Page 377 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

GE T TING AROUND P ARIS  375

Walking in Paris Travelling by Boat DIRECTORY
One of the best and easiest Paris’s main river-boat shuttle
ways of getting around central service, the Batobus, runs every River Boats
Paris is to walk. Australian, 20–45 minutes depending on Batobus
British, Irish and New Zealand the time of year with more Port de la Bourdonnais 75007.
visitors need to remember that frequent services in the spring Map 10 D2. Tel 08 25 05 0101.
cars drive on the right-hand side and summer months. It stops at ∑ batobus.com
of the road. There are many seven of the city’s most famous
two-stage road crossings where attractions – Eiffel Tower, Musée Bus Tour Operators
pedestrians wait on an island in d’Orsay, St-Germain des Près,
the centre of the road before Louvre, Hôtel de Ville, Champs Big Bus Paris
proceeding. These are marked Elysées and Notre Dame. 17 Quai de Grenelle 75015.
piétons traversez en deux temps. Tickets can be bought at Map 9 C4. Tel 01 53 95 39 53.
∑ eng.bigbustours.com
Batobus stops, RATP and
tourist offices (see pp74–5). France Tourisme
Cycling in Paris 33 Quai des Grands Augustins
Paris is well equipped for cyclists. 75006. Map 12 F4.
Except for Montmartre, it’s Tel 01 53 10 35 35.
reasonably flat, manageably 6–8 Rue de l’Amiral de Coligny
small, has many backstreets 75001. Map 12 F2. Tel 01 53 10
where car traffic is restricted, as 35 35. ∑ francetourisme.fr
well as some 700 km (435 miles) Paris City Vision
of cycle lanes (pistes cyclables). 2 Pl des Pyramides 75001.
Parisian motorists are Map 12 E1. Tel 01 44 55 61 00.
increasingly respectful of cyclists Paris Vision tour bus ∑ pariscityvision.com
as more and more of their fellow Guided Tours
citizens turn to two wheels. Bicycle Hire & Tours
Vélib’, a self-service bike Double-decker bus tours Bike About Tours
scheme, offers both residents with commentaries in English, 4 Rue de Lobau 75004
and visitors the cheapest way Italian, Japanese and German (inside the Vinci car park).
of getting around the city. Bike are organized by France Map 13 B3. Tel 06 18 80 84 92.
stands are located every 300 m Tourisme, which runs Paris City ∑ bikeabouttours.com
(330 yds) and payment is by Vision. The tours begin from
credit card at the access the city centre and take about Fat Tire Bike Tours
(see p351 – Outdoor Sports)
terminals, which operate in 2 hours. They pass the main
eight different languages. sights but do not stop at all Paris à Vélo C’est Sympa!
See page 349 for rates. of them. Big Bus Paris runs 22 Rue Alphonse Baudin 75011.
Bicycles (apart from Vélibs) bus tours stopping at many of Map 14 E2. Tel 01 48 87 60 01.
may be taken on SNCF trains, the sights in Paris. Each ticket ∑ parisvelosympa.com
and suburban stations also rent is valid for 2 days and allows Paris Bike Tour
bicycles. There are bicycle shops you to hop on or off at any of 13 Rue Brantôme 75003.
throughout Paris, and many also the stops. Map 14 D2. Tel 01 42 74 22 14.
organize guided tours by bike. Bike tours are run by a ∑ parisbiketour.net
number of companies. Paris Charms and Secrets
Paris Charms and Secrets 106 Rue Vielle du Temple, 75003
runs 4-hour tours in English on (meeting point: Place Vendôme).
electric bikes departing from Map 14 D2. Tel 01 40 29 00 00.
Place Vendôme. Paris Bike ∑ parischarmssecrets.com
Tour departs from the Marais,
Paris à Velo C’est Sympa! leaves Vélib’
from near the Bastille, while Tel 01 30 79 79 30.
Bike About Tours starts from ∑ en.velib.paris.fr
close to the Hôtel de Ville. Walking Tours
Paris Walks conducts daily
tours in English, including Comité Départemental
a “Chocolate Walk” and a de la Randonnée
“Fashion Walk”. The Comité Pédestre de Paris
Départemental de la 6 Rue Paul Enfert 75013. Tel 01 46
Randonnée Pédestre de 36 95 70. ∑ rando-paris.org
Paris runs free thematic Paris Walks
walks in French. 12 Passage Meunier 93200 St Denis.
More information on guided Map 17 B5. Tel 01 48 09 21 40.
Bikes for hire by residents or tourists, at a tours is available at the Office ∑ paris-walks.com
Vélib’ bike stand du Tourisme (see p359).

374-375_EW_Paris.indd 375 03/04/17 10:58 am