best used when you just get there before the first day of the month or when you are leaving after the last day of the month. It can be more expensive than buying an 'Orange Card' for the month if you use this method every week.
Groceries
Some of the grocery stores are called either Monoprix, Franprix, or Superprix, or you can go to the local corner market. The Socialist Co-Op near the metro stop St. Michel is great! Grocery stores are not like they are in America, usually they are smaller, although I found the Monoprix, Superprix quite close to what we have at home (size wise) here except for the prices, which are higher in France. You weigh and put the price on your loose fruit or vegetables, there is a machine that all you have to do is find the appropriate veg or fruit symbol, then you push that button and the price comes out on a sticky tab to be placed on your bag, unless you purchase them already weighed and priced, which is much more expensive. You also bag your own groceries. They do provide plastic for this or you can bring your own carry-all. In the Monoprix stores, the groceries are sometimes sold in the basement level, with clothing being sold on the first floor.
Maps
You can pick up a free Metro/RER (train), and bus map all on one map at any manned ticket counter by saying, "avez-vous un plan du metro?". You can also pick up maps, but not the Metro/RER and bus map, from the Paris Tourism Offices located around Paris. Your best bet would be to get all your maps from your travel agency where you buy your plane tickets. Each metro station displays a large system map for you to look at and try to decide if you are going in the right direction. If you know your "end destination" metro stop, this will help you a great deal. It will probably take a few days before you get the hang of it. AAA may give you free maps if you buy your tickets from them.
Money
Many larger french hotels, shops, restaurants, rental-car companies accept major American credit cards. Cash and traveler's checks in Euros are the preferred media of exchange in smaller establishments. Also a Visa Card is better than a MasterCard for getting cash back. There is no need to purchase Euros in Travelers Checks before you leave. With your cash, credit card, Traveler's Checks in U.S. dollars, and your ATM card, you should have access to plenty of money.
Movie and Events Book
You should pick up a Pariscope booklet that comes out every week for about a $2. It lists movies, special events, sports, museums, theatre, etc. If you want to see a movie in English look for "VO" after movie name. You can pick this book up at any magazine stand, or tobacco shops.
Post Office
The main post office off the Rivoli Metro stop is open 24 hours a day. There is a post office 3 blocks away from school, around the corner from the Musee Picasso.
Places To Stay
We suggest that you DO NOT secure your housing until you have arrived in Paris. There w/be plenty of housing spots to choose from, but you really must SEE these places for yourself. Most Parisians are gone on vacation while we are there, so there are plenty of places for rent. You also have several choices, hotel - very expensive; apartment by yourself - can be expensive you will have to look hard for good bargains and speak French to dicker with the landlord/landlady; share an apartment with several other students - which can be fun and exciting and possibly cheaper; the Foundation Des Etats-Unis, 15 Blvd Jourdan, phone # is 011-331-53-80-68-80; fax # is 011-331-53-80-68-99; about 30 minutes or so metro ride each way to classes and they are on the RER 'B' Line, Cite Universitaire exit - for about $1,300 for your 6 week stay - as you go up the escalator it's directly across the street and a little to your left; you can play tennis at Cite Universitaire if you pay a small fee ahead of time. Speaking French helps when working out the details. Ask someone who lives at the Foundation for information and help. Or stay at the Maison d'Etudiants, 18 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, F-75001 Paris France, Louvre-Rivoli metro stop; phone 011-331-45.08.02.10; fax#: 40.28.11.43. This place is on the same metro line as school and is about 3 stops up from school. Talk w/Madame Dautreppe (if she is still there) - who is the only one that speaks English. Open 9a-7p for registration (their time - be patient, it takes a while for them to pick up- they answer in French), 3 day minimum stay, about $35-$55/per person, per day. They are also open for the month of July and August and may have single rooms during these months. There are generally no security problems here, but you should always be careful with your money and valuables. You must write ahead of time and include the 3 day minimum amount in Euro's with your schedule of arrival. This amount is not refundable if you cancel. If you want the Single Room you will need to specifically request it. There is also a laundry near by and irons at the Maison. Great place to meet other people from other countries. Toilet and showers are down the hall; quietness varies with people; lot of coming and going on Fridays; free continental breakfast served Mon-Sunday. Television is in the breakfast room; Director's office is open until 9pm; gates and interior door locked at 10pm - you will receive the combination when you check- in; there are anywhere from 1 to 4 people to each room, depending on the month; different staff cleans different floors; 1st and 2nd floor share the toilet facilities; cleanliness may vary so keep an eye on things yourself; linens are usually changed once a week - but keep an eye on this.
Restaurants
Service compris means that the 15% tip is already included in the total bill. Lunch is the large meal of the day for the French so your prices will be the cheapest during this time. Cremerie Restaurant Polidor - 41 Monaiset-de-Prince--take the metro to Odeon exit. From Odeon go towards Luxembourg. It's on the left. Hemingway, et al used to hang out there. Entre, plat, and 1/2 pitcher of wine ala carte for a total of $16. L-Bateau - 19 Rue Des Deux-Ponts on the (Ile Saint Louis) - entree, plat, dessert, boisson comprise for $12. Le Marias Plus - corner of Rue la Franc- bourgeais and rue pavee -- lunch -- salads, quiche, deserts--reasonably priced. Chez Mimmo Pizza - near Rue de Lombards and Rue de Des Halles - cheap and very good. (All prices are estimates) These places may or may not still be there.
Some words to help with your decision on what to eat: cervelles = brains; langue = tongue; tripes = tripe; reins = kidneys; foie = liver; veau = veal; cotes = lamb; entrecote = steak; pave = steak; hache = hamburger.
Le Pave - Rue des Lombards - where they have two menus one for about $18.00 and the other for $22.00. Chinese food - Quai St. Michel about 2 blocks from Notre Dame walking towards the Palace du Justice on the opposite side facing the Seine to the Blvd St. Jacques then on towards the Blvd St. Michel. For $15.00 you receive your choice of one of four entrees, one of four plats, and one of three desserts; or for $17 a different selection of your choice of one of four entrees, one of four plats, and one of four desserts. You can ask for a carafe of water, which is free, to drink with your meal to save money; they also have another lunch menu which is a little less expensive but not as much food for your money. Good crepes - La Creperie - 55/57 Rue Saint Denis. Flunch's - cafeteria style at both Chatelet, Les Halles and Champs Elysees. Montecristo Elysees - 68 Ave Des Champs Elysees at the metro George V stop - $18 dinner with several choices. Creperie St. Germain 33 St. Andres-Des-Arts, great crepes!! Also try the taragon chicken!! Le Souffle - outstanding: try the duck in peaches!!! Do not eat at (unless they have improved dramatically) Q or Freetime fast food - beware: food is awful! A very good restaurant is Bolfinger's where dinner is about $15.50. (All prices are estimates). For a little bit of home, "Baja Burritos" California fresh Mexican cuisine, 43 rue Descartes, near metro Cardinal Lemoine in the 5th arr. Cheap Eats! Compliments of Ann Doll F/P99
Sightseeing
One of Monet's many gardens with Donna Pahl P95 left, Jill Perry P95 middle, and Alex Zirkel P95 right.
TAXI CABS
Paris cabs do not cruise, they are usually parked at cab stands at major street corners. Taxis are much less expensive than in any American city, but rates vary according to time, day, and zone (evenings and Sundays are higher). Cabs will not generally take more than 3 people at a time and the passengers must all sit in the back seat. The front seat always remains empty. There is a charge of each bag and an extra charge for extra heavy bags! Cabs are easily available and are very useful when you do not know directions.
Telephones
There will be public telephones usually at any metro stop or inside any cafes where you can either use coin, credit card, or a tele carte card, but generally all public telephones now only accept the Tele Carte. Your best bet would be to purchase 2 Tele Cartes as soon as possible. They have a minimum of 50 units on each card, which is about 30 calls if your not too chatty. It looks like a credit card and can be purchased at any post office or tobacco shop (Tabac). They start at about $9. Long distance calling - MCI to U.S. Dial - 19 00 19 then area code then your number; ATandT to U.S. Dial - 19 00 11 then area code then your number.
Things To Bring
Music in the form of a walkman or radio. Ziplock baggies all sizes. Umbrella - you never know when it will rain, but you know that it will, so you will need to carry it around with you at all times. A good pair of walking shoes. If you have a craving for Kraft Macaroni and Cheese - bring a few boxes or have a care package sent from home. They run about $5 per box in France! So if you have a favorite food that you must have -- bring some with you. (i.e. peanut butter, salsa, tortillas)
What can we say?! There is so much to see and do, outside of the various planned trips that the school will have available for you, you will have to pick and choose the ones that you are interested in seeing.
The Legal Trips are mandatory, but the scheduled tourist sightseeing trips are not. There is usually a charge for the tourist sightseeing trips, but this cost is determined by how many students sign up to go. If not enough students sign up to go, then the trip will be cancelled.
Tipping
Chambermaids expect $5.00 per day, for stays lasting more than a few days. Bellmen and airport porters should receive $1.00/bag; Ushers at movie houses, $1.00; In theatres or concert halls $4.00; Taxi drivers expect 15% of total bill. But mostly you should tip like you do at home. (All prices are estimates)
Tourist Offices
Tourist Offices are located in various areas around Paris: Montemarte, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, etc.. There you can pick up all kinds of information, brochures, exchange money (for a charge), obtain temporary housing information and reservations (for a charge). They even have a gift shop. You can even purchase your tickets to the On-Off Bus that tours around Paris. The On-Off Bus tickets are good for two (2) days. You will be sent a copy of this info with your final information package from USD-San Diego.
Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel) - Where: Champ-de-Mars, 7th Arrondissement. Take the RER 'C' line to the Champ de Mars exit go up the stairs and go straight ahead you can't miss it. Also, you can take the #69 bus from the Louvre. Tel. 45 50 34 56; Or Métro stop: Bir-Hakeim, Champ-de-Mars Tour-Eiffel, Ecole-Militaire.; Open: 9:30 - 11:00p all year; Open until midnight during July, August, and Holidays. Entrance to first level is about $4. To go all the way to the top costs about $10. They have about 5-6,000 people each day on the Eiffel Tower. Get there early.
At 300 metres (320.75m including antenna), and 7000 tons, it was the world's tallest building until 1930. Other statistics include: 2.5 million rivets. 300 steel workers, and 2 years (1887-1889) to construct it. Sway of at most 12 cm in high winds. Height varies up to 15 cm depending on temperature. 15,000 iron pieces (excluding rivets). 40 tons of paint. 1652 steps to the top.
Pantheon - take either the RER 'B' to Luxembourg exit or Metro to Cardinal-Lemoine exit. Either will get you there, although the RER line drops you off closer. If you prefer to walk - walk south on St. Michel (you will be walking with your back to Notre Dame) turn left on Rue Soufflot and there is the front, walk to the rear and down the stairs for entrance. There is an entrance fee, about $6 for students. Where: Place du Panthéon, 5th Arrondisement; Tel. 43 54 34 51: Métro stop: Cardinal Lemoine or Saint Michel: RER stop: Luxembourg: Open to the public: 10 - 5:15p: Cost: 26 Euros adults, 17 Euros students. One ticket gives you entrance to both the Crypt and Dome.
Visas
For US citizens, a Visa is not required for visits up to 3 months. But you will need a valid passport. If you are not a U.S. Citizen and need a Visa, visit Foreign Visa Requirements
Paris Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)