See what the experts are saying about Champillon. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Planning a trip
In this section, we've compiled everything you need to know to handle the practical details of planning your trip: what documents you'll need, how to calculate the euro, how to find the best airfare, when to go, and more. Continue reading »
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Fast facts
American Express -- The Paris office is at 11 rue Scribe (tel. 01-47-77-79-28). It operates as a travel agency, a tour operator, and a mail pickup service every Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 6:30pm, Saturday 9am to 5:30pm. Its banking secti... Continue reading »
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Visitor information
Before you go, your best source of information is the French Government Tourist Office (www.franceguide.com), which can be reached at the following addresses: United States: 444 Madison Ave., 16th floor, New York, NY 10022 (tel. 514/288-19... Continue reading »
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When to go
The best time to visit Paris is in the spring (Apr-June) or fall (Sept-Nov), when things are easier to come by -- from Métro seats to good-tempered waiters. The weather is temperate year-round. July and August are the worst for crowds. Parisi... Continue reading »
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Calendar of events
January Monte Carlo Motor Rally (Le Rallye de Monte Carlo). The world's most venerable car race. For information, call the Monaco Tourist Office (tel. 377-92-16-61-16 or 377-93-15-26-00; www.acm.mc). Usually mid-January. February Car... Continue reading »
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Getting there
By Plane The two Paris airports -- Orly (airport code: ORY) and Charles de Gaulle (airport code: CDG) -- are about even in terms of convenience to the city's center, though taxi rides from Orly may take less time than those from de Gaulle.... Continue reading »
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Escorted & package tours
Packages for the Independent Traveler Package tours are simply a way to buy the airfare, accommodations, and other elements of your trip (such as car rentals, airport transfers, and sometimes even activities) at the same time and often at... Continue reading »
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Health & insurance
Traveler Insurance Because France is far from home for most of us, and a number of things can go wrong -- lost luggage, trip cancellation, medical emergency -- consider various types of insurance. Check your existing insurance policies an... Continue reading »
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Entry requirements & customs
Passports Allow plenty of time before your trip to apply for a passport; processing normally takes 3 weeks but can take longer during busy periods (especially spring). And keep in mind that if you need a passport in a hurry, you'll pay a h... Continue reading »
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Getting around
By Train The world's fastest trains link some 50 French cities, allowing you to get from Paris to just about anywhere else in the country in hours. With 39,000km (24,200 miles) of track and about 3,000 stations, SNCF (French National Railr... Continue reading »
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Money
It's always advisable to bring money in a variety of forms on a vacation: a mix of cash, credit cards, and traveler's checks. You should also exchange enough petty cash to cover airport incidentals, tipping, and transportation to your hotel b... Continue reading »
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Regions in brief
Though France's 547,030 sq. km (211,209 sq. miles) make it slightly smaller than Texas, no other country has such a diversity of sights and scenery in such a compact area. A visitor can travel through the north's flat, fertile lands; the Loir... Continue reading »
