Paris Weekend Break

Maps, the Metro and getting around

Maps

There are two ways to get a useful tourist map of Paris. The first is to buy one in advance of your weekend break in Paris, the second is to get one once you arrive. The former saves valuable time and enables you to pre-plan possible routes and sightseeing itineraries.

In both cases the purchase of a "Paris Pass" will include a good tourist map and, if you do this over the internet, the pass and map will be posted to you. Alternatively, you can buy a map (or a hard copy of a Paris tourist guide) over the internet or in any UK book store. There are normally links, in the blue boxes on this page, to online stores offering discounted maps of Paris. They tend to be cheaper than buying in stores.

Once you arrive in Paris, local tourist offices and kiosks will all offer maps detailing the main sightseeing attractions and some will be free. It is a good idea to get at least two maps because as you constantly refer to and the fold the map, it will become creased and probably torn – it is also amazing how easy it is to put a map down and forget it.

Different maps show different degrees of detail including Metro bus and tube lines, all of which are very helpful. Always try to obtain this kind of "on foot" map rather than a road map which will be of little use unless you are in a car.

Paris Metro

The Paris Metro is the municipal underground train and bus system and is far and away the fastest and cheapest method of travelling around Paris. You will almost certainly use this transportation network during you weekend in Paris.

Metro maps and tickets can be purchased from tourist offices and tube stations and their use can also extend to the tram system. A Paris Pass will include all metro travel (usually within zones 1 to 3) for the duration of the pass.

For more details of the public transportation system in and to Paris, see this Public transport link which will give you information about the Metro, rail, river boat and tram services - all essential for a Paris weekend break.

To see a map of the Metro system, its lines and stations, click this Metro Map icon to the left. This is a large file and may take several seconds to open.

Getting around in Paris

A quick look at any Paris tourist map will confirm that Paris has a number of tourist hot spots, each with a collection of sightseeing attractions within it. If you are taking a city break or weekend break, then your time will be limited and the best way to see the maximum number of these attractions is to head for each of these tourist zones and explore them one by one.

The best way to reach each area is by the Metro and then on foot. Taxis are slow, expensive and Paris taxi drivers can be discourteous. The Metro system, especially the underground tube, is fast and efficient and will take you "almost" to the doorstep of your desired destination.

As a word of caution, as with the London underground, plan your Metro route first. You will almost certainly need to jump between different Metro lines and it is better to figure out the stops at which you change in advance rather than on a busy platform. The transportation system in Paris is first class, but it is still easy to get lost and disoriented if you try to figure things out as you go along. Plan this aspect of your Paris weekend break with care, doing so will save you valuable time.