Many people have correctly said that the Metro is the best way to get around Paris. What they haven't said is that it is usually the only way to get around! Paris, unlike more 'modern' cities, is not laid out in a grid. Here the concept of directions (N, S, E, W) or 'sides' (up/downtown, East/West side) is absent. All is oriented to the Seine, which is "U"-shaped. There are also no numbered streets that you can use to orient yourself. The Parisians compensate for this by locating addresses by "arrondisement" (borough) and Metro stop. All addresses usually include both the Arrondisement and Metro stop. Even the arrondisements are not laid out in a grid, but in a large spiral (like an "escargot" as the Parisians say). Here, businesses include the local Metro stop in their ads. Imagine Le Cirque providing you with their subway stop as part of their address! The problem with the Metro is it does not run in straight lines either. Look at the map below. Except for the suburban RER, none of the metro lines go straight. The meander and zig-zag all over the place.
Once you figure out the map, the Metro is easy to use (that is why Chris loves it). Every stop is clearly marked and every sign includes the endpoint for that line and every stop on the line. This is important because there are umpteen Metro lines and you never go anywhere without changing at least once.
However, we much prefer the buses. You ride above ground and can see the city as you travel. There is an extensive bus system, but even the Parisians admit you can't figure it out. The routes are even more jumbled than the Metro. This weekend we were going to the Tuileries. We were proud that we knew which bus line to take. Unfortunately, that bus line does not run on Sunday!
Taxis are a bit pricy but comfortable. Unfortunately, they can be very difficult to find. They cannot be hailed within 50 meters of a taxi stand (and they seem to pay attention to that rule). Unfortunately, no one seemed to consider that if you knew there was a taxi stand nearby you wouldn't be trying to flag them down to begin with. Also, for some reason, some stands don't seem to 'work' all the time.
That leaves walking. We (that includes me) love walking around Paris. We walk wherever we can; which is most places in the city center. The small, meandering streets are a pleasure to stroll down. However, the street names seem to change every block two and the building numbers seem to be randomly assigned and frequently hidden or missing (at least in the older areas like the Marais where we are). It frequently takes us a lot longer to get anywhere than we expected. Fortunately we are not in a hurry!
Paul (October 20, 2003)
Addendum from Chris:
The good news is that I have never been averse to asking for directions and since arriving in Paris, Paul indulges this as a way for me to practice my French!
4:01:36 AM 
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