Live Like a Local in Paris

The major tourist season in France stretches from Easter to mid-September, but Paris
has much to offer in every season. Paris in the early spring can be disappointingly
damp, though it's relatively tourist free; May and June are delightful, with good weather
and plenty of cultural attractions. July and August can be sultry. Moreover, many theaters
and some of the smaller restaurants and shops close for the entire month of August. If
you're undeterred by hot weather and pollution, you'll notice a fairly relaxed atmosphere
around the city, as this is the month when most Parisians are on vacation. September is
ideal. Cultural life revives after the summer break, and sunny weather often continues
through the first half of October. The ballet and theater are in full swing in November, but
the weather is part wet and cold, part bright and sunny. December is dominated by the
fetes de fin d'annye (end-of-year festivities), and a busy theater, ballet, and opera
season goes well into January.

Something to consider in the time-versus-money balance: the Carte Musèes et
Monuments (Museums and Monuments Pass), which offers unlimited access to more
than 65 museums and monuments. You can get passes for one-, three-, or five-
consecutive-day periods; the cost, respectively, is EUR15, EUR30, and EUR45.
Considering that most Paris museums cost under EUR10, you have to be serious
about museum-going to make this pay off, but there is one major plus: you get to jump
to the head of the line by displaying it, a coup when there are 600 people lined up to get
into the Musèe d'Orsay. The pass is available at Paris's tourist offices and mètro
stations and at all participating museums, and it comes with a handy info list of all the
museums you can visit. For more information see www.intermusees.com.

Once you have mastered the understanding of the arrondissements (districts) and the
metro (simply the best way to get around Paris). Do yourself a favor and incorporate the
words, "bonjour" and "merci" into your vocabulary. Regardless of who you are speaking
to whether a taxi driver or a cheese monger before you begin say bonjour and close with
merci. This will make your life in Paris a sheer pleasure.

If you do get lost, just ask anyone where the nearest metro is. Our advice is to ask a
younger person versus an older since most young adults do speak some sort of
conversational English. The metro is without doubt the most cost effective and fastest
way to acquaint yourself with Paris. The metro closes at 11pm and the trains stop
running at 12:45am.

Dining Some tourists go to Paris simply to eat! Some restaurants have waiting lists
months long! This tells you something about the culinary capital of the world. The
streets are crowded all hours of the day and night with Parisians and tourists enjoying
the wide range of excellent restaurants available in Paris. Parisians eat dinner rather
late, so the best time to ensure you get a table at a very popular restaurant is 7:00 - 7:30
p.m . Cafès open up for business earlier, usually do not close after lunch, and stay open
later at night. You will find sandwiches, salads, and other choices in a cafè restaurant.
Brasseries originally signified places where you could drink beer and find something to
eat late at night. Today, a lot of cafes that serve lunch have the word "brasserie" on their
awnings. A bistro usually offers a more traditional menu selection of hearty French
cuisine, with some good wines. You'll find a chalkboard listing today's fare, more
intimate, and usually family-owned. Do not tip for services or in restaurants. If your waiter
is very helpful you are welcome to give a little extra but it is not compulsory. The average
lunch ticket is 12-15 Euro and the average dinner is 22-35 Euro

Movies Paris has more movie theaters than any other city in the world, far more than
London or New York. Rarely is the entrance fee over 8 Euro and there are discounted
"cinema" cards 5 tickets for 30 Euro. Most films are shown in the original language with
subtitles. The theater to checkout is Le Grand Rex (Metro: Bonne Nouvelle) with over
3000 seats and a ceiling adorned with stars that make you feel like you are outdoors.
This theater is so remarkable that it has been classified as a historical monument.
Entrance is 7 Euros.

Nightclubs Similar to any other major city, the hotspots are always changing so apart
from the "touristy" cabarets, you should seek recommendations in Time Out Paris
(English section) or Zurban ( weekly magazine in French). For the Gay Scene pick up
one of the free papers ( E-Male or Illico) where you will find most of the clubs in Le
Marais. Club entrance usually is 10 to 20 Euro and you can expect to pay 3 to 5 Euros for
a beer or soft drink.