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As a Parisian, one rule, I would like to add it's:" Put your rucksack between your legs when you are in the Metro or the bus to avoid smacking people in the face with it (also, it would be more difficult for a pickpocket to access it)
@@robinps52 this used to be the way in New York when I grew up there, but I haven’t lived there in 20 years. It is unfortunately not the way here in Chicago, and it drives me crazy.
AMEN!!!!!!! Backpacks are the bane of commuters and unfortunately not everyone follows the unspoken rule of removing them when it's crowded - not only does it prevent one from smacking the person behind you in the face, it creates more space :)
@@pabloa_e nah I'm not Parisian and always knew it. It really depends on how people are raised I guess, but even in middle school the rules about the right only stairs applied. Right to go up, left to go down, but in any case the right side was always clear.
@@wisedred yes of course ! A lot of Parisians too (but mainly by bad liver mind ...), and tourist French tend to ignore that also 🤷 that's what I realised
New rule dropped: if you're not moving in the escalator, you HAVE to stand on the right, to let people who walk up/down pass Edit: IT'S NOT "NEW" ITS A VIDEO GAME REFERENCE SO SHUT IT IF YO'RE GONNA SAY "it's not new 🤓👆"
@@haritha2174 Yes yes, i mean new as a video games reference. This rule is old as escalators themselves. I was taught as a kid to stand on the right too.
Excellent video as always my friends! Something that I always see in the metro from tourists: they don't know that you SHOULD stay at the sides of the doors in the metro, NOT FRONT, and WAIT for people to get off from the metro first, before you go inside and push people back inside. Then, if you are on the electrical stairs, keep your right!! so if people want to go faster and climb, you are not on the way. Hope everybody enjoys their time in Paris ❤
Not only are the videos by this couple well-produced, but they're loaded with practical and accurate information. They should be your go-to source for first-time visitor tips in Paris.
I'm French and went to Paris in June 2023. I called a Bolt and the driver was super rude... complaining that I dirt his car with my shoes... it was supposed to cost €12 and he claim that there were traffic jam so charge me €36 instead! Which was a lie! I contacted Bolt customer service and they have fully refunded me. Be carreful...
FYI, I just returned from Paris and use a mobility scooter, all the buses have a ramp (not all of them work) so it's really easy to get around on buses if you are disabled. The driver will help if the ramp isn't working. In fact most work, and if not the driver or any passenger was quick to lend a hand. Plus all the sidewalks have mobility access. And the bus ride was free.
Thanks...I didn't know that. Now I worry about returning to Paris because of mobility issues. My legs work. My back does not very well. Excellent to know options now
@@carolmartin4413 As long as you can climb and go down stairs, the Metro is fine. Some have elevators and escalators (although some of them, crazily enough, have escalators or elevators that lead to a flight of stairs … looking at you Abbesses …)
I personally find riding a bike a distraction if you’re sightseeing in a foreign city. Too much to pay attention to (directions, traffic, safety) you tend to actually miss a lot. Walking around is the best way to find those good nooks and crannies.
Good point. I am Dutch I know how to cycle. I walk a lot, but my feet did hurt from walking almost everywhere in Berlin last year. A busy city is different for cycling. If you are inexperienced, maybe cycling in Paris, Amsterdam or Utrecht isn't the smartest thing to do. I will be in Paris for 4 days in November. I will go on a guided bicycle tour. I am still not sure about cycling, bus or metro for longer distances. I will visit the Grenelle market on Sunday, drop bought items at my nearby hotel and next hop on the metro high above the market to get somewhere and as a bit of sightseeing tour.
I've done bicycle tours in Paris and it was a great way to see the city and get some insights. One outfit is associated with the Peleton Cafe, recommend.
I've lived all my life in Paris and never knew the bus 69 thing, since it's not in my neighbourhood, and we don't do touristy things usually. Great way to visit, just sit on the bus for 90 minutes, for the price of 1 ticket. I'll take a friend when he will visit, thanks.
In the Paris Metro Everyday is Leg Day - truer words never spoken! After a couple weeks in Paris I come home looking like I've spent all my time in the gym 😉😄
I lost 7 lbs after two weeks in Europe walking everywhere and I weighed 162 to start. I hit a peak of 14 miles in one day in Paris and that included a long lunch with friends and plenty of time on the metro.
I’ve said this before, but you guys make the very best guides on the internet. I’m planning on 1 month in Paris next year, and your information will be instrumental for a pleasurable experience. 🙏
And if the metro is full and you have time... just walk! A 30 min walk feels very different in Paris than in most American towns I've been in because actually there's things on the street to see.
Indeed, often when coming back from work, the metro 4 would just stop working for some reason, I would go from "Mairie de Montrouge" to "Denfert Rochereau" by foot for 20-30 minutes to take the RER B towards the South. It is annoying to lose so much time to go home by not being able to take the Metro (my usual commute is around 1 hour), but it's still nice to breathe fresh air and look at things, even better if you can chat with a coworker whilst doing it.
You two are the best, most professional and informative vloggers on YT. I appreciate every video as not a moment is wasted. Thank you for this get-around-Paris installment. Merci!
Being French from Paris (while now leaving abroad for many years) the G7 is indeed the best option to ride across Paris.....uber is definitely not a reliable option at peak times compare to US cities...and the price difference is very reasonable.......RER is excellent to travel outside Paris and visit the greater Paris area ( Ile de France) but pay attention to RER C line which is not very reliable. Thank you les Frenchies for your instructive video 🙂 I hope our American friends will definitely enjoy Paris during the summer season.
Great tips! That last line about the bikes cracked me up - Colleen is becoming a European, mixing up “fun” and “funny”! (At least, Spanish people do that all the time … maybe French people do too, but I haven’t heard it as much here!) One more Paris transport tip is, if you’re coming into Orly airport, take the OrlyVal shuttle to Antony station, then the B train into Paris. It’s fast, and so much easier than other options. (I would say it’s even worth flying into Orly if you can, rather than CDG … especially if you are coming later than Fall 2024, because Line 14 of the Metro is being extended all the way to Orly and will take you all the way to the center of Paris.)
Have fun. Check out all of their videos. Extremely helpful and will show you the authentic Paris. I used them as a reference when I was there last fall and they are spot on.
Great comment on the bicycle lanes ! Coming from London, we have cycle lanes everywhere now, so I'm wary before I cross, but in the UK we drive on the left, which means a Brit has to take a second to remember which way to look ! Another thing to recall is that the green cycle lanes are, from my pedestrian perspective, on the pavement (sidewalk !) rather the what you'd typically think of as the road. So, do a double-check on a double-check ! And you're right, a mistake could be disastrous as they take no prisoners never stopping for mistakes !
About the bicycle lanes, alaway remamber this unspoken rule : the pedestrian is *always* wrong. I got insulted by a woman lastly since I was crossing a street on a pedestrian white lines even though I had the right of way. Never again ! Also, most bicycle rider never respect any stop or red light.
I've just been to Paris and I saw you in Montmartre, I was too shy to say hi but it was a nice coincidence. Your videos have been very helpful, thank you!
Bonjour! Another excellent and informative video! These videos are helping us as we plan to move to France in the fall. Toulon looks perfect for us. We love the beaches, the healthcare, public transportation, trains to Paris, and within walking distance to markets. Merci! Dean & Cindy
Your videos have become part of my Saturday morning routine now & this one is especially helpful. My BFF & I will be visiting in October & while we’re experts at navigating NYC, Paris will be an adventure! After watching this video, I’m feeling much more confident. Merci Colleen & Antoine! ❤
I visit Paris in a few days. I’ve been before but have not taken either Bus 69 or 87 from end to end. Great tip for discovering or rediscovering Paris on the cheap! Perhaps you guys can produce a short audio guide to accompany one or both of these routes, providing some background on the main highlights along the way. 🤔 If you are unable to produce it for free, I think your fans (like me!) would download it for a reasonable charge to enjoy your voices along the ride? 🤷🏻♀️ In any case, merci mille fois Colleen and Antoine for your many valuable tips! 👏
My wife and I will be in France at the end of June. Nice, Rennes, then Paris. Your videos have been an amazing source of information for us and have contributed to our holiday plans. Merci pour toutes les informations.
Great video. Although it's been several years since I've been to Paris, seems like some things haven't changed. Montmartre is very sketchy particularly the front entrance from Anvers with all of the stairs; I was often approached by groups and they were not shy to harass tourists. I found that on the buses, people were a little less grumpy than being on a busy metro; I definitely had more positive interactions with Parisians on the bus.
We just came back from week trip. Mostly we used bus to get around so we could see the streets. To pay for it we used navigo in Apple wallet (you need latest iOS version in order to be able to add it to your wallet) Had good experience with uber (took it to Versaille because RER stop close to is was closed and to airport because we had early flight and were not sure we will make it in time on first RER) Once we got stuck in traffic in uber (took us 30 min instead of 15) but we were not overcharged. We did tip him extra - driving in the city is hard work and often unappreciated.
Thank you for your informative and beautifully produced videos! I am located in New York City. Some of this is like what we have here - Les Halles seems like the Paris "Times Square" and the RER is the express subway!
Taking a LIME bike is my favorite way to move around Paris. It's worth mentioning that they are geo-fenced, so you can't take them outside certain areas, and there is a time limit that you can rent them. I took one once just for a nice evening ride, but just as I was within a short distance from my hotel, the rental period expired, which means the wheels locked up. To make matters worse, the drop off was about 100 meters away, so I had to lift the bike and carry it across the busy street and to the drop off point, to avoid renting it again or paying a fee for dropping in it an unauthorized spot.
On our recent trip to Paris we used G7, on your recommendation, to and from the airport and they were fantastic. We felt safe and both drivers were fantastic.
The no 40 bus takes you up to Montmatre. We got off the metro at Blanche and walked a few minutes to the bus stop. It’s a pleasant trip and a super clean little bus.
I used the taxi and when I got the hotel he wanted cash. I said no and kept says cash cash I said no. I stood my ground and he finally took out the credit card machine
As a french countryman who lived in Paris for 6 months a few years back, these tips were all very accurate ! Take care out there, Paris is a beautiful and dangerous city at the same time.
I love you two !!! Such a GREAT channel 🤍 I have been to Paris one time and would love to go back after seeing all the places and tips you guys give ! Look forward to what you guys have next to share with us !! 🤍
We just got back from a wonderful trip to Paris and Aix-en-Provence. I use a wheelchair, so we stuck to taxis and Uber. Our experience with Uber in Paris was great. Our typical wait was 3 to 5 minutes. We only had one cancellation in a very tricky area. The taxis, however...well, most demanded cash. We did not know they were required to accept credit cards. We always had cash on hand, so they never demanded that we go to an ATM. But doing a whole cash transaction was way less convenient than paying beforehand for an Uber. (Guess using G7 taxis would've taken care of the problem.) BTW, I really enjoy your videos, and found them especially useful before our trip.
You are spot on with G7. I used this service to get from Orly to my hotel near Les Invalides. Excellent service. A bit pricy, but well worth it. I uses RER to get from Saint Michel to CDG. Never again. Sketchy train. There used to be an express bus to and from CDG to Arc de Triomphe but perhaps this service no longer exists.
I did take the Bus 69 from Eiffel Tower and expected to get to Pere LaChaise. At the Bastille, the driver said that is as far as he goes. As I understood from him, certain days of week or the particular month (not sure) they do not go that route. Still as you say, Antoine, it was a nice route anyway.
it's not certain day of month or week but it happen everyday. There are bus that go full way and bus that go only half way to cover the most crowded tourist zone or population so zone with less ppl who use the bus get skipped. You have to check the destination of the bus before hop on it always. Even so sometime they have shortage of bus and will skip the last stops and tell ppl to get off so they can go back to the starting point to pick up more ppl and tell you to wait the next bus which will go full way. But it only happen if 2 bus same number are near each other and suppose to go full way and 2nd one is near empty. Instead of do 2 bus full ways with not much passengers they would cramp all passengers to the 2nd bus so the first bus can go back to the starting line either one side or another depend where need extra bus the most to save time and money for everyone.
Used to live in paris for like 4 years as a french ppl, this video is a must see for anyone going there for the first time. It's sad to see all those scamers and pick pocket getting more and more around tho. But no one does anything about them to make it stop. If you're visiting, i really hope you have a nice trip. Also be carefull, only few parisian know english. If you'd like to speak of make yourself understandable, talk to the young one first (Between 15 & 30's) , they are more likely to answer and help you.
i've lived in paris for two decades and everything that's been said is 100% true. some small additions: the city's self-service bicycles aren't expensive and are very fast/practical if you don't have any luggage and buses are a very pleasant way of getting around, but ONLY if you have time (the frequency is low and there's a lot of traffic)
I don't know if this related to transportation per se but people should also know that Parisian drivers *completely* ignore crosswalks (pedestrian crossings) . Also, because of the way they drive, you don't know if they are going to slow down or not.
7:45 I'm french and even I have been in that situation. If I can give you a gateway tip if it's already too late and you're in this situation of a fake taxi asking for cash only, say you're on a busniess trip and you only have the company card with no withdrawl option. They suddenly have a card machine coming out the glovebox. You'll still get charged insanely high, but you won't risk getting out the car at the atm with a menacing guy over your shoulder pressuring you and rising prices if he feels he's in control.
Thanks for another good and informative video! In Paris I mostly get around on foot. It is the path to missing the least of what there is to see in this very walkable city. My second choice is definitely the bus. As you all say, you can see more of the town than from the Métro, there are waaay fewer steps, the buses are clean and I’ve found the local folks on board to be a lot friendlier! I like to hop on one bus, say around Ópera (e.g. #68), take it over to the Montparnasse area, do some exploring, get some food and liquid refreshment and then hoof it or grab another bus back to near my base of operations. There are bus route apps and books maps and I use both when looking to get about Paris. 🤙🏽
I live in the center of Paris since 4 years and I think these tips are quite good. I was never scammed by a taxi probably because I always use the official taxi lane taxis. I usually try to help tourists with questions, the latest occasion was a few months ago, when a US family that got stuck in a elevator of an AirBnB apartment. I'm not sure if this happens a lot but it took 45 minutes before someone came to free them.
Thanks a lot for your content, my husband and me went to Paris in March and your advices were really useful. We had a great time. Merci beacoup a vous.
Really appreciate your channel as I am 3 weeks away from visiting Paris. I will be working the Olympics for the entire calendar period during the games. Your information is very valuable so thanks for all you do with this channel :)
For Montmartre, don’t climb the stares, you have a lovely walk by the road in form of a snaile (like we said in french) who climb slowly to the basilic and you can appreciate the village atmosphere of this aera. Use the stare to come back to the Anvers station. The very touristic road you can see on this video is very short, you can cross it in one minute.
I'll be holidaying in Europe with my wife and her friend in Sep through Paris. I've watched almost every Les Frenchies video and will follow through your advice in our 3-day stay in Paris. Thank you so much. Would love to meet you there if possible :P
Well I'm a parisian I'm using taxi sometimes and never got a trouble with any taxi like not following the shortest route or using the meter. But I still recommend to be careful 👍
I would also like to add that when using any app, in any country for the metro or tube or anything underground, map your route before you go down! Map it on the street level, away from the entrance to any station. Signal for cell use is limited if any in these stations (underground) so mapping where you have a signal is paramount! 😉 Also, have your metro card/ticket in your hand and ready to go before you go down. My husband almost got rolled once and had he not tapped in just in time as he went through the turn-style he would’ve been pickpocketed. We really enjoy riding bikes in other countries. Feet do get tired from walking so much and bikes are fun alternative to give your feet rest. Pay attention to signs and know the rules before you use a bike. Be sure that your bike is in good condition before you remove it from the doc. If your seat is turned backwards that’s an indication that the bike is not working well. Thank you so much for your videos. They’re fun to watch, and you give a lot of good information. Hope to return in the fall. Cheers.
It should be noted however in doing the RER vs Metro calculation that often the RER is a good walk from the connecting Metro lines, especially at Châtelet-Les Halles, and the frequency, especially at night when it drops to as long as 15 minutes, may mean a longer wait to catch a train so always use the Bonjure RATP app to find the quickest route to your destination.
I live in France (not Paris, other large city) and occasionally go to Paris for business. The last time I was there, I happened to be heavily pregnant and carting around a wheelie grocery bag. I was completely shocked by the lack of elevators and escalators in the métro. At least in Lyon, the métro/trams/etc. are more accessible for people with mobility issues. Just be aware.
Share bikes allowed my wife and I to see all of Paris in 3 days. We rode rer and metro in to Norte dame from CDG. Did not use cab once. Had so much fun. But you need to be confident and we are both familiar w cit biking in nyc and New Orleans. The electric bikes make it highly accessible. Enjoy!!
everyday is leg day ... lol ...mais vrai! and totally agreed with avoiding Les Halles if possible! Plus, i did the buses, RER and trams in Paris (easy peasy) but I got a navigo card for the week.
Will you do a video on best public bathrooms? Are public restrooms readily available? We are staying outside of Paris so wouldn't be able to just run back to our hotel? Ty. Love your videos.
I would add those ones: - after 9PM metro is better. You may wait half an hour for a RER to come - in busses you should use the door near the bus driver to board, and other doors to go out - the exception is people with mobiliy issues. They should use the middle door and ask the driver to roll out the pathway - busses only stop on demand. The button is usually on bars near the doors and it triggers a "arret demandé" sign near the driver - the ticket system is really tricky, buy day/week passes - there are night buses for most tourists places if you go out late. They use standard tickets/pass.
we were in Paris last week and arrived at the train station, went to the official taxi line and still got out of two different taxis who claimed cash only and they would take us to an ATM. we took our bags out and left. In the end we did catch the metro which is what we usually do. We just thought we would treat ourselves to a taxi. Disappointing we were directed to these taxis by people running the taxi queue. At least we had watched your video and told them to get lost - so thanks
Buses have their own bus corridors most of the time and they are often faster or same time than taking the rail network. It all depends on the route. Let's not forget that when taking the metro or the train we need to count the time to get to the platform and if there is a connection.
Again, loved our trip to Paris last summer. I have both the Bonjour RATP and IDF Mobilités apps on my phone (didn't uninstall them cause we'll eb going back in the future and I'm planning on going for either the Journées du Patrimoine or the Salon des Transports Collectifs at Porte de Versailles one day and I want to do some transit fanning, so the apps are still very useful in planning my itineraries from home in Montréal). Most of the places we did, I knew how to get there because we went in 2007 for our honeymoon trip and I just feel like I'm at home in Paris. For those that don't know, the RER is basically an express regional metro, and the Transilien are the commuter trains. I took both and I enjoyed it immensely, using it once to go to Chelles and another time to go to Fontainebleau. Kinda fun going at 160 km/h on a commuter train. The fastest I've been on an AMT/exo train here in and around Montreal was about 90 km/h. Also, we didn't get any fake taxi drivers solicit us at CDG. If we had (and I knew real taxis never went inside to ask for rides, merci Antoine and Colleen!), I would have told them off en bon québécois, lol! Hope I get the chance to bump into you next time we're in Paris. Salut!
For the metro route, personnaly I prefer using google maps, and always exit at a random exit. It's always fun to be dropped somewhere new (and then maps leads me to my destination again).
To put the everyday is leg day. I live in Paris and have an office job. Just to go to work and getting back home, it’s 8 000 steps and 20 levels of stairs.
One IMPORTANT thing about the difference between the Metro and the RER (I am a Parisian): Both transportations have the same fare INSIDE Paris limits but as soon as you pass these limits, the RER fare is HIGHER and you must pay / have the corresponding fare or you get fined 50 Euros; you CANNOT escape controls at the end of any RER trip.
GREAT TIPS AS ALWAYS!!!!! MANY THANKS!!!! LOOKS LIKE I'LL BE JOINING YOU IN PARIS, AS MY PARISIAN FIANCE WANTS ME TO MOVE THERE FROM MY CURRENT APT. IN WEST PALM BEACH!!!!
Stairs! There’s even a spiral staircase at L’Abbess! Some women were beginning to panic in that one I don’t know if it’s all Paris public street maps, but we noticed more than a few that were placed backwards, as if the language and an unfamiliar city weren’t enough. We happened to be standing where we could see the sign on the Winter Circus, proclaiming just that, but the map had it on the opposite side of the street from where it was. I’d never thought about map positioning until then
We usually pre book a car and drive to pick us up at the Airport and also to return us to the airport for our flight home . We use Expedia most of the time however we going to Rome Italy in September we are try Viator this time .
Welcome Pickups is a great service that works worldwide. Viator is a ticket aggregator that adds a fee on top of your regular charges. Unless you want the convenience of buying a bunch of activities in one place, go direct! Here's our link. lesfrenchiestravel.com/paris-airport-transfers/
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As a Parisian, one rule, I would like to add it's:" Put your rucksack between your legs when you are in the Metro or the bus to avoid smacking people in the face with it (also, it would be more difficult for a pickpocket to access it)
That would be great for the NYC subway system too, on both counts!
Great point! It's aussi a great way to avoid thieves. It's easy to see when they bend over that far 🤣
@@robinps52 this used to be the way in New York when I grew up there, but I haven’t lived there in 20 years. It is unfortunately not the way here in Chicago, and it drives me crazy.
@@robinps52And Boston, and DC…
AMEN!!!!!!! Backpacks are the bane of commuters and unfortunately not everyone follows the unspoken rule of removing them when it's crowded - not only does it prevent one from smacking the person behind you in the face, it creates more space :)
Most important rule, KEEP YOUR RIGHT ON THE ESCALATOR.
Yes, but it seems only Parisian know that, all the other French (except the Paris region) don't know this civil rules ...
@@pabloa_e nah I'm not Parisian and always knew it. It really depends on how people are raised I guess, but even in middle school the rules about the right only stairs applied. Right to go up, left to go down, but in any case the right side was always clear.
Appendix to the most important rule, IF YOU GOT A FRIEND/CHILD/DOG THE RULE APPLIES FOR EVERYONE.
@@wisedred yes of course ! A lot of Parisians too (but mainly by bad liver mind ...), and tourist French tend to ignore that also 🤷 that's what I realised
@@pabloa_eIsn't it a video about transportation IN PARIS ?
New rule dropped: if you're not moving in the escalator, you HAVE to stand on the right, to let people who walk up/down pass
Edit: IT'S NOT "NEW" ITS A VIDEO GAME REFERENCE SO SHUT IT IF YO'RE GONNA SAY "it's not new
🤓👆"
I mean, "new" might be a stretch here. I'm 38 and I remember my mum telling me, a 5 or 6 year old, to stand on the right to let people through
@@haritha2174 Yes yes, i mean new as a video games reference. This rule is old as escalators themselves. I was taught as a kid to stand on the right too.
not new at all, it has always been like this for as long as I remember
@@decado3944 as a said. "new rule dropped" is a video game reference. It's not really new, and if you read the past answer you'd know.
The same rule exists in Moscow metro
Excellent video as always my friends! Something that I always see in the metro from tourists: they don't know that you SHOULD stay at the sides of the doors in the metro, NOT FRONT, and WAIT for people to get off from the metro first, before you go inside and push people back inside. Then, if you are on the electrical stairs, keep your right!! so if people want to go faster and climb, you are not on the way.
Hope everybody enjoys their time in Paris
❤
You're absolutely correct!
To be fair, a big chunk of parisians don't care about the "keep the side o metro doors" rule either, and it's infuriating.
@@frenchxican_a Another top tip: After you get on the Metro, keep moving in - assume there are people behind you who also need to get on.
Not only are the videos by this couple well-produced, but they're loaded with practical and accurate information. They should be your go-to source for first-time visitor tips in Paris.
I'm French and went to Paris in June 2023. I called a Bolt and the driver was super rude... complaining that I dirt his car with my shoes... it was supposed to cost €12 and he claim that there were traffic jam so charge me €36 instead! Which was a lie! I contacted Bolt customer service and they have fully refunded me. Be carreful...
Good point, thank you
How can he charge you extra if the charge is on the app? Was he asking for it in cash?
Quí Taxi Shoes you forget to buy Imagination Taxi shoes
I didn't understand
Don’t use Bolt.
FYI, I just returned from Paris and use a mobility scooter, all the buses have a ramp (not all of them work) so it's really easy to get around on buses if you are disabled. The driver will help if the ramp isn't working. In fact most work, and if not the driver or any passenger was quick to lend a hand. Plus all the sidewalks have mobility access. And the bus ride was free.
awesome, thank you!
Thanks...I didn't know that. Now I worry about returning to Paris because of mobility issues. My legs work. My back does not very well. Excellent to know options now
@@carolmartin4413 As long as you can climb and go down stairs, the Metro is fine. Some have elevators and escalators (although some of them, crazily enough, have escalators or elevators that lead to a flight of stairs … looking at you Abbesses …)
I personally find riding a bike a distraction if you’re sightseeing in a foreign city. Too much to pay attention to (directions, traffic, safety) you tend to actually miss a lot. Walking around is the best way to find those good nooks and crannies.
There's something for everyone!
Good point. I am Dutch I know how to cycle. I walk a lot, but my feet did hurt from walking almost everywhere in Berlin last year. A busy city is different for cycling. If you are inexperienced, maybe cycling in Paris, Amsterdam or Utrecht isn't the smartest thing to do. I will be in Paris for 4 days in November. I will go on a guided bicycle tour. I am still not sure about cycling, bus or metro for longer distances. I will visit the Grenelle market on Sunday, drop bought items at my nearby hotel and next hop on the metro high above the market to get somewhere and as a bit of sightseeing tour.
I've done bicycle tours in Paris and it was a great way to see the city and get some insights. One outfit is associated with the Peleton Cafe, recommend.
You have nooooo idea how much this helps!! Im currently in Paris studying abroad and your channel has been a life saver!
There is so much to available here. Enjoy!
I've lived all my life in Paris and never knew the bus 69 thing, since it's not in my neighbourhood, and we don't do touristy things usually.
Great way to visit, just sit on the bus for 90 minutes, for the price of 1 ticket.
I'll take a friend when he will visit, thanks.
It's fun to play tourist in your own city
In the Paris Metro Everyday is Leg Day - truer words never spoken! After a couple weeks in Paris I come home looking like I've spent all my time in the gym 😉😄
I lost 7 lbs after two weeks in Europe walking everywhere and I weighed 162 to start. I hit a peak of 14 miles in one day in Paris and that included a long lunch with friends and plenty of time on the metro.
I’ve said this before, but you guys make the very best guides on the internet. I’m planning on 1 month in Paris next year, and your information will be instrumental for a pleasurable experience. 🙏
You just made me smile. That's exactly why we make the videos. Cheers.
And if the metro is full and you have time... just walk! A 30 min walk feels very different in Paris than in most American towns I've been in because actually there's things on the street to see.
Yes, walk, or wait for the next train. They come every few minutes.
Right! When I was living there I walked so much. If something is just a few stops away just walk. It does feel different to walk in Paris.
Indeed, often when coming back from work, the metro 4 would just stop working for some reason, I would go from "Mairie de Montrouge" to "Denfert Rochereau" by foot for 20-30 minutes to take the RER B towards the South.
It is annoying to lose so much time to go home by not being able to take the Metro (my usual commute is around 1 hour), but it's still nice to breathe fresh air and look at things, even better if you can chat with a coworker whilst doing it.
You two are the best, most professional and informative vloggers on YT. I appreciate every video as not a moment is wasted. Thank you for this get-around-Paris installment. Merci!
Very useful information. Thank you very much!
You are welcome!
Being French from Paris (while now leaving abroad for many years) the G7 is indeed the best option to ride across Paris.....uber is definitely not a reliable option at peak times compare to US cities...and the price difference is very reasonable.......RER is excellent to travel outside Paris and visit the greater Paris area ( Ile de France) but pay attention to RER C line which is not very reliable. Thank you les Frenchies for your instructive video 🙂 I hope our American friends will definitely enjoy Paris during the summer season.
Great tips! That last line about the bikes cracked me up - Colleen is becoming a European, mixing up “fun” and “funny”! (At least, Spanish people do that all the time … maybe French people do too, but I haven’t heard it as much here!) One more Paris transport tip is, if you’re coming into Orly airport, take the OrlyVal shuttle to Antony station, then the B train into Paris. It’s fast, and so much easier than other options. (I would say it’s even worth flying into Orly if you can, rather than CDG … especially if you are coming later than Fall 2024, because Line 14 of the Metro is being extended all the way to Orly and will take you all the way to the center of Paris.)
Thank you
1:08 And another great video! Even after 23 visits to Paris in the past 5 years, I still learn lots of new, helpful info from you two. Merci! Hugs 🤗
Six more days, then we're on our way, can't hardly wait!!!
Have fun. Check out all of their videos. Extremely helpful and will show you the authentic Paris. I used them as a reference when I was there last fall and they are spot on.
Bon Voyage 🗼
Bon voyage! If you see us or and about, please say hello!
@@paulkoza8652 We've been watching them for a couple months now, and have a few that we will watch on the plane also 🙂
@@LesFrenchiesTravel We will!!!
Great comment on the bicycle lanes ! Coming from London, we have cycle lanes everywhere now, so I'm wary before I cross, but in the UK we drive on the left, which means a Brit has to take a second to remember which way to look ! Another thing to recall is that the green cycle lanes are, from my pedestrian perspective, on the pavement (sidewalk !) rather the what you'd typically think of as the road. So, do a double-check on a double-check ! And you're right, a mistake could be disastrous as they take no prisoners never stopping for mistakes !
About the bicycle lanes, alaway remamber this unspoken rule : the pedestrian is *always* wrong. I got insulted by a woman lastly since I was crossing a street on a pedestrian white lines even though I had the right of way. Never again ! Also, most bicycle rider never respect any stop or red light.
I've just been to Paris and I saw you in Montmartre, I was too shy to say hi but it was a nice coincidence. Your videos have been very helpful, thank you!
Awe, please say hello! Glad you enjoyed the trip.
Bonjour! Another excellent and informative video! These videos are helping us as we plan to move to France in the fall. Toulon looks perfect for us. We love the beaches, the healthcare, public transportation, trains to Paris, and within walking distance to markets. Merci! Dean & Cindy
Awesome!!
Your videos have become part of my Saturday morning routine now & this one is especially helpful. My BFF & I will be visiting in October & while we’re experts at navigating NYC, Paris will be an adventure! After watching this video, I’m feeling much more confident. Merci Colleen & Antoine! ❤
Bienvenue!!
Another great video from the both of you. This will definitely come in handy when we visit in August.
Great plan!!
For the Olympics or u come after?
Great tip Bus #69 across Paris!!! I’ll be there next week with my granddaughter and we’ll definitely check out that route. Thank you!!
I visit Paris in a few days. I’ve been before but have not taken either Bus 69 or 87 from end to end. Great tip for discovering or rediscovering Paris on the cheap! Perhaps you guys can produce a short audio guide to accompany one or both of these routes, providing some background on the main highlights along the way. 🤔 If you are unable to produce it for free, I think your fans (like me!) would download it for a reasonable charge to enjoy your voices along the ride? 🤷🏻♀️ In any case, merci mille fois Colleen and Antoine for your many valuable tips! 👏
The Frenchies guided me with all my trips to Paris since 2021! Great advice and their guide book is swell too❤
My wife and I will be in France at the end of June. Nice, Rennes, then Paris. Your videos have been an amazing source of information for us and have contributed to our holiday plans.
Merci pour toutes les informations.
Great video. Although it's been several years since I've been to Paris, seems like some things haven't changed. Montmartre is very sketchy particularly the front entrance from Anvers with all of the stairs; I was often approached by groups and they were not shy to harass tourists. I found that on the buses, people were a little less grumpy than being on a busy metro; I definitely had more positive interactions with Parisians on the bus.
People in the bus are not in a hurry, or they would take the metro ;)
We just came back from week trip. Mostly we used bus to get around so we could see the streets. To pay for it we used navigo in Apple wallet (you need latest iOS version in order to be able to add it to your wallet) Had good experience with uber (took it to Versaille because RER stop close to is was closed and to airport because we had early flight and were not sure we will make it in time on first RER) Once we got stuck in traffic in uber (took us 30 min instead of 15) but we were not overcharged. We did tip him extra - driving in the city is hard work and often unappreciated.
When we ride the metro, we don’t speak to each other to avoid being targeted by pick pockets. If we need to talk, we switch to spanish :)
Thank you for your informative and beautifully produced videos! I am located in New York City. Some of this is like what we have here - Les Halles seems like the Paris "Times Square" and the RER is the express subway!
It feels that way to us too...
Yes! exactly
Taking a LIME bike is my favorite way to move around Paris. It's worth mentioning that they are geo-fenced, so you can't take them outside certain areas, and there is a time limit that you can rent them. I took one once just for a nice evening ride, but just as I was within a short distance from my hotel, the rental period expired, which means the wheels locked up. To make matters worse, the drop off was about 100 meters away, so I had to lift the bike and carry it across the busy street and to the drop off point, to avoid renting it again or paying a fee for dropping in it an unauthorized spot.
ouch, that sucks!!
Won't be doing that then!
locking up wheels??? That sounds dangerous. What about other vendors?
On our recent trip to Paris we used G7, on your recommendation, to and from the airport and they were fantastic. We felt safe and both drivers were fantastic.
The information you are giving is so vital. This will help me a lot when I move to start the life I deserve. Merci Beaucoup!
Google map also have this feature where you just plan on a destination and it exactly tells you what stations you should take !
Super useful
Love the tips on buses. I love using the bus in Paris. G7 is my favorite car option.
The no 40 bus takes you up to Montmatre. We got off the metro at Blanche and walked a few minutes to the bus stop. It’s a pleasant trip and a super clean little bus.
Love taking classic buses to make tourism in a city without walking. 75 république - pantheon via Marais, île de la Cité is great too
I used the taxi and when I got the hotel he wanted cash. I said no and kept says cash cash I said no. I stood my ground and he finally took out the credit card machine
Exactly. Congratulations.
We made your Video!!! Was so great to meet you both. Bonjour from Las Vegas 😊
As a french countryman who lived in Paris for 6 months a few years back, these tips were all very accurate !
Take care out there, Paris is a beautiful and dangerous city at the same time.
Bonjour Antoine and Colleen. Thanks for another helpful video. Don’t stop making videos this this😀
I love you two !!! Such a GREAT channel 🤍 I have been to Paris one time and would love to go back after seeing all the places and tips you guys give ! Look forward to what you guys have next to share with us !! 🤍
Always helpful and entertaining to watch each episode. Thanks as always!
I recommend that you go to barbes rochechouart station, get out of the metro and visit the beautiful surrounding area ! You won't be disappointed !
We just got back from a wonderful trip to Paris and Aix-en-Provence. I use a wheelchair, so we stuck to taxis and Uber. Our experience with Uber in Paris was great. Our typical wait was 3 to 5 minutes. We only had one cancellation in a very tricky area. The taxis, however...well, most demanded cash. We did not know they were required to accept credit cards. We always had cash on hand, so they never demanded that we go to an ATM. But doing a whole cash transaction was way less convenient than paying beforehand for an Uber. (Guess using G7 taxis would've taken care of the problem.) BTW, I really enjoy your videos, and found them especially useful before our trip.
You are spot on with G7. I used this service to get from Orly to my hotel near Les Invalides. Excellent service. A bit pricy, but well worth it. I uses RER to get from Saint Michel to CDG. Never again. Sketchy train. There used to be an express bus to and from CDG to Arc de Triomphe but perhaps this service no longer exists.
🙂❤️👍
There still is an express bus. I see it pass sometimes.
I did take the Bus 69 from Eiffel Tower and expected to get to Pere LaChaise. At the Bastille, the driver said that is as far as he goes. As I understood from him, certain days of week or the particular month (not sure) they do not go that route. Still as you say, Antoine, it was a nice route anyway.
it's not certain day of month or week but it happen everyday. There are bus that go full way and bus that go only half way to cover the most crowded tourist zone or population so zone with less ppl who use the bus get skipped. You have to check the destination of the bus before hop on it always. Even so sometime they have shortage of bus and will skip the last stops and tell ppl to get off so they can go back to the starting point to pick up more ppl and tell you to wait the next bus which will go full way. But it only happen if 2 bus same number are near each other and suppose to go full way and 2nd one is near empty. Instead of do 2 bus full ways with not much passengers they would cramp all passengers to the 2nd bus so the first bus can go back to the starting line either one side or another depend where need extra bus the most to save time and money for everyone.
I want to experience this too, while coming back what number bus to take please?
Très bonne vidéo. Étant né et vivant à Paris depuis plus de 20 ans, tout est véridique dans cette vidéo !
Used to live in paris for like 4 years as a french ppl, this video is a must see for anyone going there for the first time. It's sad to see all those scamers and pick pocket getting more and more around tho. But no one does anything about them to make it stop.
If you're visiting, i really hope you have a nice trip. Also be carefull, only few parisian know english. If you'd like to speak of make yourself understandable, talk to the young one first (Between 15 & 30's) , they are more likely to answer and help you.
Super video Le Frenchies!
Merci!
Nice advice video, really practical. Et carrément dans le vrai, sans une pointe de méchancetée. Merci bien !
Thanks so much for the great content. Helped us a lot during our visit.
Great video- thank you! We walked a lot around Montmartre and felt safe even at night. Also we took buses only and were able to see more sights.
We will only be in Paris for a day and a half, but most of what we will end up doing and eating is based on your recommendations. ❤
i've lived in paris for two decades and everything that's been said is 100% true. some small additions: the city's self-service bicycles aren't expensive and are very fast/practical if you don't have any luggage and buses are a very pleasant way of getting around, but ONLY if you have time (the frequency is low and there's a lot of traffic)
Magnifique vidéo culturelle du jour
Excellent tips ❤ We used RER and Uber and both were fab 😊
Subway line #6, from Nation to Charles de Gaulle via the South bank is aerial almost all the way and you will enjoy a great trip through Paris.
Very good and accurate information. Good job !
I don't know if this related to transportation per se but people should also know that Parisian drivers *completely* ignore crosswalks (pedestrian crossings) . Also, because of the way they drive, you don't know if they are going to slow down or not.
Yeah and around Gare de Lyon they even don't care about sidewalks !
@@Lau_rao Haha. So true !!
7:45 I'm french and even I have been in that situation. If I can give you a gateway tip if it's already too late and you're in this situation of a fake taxi asking for cash only, say you're on a busniess trip and you only have the company card with no withdrawl option. They suddenly have a card machine coming out the glovebox. You'll still get charged insanely high, but you won't risk getting out the car at the atm with a menacing guy over your shoulder pressuring you and rising prices if he feels he's in control.
No words,! U are the best 😊
Thanks for another good and informative video! In Paris I mostly get around on foot. It is the path to missing the least of what there is to see in this very walkable city. My second choice is definitely the bus. As you all say, you can see more of the town than from the Métro, there are waaay fewer steps, the buses are clean and I’ve found the local folks on board to be a lot friendlier! I like to hop on one bus, say around Ópera (e.g. #68), take it over to the Montparnasse area, do some exploring, get some food and liquid refreshment and then hoof it or grab another bus back to near my base of operations. There are bus route apps and books maps and I use both when looking to get about Paris. 🤙🏽
I live in the center of Paris since 4 years and I think these tips are quite good. I was never scammed by a taxi probably because I always use the official taxi lane taxis. I usually try to help tourists with questions, the latest occasion was a few months ago, when a US family that got stuck in a elevator of an AirBnB apartment. I'm not sure if this happens a lot but it took 45 minutes before someone came to free them.
Thanks a lot for your content, my husband and me went to Paris in March and your advices were really useful. We had a great time. Merci beacoup a vous.
Really appreciate your channel as I am 3 weeks away from visiting Paris. I will be working the Olympics for the entire calendar period during the games. Your information is very valuable so thanks for all you do with this channel :)
Watch for your safety. Parisians will try to leave the city during the Olympics. The only ones left will be tourists and thugs.
Great information, thanks! 👍
Also, don't forget to ride the 72 RATP bus. The eastbound route goes along the north side of the Seine.
For Montmartre, don’t climb the stares, you have a lovely walk by the road in form of a snaile (like we said in french) who climb slowly to the basilic and you can appreciate the village atmosphere of this aera. Use the stare to come back to the Anvers station. The very touristic road you can see on this video is very short, you can cross it in one minute.
This is aMAzing information! Thank you!
I'll be holidaying in Europe with my wife and her friend in Sep through Paris. I've watched almost every Les Frenchies video and will follow through your advice in our 3-day stay in Paris. Thank you so much. Would love to meet you there if possible :P
Well I'm a parisian I'm using taxi sometimes and never got a trouble with any taxi like not following the shortest route or using the meter. But I still recommend to be careful 👍
I LOVE that I recognize most of these train station stops and area of Paris!!!
I would also like to add that when using any app, in any country for the metro or tube or anything underground, map your route before you go down! Map it on the street level, away from the entrance to any station. Signal for cell use is limited if any in these stations (underground) so mapping where you have a signal is paramount! 😉 Also, have your metro card/ticket in your hand and ready to go before you go down. My husband almost got rolled once and had he not tapped in just in time as he went through the turn-style he would’ve been pickpocketed. We really enjoy riding bikes in other countries. Feet do get tired from walking so much and bikes are fun alternative to give your feet rest. Pay attention to signs and know the rules before you use a bike. Be sure that your bike is in good condition before you remove it from the doc. If your seat is turned backwards that’s an indication that the bike is not working well. Thank you so much for your videos. They’re fun to watch, and you give a lot of good information. Hope to return in the fall. Cheers.
It should be noted however in doing the RER vs Metro calculation that often the RER is a good walk from the connecting Metro lines, especially at Châtelet-Les Halles, and the frequency, especially at night when it drops to as long as 15 minutes, may mean a longer wait to catch a train so always use the Bonjure RATP app to find the quickest route to your destination.
Alright! This is a good tip video! Thx U guys!
Glad you like it
I live in France (not Paris, other large city) and occasionally go to Paris for business. The last time I was there, I happened to be heavily pregnant and carting around a wheelie grocery bag. I was completely shocked by the lack of elevators and escalators in the métro. At least in Lyon, the métro/trams/etc. are more accessible for people with mobility issues.
Just be aware.
true
alriiiight... you guys got better at editing! Nice. I am happy for you (from a Hwood editor)
Share bikes allowed my wife and I to see all of Paris in 3 days. We rode rer and metro in to Norte dame from CDG. Did not use cab once. Had so much fun. But you need to be confident and we are both familiar w cit biking in nyc and New Orleans. The electric bikes make it highly accessible. Enjoy!!
Awesome!
everyday is leg day ... lol ...mais vrai! and totally agreed with avoiding Les Halles if possible! Plus, i did the buses, RER and trams in Paris (easy peasy) but I got a navigo card for the week.
I really enjoy your videos
Thank you!
Will you do a video on best public bathrooms? Are public restrooms readily available? We are staying outside of Paris so wouldn't be able to just run back to our hotel? Ty. Love your videos.
Yes, we have a plan for that!!
I would add those ones:
- after 9PM metro is better. You may wait half an hour for a RER to come
- in busses you should use the door near the bus driver to board, and other doors to go out
- the exception is people with mobiliy issues. They should use the middle door and ask the driver to roll out the pathway
- busses only stop on demand. The button is usually on bars near the doors and it triggers a "arret demandé" sign near the driver
- the ticket system is really tricky, buy day/week passes
- there are night buses for most tourists places if you go out late. They use standard tickets/pass.
we were in Paris last week and arrived at the train station, went to the official taxi line and still got out of two different taxis who claimed cash only and they would take us to an ATM. we took our bags out and left. In the end we did catch the metro which is what we usually do. We just thought we would treat ourselves to a taxi. Disappointing we were directed to these taxis by people running the taxi queue. At least we had watched your video and told them to get lost - so thanks
You're welcome!!
Thank you ♥️
Buses have their own bus corridors most of the time and they are often faster or same time than taking the rail network. It all depends on the route. Let's not forget that when taking the metro or the train we need to count the time to get to the platform and if there is a connection.
So helpful ! Merci 😊
I know most of the roads of Le Marais and Canal Saint Martin is pedestrian only (and bike only) on the week end.
Great Video again...... ❣️❣️❣️
Again, loved our trip to Paris last summer. I have both the Bonjour RATP and IDF Mobilités apps on my phone (didn't uninstall them cause we'll eb going back in the future and I'm planning on going for either the Journées du Patrimoine or the Salon des Transports Collectifs at Porte de Versailles one day and I want to do some transit fanning, so the apps are still very useful in planning my itineraries from home in Montréal). Most of the places we did, I knew how to get there because we went in 2007 for our honeymoon trip and I just feel like I'm at home in Paris.
For those that don't know, the RER is basically an express regional metro, and the Transilien are the commuter trains. I took both and I enjoyed it immensely, using it once to go to Chelles and another time to go to Fontainebleau. Kinda fun going at 160 km/h on a commuter train. The fastest I've been on an AMT/exo train here in and around Montreal was about 90 km/h.
Also, we didn't get any fake taxi drivers solicit us at CDG. If we had (and I knew real taxis never went inside to ask for rides, merci Antoine and Colleen!), I would have told them off en bon québécois, lol!
Hope I get the chance to bump into you next time we're in Paris. Salut!
For the metro route, personnaly I prefer using google maps, and always exit at a random exit. It's always fun to be dropped somewhere new (and then maps leads me to my destination again).
To put the everyday is leg day. I live in Paris and have an office job.
Just to go to work and getting back home, it’s 8 000 steps and 20 levels of stairs.
One IMPORTANT thing about the difference between the Metro and the RER (I am a Parisian): Both transportations have the same fare INSIDE Paris limits but as soon as you pass these limits, the RER fare is HIGHER and you must pay / have the corresponding fare or you get fined 50 Euros; you CANNOT escape controls at the end of any RER trip.
The famous 69 bus line; giving our secrets out ... 😉 love your practical, uptodate content.
GREAT TIPS AS ALWAYS!!!!!
MANY THANKS!!!!
LOOKS LIKE I'LL BE JOINING YOU IN PARIS, AS MY PARISIAN FIANCE WANTS ME TO MOVE THERE FROM MY CURRENT APT. IN WEST PALM BEACH!!!!
Stairs! There’s even a spiral staircase at L’Abbess! Some women were beginning to panic in that one
I don’t know if it’s all Paris public street maps, but we noticed more than a few that were placed backwards, as if the language and an unfamiliar city weren’t enough. We happened to be standing where we could see the sign on the Winter Circus, proclaiming just that, but the map had it on the opposite side of the street from where it was. I’d never thought about map positioning until then
We usually pre book a car and drive to pick us up at the Airport and also to return us to the airport for our flight home .
We use Expedia most of the time however we going to Rome Italy in September we are try Viator this time .
Welcome Pickups is a great service that works worldwide. Viator is a ticket aggregator that adds a fee on top of your regular charges. Unless you want the convenience of buying a bunch of activities in one place, go direct! Here's our link.
lesfrenchiestravel.com/paris-airport-transfers/