Page 360 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

358  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Paris offers a wealth of things to see and do. queues (see p359). If you’re on a budget, note
A little forward planning can save time. Make that entry prices may be lower at certain
use of tourist offices and ring in advance to times of day, or on Sundays. Be aware that
confirm a sight is not closed for holidays or some shops and museums are closed all day
refurbishment. Guided tours are often the best on Monday. Card-carrying students and senior
way to see the essential sights while you get travellers can obtain discounts on some tickets
your bearings (see p375). A Paris Pass gives (see p360). Purchase a carnet or travel pass to
you unlimited access to the city’s many economize and simplify travel on the Metro
attractions, and cuts down on time spent in and buses (see p374 and pp376–9).

Visas and Passports Tourist Information
In general, all personal goods,
France is part of the Schengen including cars and bicycles, may The main tourist office in Paris,
common European border be imported to France if they the Office du Tourisme et des
treaty, which means that are obviously for personal use Congrès de Paris, is near the
travellers moving from one and not for sale. There are no Jardin des Tuileries (see p132).
Schengen country to another are restrictions on the quantities of It will have maps, information
not subject to border controls. duty-paid and VAT-paid goods and brochures, and can provide
Schengen residents need only that can be taken from one EU comprehensive information
to show an identity card when country to another, as long as about events in the city.
entering France. Visitors from they are for personal use. There are other tourist offices
the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, The maximum value of at Place du Tertre, at the Gare
Australia and New Zealand need currency that can be brought du Nord, Gare de l’Est and
to show a full passport. Tourists into or taken out of France Gare de Lyon, at Anvers Metro
from these countries may stay in is €10,000. Sums in excess station and at the Paris Expo
France without a visa for 90 days of this must be declared to exhibition centre during trade
within a continuous 180-day the customs authority. fairs. There are also summer-
period. For the latest information only kiosks at sights such as
and visa requirements, visitors Notre-Dame. Paris Rendez-
should consult the website of Travel Safety Advice Vous is an information point
their embassy. Visitors can get up-to-date travel and shop in the Hôtel de Ville.
safety information from the
Foreign and Commonwealth
Tax-free Goods and Office in the UK, the State Admission Charges
Customs Information Department in the US and the Most museums either charge
At shops displaying the Global Department of Foreign Affairs an admission fee or are free of
Refund Tax-Free sign, visitors and Trade in Australia. charge; few request a donation.
residing outside the EU can
reclaim the sales tax (TVA, or
VAT) they pay on French goods
as long as they spend more than
€175 in the same shop in one
day and take the goods out of
France (see p312). Détaxe receipts
can be issued on purchase to
reclaim the tax paid (usually
12 per cent). The documents
need to be endorsed at a détaxe
office (located at airports) on
exiting the EU within three
months of purchase, then
posted in the envelope
provided. There are some goods
on which a rebate cannot be
claimed including food and
drink, medicines, tobacco, cars
and motorbikes. The Centre
des Renseignements des
Douanes provides full
information about this. Le Musée d’Orsay, where entry is free on the first Sunday of the month
A busy platform next to the TGV Bullet train

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