Getting to Paris

You will most certainly arrive in one of the two main Paris airports: Roissy Charles de Gaulle or Orly. In order to have information about the airports and how to reach the city, please go to the following website : Aéroports de Paris

If you have heavy luggage with you, we recommend you take a cab or a bus because the RER and metro can sometimes be difficult with big suitcases.

Paris Useful Information

Paris Map

One of the first things you should purchase when you arrive in Paris is a map of the city called Plan de Paris par arrondissements (there are two versions, one includes Paris and the suburbs and the other includes only Paris). This handy map which lists detailed mini maps of each arrondissement, all the subway and bus lines, and an index of streets and métro stops, can be obtained from any newspaper stand. Unfortunately, the subway and bus lines may not be updated; therefore it is advisable to pick up a free subway and bus map from the métro.

Districts – Paris is divided into districts (arrondissements) starting at the Louvre and continuing clockwise around the map. Paris has twenty arrondissements, which are indicated in the postal code as the last two digits. The first two digits are the department code for the city (Paris being 75). For example, 75016 is the 16th arrondissement (where ISG is located).

Transportation

• The METRO

The other three zones extend into the suburbs. If you live in Paris, then purchasing tickets for zones 1 and 2 is sufficient. Should you wish to go to zones 3, 4 or 5 occasionally, the cheapest alternative to buying a zone 1-3, zone 1-4 or zone 1-5 is to use your zone 1-2 ticket to take you to the end of zone 2, then purchase a ticket for the remaining zone.

Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booths where you can choose to buy either a Single trip (ticket), Booklet of ten (carnet), Weekly, monthly or yearly pass (Carte Navigo). The single ticket costs around 1.40 €, a book of 10 tickets is about 11 €, and a monthly pass is around 54 € (depending on the zones).It works out cheaper to pay for a yearly pass or monthly rather than individual tickets. Students under 26 years old can also get a yearly pass called Imagine R. In order to obtain a metro pass (Carte Navigo) you must complete a form (available from the ticket booth) and have 2 passport size photos). Please note that should you purchase any of the above tickets, make sure that you carry it with you at all times even after you have entered the train since you may be asked to present it once you exit from the train. If you get caught without possessing a ticket, you will have to pay a fine. The above types of tickets (except for the single tickets) and prices are valid for unlimited travel on bus, métro and RER. The single ticket is valid for one travel on buses, métro or RER.

It is worth mentioning that should you wish to use the métro, all lines are named after their end points as well as their respective numbers. For example, if you wish to go to the Motte-Picquet Grenelle from Montparnasse you would have to follow Direction Charles de Gaulle-Etoile, line #6.

While it is usually safe to ride the métro, they are sometimes frequented by thieves and other troublemakers looking for easy prey.

• TAXIS

Generally, it is advisable to find the taxi stand which is closest to you as opposed to trying to hail one or calling one by phone. Normally, if you call a taxi by phone, the meter starts running from the location the cab is at until it reaches your location. Rates vary according to the time of day and geographical location.

General Information

• Temperatures : In order to obtain an approximate conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply Celsius by 2 and add 32.


• Dates : Dates in France are written as follows: March 1, 1999 is 1/3/99


• Climate : The temperature in Paris varies throughout the year. Based on the last years, the winter time in Paris is rather cold. Summer in Paris can be hot, with the temperature climbing up to thirty degrees. In general, the weather fluctuates all the time.


• Electric current : The current in Paris is based on a 220 volt system. Should you have appliances with another type of system (American 110 volts, British 250 volts, etc.); you will then require a plug adapter and transformer that are appropriate for the wattage of the appliance. Please note that a transformer is important to have or else you will burn your appliances. The transformer and plug adapters can be found at BHV (Bazar de l'Hôtel de Ville) which is located at 52, rue de Rivoli (metro Palais Royal) or in most department or electronic stores. Please note that when buying light bulbs, there are two types, vis (screws into the socket) and baionnette (hooks into the socket).

Useful Phone Numbers

Hospitals and late night pharmacies:

Please note: If you want a doctor in your native language, contact your embassy.

• Hospitals :

English speaking hospitals

French public hospitals

• Pharmacies :

Housing

Housing in Paris is quite expensive and it is important to determine what type of housing you are looking for according to your financial means. A small place (room or studio) is between 600 and 1000 € for a student. You should add also a usual 2 month rent deposit and agency fees (if you look through a rental agency). Insurance is mandatory and costs around 150 € a year. Remember to bring all your financial information (account sheets, parents' information and ID card,etc.) you will need it.

Temporary housing

• Youth Hostels

The website of the Youth Hostels organization in Paris(Auberges de jeunesse): www.fuaj.org/fra/auberges.

• Cheap hostels :

Long-term housing

• University Residences

They are managed by the CROUS (Centres Régionaux des Œuvres Universitaires et Sociales) and have rooms of approximately 10-12 m² with a washbasin. The showers and bathrooms are shared and the rent is in between 140 to 400 € per month. It is very hard to get a room in one of these residences due to the fact that there are still few of them and that many are reserved for foreign students with grants from the French Government.
www.crous-paris.fr

• Private Student Residences

Rent is in between 600 and 700 € per month.

• Real Estate agencies

They are a very good option even if yo have to pay a fee.
http://www.parisattitude.com
http://www.nyhabitat.com/paris-apartment.html

• Adds in News papers and on Internet

Rents are high and there is a 2 month rent caution to leave when signing the lease. Apartment sharing is increasing though.

• Families

Varies from 600 to 1000€ per month.

• Housing Insurance

Most host families, residences and owners require students to subscribe a comprehensive housing insurance. You can ask information in several insurance companies upon arrival.

Student card

When you are fully registered, the ISG will issue a student card for the academic year. You will have to come pick it up at the International Bachelor Office. The card is very important for you since in France you can benefit from many reductions when showing proof of being a student. This is usually called “tarif réduit étudiant” and it exits at the movies, at many museums and exhibitions. You will be given one student ID so be careful not to lose it!!

Social Security card

• Insurance for Non European Students

Students coming from non-European countries and studying in France for a period over 3 months have to subscribe to the French health insurance policy for 1 year. This insurance is mandatory and additional to the repatriation and civil liability coverage. It covers only the medical part and its cost is more or less 200€. Since this insurance covers only a small part of medical and dental treatments, it is strongly recommended to subscribe to an additional coverage.
During registration you will have to fill out the Social Security form in order to be covered by the French Student Health Coverage (which is compulsory). If you were born outside of France (even if you have the French nationality but were born outside of France) you will have to provide a birth certificate. You will also need information such as your carte de séjour number or visa number if you have one. Then you will receive your carte vitale (social security card) that you will need each time you go to the doctor's or buy medicine.

• Insurance for European Students