PARIS
Paris is the capital and most inhabited city of France, with an estimated population of over 2M. Meanwhile, the Paris metropolitan area has an estimated 12.5M residents, or about 19% of the overall population of France.
It is especially known for its museums, areas of historical interest and cultural landmarks. Popular landmarks include the Eiffel Tower, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, the Louvre Museum, and the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, in the heart of Montmartre.
Climate
With the beginning of spring, and depending on your luck, the weather can be agreeable. Although April is generally rainy with frequent showers. You should therefore expect quite a bit of humidity.
• average min temperature: 6°C / 43°F
• average max temperature: 14°C / 57°F
• average rainfall: 53 mm
• average numbers of rainy days: 14
For the latest weather click on weather.com
Currency and Banking
The local currency is the Euro (€). All major credit cards are accepted widely. If in doubt, ask in advance. In case of loss or theft of credit card, dial the following numbers:
• Mastercard:
• Visa:
• American Express:
Electricity
All sockets follow European standards. To use American-type plugs, a 220-volt transformer should be used together with an adapter plug.
Emergency Phone Numbers
To easily reach the police, fire department or the ambulance service (Samu), use 112. It is a free phone number which can be used 24/ 7 days, even in the event of a network failure, from any landline or mobile phone.
Health Requirements
With the exception of vaccination certificates for persons coming from areas where yellow fever is endemic, at the present there are no special health requirements.
Pharmacies open 24/7 or with English-speaking staff:
• Pharmacie principale de la Porte d’Orléans
4 place du 25 août 1944, 75014 Paris
Tel.:
Metro: Porte d’Orléans (line 4)
Tramway: Porte d’Orléans (line 3a)
Open 24/7
• Pharmacie Centrale
52 rue du Commerce, 75015 Paris
Tel.:
Metro: Avenue Émile Zola (line 10)
Open 24/7
• Pharmacie Anglaise des Champs Elysées
84 avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris
Tel.:
Metro: George V (line 1), Franklin D. Roosevelt (lines 1, 9)
Open 24/7
English spoken
Language
The official language of the congress will be English (no simultaneous translation).
Public transports
During normal operating times, the metro runs Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to 1:15 a.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 2:15 a.m.
You can buy tickets at any metro, RER or tramway station, as well as when boarding buses. However, when boarding Paris buses, you’ll need exact change.
As of June 2019, a single Standard « T+ » Ticket costs 1.90 Euros, while a bus ticket purchased onboard is 2 Euros. A package of 10 tickets may be purchased for 14.90 Euros.
For more information on using the Paris Metro system, see the local transport authority RATP’s official website (in English). You can download free maps, search timetables and plan your itinerary, as well as find information on current rates, network issues and other information.
The closest metro stop for Palais des Congrès d’Issy is Mairie d’Issy (line 12)
Safety
Use of common sense is required, as in any large city. The central parts of cities are renowned for petty crime, (pickpocketing, scams or bag snatching) so be careful when sightseeing, taking pictures or watching street artists. You should be extra vigilant at airports and railway stations, as well as in the Metro. Do not leave valuables unattended. Most shops accept credit and debit cards, so there is no need to carry a lot of cash.
Smoking
The French law, in accordance with Regulations in force in most European Countries, does not allow smoking in any public transportation or in any closed public areas. Non-compliance with this ban can lead to a fine of up to 450 Euros.
Taxis
You can use the Uber service from your smartphone. Alternatively, please find below phone numbers of taxi companies:
• Taxis G7:
• Taxis Bleus:
• Alpha Taxis:
• Centrale Belem Taxis 7000:
Telephone calls
The country code of France is 33. To call abroad, dial 00 before the country code.
Time Zone
Paris’s time zone is Central European Time (CET), one hour ahead of GMT.
Tipping
Checks include a 15% service charge therefore tipping is optional. A small extra tip is appreciated, but there is no rule as to how much one should give.
VAT – Sales Tax
Value added tax (VAT) is included in prices quoted. It is currently 20%.
WIFI
WIFI is available throughout the congress venue.