http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18549
In the last couple of years I've been using this online service called Allo-france, who sell everything from metro tickets to popular show tickets (lido de paris, moulin rouge, etc).

They're quite a small company which means they are very efficient at what they do and I have had excellent feedback from them.

I really recommend to anyone who is planning on going to Paris to at least buy their metro tickets in advance as they will struggle with the French metro ticket system when they get there. One of my favourites is also the Paris museum pass which gives you access to all museums across the city. Great for managing your time.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18549 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18473 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18473 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18472 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18472 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18471
We used Lomax car park in Camden Town (15 minutes' walk) - very helpful staff, they will drive you to the station and pick you up on your return and, best of all, it's about £50 for four days.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18471 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17480
It would be great - if it were true!

Last year's was a shambles. The authorities didn't (wouldn't) release guides until the night itself (and then didn't explain how to get them) and most Parisians had no idea what was open, or where.

We joined the crowds milling outside the Louvre (closed), tried the Musee d'Orsay (closed) and settled for a Bateau Mouche - which turned out to provide the long awaited guidebook once you'd bought your ticket.

The boat trip itself was pleasant, during which we could read the guide - to discover few places indeed were open at all, and the promised 'all night opening' of the Metro only applied to certain lines in certain directions.

The only bar we could find open and not crammed with similarly baffled tourists was Australian (not very Parisian). When we finally gave up, we joined the thousands of others equally trying to desperately get a taxi home in the sub-zero temperatures, and ended up huddled in a Metro entrance (closed) for warmth until the hordes had thinned enough for us to try and get back.

It can't be blamed on our being tourists - as we have French friends who live in Paris and who we'd joined to spend the 'event' with!

Hopefully this year's will be better, but I'd definitely check every detail out in advance, just in case!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17480 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16306 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16306 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16226 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16226 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16225 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16225 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16191 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16191 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16184
Try and be there after sunset; get away from the Gare du Nord; stroll in a park; seek things quintessentially Parisian.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16184 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16183
They know every nook and cranny of the city and will send you off feeling like you have had the five-star experience without any of the cost - it worked for me.

Failing that, hop on the metro to Pte de Clignancourt for the fabulous street market. Saturday to Monday 7am to 7.30pm.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16183 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16174
Tickets can be bought at most metro stations, you will need to ask for the wallet and card from the ticket desk, then attach a passport-sized photo and you have free travel from Monday to Sunday. As this is a weekly pass, aimed at Parisian commuters, be careful with the dates, it runs from Monday to Sunday.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16174 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15822
One downside of inter-railing is that many travellers feel obliged to be on the move as much as possible and don't spend enough time in any one place.

Now, however, inter-rail tickets are available for a set number of days travel within a longer period, e.g. 10 days travel in a 22 day period, forcing you to stop and enjoy your destinations while still getting value from your ticket!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15822 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15820
Failure to do so can result in a hefty fine and an embarrassing situation when the guard comes to check your ticket once on board!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15820 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15815
Me and a group of friends found ourselves stranded in the middle of Paris when a pedal fell off one of the cycles.

A phone call to the hire shop informed us that it was up to us to sort it out. The rest of the day was spent looking for a garage with the correct tools to sort the problem.

When we eventually made it back the hire shop was happy to refund our money – perhaps this is cheaper than sending someone out!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15815 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15814
Everyone will make you feel like the grand-standing person you are.

And it's not very romantic with all those bloody tourists around anyway.

Plus, you'll have to queue for ages just to get down.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15814 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15810 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15810 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15807
They give you a 24hour pass for just 1 Euro and you get to use the bikes as often as you like, keep it to 1/2 hour slots and you don't pay a penny more.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15807 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15802
Tried and tested with initially reluctant friends who later admitted it was the best part of the holiday.

You see so much more and it's better for the environment so what's to lose?

Tours can be arranged in your own language and the tour guides are excellent.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15802