I haven't found any real solid answer on which of the above methods is the best for traveling around in Paris, and perhaps in the surrounding environs.

The Visite card from what I gather is what they try to push on tourists. It apparently comes with some small discounts at infrequented sites.

The carnets are simply 10 metro passes bundled together.

The Carte Orange (think that's the name) is a week long (calendar week starting Monday) pass good for metro and bus that requires a photograph. From what I've read, they aren't real eager to sell this as it is intended more for Parisian residents.

Can anyone help clear up what the best plan would be? I'll get in on a Saturday and leave the following Sunday. We might have a few days out of Paris (Versailles perhaps). I think we'd do a lot of walking, but in Rome we had a few days where we were on the subway several times in one day, same in London.

You are right about the carnet: 10 tickets.

Carte visite is the most used and sold at every manned metro station and is valid for 5 days at the most. Also used by tourists because a picture is not necessary.

The carte orange can be had for a week or a month and needs a picture.

You can get all infos under:

ratp.fr

then click english

then under RATP for everyone on cit� futee to find out about the carte orange and paris visite for the visite card. All rates are displayed. In case you don't make it, let me know, I'll get all necessary info for you.

In order to save money, see to it that you buy only for the zones you really need and if once you go further, then buy an extra ticket. Of course, if you go every day between Paris center and Versailles, then buy for all the zones. You can get the tickets directly at the airport too, which will save you money also. Don't take a cab to the city it is lost money.

[This message has been edited by magexpect (edited Mar 08, 2004).]

When I used the carte orange several years ago, I thought it was a terrific value. I loved having the flexibility to hop on a train for "free" when I was feeling fatigued, when it rained, or when I made a spontaneous decision to go somewhere. I will buy the pass again when I go to Paris later this year.

Nice thing about the Carte Orange is, that once you get the Photo ID card, all you have to buy on subsequent trips is the "ticket", which last week was priced at 14.50 Euros. I just used it for the second time and will do so the next time I go to Paris.

What is the regulation for the photo? B&W only, or color? Size specified?

Also, does the "Mobilis" ticket still exist?

Thanks for your help!

http://www.citefutee.com/informer/ta...me.php#mobilis

dingo -
The Carte Orange goes from Mon-Mon. It might not be easy to buy it unless you can speak some french. The RATP website explains the Carte Orange but only in the French section.
The Paris Visite pass is not worth it.
The roundtrip fare on RER to Versailles is about �5.
The carnet tickets are good for free transfer on the Metro. But if you want to take the bus a lot, you have to use a new carnet ticket for each bus even if you are just transferring from 1 to another.
I always find myself walking a lot in Paris. The carnet works best for me.

[This message has been edited by yk (edited Mar 08, 2004).]

yk - Merci beaucoup!

re: the photo for the Carte Orange....many Metro stations have photo machines. What you want are the identity ones...come 4 to a sheet...cost 4 Euros, IIRC. Take them to the ticket window, ask for a Carte Orange and the agent will take it from there. Speaking some French will speed it a little, but otherwise, it shouldn't be a problem.

I also agree with Warmsnickers. With a Carte Orange, as opposed to a carnet, you can do things like forget something at your hotel, remember it after you have passed the turnstile, go back and get it and not have wasted a ticket. Also, if the weather turns mean, and you're only one Metro stop from where you are headed, you take the ride for that one stop...again not wasting a ticket. I used the equivalent of a carnet in two days. If you plan to use the metro as a "magic carpet" and IF your plans coincide with the Mon-Sun weekly validity, it's a great deal and a better one than the carnet.

This is the third time I've heard someone mention that I might need to speak French, which I do not at all.

If I don't speak a syllable of French, am I screwgied?

I think as long as you are courteous, you shouldn't have a problem buying the Carte Orange. It is always nice to adress:
Monsieur (Mr.)
Madame (Mrs)
Mademoiselle (Miss)
when you get to the window.
After you ask for the Carte Orange, say
S'il vous plait (Please)

You should also know in advance which zones you want to get. Better yet, write/print on a piece of paper:

Carte Orange
1 semaine
Zone 1-2 (or however many zones you want)

And say Merci afterwards.

If the ticket agent refuses to sell you, walk to the next Metro station and try again.

Good luck!

Now I'm even more freaked...I have no idea what zones I want. Which ones would be considered central Paris?

Zones 1-2 cover most of the central attractions (however note that La Defence, where several hotels are located, is in Zone 3). Using the link below, click on the "Zone Map" option in the left colmn to see the zones:

http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/Pla_q/f_pla.htm

dingo relax! It's not that complicated. Most of "tourist" Paris in within zones 1-2. Versailles is in zone 4. But it will still be more economical to get the zones 1-2 for �14,50, then pay �5 for a roundtrip ticket to Versailles, instead of buying a zones 1-4 for �24,10

www.ratp.fr

To be fully accurate, the Line 1 stop of the metro at La D�fense is in Zone 2. The RER stop is in Zone 3. All stops on m�tro lines (lines 1 through 14 and not including the RER) are within the Zone 1-2 area.