Or you could buy it from one of the automatic distributors in almost all metro stations (you can have the directions in English).

Word of warning, these buggers generally do not accept foreign cards, so have some cash in hand to buy. Saves the stress of having to stumble through speaking French and not understanding their response if they ask you a question.

Now there's an idea I love! Have you successfully done this? I'm going to try to find instructions on the web.

Not to throw cold water on this, but I don't think the machines would work for a first time purchase of the Carte Orange. You still have to have the registration card prepared and the photo attached by the agent. I think this would be a good idea, though, for subsequent purchases, when all you need to buy is the ticket itself.

Can anyone else shed any more light on this?

Well I've found some information, but not about the machines. This is a random thread discussion which makes it sound unlikely that they are even purchaseable. I posted a question at the bottom and will watch to see if it gets answered.
http://www.magicparis.com/champselys...orum=7&msg=326

Here's a pretty good (though old) page on the metro.

http://www.zpinaddict.com/parishtm/metro.htm

One final thread discussion:
http://britishexpats.com/arch/44/2003/10/181113

The picture card of the carte orange kit can be obtained at any time from a ticket window. It is free. You do not have to give them the picture to get the card and they do not have to prepare it for you. The photo is a generic passport photo size, b/w or color, and is used to prevent the sharing of the pass by several people. It's not ID so as long as it looks like you, that's fine. You can put whatever address you want. In over fourteen years, I have never had anyone look at the address. The only real use of the address is if you lose it and a nice person finds it and wants to get it back to you. There is no residency requirement for using a carte orange.

You must stick your photo to the card and write your name on it, and sign it. You must also write the number from the card on the monthly or weekly coupon in order for it to be valid.

The weekly and monthly coupons can be bought from a machine. You need a French credit card to buy the monthly ones, but I believe you can use cash (coins only) for the weekly ones (there is a maximum purchase at the machines for cash).

[This message has been edited by Louie_LI (edited Mar 10, 2004).]

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[This message has been edited by Louie_LI (edited Mar 10, 2004).]

I have, on occasion, found some machines that accept foreign credit cards. One that I can remember at the top of my head is the Michel-Ange Auteuil metro stop.

Really? Maybe the RATP is installing more advanced machines than the SNCF. That's good to know.

Not at all. As YK said, write down the French phrases here on a piece of paper. That's what we did. Handed the 2 photos in with a piece of paper that said 2 Carte Orange, zone 1+2, weekly (in French). When I tried saying this to the young girl in the ticket booth, she laughed (politely), and we finished the transaction in English. It's a lasting memory now! We then walked down the stairs to catch the Metro and were instantly confused by the RER train that came in! You'll learn fast!
Try this site
http://www.gisparis.com/paris/paris_...tm#carteorange

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ChgoBob

Dingo,

The advice you have been given about the Visite card is incomplete.

For example with a trip to versailles and a trip to say Disney Paris - and the odd discount at places like Galaries Lafayette and a boat trip - on a short trip it can give you good value and make life simpler if you want to avoid having your lack of French exposed at the train station. You buy the ticket for the number of days and number of zones and you don't have to talk know more. It may work out a euro or two more - but you seem to want to avoid hassle.

The French are great - but they do sometimes react obtusely when their language isn't used.

As opposed to, say, the subway or tube employee in New York or London when a visitor asks a question in French.

I would to point out the difference in prices between Carte Orange & Paris Visite:
If dingo plans to spend most of his/her time in central Paris & take 1 trip out to Versailles:
A 1-week zone 1-2 Carte Orange costs €14,50, add €5 for the r/t ticket to Versailles

A 5-day zone 1-3 Paris Visite card costs €26,65. So dingo still needs to buy carnet to cover the rest of his/her stay there + €5 for Versailles (it is in zone 4). Unless dingo is planning on taking advantage on a lot of the discounts on the Visite card, I think it is a rip-off.

To see the discounts for Paris Visite card:
http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/index.htm

No not as you say.

More French people speak English than American people speak French. The situation is as I implied. They are sensitive about their language and even have laws that in business English cannot be used in situations that are common in other countries. In my experience New Yorkers have no such sensitivities with their use (abuse?) of the English language. Also I find London kinder to tourists than New York. Paris is kinder when people speak in French or even better - they are very very kind to people who stumble with their French but really make an effort to try and speak French and this is true of most or all of France.

If Dingo is nervous of his inability to speak French then Paris is the city he might have most problems.

I have no ability to speak French. It sure sounds like I'll ruffle some feathers or be in the receiving end of some stares. If they curse at me, it had better be in English or I'll just find it quaint banter! In Rome, Venice and Florence I had about six or seven phrases...the bill please, two tickets please, one medium beer please and so on. I'll do a lot of pointing and some fumbling, but I'll be ok...won't I?

dingo, don't let this bother you too much. Paris is visited by millions of tourists each year and a good % of them do not speak French. I have visited Paris multiple times and I don't speak French either. No one was ever rude to me (OK, if they talked behind my back in French, I wouldn't know). I find 3 phrases very helpful when I start a conversation (and IMO, that's all you need to know):
1. Bonjour or Bonsoir
2. Address the person- Monsieur, Madame
3. Parlez-vous anglais - Do you speak English (pronounced as "par-lay vooz ahng-glay")
Usually by then, the person will say Yes in English.
Don't forget to say merci.