Observations on Paris – Pt. 5

Want to ride the Metro or one of the trains? Watch your step. Some of the trains and Metro cars have either a big step over or quite a jump up/down to get on/off the car. Easy for the young, not so much for the young at heart, or the less agile.

Speaking of the Metro and the rail system, they are great. You can go almost anywhere in Paris by Metro and you are never more than a couple of blocks from one. Once you are in the subterranean netherworld, however, pay attention.

Many routes share the same tracks, so you need to know first what the final stop is on your line – there are 14 lines, numbered 1 through 14, oddly enough. They have nice color maps showing the routes, fairly easy to read. Make sure you are getting on the right direction, and then make sure you are on the correct line.

There are monitors showing which line will be arriving next, and how long of a wait. They usually show the next two lines and the ETA. Just try and remember to look at the sign on the front of the car as it enters the station, just to be sure. They have been known to arrive out of order.

Same goes for the RER train line. While fast and efficient, there are peculiarities that only a local would know.


Gare Bordeaux, France.

 On the Metro stations themselves, did I mention the, um, odor? Most prevalent is the urine smell. I know I don’t love the smell of urine in the morning – or afternoon or evening for that matter. Some are worse than others, but they all have something you will remember.

It appears many homeless live in the Metro stations, so when the weather is bad, I expect it might even be worse. Thus, taxis are also very popular, and most drivers are great, but like anywhere, some are better than others.

I am certain that there is elevator / lift access to all stations, I just did not see it at each one we used. So plan ahead if stairwells are an issue.

On the bright side, everyone uses the Metro, so you are in good company. No worry that you will ever be alone, or with only strange people.