The wonderful thing about Paris is that, despite being a relatively small city , there is so much to do. Though a map may seem daunting, it is surprising how far you can get on foot. A lot can be seen in one short weekend!

The European Independent Film Festival 2010 (ÉCU) is taking place in the heart of the Latin Quarter. This is in the 5th , one of the most famous arrondissements (there are 20 in total)  and located near many of the most important, and beautiful, places in Paris. We’ve gathered together some information we think you will find very useful. Have a read through, and keep it in mind for when you embark on your mini-adventure in the City of Lights!

Taxis

There is a minimum fare of €6, another €4 charge for a fourth passenger, and another €3 for large amounts of baggage (it can be very expensive!). It is also very difficult to find one on a Friday and Saturday night. Just to let you know: Parisian taxi drivers do not have a good reputation.

Metro

By far the easiest, quickest and cheapest method of travel. You can pick-up a free map at most hotels and metro stations.

The underground starts at 5.20am and closes at 1.20 a.m. Monday to Friday, and 2.20 a.m. Friday to Sunday.

The Paris metro is divided into 8 zones, however zones 1 and 2 contain central Paris and are usually all you will need.

Tickets are valid for the Metro underground and bus and can be purchased at Metro stations, tourist offices, from bus drivers.

One single for zones 1 and 2 costs €1.60.

Tickets can be bought in bulk, at a slightly lower price. These are both available from all machines in the stations, which can be used in several languages.

A one day pass (”Mobilis”) covering zones 1, 2 are also available for €5.90. Price increases with more zones.

A three day pass covering zones 1, 2 and 3 will cost about €20.

Ticket inspections will often take place on the platforms throughout the day. Please be warned, you sometimes see people jumping over the barriers or pushing in behind ticket holders. As easy as it may look, it is not advisable to follow since usually an inspector is hiding around the corner watching.

Buses

Remember – tickets are valid on both the Metro and the Bus.

Buses run from 6.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. although some routes continue through to 12.30 a.m., the nocturnal line then continues until 5.30 a.m.

The special night time buses continue through the early hours on 18 different lines on an hourly basis. The bus stops offering this service will have an owl emblem on them. All routes are marked clearly on maps at the bus-stops.

Getting to the Festival Venues

We advise you to purchase a map before your visit. There are free ones available in hotels, however they tend to be hard to read and not very detailed.

Cinéma Le Grand Action: nearest Metro is Cardinal Lemoine (line 10), and Buses 47 or 89.
Please see map below which highlights Cinéma Le Grand Action at point A.

Cinéma Le Triomphe: nearest Metro is Cardinal Lemoine (line 10), and Buses 47 or 83.
Please see map below which highlights Theatre Le Triomphe at point A.

Moving Between The Two Venues

Our two festival venues are just a five minute walk apart, so moving from one to the other couldn’t be easier.

Please see the map below for clear walking directions.

Point A: Cinéma Le Grand Action
Point B: Theatre Le Triomphe

Emergency Contact Numbers

Police dial 17
Ambulance (SAMU) dial 15
Fire (Sapeurs-Pompiers) dial 18
Emergency call from a mobile phone dial 112
S.O.S Médecins (house calls) dial 01.47.07.77.77
Urgences Médicales de Paris (house calls) dial 01.53.94.94.94
S.O.S Dentaire dial 01.43.36.36.00

Essential French Phrases

Je voudrais (I Would Like)
Merci (Thank You)
S’il vous plait (Please)
Je vous en prie (You’re Welcome)
De rien (No Problem)
Comment est-ce que je peux trouver (How Do I Find…)
C’est combien? (How Much Is It?)
Ça coute (It Costs)
L’addition (Bill)
Carafe d’eau (Tap Water)

Key Sites and their Metro Stop

Louvre: Louvre Rivoli (line 1)

Musée d’Orsay: Musée d’Orsay (RER C), Assemblée Nationale (line 12), Solférine (line 12)

Pompidou Centre: Rambuteau (line 11)

Palais de Tokyo: Iéna (line 9)

Eiffel Tower: Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel (RER C), Ecole Militaire (line 8)

Arc de Triomphe: Charles de Gaulle Etoile (line 1, 2, 6, RER A)

Notre-Dame: Cité (line 4), Hôtel de Ville (line 1,11)

Sorbonne: St. Michel (line 4, RER C), Cluny La Sorbonne (line 10, RER C)

The Royal Opera House: Opéra (line 3, 7, 8)

Hôtel des Invalides: Invalides (line 8, 12, RER C)

Trocadero: Trocadero (line 6, 9)

Place des Vosges: St. Paul (line 1)

Place de la Concorde: (Concorde, line 1)

Jardin du Luxembourg: Luxembourg (RER B), Cluny La Sorbonne (line 10, RER C)

Jardin des Tuileries: Tuileries (line 1)

Cemetary Père Lachaise: Père Lachaise (line 2, 3)

Galleries La Fayette: Chaussée d’Antin La Fayette (line 7, 9)

Marais: St. Paul (line 1), Hôtel de Ville (line 1,11), République (line 3, 5, 8, 9, 11)