Archives de catégorie : Transport

Velib bikes in Paris: how it works?

Velib bikes in Paris: how it works?

Vélib in Paris
Vélib in Paris

Discover Paris by Velib bikes, a bike rental in Paris.

Since 2007, self-service bikes – called Velib – are beeing available all over Paris.

When it’s sunny, cycling in Paris could be great. Use the cycle lanes and discover Paris through a new way…

Velib map
Velib map

From Opera, Champs Elysee or the Eiffel Tower, take your bike and reach by your own to Montmartre with your Paris Velib Map.

Details on Paris Velib bike system :

  • Rental price:  €1,70 1-day ticket / €8 for 7-day ticket
  • Credit card only : Follow the screen’s instruction. Choose english for language. Get a ticket with your pin number.
  • You must agree for a €150 guarantee .
  • The firt half-hour is free. Put the Velib bicycle back before this time and just get another right after : no extra-charge… And you can cycle for more than 30 minutes for free…
  • Take a Velib bicycle and get it back where ever you want in a Velib Station.
  • Stop riding when you want, take some pictures and have fun…
  • Velib’s green light
    Velib’s green light

    A green light appears when you put it back correctly.

  • A red light appears when the Velib bicycle doesn’t interlock well in a Paris’ Station. In this case, don’t forget to declare on the screen that your bike is returned. Otherwise, your €150 will be debited.

You can’t take another Velib bike with your pin number as long as your bike return hasn’t been checked (less than 24 hours).

You have to take another number. It’s not very useful.

Velib Station
Velib Station

Special tips :

  • it’s dangerous by wet weather.
  • Can’t be used with babies or young kids. It’s only available from 14 years old.
  • Sometimes, it’s difficult to park the Velib bicycles where you want, especially in the crowded area (city center).

For more information about Velib in Paris : find english Velib brochures, the Paris Velib’s map, reservation by Internet. If you need more informations, you can also call the customer service and get help in English : (+33) 1 30 79 79 30.

How to use public transport in Paris?

How to use public transport in Paris?

Subway (metro) and RER are quick and easy way to travel around Paris. The city metro has around 300 stations and 5 RER’ lines.

The bus by day of by night is a great way to discover the city. There are a lot of roads which go though the city centre, along the Seine River banks or through historical areas.

Go throught Paris (zone 1and 2) by subway or by bus costs the same price : single ticket €1,70 for one journey, including all connections.
It’s cheaper to purchase a book of 10 tickets (“carnet”) for €13,30 at tickets machines in subway stations. Transports are free for kids under 4, half price for children between 4 and 11 years old.

Subway (Métro) and RER

The Subway (metro) operates every day including public holidays from around 6 a.m. to 0.30 a.m. Times of the first and last trains depend on the stationalong the line where you are. Trains are less frequent on Sundays and public holidays.

Illuminated signs above the platform indicate the length of time until the next train arrives. Fast and fully automated, the newest line 14, also known as Météor, offers a regular service throughout, Sundays and public holidays included. On this line, a verbal announcement indicates the name of each stop.

Your white-coloured ticket remains valid for 2 hours until you leave the metro by going though the exit barriers. If you then take a bus, you need to use another ticket. If you happen to have kept some old green or yellow tickets from an earlier trip, you can still use them.

  • Find metro or RER

To find where catching public transport, follow special signs :

Old Metro Sign
Old Metro Sign

Metro Sign
Metro Sign

Paris RER
Paris RER
  •  Understand Paris Metro Plan
Paris Metro Plan
Paris Metro Plan

All RER lines are letters (A to E), all Metro lines are numbers (1 to 14). Each one has his own color. Each line has two directions, indicated by the terminus station at each end (the last station of the line). Every train and metro platform will mark which line you’re on and which direction the train is going, which is the terminus station.

  • Buy a ticket

Use the ticket machines at your disposal in the stations.  Choose your language to follow indications in english.

You can also ask for information to a metro worker at the ticket offices in the stations.

« Aller-Retour » means two single tickets.

Tickets are valid and usable every day. Your white-coloured ticket remains valid for 2 hours until you leave the metro by going though the exit barriers. If you then take a bus, you need to use another ticket.

You can pay by cash or €30 minimum for non-chip bank cards (like North American credit cards). Regular bank card with chip (CB, Visa, VPay, Visa Electron, Mastercard, Maestro) can be use from €1.

  •  Find the platform and board on train

Once past the turnstiles, follow the overhead signs and wall signs which indicate the terminus station (the last station on the line) of the line you are interested in. Each train and metro platform will mark which line you’re on and which direction the train is going, which is the terminus station.

On a same platform, many trains can go to differents directions. Take only train which indicate the direction and the terminus station you are interested in. As long as the terminus station is not before the station you want, you can take the line since it’s going in the right direction.

On the metro or RER platform you’ll see overhead signs along side the rails which show a lot of station names, each possibly lit with a yellow square before the name. If the name is marked with a yellow square, the next train that arrives will stop at that station. Look for the station that you want.
If the name of the station that you want is not on the board, check the other side of the platform, which is going in the opposite direction.

When train arrives, doors will not open automatically. Someone in the train, or you, must press the green or silver button on the door to open it.

After arriving at the terminus station, look for blue « Sortie » signs which mark exits for the station.

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Paris’ Bus

Paris’ bus offert 59 ways to go throught  the City. It’s a great complements of the subway (metro). Buses operate from Monday to Saturday: 7 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. Some special bus lines operate in the evening from 8.30 p.m. until 0.30 a.m. Half of the buses run on Sundays and public holidays. Paris’ bus plan is available in subways’ stations.

  • Find the bus station

Bus stops can be either glass-covered shelters or simply poles.
To find where catching public transport, follow these special signs.

Paris’ bus shelters
Paris’ bus shelters

Paris’ bus stop
Paris’ bus stop

Bus shelters display the numbers of the buses that stop there and the itinerary of each. There are also details of the first and last departures, and the average waiting time between buses. In some bus shelters, electronic displays show the number of minutes before the next bus.

The number and terminus are displayed on each bus. Raise your arm to indicate to the driver as he approaches that you wish him to stop. You must get on the bus at the front and get off by the middle or back doors. Punch your ticket in the machine as you get on or show your pass to the driver.
Within each bus there is a network map and the detail of the route. When your stop is approaching, press one the red buttons inside the bus. The sign “arrêt demandé” (stop requested) will light up at the front of the bus above the driver’s cabin.

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The Noctilien

Noctilien bus
Noctilien bus

The Noctilien is a night bus wich runs from 0.30 a.m. to 5.30 a.m. See the Noctilien Map.

Enjoy Paris by night inexpensively with the 42 lines of “Noctilien”. Metro or bus ticket can be used if you stay in Paris aera.

Do I need a Visa for France ?

Do I need a Visa for France ?

This section tells about different Visa for France (and for Palace of Versailles) and France visa requirements (excluded overseas departments and french territories), depending on wich country you travel from, the purpose of your trip and the length of your stay.

Do you need visa to France from Uk or USA ?
A visa from Inde to France?

France is part of the Schengen area.

The Schengen area includes the territory of the following European Union countries and associated countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Visa
Visa

France Visa Information

Several factors determine whether a visa is waived:

• If you come from an Europeen country or from the Economic Area (EEA)  you don’t need a visa :

Germany, Belgium, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Danmark, spanish,Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italia, Ireland, Lettonia, Lithuanian, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherland, Poland, Portugal, Romania, United-kingdom, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Czech republic, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra.

• All foreign citizens who wish to come to France must be able to present:

* a valid passport (at least 3 months after the date of the requested visa)
* a valid visa
* proof of the purpose of their stay (support and accommodation). In some cases, they need a visa to enter France.

Tourist Visa for France : Short stays

A short stay (In Palace of Versailles for example) is a stay in the Schengen area under 90 days or multiple stays totalling less than 90 days in a period of six months.

A visa is waived for:

  • Citizens of the following countries (and the list above for europeen citizen) :

Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.

  • Holders of passports from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and the Special Administrative Region of Macao of the People’s Republic of China.

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Tourist Visa for France : Long stays

A long stay is a stay in the Schengen area over 90 days or multiple stays totalling more than 90 days in.

  • No need a long-stay visa to France for : Member States of the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA) (list of EEA), Switzerland, Monaco and Andorra.
  • All other country need a Schengen visitor visa for France.

Getting a Visa for France

If you are entering in France as a tourist it will be very easy to get a visa.

• France Visa requirements, French visa fees and application in the Official website of the government. The France Visa is called Schengen Visa.

• Passport holders from eligible countries can apply for their visa in France consulate or embassy.

• Fill up the France Visa application forms :

Short stay schengen visa (english version, PDF, 225 ko)

Long stay schengen visa (english version, PDF, 28.3 ko)

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Where can I park my car at Palace of Versailles?

Versailles’ Palace Car Parks Informations

If you come by car or with a camper, you have to park it during you visit or your holiday at Domain of Versailles.

Find in this page some informations about car parks (Parking).

For car

  • Parking Place d’armes, just in front of Palace of Versailles.
    It costs 1h = 3€ ; 2h = 5,50€ ; 3h = 8€ ; 4h = 10€ ; 5h = 11,20€ ;  each added hour = 1,20 €
  • Parking Europe : (+33)1 39 51 47 26
  • Parking Sceaux : (+33)1 30 21 25 77
    It costs 20 min = 0,50€ ; 1h30 = 2,70€ ; 4h = 4€ ; 8h = 6€ ; 2 days = 10€ ; 3 days = 15€ ; Sunday = free
  • Parking Chantiers : (+33)1 30 21 25 77
    It costs 20 min = 0,50€ ; 2h = 3,60€
  • Parking Boulevard de la Reine : (+33)1 39 51 95 36
    It costs 8h = 6€
  • Parking underground Saint-Cloud et Notre-Dame : (+33)1 39 53 15 53
  • Parking Cathédrale – Saint-Louis : (+33)1 39 51 69 19
    It costs 1h = 1,90€ ; 2h = 3,90€ ; 3h = 5,70€ ; 24h = 20€ ; packages from 3 to 20 days

For Camper (camping-car)

Parking Sceaux : (+33)1 30 21 25 77

During the day, you can park your camper on the Parking  Sceaux.
For the night, campers have to go to Versailles’ campsite (camping de Versailles) : Huttopia [ (+33)1 39 51 23 61].

How Getting to Palace of Versailles from Airports?

Getting to Palace of Versailles from Airports

Paris-Airports by public transport
Paris-Airports by public transport [enlarge]
Versailles’ Palace is connected by highway to 2 international airports and 1 airport business :

Come to Palace of Versailles from Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport

  • by train

RER B (blue line) until « Saint-Michel Notre Dame ».
RER C (yellow line), in Direction « Versailles-Rive Gauche ». Arrival Station : « Versailles-Rive Gauche ».

It’s 1h30  long (RER B : 38 min + RER C : 39 min).
After the travel, from the Station to Versailles’ Palace, you walk only 7 min.

The ticket costs about €14 for adult / €9 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles (zone 1-4), it costs €8,10.

  •  by bus and train

1st: bus

CDG Shuttle Bus (Air France Company, line 4) to go to Paris Montparnasse.
The travel takes approximately 1h15.
The ticket costs €16,60 for adult / €14,20 for young (12-25 years old) / €8,50 for kid (2-11 years old).

2nd: train

After this travel, take the SNCF trains. Direction Rambouillet. The Arrival Station is « Versailles Chantier » Station.

It’s 27 min long. After the travel, from the Station to Versailles’ Palace, walk 10 min.

The ticket costs €3,45 for adult / €1,70 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4 years old. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles, it costs €8,10.

To go to Versailles’ Palace from Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport by bus and train, it’s about 2h long [bus (1h15) + train (27 min) + walk (10 min)].

  • by car

Catch A1 (E19) free motorway [Direction : Saint-Denis / Cergy / Pontoise / Paris-Centre]
Take Périphérique Ouest [Direction : Rouen / Porte de Clignancourt]
Follow A13 (E05) free motorway [Direction : Rouen / Saint-Quentin en Yvelines / Versailles]
until exit n°5 [Versailles-Centre Versailles-Château / Vaucresson / La Celle-Saint-Cloud].
Follow the traffic sign to « Château de Versailles », it’s well done indicated.

GPS Coordinates :
Latitude : 48.804865 | Longitude : 2.120355
Latitude : N 48°48’17.514 » | Longitude : E 2°7’13.279 »

From Central Paris (Notre-Dame de Paris), it’s 1h long, if there is no traffic jam…

To park your car, you have got few possibilities.

  • by cab

The price depends on the company you choose.
It costs between 70€ and 90€. It’s 1h-1h20 long, if there is no traffic jam…

To return to Airport or Paris, there is a taxi rank just outside the Palace : avenue de Paris

Come to Versailles from Orly Airport

  • by bus and train

1st: bus

Bus (Navette) PPLT line 1 until « Pont de Rungis Aéroport d’Orly RER ».
It costs 2€50. Buy ticket directly to the bus driver.

2nd: train

After this short travel, take RER C (yellow line), until « Massy Palaiseau ». It’s 12 min long.
Take another RER C, Direction : « Versailles-Rive Gauche ». Arrival Station : « Versailles-Rive Gauche ». It’s 24 min long.
After the travel, from the Station to Versailles’ Palace, you walk only 7 min.

The ticket costs about €8 for adult / €4 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4 years old. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.

Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles (zone 1-4), it costs €7.

In total, it’s about 1h long (bus + 2 RER C + walk) and it costs about €10,5 for adult (bus = €2,50 + RER C = €8).

  • by car

Catch A106 free motorway [Direction : Paris / Villejuif / L’Haÿ-les-Roses / Rungis].
Exit n°5 [L’Haÿ-les-Roses / Rungis-Ville].
Take A86 free motorway [Direction : Versailles / Fresnes] until exit « Versailles Château ».
Follow the traffic sign to « Château de Versailles », it’s well done indicated.

GPS Coordinates :
Latitude : 48.804865 | Longitude : 2.120355
Latitude : N 48°48’17.514 » | Longitude : E 2°7’13.279 »

It’s about 35 min long, if there is no traffic jam…

To park your car, you have got few possibilities.

  • by cab

The price depends on the company you choose.
It costs between €45 and €60. It’s about 40 min – 1h long.

To return to Airport or Paris, there is a taxi rank just outside the Palace : avenue de paris.

Come to Versailles from Toussus le Noble Airport

  • by car

Take  D938 [Direction : Buc].
Go throught Buc. Follow the road, go under the bridge.
At Versailles, take « rue des Etats Généraux ».
Follow the traffic sign to « Château de Versailles », it’s well done indicated.

GPS Coordinates :
Latitude : 48.804865 | Longitude : 2.120355
Latitude : N 48°48’17.514 » | Longitude : E 2°7’13.279 »

It’s 20 min long.

To park your car, you have got few possibilities.

  •  by cab

The price depends on the company you choose.
It costs about €21 for 20 min long.

To return to Airport or Paris, there is a taxi rank just outside the Palace : avenue de Paris.

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Come to Versailles from Beauvais Airport

  • by bus and train

1st: bus

After each arrivals, bus services every 20 minutes between Beauvais airport and Paris porte Maillot.
Find Buses schedules for Beauvais-Paris.
Ticket costs about €13/€16. You can’t book the ticket in advance: no CB / cash only.
Bus Phone number: (+33) 344 114 686 / (+33) 892 682 066.

2nd: metro and train

  • At terminus point, Porte Maillot, purchase your subway (metro) ticket to Paris Montparnasse station. The ticket costs €1,70 for adult, reductions for kids.
    Take the line 1 (yellow line) [Direction: Château de Vincennes] to « Champs Elysée Clémenceau ».
    Take the line 13 (blue line) [Direction: Châtillon-Montrouge] to « Gare Montparnasse ».
    It’s about 15 min long.
  • After this travel, take the SNCF trains. Direction Rambouillet. The Arrival Station is « Versailles Chantier » Station.

It’s 27 min long. After the travel, from the Station to Versailles’ Palace, walk 10 min.

The ticket costs €3,45 for adult / €1,70 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4 years old. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles, it costs €8,10.

To go to Palace of Versailles from Beauvais Airport by bus and train, it’s about 2h10 long [bus (1h15) + metro (15min) + train (27 min) + walk (10 min)].

  • by car

Take  A16/E401 [Direction: Paris] since 44km. Have a toll ticket (€3,80).
Follow A115, then A15 [Direction: Paris].
Join A86 [Direction: Saint-Denis, Nanterre, Paris, La Défense].
Have a toll ticket.
Exit n°33 [Versailles], pay €10 toll.
Follow the traffic sign to « Château de Versailles », it’s well done indicated.

GPS Coordinates :
Latitude : 48.804865 | Longitude : 2.120355
Latitude : N 48°48’17.514 » | Longitude : E 2°7’13.279 »

It’s 1h15 min long.

To park your car, you have got few possibilities.

  • by cab

The price depends on the company you choose.
It costs about €180 or €250 for 1h15 min long.To return to Airport or Paris, there is a taxi rank just outside the Palace : avenue de Paris.

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How Getting to Palace of Versailles from Paris?

Getting to Palace of Versailles from Paris

Domain of Versailles is located in southwest side of Paris.

The address is :
Château de Versailles (Palace of Versailles)
Place d’armes
78000 Versailles

To come to Palace of Versailles from Paris, you have got few possibilities :

  1. by train
  2. by bus / Versailles Express
  3. by car
  4. by cab

Come to Versailles by train

  • Rer C Versailles
    Rer C Versailles

    From Central Paris, take RER C (yellow line), in Direction « Versailles-Rive Gauche ». The Arrival Station is « Versailles-Rive Gauche ».

From Eiffel tower (Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel station) to Versailles-Chateau-Rive Gauche Station, it’s 26 min long.
After the travel, from the Station to the Palace, you walk during only 7 min.

The ticket costs €4,20 for adult / €2,10 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles (zone 1-4), it costs €8,10.

That’s the easiest way to travel to Palace of Versailles from Paris

  • From « Montparnasse » Station, you can take the SNCF trains. Direction Rambouillet. The Arrival Station is « Versailles Chantier » Station.

It’s 27 min long. After the travel, from the Station to the Palace, you walk during 10 min.

The ticket costs €3,45 for adult / €1,70 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles (zone 1-4), it costs €8,10.

  • From « Saint Lazare » Station, you can take the SNCF trains. Direction and Arrival Station : « Versailles Rives-Droite » Station.

It’s 28 min long. After the travel, from the Station to the Palace, you walk during 10 min.

The ticket costs €4,20 for adult / €2,10 for kids under 10 years old / free for kids under 4. Be careful, Ticket t+ is not available for this travel.
Young under 26 years old can travel unlimited during Saturday, Sunday and Days off after having buy the ticket. For Paris to Versailles (zone 1-4), it costs €8,10.

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Come to Versailles by bus

  • From the Center of Paris, to go to Palace of Versailles by RATP’s bus, you will have to take the metro.

Take the Metro line 9 (green line) to Pont de Sèvres Station (last station of the line 9). Catch the bus n°171 until Palace of Versailles (the end of the line).

It’s 31 min long, if there is no traffic jam…

  • Versailles Express transfers to Palace of Versailles from the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
    Travellers takes the bus at « Port de Suffren », nearby the Seine (boat company « Vedettes de Paris »).

It’s 45 min long, if there is no traffic jam…

The price depends on your choice :

– Transfer Paris-Versailles and return
Schedules (Tuesday to Sunday) : Departure at 2:00 p.m. / Return to Paris (Eiffel Tower) at 6:00 p.m.
Adult : €29 / Young (9-17 years) : €29 / Kid (0-8 years) : 0€

– Transfer Paris-Versailles and return + Ticket to Palace of Versailles
Schedules (Tuesday to Sunday) : Departure at 2:00 p.m. / Return to Paris (Eiffel Tower) at 6:00 p.m.
Adult : €44 / Young (9-17 years) : €29 / Kid (0-8 years) : €0

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Come to Versailles by car

Catch the A13 (E05) free motorway [Direction : Rouen / Saint-Quentin en Yvelines / Versailles]
until exit n°5 [Versailles-Centre Versailles-Château / Vaucresson / La Celle-Saint-Cloud].
Follow the traffic sign to « Château de Versailles », it’s well done indicated.

GPS Coordinates :
Latitude : 48.804865 | Longitude : 2.120355
Latitude : N 48°48’17.514 » | Longitude : E 2°7’13.279 »

From Central Paris (Notre-Dame de Paris), it’s 45 min long, if there is no traffic jam…

To park your car, you have got few possibilities.

Come to Versailles by cab

The price depends on the company you choose.
It costs between €45 and €60. It’s 45 min long, if there is no traffic jam…

To return to Paris, there is a taxi rank just outside the Palace : avenue de Paris.

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