Useful Information
Paris has all the amenities and facilities expected of a major global city.
Banks
There are plenty of French and foreign banks all over the city. Banks are usually open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, some may close at lunch and others are also open on Saturdays. All banks are shut on public holidays and from midday the day before. Non-French debit and credit cards can be used to withdraw and pay in Euros. Visa is the most widely used card but all major international cards are accepted.
Locals' tip: French bank cards are called 'CB' or 'Carte Bleue' (blue card), and shop and restaurant owners often use this term to refer generically to any type of bank card.
Changing Money
You can change your money in banks or at exchange bureaux. You must have ID on you to carry out money exchange transactions. Not all banks, notably the Banque de France, provide a currency exchange service and commission rates do vary.
Post offices that have a Banque Postale tend to offer the best exchange rates and change currency as well as travellers cheques.
Commercial banks charge similar rates as post offices for foreign currency exchanges. Rates for traveller’s cheques do vary but neither BNP Paribas or Societe Generale charge a fee to change traveller’s cheques in Euros.
Exchange rates at the Bureaux de Change are better than most banks, opening hours are longer and the service is also much more efficient and easy. They are located in popular tourist areas and are open on Sundays.
Locals' tip: avoid the Exchange Bureaux located on Avenue de l'Opéra... this is a posh and touristy area with rip-off rates.
ATMs
You’ll find an ATM’s - distributeur automatique de billets - virtually on every corner. Contact your bank before you travel to find out how much transactions cost before you withdraw money too freely.
Language
Obviously, the native language in Paris is French. In the tourist hotspots expect the majority of shopkeepers and attendants to speak English and most will reply to you in English even if you have spoken to them in French. Even if you have basic language skills, interacting with other Parisians is extremely difficult as many will not have the patience or time to help you. Furthermore real Parisians talk extremely fast and will use local slang when talking to you. Older generations are more likely to have less fluency in English than younger French students. If you are in need of help, try approaching a younger person and try and talk slowly so your accent does not confuse what you are trying to say.
Health
EU residents travelling in Europe need a European National Health Insurance Card, EHIC. This replaces the former E111 form and is free of charge. The card allows EU residents to benefit from free or reduced cost medial care within the European Union.
If you are not an EU citizen, it is important that you take out medical insurance before you travel.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are marked by illuminated green crosses.
They are generally open from 8.30am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday.
Some are open on Sunday, other 24 hours a day or until very late at night. If closed, any pharmacy will have a sign to indicate the nearest open one ('pharmacie de garde'). Staff in pharmacies will provide basic medical services if need be, and will know the nearest on-duty doctor available.
Internet Access.
Most hotels offer internet access in your room or have their own facilities. There are over 400 Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the city in various public spaces, including public parks.
Locals'tip: if you find a WiFi network called 'Free WiFi', unfortunately it's not free at all... Free is just the brand of one of the French network access providers.
General opening hours
Shops have standard opening hours of 9/10am-7/8pm Mon-Sat. Shops and businesses often close at lunch, usually between 12.30-2pm. Paris does not have the 24hr consumer culture of other capital cities but some local grocers do open late, on Sundays and on Public holidays. Monoprix stores tend to open until 10pm.
Locals'tip: for shopping escapades on Sundays... go to the Marais area (Metro Saint Paul). This was traditionally the Jewish area of Paris, with shops closed on Saturdays... hence open on Sundays. And most importantly, it's a hip and cool area to visit.
Tipping
A service charge of ten to 15 per cent is legally included in your bill at all restaurants, cafés and bars. However, it is polite to leave a cash tip of €1-€2 or more for a meal, depending on the restaurant and the service you received.
Emergency numbers
Fire 18
Police 17
Ambulance 15
Ask for a doctor: 01 47 07 77 77 (SOS Medecins)
Children
Most of the museums and monuments in Paris are free all the year round for children under the age of 18. They are also free to all on the first Sunday of every month. You can enjoy free admission to various national museums and monuments of Paris with your children any time when you visit the city.