French Tourist Offices

The French Tourist Office has branches in many major international cities.

Office de Tourisme de Paris

The main office is near the Pyramides metro station. It is well stocked with brochures, and has hotel and tour reservation services.

• 25 rue des Pyramides, 75001

• 08 92 68 30 00 (€0.34/ min)

• Open 10am–7pm Mon–Sat, 11am–7pm Sun (9am–7pm Jun–Oct)

• Closed 1 May

• www.parisinfo.com

Espace du Tourisme d’Ile de France

This tourist facility serves Paris and the wider Ile de France region. It has a good range of brochures, especially for outside Paris, and can book tours and accommodation.

• 99 rue de Rivoli, 75001

• 01 44 50 19 98

• www.cestsoparis.com

Websites

Two official sites are the state tourist office (www.paris.fr) and the city tourist office (www.parisinfo.com), with lots of information and links in French and English. Most major attractions such as the Musée du Louvre (www.louvre.fr) also have their own sites.

Magazines

If you are able to read French, try the free, weekly A Nous Paris, which is available in metro stations, and the Sortir insert in the weekly magazine Télérama .

Officiel des Spectacles & Pariscope

These two events guides can be bought at newspaper stands and are ideal if you want more general information about current exhibitions.

Paris Free Voice

This monthly magazine is published by the American Church and aimed at US residents in Paris. Available from English-language bookshops, it is a good source of information on what is happening in the city. It also has a website www.parisvoice.com

Paris-Anglo electronic newsletter

This email newsletter is available via the linked website (www.paris-anglo.com) and is sent out in English to visitors, residents and anyone interested in what’s going on in Paris. It covers exhibitions, politics, restaurant openings and closings and offers a question-and-answer service.

Libraries

Public libraries are found all over Paris and all of them are free to enter. Most have selections of newspapers and magazines, as well as notices that may be useful to visitors. Only Paris residents, however, can borrow material.

Newspapers

Foreign newspapers are available on the day of publication in many newsagents. The International Herald Tribune is published from Paris. French-speakers can also keep in touch with world events via France’s national publications such as Le Monde or Liberation, or the city’s own paper, Le Parisien.