An independent guide to ParisDrinking water and toilets (French)Français

Before you travel

Prepare your
Paris visit.

Transport, reservations, accessibility and useful services for a realistic day in Paris. This page is the English practical companion to Paris pratique. Other editorial sections currently use French; links below identify French pages where relevant.

Four checks before departure

  1. Check the whole transport route and the ticket it needs.
  2. Confirm the attraction’s opening hours and booking conditions.
  3. Group visits in one area and leave time for breaks.
  4. Keep 112, 15, 17, 18 and the accessible 114 service available for emergencies.

For Orly, compare metro line 14; for Charles-de-Gaulle, check RER B and your terminal access. Confirm the airport fare or your pass conditions before travelling. A city ticket is not automatically an airport ticket.

Getting around

Plan routes, fares, connections and return journeys using the transport authority.

Transport information

Tourist information

Use the official tourism office for visitor information and ideas, then check each attraction directly.

Official tourism office

City services

Find municipal services and useful information from the City of Paris.

City of Paris

Drinking water and toilets

Search the official datasets by arrondissement and address. Declared availability may differ from conditions on site.

Search water and toilets (French)

Visiting with children

Choose shorter visits and confirm the age guidance, reservations and break facilities for the activity.

Family guide (French)

Luggage storage

Check availability, opening hours, size limits and collection time with the station service before booking another activity.

Station services (French)

Air quality

Check the regional monitoring service before adjusting an outdoor programme.

Airparif

Cycling

Choose routes suited to your confidence and check the bicycle and parking rules before departure.

Cycling guide (French)

Less travel, more time on site

Plan one main visit in the morning and another nearby option later. Walking, security checks and standing in queues all contribute to fatigue. A shorter programme with an unreserved walk or garden is easier to adapt to weather and energy.

Notre-Dame’s individual cathedral entry is free and its optional official reservation is also free. Booking slots open only a few hours before the visit. Treat paid guided services and other monuments on the island as separate offers.

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Which transport should I use in Paris?

Combine walking with metro, RER, bus or tram. Check your whole route, connections, final walking section and return journey with Île-de-France Mobilités. In 2026, the full-price Metro-Train-RER ticket is €2.55, Bus-Tram is €2.05, and the Paris Region ↔ Airports ticket is €14. The rail ticket does not include a connection to a bus or tram.

Should I book museums and monuments?

Book busy attractions where a timed slot is required or recommended. Check the official attraction website for the specific collection, exhibition or activity. Permanent collections at several municipal museums are free, but temporary exhibitions and some establishments have separate conditions.

Which number should I call in an emergency?

112 is the European emergency number; 15 is medical emergency assistance, 17 police and 18 the fire service. 114 provides accessible emergency communication, particularly for deaf or hard-of-hearing people and people with speech difficulties. Use the official service linked below for the communication options.

How can I plan a day without rushing?

Choose one main visit per half-day and keep nearby walks or gardens flexible. Allow time for meals, queues, connections and seated breaks. Avoid planning several distant districts as one continuous walking route.

Is walking a good way to visit Paris?

Yes, especially when you group sights by district. Distances, slopes, paving and stairs can still add up. Adapt the route to everyone in the group and use transport between distant areas. Accessible transport and an accessible entrance should be checked separately.

How current is this guide?

This English practical guide was prepared on 3 October 2026. It provides planning information rather than live availability. Check opening hours, fares, closures, traffic and accessibility with the official provider before travelling.