Major city: Paris

Paris moves
Like all the world's great capitals, PARIS lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week.

PARIS quarters
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements that spiral out like a snail shell from the first, centered around the Louvre, of which certain quarters (Montmartre, Montparnasse, the Marais) are real villages within the city. The arrondissement of any Paris address is indicated at the end of its postal code: 75001 is the first arrondissement, 75006 the sixth.

The traditional separation of Paris into Left and Right Bank, between the world of business and the world of culture, is no longer valid. Granted, the Left Bank still groups most of the Universities and the famous Paris arts cafés at Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots) but today the Right Bank also has many addresses closely linked to the arts - as proved by the many events and productions at Bastille, Belleville and Ménilmontant especially.

PARIS, capital of culture
Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world.

Not to be missed: The Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musée Picasso, Musée Rodin, Musée Carnavalet, Musée Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few.

Essential Paris monuments: the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Défense.

"Paris is a real ocean. Wander through it, describe it as you may, there will always remain an undiscovered place, an unknown retreat, flowers, pearls, monsters, something unheard of.

With its history and architectural patrimony, Paris is living, moving and evolving every day.

A historic, economical, architectural, cultural, artistic and academic capital, Paris understandably remains the most visited city in the world.

Cleaner air
France is more and more concerned with environmental issues and fights actively against air pollution. Special measures are taken on days of peak pollution. On alternating days, only cars with number plates ending in an odd - or an even - number are allowed to take to the roads on days with high pollution levels. Public transport is free on these days and many people move about by bike.

The PARIS Ile-de-France Tourist Information Center,

Located in the Carrousel du Louvre, invites you to discover the capital of France and its surrounding region - the Ile-de-France, with its beautiful countryside, magnificent châteaux, river and canal cruises, gastronomic delights...

You will get all the information you need on transportation, accommodations, museums, tours, leisure activities and special events. Let us book your hotels and arrange your excursions. You can also buy transportation tickets and packages, as well as the Carte Musées Monuments, which gives you free access to 70 museums and monuments in Paris and the Ile-de-France.

PARIS Ile-de-France Tourist Information Center
"Espace du Tourisme"
Place de la Pyramide Inversée,
Le Carrousel du Louvre
(Postal address: 99 rue de Rivoli)
75001 Paris
Tel: 33 1 44 50 19 98, Fax: 33 1 44 50 19 99
or visit their web site at: www.paris-ile-de-france.com

The PARIS Tourist Office
Wondering how to organize your stay in Paris? In need of information or a map? Want to make a hotel or theatre booking? The staff of the Paris Tourist Office are there to help you plan a successful stay and will answer all your questions. Contact them as soon as you arrive.

Office de Tourisme et des Congrès de Paris
Main Office of the Paris Tourist & Convention Bureau:
127, avenue des Champs Elysées (8th arrondissement)
Métro: Charles-de-Gaulle–Etoile, George V
Tel. 08 36 68 31 12 - Fax 01 49 52 53 00
www.paris-touristoffice.com

High season: daily (except May 1), 9 a.m.–8 p.m.. Low season: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday and holiday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Branch Offices: