Then you do NOT want to drive a car into the city.

Expensive, time-consuming, nerve-wracking.

I think you mean 'break' (French pronunciation makes it sound more like 'breck'), the equivalent term in British English being an 'estate' car and in American English a 'station wagon'.

^^Mr n I only had 22 hrs in Paris. So after research we choose Green Shuttle. Was amazing we arrived 20mins early our driver arrived shortly (15mins early) helped with bags ( only carry on)To new Mini van, spoke great English pleasant drive into Paris past ' le Arc' down towards 'le Eiffle ' to our Hotel in the 7th. As per e mail booking quote. 121 euro return,half paid to driver for 1 st trip. 22hours later a different driver just as helpful and English speaking arrived 10 mins early ,helped with bags and drove us in a salon car safely to CDG. paid balance .very happy with this service. Could have gone by taxi 50 euro ish. But. This service was First Class worth the extra + tipped 10% both ways^^Great introduction to Paris. 2 days earlier our Airport taxi driver in Manchester tried to add. 50% to fare ,was a rouge blk cab picked up at airport!

Bolding mine: To say the least. I did it once to say that I did and that was it. Asked my cousin if I could drive and ever since then he keeps asking and I keep telling him, "I may be old but I'm not crazy"

I actually don't mind driving (or cycling) in Paris - I find it quite smooth-flowing. As long as you remember that a certain fluidity as regards rules and lanes is expected, that when it doubt it's priorite a droite and to respect the space immediately in front of other vehicles, then you'll get on just fine.

However, to navigate, you really need to view the city as a series of landmarks and squares, with a fast route along the river. If you don't know the layout of the landmarks, you'll get stuck.

That said, I never drive a car in a city if I can avoid it.

You possess plus de sangfroid than moi.

Last time the wife and I were in Paris was nearly 10 years ago for an anniversary and without the kids. We took a minibus shuttle from the airport and had a mediocre experience as I recall.

This August we will be taking the kids and hoping to get some advice on getting to the 4th arrondissement in the mid-morning following a transatlantic flight.

I am interested to know if the taxis accomodate 4 passengers (kids are 10 & 12) and if they take credit cards. If I went with a shuttle, has anyone had positive recent experiences with any and do they take credit cards.

Thanks!

You'll have no trouble getting a taxi at the airport to take four people (technically, no taxi is suppose to refuse four, but some do).

As for the credit cards, you may have to wait through an available taxi or two, since not all taxis take credit cards, but you will be able to find one that does.

If there is a taxi-line manager pointing people to cabs, just tell them you need one for four people that takes credit cards, and they'll sort it out.

Thanks very much for this information.

You might not have a problem with 4 pax, but if you have 4 suitcases (plus probably cabin baggage), than you are in big troubles with a taxi.

I assume then that most of the taxis are sedans style cars. Any suggestions to get into the city without spending a fortune ?

cheaper? walk.

seriously, you won't have a problem finding a big minivan-style taxi - or just use the bus. Air France busses and Roissybus are quite convenient to get into town, depending where you need/want to go ... do you have some more precise info than 4th arrondissement?

My friends flat is on the Rue des Lombards, between Blvd de Sebastopol and Rue de Renard. As long as I can get a minibus taxi that we will do that - not expecting any of us to get much sleep on the flight and will not want to deal with the bus + the kids.

Not really. As others have said, he might have to wait for a minivan. Besides, the trunks on some of the larger sedans are quite roomy, so it might not be an issue.

Could someone please chime in and validate or dispute this statement from another thread? I'm curious because my American visitors have never reported this. As a French speaker I just get into the taxi and give the address and end up where I want to go via a reasonable route, but I don't know if this is just stereotyping, or something I should actually consider when I have American visitors? I'm not the one to judge, knowing the city, the common routes, and the language, and also not being American but am just curious how often this really occurs?