Can't Read those darn metro signs

When you ride the MTR (metro), in Hong Kong, the signs are clear and precisely written both in Chinese and English. Ok maybe that is because Hong Kong was once a British territory but I have to say that the metro system in Asia is amazing.


Paris is not that bad either, it is pretty easy to use once you get it. What does stink about it however, is that signs about construction work in the metro system are ONLY IN FRENCH. So countless lost tourists find themselves dismayed about why the train is not stopping at the stop they were expecting to get off at.


So, guess what! I am here to help. Here is what you can expect if you are goig to be in Paris over the next few months:


Good news! Since December 23rd, the metro service has been extended to 2:15 am on Saturdays and the eve of holidays. This is an improvement by 1 whole hour. Not to mention that they also have boosted the service so you only have to wait 5 minutes between trains after 9 pm (in theory).


NOW FOR THE WORK


Metro line 5 - BREGUET SABIN station closed from Monday march 5th till Tues May 15th


Metro line 7 - PLACE MONGE - closed from Feb 26- 22 May


Metros 1 & 8 - REUILLY DIDEROT - closed from April 2nd till July 1st from 9:30 PM everyday except Saturday and the eve of holidays. Line 8 remains accessible from FALDHERBE-CHALIGNY or MONTGALLET stations. Line 1 will remain accessible from GARE de LYON or NATION


Metro line 9 - VOLTAIRE from January 8th till April 8th


Metro lin 14 - the line is being extended to the future station Olympiades - expect the following interruptions:


between CHATELET and BIBLIOTHEQUE F. MITTERAND - Saturdays from 5:30 am- 9 am the 7, 14 & 28th of April; Sundays from 5:30 am till 10:00 am le 1st, 15, 22nd and 29th of April


between SAINT-LAZARE and BIBLIOTHEQUE F. MITTERAND - Sundays 25th of March and 8th of April from 5:30 am till 10:00 am


During this time a shuttle bus will be in place between GARE DE LYON and BIBLIOTHEQUE


Metro line 8 - OPERA the station is closed to the public all day between the 5th of March and the 18th of May 2007. The lines 3 and 7 remain open during this period


Metro line 7 - LA COURNEUVE to PORTE DE LA VILLETTE - traffic is stopped from Saturday the 7th till Monday the 9th of April. There will be a bus in place running every 5-10 mins

Metro lin 4 - CHATEAU D'EAU - Costs from Jan 22nd till April 3rd.


metro lines 4, 5, & 7 GARE de l'EST:
Renovating of the SNCF and RATP spaces, direct access to the metro within Gare de l'Est is closed to the public from September 19th 2006 till April 16th 2007


They advise the following alternatives if you are ARRIVING AT GARE DE L'EST


Metro line 4 (in both directions) and metro line 5 (direction PLACE d'ITALIE): follow the signs in the station that will lead you to the metro entrance outside the station.


Metro line 5 (direction BOBIGNY): Use the access at the CHAUTEAU-LANDON staion (at the end of the platform of the SNCF station), take line 7 in the direction of LA COURNEUVE and transfer to line 5 at the STALINGRAD station.


metro line 7 (both directions): Use the access at the CHAUTEAU-LANDON station for line 7 (at the end of the SNCF station platform).


Happy riding


Visit: www.ratp.fr for more metro details

A little metro know-how. Buyer beware.

Do not be fooled by random people who come up to you to help you get metro tickets. These people do not, most likely, work for the RATP (the Paris metro service company). If you are in doubt go to an info desk or the the guichet (counter).

I have had guests tell me that they spent 50 euros for a ticket that was supposed to be unlimited and reusable and all they had to show me was a one ride ticket worth less then 2 euros.

Visit the RATP site to plan your trip or to find out about the prices. You can view the page in English.

Our site's links' page is full of helpful links to help you plan you Paris holiday: www.feelslikehomeinparis.com/Links.html

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