The Paris Metro

The Paris Metro is one of the best subway systems in the world. Depending on time of day and route, they arrive at stations every 3 to 5 minutes. There are displays on each platform that count down the time to the next arrival. And, they go almost everywhere. Best of all for visitors, you can purchase passes that allow you unlimited rides for a day, days or a week and the cost is reasonable (especially when compared to the alternatives). There are ticket offices at Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airports.

At first glance, the Metro map most resembles a plate full of spaghetti, with lines wiggling here and there, showing no apparent logic or planning to their route structure. Right, that's absolutely correct. Nothing more to be said, that's the way it is.

So, how do you survive living with the Paris Metro? First, as far as the marathon is concerned, Line 1 is the artery which will guide your life. Click on the green circles on our marathon pages and you will find almost everything relies on Line 1.

In general, there are (currently) 13 different lines. Each line is designated by its' number and direction (or final destination). Line 1, for example, runs from La Défense in the near western suburb through the center of Paris to Cháteau de Vincennes in the near eastern Suburb. So, in any station, Line 1 will have two platforms. One for trains headed west for La Défense and another for trains headed east for Cháteau de Vincennes. The signs will identify the direction by listing the last destination and usually all of the stops between where you are boarding and that end destination. If you find yourself on the wrong platform, you can usually go back up, over and down to the other side without running your ticket through a machine again. Each station has maps posted that show where you are and which lines operate from that station.

Most of the stations are manned with ticket personnel. The larger stations also have extra staff to aid in problem solving (see subway tips and tricks). For other day to day use while you are in Paris, start by learning what the major interconnection stations are and where they are located relative to your hotel. Be sure to work out where you want to go ahead of time and what your probable connections will be.

Places to Park Parking in the start/finish area will be extremely limited and what does exist will be difficult to get to. However, if you decide to try, the following parking lots are within five blocks of Place Charles de Gaulle: •Avenue Foch (1 block, at barricade), •Place Victor Hugo (Av. V. Hugo and Av. R. Poincaré-5 blocks southwest), •Ave. Carnot (1.5 blocks northwest), •Av. Mac Mahon (0.75 blocks), •Av. de Wagram (2.5 blocks northeast), •Av. Hoche (2 long blocks northeast), •Av. Friedland (1.5 and 2 blocks northeast), •Champs Élysée (all access closed), •Av. Marceau (1 block south). It is occasionally possible to find street parking along some side streets, but that is usually more limited than garage parking and is often zoned for permit only.

Other Transportation Alternatives In Paris there are really only two efficient ways of getting around. • First choice is the Paris Metro. Second choice is by scooter. For the first, see the information above and follow the green circles on each of the Paris Marathon pages on this site. • For the second choice, you must to be fairly experienced on a scooter. Paris traffic is not a good environment for learning how to ride one. • Some of the hotels listed by the A.S.O. (the marathon organizers) offer limo/bus transport to and from the start/finish areas. Usually they list that service as part of their package. • The next choice would be a cab. In most european cities, cabs are arranged through your hotel concierge. It is difficult to simply go out and successfully hail one as you might in North America. They are also a bit pricey and no one in their right mind would ever take a cab to or from any of the airports. • Surface transportation also includes an elaborate network of bus lines. A city bus is certainly an option, but the system is too complex to handle here. If this option interests you, I would recommend relying on your hotel concierge for detailed instructions.

Paris Metro Tips and Tricks 1. If your suitcase is wider than 14 inches, forget it! The turnstiles are built to prevent people from sneaking in without paying. This virtually eliminates the possibility of getting a bigger bag through. No exceptions - don't even consider trying it! 2. There is an art to managing a rolling suitcase in a subway system. Always pull, don't push, except when going through a turnstile. Then it works better to push it ahead of you, under the turnstile bars, then follow it through. Otherwise you will get all tangled up. In all other circumstances, pull the suitcase. Those 1.5 inch diameter wheels do not push/roll over 1 inch edges on escalators, etc., very well. Simple fact that far too few people ever figure out. 3. Because the trains run on different levels, most interchanges have stairs - and more stairs - and more stairs... and more stairs. You will be lugging your suitcase. Keep it light and simple. 4. The doors to the trains will not open unless you rotate a lever on the door/push a button on the door, as the case may be. This is actually a very good idea. It saves a lot of wear and tear on the machinery and, in the winter on track that is on the ground or elevated, you don't get that constant cold blast of air when no one is boarding or exiting. 5. There are fold down seats at the front/back and entryways of the train cars. These can be used until the surrounding area is filled with standing passengers. Then you should also stand. That will be obvious anyway. 6. Some of the major interchange stations are very large and include passageways to other nearby stations as well as exits to the streets. Chátelet is a good example. Never hesitate to ask which exit would be most appropriate for your destination. Almost all ticket agents speak English.

Lessons from the Front, Pt. 1, "Bring Dictionary" Among the “free stuff” items we received at the expo was a little blue bottle of liquid with the word “Revitalisant” written all over it. The brochure showed pictures of happy runners stretching. “It is an analgesic!” I announced to my friend. Considering everything, having just gotten over the flu, having done an accelerated training program, running a marathon at about 3:00 in the morning my native time… using something extra to help my muscles seemed to be a good idea. The morning of the race, I took special care to rub ample quantities of the substance into my legs. It felt good. Here was that extra boost, that little bit of special elixir, an edge that would push me across the finish line in style! I put another layer on for good luck. Now I was ready Paris has fountains, and more fountains, and more… Light breezes would blow cool mists on our faces as we ran past. It was tempting to do another loop around them just for the extra shot. It would drain down my neck and back – just the right amount of cool. I had no idea where they were coming from, but someone nearby was making little tiny bubbles. They were popping in my face – irritating at the very least. It must have been a runner, because they did not go away. “Who is doing that?” I said to my partner. “Doing what?” “Making those bubbles?” “What bubbles?” I dropped the issue. Then she looked at me and said, “You are foaming!” “What?” “There is foam coming from under your shirt!” I looked. It was soap lather, lots of it. The “Revitalisant” I was counting on for that extra “edge” was bath soap and it had mixed with the mist from the fountains. As my shirt bounced against my skin, it was generating a trail of little tiny bubbles as we ran through the city. Maybe it was time for me to learn French. My friend responded, “Bravo, allez, allez! Bravo Monsieur Bouillonner (Mr. Bubbles). Next time, bring a dictionary." (rs)