$Unique_ID{COW01362} $Pretitle{416} $Title{France Made in France} $Subtitle{} $Author{French Embassy, Washington DC} $Affiliation{French Embassy, Washington DC} $Subject{france paris de french days time it's travel country guide} $Date{1990} $Log{Impressionism*0136201.scf Table 1.*0136201.tab } Country: France Book: Come to France for the Time of Your Life Author: French Embassy, Washington DC Affiliation: French Embassy, Washington DC Date: 1990 Made in France [See Impressionism: Courtesy French Information Service, New York.] In all parts of the world, the label "Made in France" is a mark of style, quality, or luxury; maybe all three, and possibly with a price tag to match. But suddenly you're in the land where all that style, quality and luxury are everyday affairs; suddenly everything you see around you is "Made in France". Welcome to shoppers' heaven. Of course Paris is the acknowledged fashion capital of the world, and anyone with an ounce of fashion-consciousness feels it at once. The French flair for clothing, like the quality of the cuisine, is at least several notches above what most people are used to. It's everywhere, from the Haute Couture to the moderately-priced ready-to-wear; from dresses and suits to gloves, handbags, scarves, and belts. It's in the store windows, it's on the Parisiennes themselves. Even the children's clothes have it; menswear too. It's not just the inventiveness of design; it's the cut, the attention to detail. French fashion is fun to observe, and wonderful to wear in any of its manifold forms. And of course, France means perfume, so you'll probably want to stock up on some at the local prices. But there's more, much more, all over France that makes shopping one of the pleasures of your trip. Part of it is the thrill of the hunt, part of it is the investment (you'd never find it at home at this price); and part is the enjoyment of using (or wearing, or giving) something exceptional. Much of it is the memento value, a beautiful souvenir of your wonderful trip. Consider seriously that area of housewares which has anything to do with serving and entertaining, or "table arts" as they're called here. You can find them everywhere, but it's even more interesting if in your travels around the country, you have a chance to visit the factories of Limoges china, Daum or Baccarat crystal, Thiers cutlery, or Soleiado Provencal table linens. And while you're in Provence, and while your're in Provence, be sure to visit Moustiers-Ste-Marie, or in the Loire Valley, the town of Gien, where distinctive faience is made. (That's the decorative country-French pottery everyone loves.) Another area of least resistance for shoppers are the flea markets, where you'll find anything from the merely second hand, to the truly old, even antiques. Of course there's the most famous flea market of them all, the giant "Marche aux Puces" in Paris where a serious treasure-hunter could spend days. But wherever you see the word "Brocante", it's the same thing only smaller. All towns have brocante shops, and once or twice a year, a brocante fair. Sometimes there's a brocante stand at one of the open-air markets. What can you hope to find? Absolutely anything. Decorative objects, interesting old furniture, pictures; also curiosities, collectibles, sculpture, old post cards, prints, plates, silver, maybe a pair of opera glasses. You may be able to negotiate the price; that's part of the fun. It's hard to leave Paris without picking up some prints along the banks of the Seine, or a few medals struck by the Mint. If you run out of ideas for gift visit the gift shop at any museum. In addition to museum reproductions, they sell posters, calendars, all kinds of beautiful things. Reproductions of ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman artifacts are also sold in department stores. Wine lovers who spend time in Burgundy or Bordeaux may want to send a few cases home. Go to a store specializing in this service. More delectable is a tour of the local vineyards; you can visit their "caves" and have a free tasting, to choose the year you prefer. The same is true of Champange, and of all the many regions where wine is grown. And now is the time to go into the heart of the matter: gastronomy! BARGAIN HUNTING Twice a year in January and June, stores are covered with signs saying "SOLDES". That means "sale" in English, and it's the time to find everything at reductions of 20-50%: clothing, accessories, household linens, etc. If you're not in France at those times, don't despair. There are special stores that sell clothing at discounts all year. The labels have been removed, but the values are intact. Remember that most stores will deduct the tax from your purchases if you ask for it, a saving of 20-30% off the price tag. GASTRONOMY While gluttony may be a sin, gastronomy is certainly an art. The French are almost mystically talented at turning anything edible into something sublime. Each region, each city has its specialty. To name just a few in the sweets category: les Berlingots de Carpentras (bonbons a la menthe), les Calissons d'Aix (almond paste), candied fruits from Nice, Pralines de Rennes, les Betises de Cambrai, "petits biscuits" from Nantes, crepes from Brittany, etc. etc. One of the chief delights of travelling in France - for some people the object of the trip - is sampling the local cuisine. So do as they do and follow the gastronomic map of France. Depending on the region, each cuisine is based on butter, creme, olive oil, wine or beer. The fish of the Mediterranean are different from those caught in the Atlantic; and even when they're the same, the names are different! If a region was poor in the past, its recipes still reflect the need to economize; thus the most creative stews are found in Auvergne or Lorraine. Even invaders of bygone centuries left their influence on the local cuisines. Put it all together, and you have only a hint of the endless variety and creativity that await you. Not to mention the 360 different cheeses made from cow, goat or ewe milk, which are usually sampled before dessert. To help you make the best selections, here are a few suggestions: Nouvelle cuisine is (fortunately in the opinion of some people) losing ground to more traditional cuisine. Bistros with their red-checked table cloths usually serve ample portions of good standard food. To find the best restaurants in your price category, consult one of the many restaurant guides published annually, such as the red Michelin Guide, Gault Millau or the Bottin Gourmand. Each restaurant is given one rating for its cuisine, another for its service and decor. In Marseille, try bouillabaisse; in Burgundy, escargots (snails), boeuf bourguigon or coq au vin; in Nice, rouget aux anchois (mullet with anchovies); in Alsace choucroute garnie (hot sourkraut with an incredibly delicious assortment of ham and sausages) or foie gras. Be adventurous, try everything. You're in for some delicious discoveries! This is a little practical guide to make your dreams come true! Here are the essential things you must know to prepare a holiday when your time and money are limited. Learn when and how to come to France, how to travel about in the country, how to choose a hotel, find the winter sports you'd like or an island in the sun and even the essential guide to complete the cocktail. Have a pleasant trip. ENTRY FORMALITIES To enter France, a valid passport is all that is necessary for the citizens of the USA, Canada and Japan, as well as for most Western European countries. For other countries, a visa is needed. Check this information with your nearest French consulate. CUSTOMS The regulations are much the same as for the other countries of the European community: you can bring in or take out of France, (tax free), 400 cigarettes, for example, or two litres of wine (from the age of 17 for non-European tourists). There's no limit on money (cash or cheques) up to the equivalent of 50 000 French francs. The formalities are easier at the frontiers with Belgium, Federal Germany, the Netherlands and Luxemburg. Animals must be at least three months old and possess vaccination certificates. Your vehicle: you must prove that your motorized vehicle and the trailer are insured. HOW TO TRAVEL Most international airlines, including the two inter continental companies Air France and UTA, call at Paris, of course, but you can also fly directly from New York to Lyon, Nice or Nantes; from Tel Aviv to Lyon (or Marseilles and Nice); from Johannesburg or Djeddah to Nice. And not forgetting Lourdes, where charters from 15 countries land. If you are travelling by car, you must show at the border not only your driving licence but also your green international insurance card. Very comfortable buses with full service facilities travel regularly to France from London, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Cologne, Frankfurt, Geneva, Italy and even Morocco (Europabus). By train: the exceptionally well-covered French network is easily accessible from the whole of Europe, with different cheap passes of unlimited mileage, such as Eurailpass (from two weeks to three months in first class), Euraildrive Escape (4 days in the train + 3 days by car) or Eurail Flexipass (any 5 days in a period of 2 weeks, for example). Your travel agent and most air companies in fact offer you all sorts of cheap package trips, from the simple plane + hotel to the tailor-made holiday which leaves nothing to chance, depending on the time you have available, your resources and you need for freedom. Offices of the French railway network (Chemins de Fer Francais) can be found at: - New York T. 800/TGV-RAIL - San Francisco - T. 415/982-19 93 - Beverly Hills - T. 213/274 69 34 - Chicago - T. 312/427 86 91 - Miami - T. 305/445 86 48 - Montreal - T. 514/288 82 55 - Vancouver - T. 604/688 67 07 - Toronto - T. 416/368 86 39 A TRAVEL THRILL If you come from Britain, there are many ways to enter France. Apart from the very frequent London-Paris flights, you can land directly at Caen, Rouen, Le Havre, Deauville and Cherbourg in Normandy, Dinard, Rennes and Brest in Brittany. Linked with road and rail, the cross-Channel trips are made in impressive ferries or very fast hovercraft (40 minutes between Calais and Dover), from Dunkirk in the north to Roscoff in Finistere, Brittany (a 10-hour journey to Ireland). FAMOUS ORIENT EXPRESS Used by famous people from all over the world from 1883 onwards, this luxurious train linked the great European capitals to Istambul. Today it has been restored, with its 17 sleeping cars, restaurant, Chinese carriage, Pullman car in Lalique ornamental glass style. It goes from London to Venice via Paris twice per week and from London to Vienna once per week at a luxury cruising speed (Paris to Venice: 6 400 francs). WHEN TO COME At all times of the year and under fair skies, there is always something happening in France, here and there, which will delight the foreign visitor. Of course, you have to know what each season is like to get the best out of it. Then winter veils the beauty of the Normandy landing beaches, the slopes of the Alps or the Pyrenees attract many skiers. In August, Paris is a must for those who'd like to have a quiet look around and take advantage of wonderful hotels, while St Tropez is packed, day and night. Generally speaking, May and June, September and October are the most enjoyable months. But you won't be the only visitor to France and prices are often more expensive in the peak seasons, i.e., during the school-holidays. Planes, trains, roads and stations are crowded in: February = 3 weeks (winter sports) in the mountains; April = 3 weeks (Easter); Early July to September 10 (particularly from July 14 - France's national holiday - to August 15); November 1 = 1 week (All Saints); Christmas (December 25) and New Year = 2 weeks; In Paris, from September to December and from February to May, on week-days, it is a wise idea to book your room in advance, because of the many international fairs. - April to June: mild weather certain everywhere. Moderate showers. Ideal weather in the southern Mediterranean region. End of the ski season. - June to September: All the water pleasures and the biggest festivals. From the north to Brittany, the sea air is tonic. In July, it's wonderful in the mountains. In August, more stormy weather is likely. - September to November: many balmy days still. Lush forests and famous game areas in the East. The Beaujolais is fresh! Paris is in great shape - its citizens are back to work after the holidays! - December to March: Christmas on the ski runs of the world's biggest skiing area - Olympic Savoie (in 1992). Finish the year in lively spirit in "Paris by night" or begin it beneath the palmtrees of France's overseas territories. - The most sunny regions: the south-East, in a triangle between Font-Romeu (Pyrenees), Dijon and Nice; the Atlantic coast between Nantes, Poitiers and Biarritz. HOW LONG? A few types of visit possible, among many others, according to the time you have available. Three days: - Discover France: three days are really a minimum to get a glimpse of Paris, Burgundy (Bourgogne) or the Champagne country, and the Cote d'Azur or Riviera. - Discover Paris - The charms of Normandy and the North (see p. 11) - From Paris to Strasbourg (see p. 11) - A cocktail of festivals in the Provence country (south-east France) (classical music, jazz and theatre, for instance). - A great week-end in Champagne: the cellars of a great wine, around Rheims cathedral. - In south Brittany: a hotel on a long beach near the menhirstones of Carnac, on a rugged coast, with flambe shellfish. One week: - Discover France: one week enables you to spend two days in Paris + Versailles, one day in the Val de Loire, one day in Brittany, one day in Bordelais/Perigord, one day on the French Riviera and one day in Burgundy (Bourgogne). From Paris to the Mediterranean (see p. 11) 65 miles of ski runs for all types of skiers around a lively station in a very comfortable hotel in the Alps or the Pyrenees. 10 days: Winning the West (see p. 10) 15 days: - Beautiful France (luxury coach, hotels and guide included), Paris-Versailles (three days), Normandy landing beaches + Mont St Michel, castles of the Loire, Cognac - Bordeaux, Biarritz, Lourdes, Carcassonne, Nimes, Nice, Monte-Carlo, Grenoble, Lyon, Beaune, Fontainebleau and Paris. - A villa with car and surf board in Corsica. 21 days: - The ideal time for a real Tour of France. Enables the 15 day programme to be completed with Alsace and Brittany. MOVING ABOUT IN FRANCE With nearly 650 miles from Lille to Perpignan and from Strasbourg to Brest, France has numerous domestic airlines, especially during the peak season. But here the plane has to compete with the train, probably the most modern and the fastest in the world (Paris-Lyon in two hours with the TGV high-speed train). The road network combines all speeds, with a now complete network of motorways which enables you to cross France in less than ten hours, but also wonderful little roads which go just about everywhere. And it is easy to hire all sorts of cars. For the realhikers, the cyclists and the more sporty among you, there are 23 000 miles of signposted footpaths and tracks, also for horse-riding, with or without gypsy-style caravan, and extremely peaceful rivers (one week on the Marne near Paris or in Champagne, for example). And of course you can always try hitchhiking: if you don't mind waiting you'll be sure to meet interesting people! BY PLANE With 300 flights per day and its Airbus aircraft, AIR INTER, France's domestic airline, carries the bulk of the traffic, particularly that leaving from Paris Orly and Charles de Gaulle, from where connections are easy with international flights. "France Pass" and other cheap packages are available in America and in South Africa. TAT, the leading regional company, completes the network with, in particular, Air Littoral, Bret Air (London Brittany) and Air Vendee. Air France also serves Nantes, Nice and Corsica in conjunction with its subsidiary AIR INTER. Prices are generally cheaper at the week-end or when travelling to the SouthEast or Brittany (in competition with the TGV high-speed train). BY TRAIN The train is a means of transport which traditionally has a reputation in France of being efficient. Many international express trains provide a comfortable service to the principal resorts. The TGV is generally accessible without supplementary charge (but with reservation) in first and second class between Paris, Burgundy (Bourgogne), the Alps and the Mediterranean South (Paris-Marseille 4 hours 40) and between Paris and Brittany (Paris-Brest 3 h 30) at 180 mph. In September 1990, the castles of the Loire will be one hour from Paris and Bordeaux less than 3 hours from Paris. Booking is compulsory only for the TGV but highly recommended for other trains during school-holiday periods. Cars and motor cycles cross the country without trouble, thanks to the car-and-sleeper trains. Price of a single journey from Paris to Marseilles: 66 USD (100 in first class) and from Paris to Mont St Michel: 27 USD(41 in first class). Many reductions are possible in off-peak (blue) periods, for young people aged from 12 to 26, for families, for old people. The use of these reductions can often be extended to west Europe generally. TRAIN + CYCLE: The SNCF (French national railway system) transports bicycles (but not motor-assisted cycles) without trouble and hires out bicycles in the main resorts in the tourist areas, particularly along the coasts. In the Paris region, the RATP (suburban rail network) hires out bicycles on the line A of the RER suburban service - at Saint-German-en-Laye, at Noisiel and at Bobigny. CORSICA: A POPULAR MINI-CRUISE The crossing lasts between five and ten hours (depending on whether you leave from Nice, Toulon or Marseilles) in big modern car ferries. Although crossings are daily in summer, it is essential to book well in advance, especially if you are taking a car. Contact the Compagnie SNCM, 61 Boulevard des Dames, Marseilles, tel. 91 56 32 00. Trips to Corsica also leave from Genoa (crossing 7 hours 30), from Savona, Leghorn, La Spezia Plombino in Italy - regular crossings to Bastia and Ajaccio. MOTOR CARS - motor fuel: gasoline or petroleum without lead is available on motorways and main roads. US gallon = 3.8 litres km = 5/8 of 1 mile mile = 1.6 km - Speed limit in built-up areas 60 kmh (38 mph) on dry roads is 90 kmh (50 mph) on roads with two separate lanes is 110 kmh (70 ph) on motorways is 130 kmh (80 mph) - Traffic: if it normally takes 5 h 30 to travel from Paris to Mont St Michel, allow more time than that if you are driving over the weekend or during the "great departures" (July 1 and 15, August 1 and 15, school holidays) and especially in the Paris region. Follow the travel-route advice of "Bison Fute" (CleverBuffalo). CAR RENTALS Self-drive cars Hertz France is located at all business and leisure airports as well as major cities in this country. Should you need last minute information or help from Hertz on the spot, the following telephone number may be useful: [See Table 1.: - Reservations and information:] - Emergency Road Service: 05.47.20.20 During the summer season some French FM radio stations broadcast at fixed times news bulletins in such major languages as English and German. You can always tune in other countries radio stations, such as the BBC World programme. While in your country of residence, ask your travel agent or the Hertz local number for further information and reservations. Just a little reminder: at time of rental you will be required to present a driving licence which has been valid for at least one year. The minimum age is 21 for most categories of cars, it is 25 for some others, and 30 for Prestige cars. Chauffeur-driven cars Hertz Chauffeur-driven Limousine service is available at airport and downtown locations in Paris, Nice and other Cote d'Azur cities. Hertz Chauffeur service is the ultimate in motoring, as you sit back and relax while your uniformed chauffeur drives you wherever you wish to go, in security, comfort and elegance. You have a choice of the most luxurious cars and limousines including Mercedes, Jaguar Sovereign and Rolls-Royce. Available on reservation for airport journeys, shopping expeditions in town or touring. Paris (1)45.74.76.52. Nice and Cote d'Azur 93.43.08.00. While in your country of residence, ask your travel agent or call the local Hertz number for further information and reservations. Methods of payment Your Hertz car rental is payable with the accepted means of payment such as a validated Hertz Inclusive Tour voucher, Rent-a-Car ticket, both used by Travel Agents and Tour Operators. Also a One Trip Travel Order, normally used for business travel. Major charge cards are acceptable at all Hertz locations and will be necessary for gasoline and any additional charges which are not covered by the voucher, if any. WHERE TO STAY Hotels Five categories are recognized as "hotels for tourists": from 1 star (inexpensive, less than 150 francs per night) to 4 **** L (more than 1500 francs). An increasing number of modern buildings are grouped together in chains, which provide comparable quality service. Most of the great international chains have at least one hotel in France. Principal chains by category: - Great traditional (**** and **** L): Concorde, Lucien Barriere, Inter Continental, Gray d'Albion, Ciga, Trust House Forte, Relais et Chateaux. - Great modern hotels (****): Hilton, Sofitel, Meridien, Pullman. - Traditional (** to ****): France Accueil, Inter Hotel, Best western (in town), Climat de Frnce, Tradotel, Timhotel (Paris). - Modern, in town (** to ***): Arcade, Campaville, Forest Hill, Frantour, Ibis-Urbis, Mercure, Novotel, Holiday Inn. - In the country: Logis et Auberges de France (5 000 simple and comfortable buildings. Regional cooking. Annual guide), Petits Nids de France, Relais du Silence, as well as the Chateaux Hotels (see "Gracious living" below). - 1 * Relay (standardized, simplified service): Formule 1, One Star, Les Balladins. - Bed and breakfast, Cafe couette, gites chambres d'hote (6000 rooms in farms or villages, classified by the "Federation Nationale des Gites Ruraux de France" (National Federation of Rural Lodgings in France), 36 rue Godot-de-Mauroy, 75009 PARIS (tel. (1) 47 42 20 20). Bookings: if the hotel keeper asks you to pay money, check whether this is a payment on account (part of the total sum to be paid) or a deposit (which you will lose if you cancel the booking but which will be paid back twofold if the cancellation is the hotel keeper's fault). You can refuse the meal which some hotel owners try to impose with the room and the breakfast (the breakfast is often included in the price of the room). House or apartment Widely practised by the French themselves, the seasonal renting of houses or apartments must be undertaken well in advance, for July and August, if you want a good choice. Apart from your travel agent, the estate agencies recognized in France by the FNAIM offer the best security (Federation Nationale des Agents Immobiliers, 129 rue du Faubourg-St-Honore, 75008 PARIS-tel (1) 42 25 24 26). In certain "depart-ments" or "counties", the "Loisirs-Accueils" (leisure-welcome) services have an interesting selection of houses to rent, most of them in the country. You can also contact tourist offices which provide very full lists of houses available for rent but it's often best to deal directly with the owners. Several societies offer rentals by catalogue, in particular Lagrange, Pierre et Vacances, Maeva/Locarev or Orion. Here you will in particular find residences, a modern formula of apartments or houses grouped together with joint services (restaurants, maintenance and servicing, shops, etc.) Holiday villages also sometimes have apartments; community life is fuller here than in residences and it's probably the least expensive formula. Very interesting prices can often be found, during the less frequented summer months, for the numerous and recent apartments built in modern winter sports stations (Les Arcs, Tignes, Flaine, etc.) Home-from-home in the country Far from the madding summer crowds, right among real French people and customs, a vacation in a rural lodging can provide the best possible change and relaxation. You can find a separate wing in a farm, a house in a village or small town, a rustic type of comfort or a modern atmosphere: you have the widest choice if you book long in advance (six months minimum for July and August). Foreign visitors have in fact launched what might be called a new holiday fashion for the French themselves. (Gites de France: 36 000 throughout France, rental by weekends or by the week in off-peak seasons; catalogue by departement or country. Federation Nationale des Gites Ruraux de France, 35 rue Godot-de-Mauroy, 75009 PARIS. Tel: (1) 47 42 20 20.) Camping/Camping car Camping has become a tradition in seaside resorts. It is always popular and remains inexpensive. Camping sites are classified from 1* to 4****. Booking, often possible for the upper categories, is highly recommended for school holidays on the coast and near lakes or waterways. More and more camping grounds provide visitors if necessary with tents, stationary caravans or "mobile homes", even in winter, since certain resorts are equipped with "all-climate" material (snow caravans). Under the general heading "open-air-hotel trade", camping nowadays includes permanent installations, lightweight houses of the bungalow type, with joint services and entertainment somewhatlike those of the traditional holiday village. Camping cars are fairly new in France and, even if the idea is catching on fast, you really have to reserve well in advance (relatively high prices for one or two weeks but it's one of the most pleasant of all vacations). Camping at the farm or beside the castle: this is new and not yet a general habit but you're sure of peace and quiet. You can choose from among a maximum of six camp sites set next to the farm or prefer the charm of a superb park near a castle (Castel-camping). (Federation Francaise de Camping et de Caravaning, 78 rue de Rivoli, 75004 PARIS. Tel: (1) 42 72 84 08. Gracious living Several chains offer wide possibilities for enjoying a stay in a historical residence: either of the hotel type - Relais et Chateaux (the best known), la Castellerie (smaller residences), les Chateaux-Hotels Independants et Hostelleries d'atmosphere, Les Etapes Francois Coeur. The following associations of castle residences welcome paying guests: Chateau Accueil, Chateaux en Vacances, la Vie de Chateau (Pays de la Loire). Prices are obviously those charged by the higher categories of hotels (**** and +) and are largely justified by a very special charm. THINGS TO KNOW - Plugging in. Be careful - your razor or hair-drier must be able to stand 220 volts. French sockets cannot take American plugs. Get yourself an adapter. - Summer time From April - to September 30, local time moves from GMT + 1 to GMT + 2. - Time lag and telephone To call France - - from the USA: add 6 to 9 hours in winter. - from Canada (East): add 5 to 7 hours. - from South Africa: take off 1 hour. - from Australia: take off 10 hours. - from Japan: take off 7 hours. - Help for the disabled In planes and trains, specialized staff are available for them. The underground or subway networks in Paris (RATP), Lyon (TCL), Marseilles (RTM) and Lille (TTC) publish a brochure "Circuler sans fatigue" (Travel without getting tired). The Minister of Tourism publishes "Touristes quand meme" (They, too, are tourists) (2 rue Linois, 75015 PARIS). - Money The credit card most used in France is the Visa card which enables you to withdraw 1800 francs per week from one of the thousands of banknote distributors found in the streets, the railway stations or the airports. - Service included In restaurants and cafes, the "tip" is now included in the bill. But don't forget porters and janitors (5 to 10 francs according to luggage, attendants in theatre and movies (2 francs per person), guides in the museum (5 francs), as well as the recognized "tip" for the taxi-driver or the hairdresser (10% minimum). GUIDE BOOKS TO READ The best-known French guide books, available in English, are: - the Michelin guides adapted to automobile routes, with the famous "guide rouge" (red guide) of hotels and restaurants, and the "guides verts" (green guide) for essential sites and monuments. They are very clear. (Guide France + 24 guides by region). - The "Guides bleus" (blue guides - Hachette), which are rich in information for lovers of art and history, by region. By the same publisher, the Visa collection is more accessible and practical. - Food and cooking: Le Michelin Rouge, the Gault Millau, La France Gourmande by Patricia Wells (Flammarion - original American text "The Food Lovers' Guide to France"/Workman P.C.). Knowing more about Paris: - Pariscope: every Wednesday. - 7 a Paris: less information, "younger" in style. - The best map of Paris: Michelin. - For English-speaking visitors: Paris Passion, a real magazine full of practical ideas and cultural events. Appears every two months. Also available in the USA. - Paris patchwork. How to get lost - and find your way again. A pocket book, practical and full of ideas. Distributed in the metro (subway rail network). Good maps: - Road: Michelin - Carte France Auto-route (French motorway map) and detailed series at scale 1/200 000. - Touristic: regional maps (red) - 1/250 000 Institut Geographique National. - Excursions: topographical blue series, scale 1/25 000, extremely accurate. Carte France 1/1 000 000/IGN. PARIS ENTERTAINMENT - Touristic information: Office de Tourisme et des Congres de Paris, 127 Champs Elysees, 75008. tel: (1) 47 23 61 72. Telex 611984. Fax: (1) 47 23 56 91. Hotel bookings in Paris and the main towns: every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - The Louvre and other big museums are closed on Tuesdays, except Orsay and the Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie at la Villette (closed on Mondays). - To avoid the big crowds, which flock to the Louvre nearly all the time, take advantage of the evening sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays until 10 p.m. Inter-Museums - One card for 60 treasures: No more waiting in queues in the 60 most famous museums and monuments in Paris and its region. Visits unlimited in duration. Valid for one day - 50 francs; three days - 100 francs; five days - 150 francs. Available in the museums and in the metro, the "Inter-Musees" card is also on sale in the offices of FGTO/Maison de la France abroad.