Paris Delices City Guide

The city of Paris is relatively small - approximately 6 miles (9.5 km) north to south by 7 miles (11 km) west to east. Paris’s city center is separated into the Rive Droite (the Right Bank) which lays north of the Seine and the Rive Gauche (the Left Bank) lying south of the Seine.

Paris is divided into 20 “arrondissements” or districts which spiral out clockwise from the city center. Parisian addresses always include the arrondissement number as there are many streets with the same names in various districts. You can determine the arrondissement of an address from its postal code. For example, 75001, indicates that this address is located in Paris’s first arrondissement. The exception to this rule is those addresses with the word “CEDEX”.

Fast Facts
Paris, France
Area - 105 sq km, 41 sq miles
Population - 2,150,000
Time Zone - GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)
Daylight Savings Start - last Sunday in March
Daylight Savings End - last Sunday in October
Languages - French (official)
French is the official language and spoken by everyone; regionally however you will come across Flemish, Alsacian, Breton, Basque, Catalan, Provençal and Corsican.
Currency - Euro (Euro)
Electricity - 230V 50HzHz
Electric Plug Details - European plug with two circular metal pins

Documents & Visas
Visas
According to your citizenship, the duration and purpose of your stay in France, a visa may be required before departure. There are no entry requirements or restrictions on nationals of the EU, and citizens of Australia, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Israel do not need visas to visit France as tourists for up to 3 months.

French Visa Information:
French Visa Information for Non-US Citizens
French Visa Information for US Citizens

Passports
A valid passport is required for all foreign nationals entering France. Visitors must have ready for presentation at the border documentary evidence of the purpose of the visit, means of support for the duration of the stay and accommodation arrangements.
By law, everyone in France, including tourists, must carry ID on them at all times.

Business Hours
Parisian business hours are irregular and often determined by the business’s location, staff, and season. Businesses usually close their doors on Sundays and public holidays; however, you may always encounter some exceptions.
Standard office hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 6:00pm.

Banks
Banks are generally open Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm.
¤ certain branches may close at lunchtime, between 12.30pm and 2pm
¤ certain branches may be closed Monday and open Saturday morning

All banks are closed on public holidays and Sundays.
The Banque de France is open until 3:30pm

Gas Stations
Gas stations located in the city are generally open from 7:30am to 8pm.
Stations located near the city’s portes (principal entrance ways) near the périphérique (beltway, ring road) are open 24 hours a day.

Museums and monuments
For opening hours, please consult the PD Museum and Monument guide.

Pharmacies
Pharmacies are generally open Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 8:00pm.