Paris: culture, students, travel information, tips, Paris

Prices

As in most capital cities, life in Paris is more expensive than anywhere else in the country (except the Riviera). Yet, unlike, say, central London, Paris is a place where people live as well as work; Parisians, who shop and lunch locally, are not prepared to pay extravagant rates, and visitors who avoid the obvious tourist traps will not have to pay those rates, either.

Prices tend to reflect the standing of an area in the eyes of Parisians; much-sought-after residential arrondissements such as the 7th, 16th, and 17th--of limited tourist interest--are far more expensive than the student-oriented, much-visited Latin Quarter. The tourist area where value for money is most difficult to find is the 8th arrondissement, on and around the Champs-Elysées. Places where you can be virtually certain to shop, eat, and stay without overpaying include the streets surrounding Montmartre (not the Butte, or hilltop, itself); the St-Michel/Sorbonne area on the Left Bank; the mazelike streets around Les Halles and the Marais in central Paris; and the Bastille area and eastern Paris.

A cup of coffee, standing at a bar, costs from 5 francs; if you sit, it will cost from 10 francs. A glass of beer costs from 8 francs standing at the bar and from 14 francs if you're seated; a soft drink costs between 7 francs and 20 francs. A ham sandwich will cost between 14 francs and 30 francs. Expect to pay 35-40 francs for a short taxi ride.

Taxes

HOTEL :

Restaurant and hotel prices must by law include taxes and service charges: If these appear as additional items on your bill, you should complain. SALES :

All taxes must be included in affixed prices in France. VAT :

A value-added tax of 20.6%, known in France as the TVA or détaxe, is imposed on most consumer goods. Non-European Union residents, aged 15 and over, who stay in France and/or the EU for fewer than six months can reclaim part of this tax. To qualify, your purchases in a single shop must total at least 2,000 francs. The amount of the refund varies from shop to shop but usually hovers between 13% and 16%. You may opt to be reimbursed by check, but a refund credited directly to your credit card is the easiest and fastest way to receive your money. The major department stores have simplified the process with special détaxe desks where the bordereaux (export sales invoices) are prepared. Most high-profile shops with international clients have détaxe forms, but stores are not required to do this paperwork. If the discount is extremely important to you, ask if it is available before making your purchase. There is no refund for food, wine, and tobacco. Invoices and bordereaux forms must be presented to French customs upon leaving the country. The items purchased should be available for inspection.

Tipping

Bills in bars and restaurants must, by law, include service, but it is customary to leave some small change unless you're dissatisfied. The amount of this varies--from 50 centimes or 1 franc for a beer to 10 or 15 francs after a meal. In expensive restaurants, it's common to leave an additional 5% of the bill on the table.

Tip taxi drivers and hairdressers about 10% of the bill. Give theater and cinema ushers a couple of francs. In some theaters and hotels, cloakroom attendants may expect nothing (pourboire interdit--no tip); otherwise, give them 5 francs. Washroom attendants usually get 2-5 francs, though the sum is often posted.

If you stay more than two or three days in a hotel, it is customary to leave something for the chambermaid--about 10 francs per day. Expect to pay about 10 francs (5 francs in a moderately priced hotel) to the person who carries your bags or who hails you a taxi. In hotels providing room service, give 5 francs to the waiter (this does not apply if breakfast is routinely served in your room). If the chambermaid does some pressing or laundering for you, give her 5-10 francs on top of the bill.

Service station attendants get nothing for gas or oil but 5 or 10 francs for checking tires. Train and airport porters get a fixed sum (6-10 francs) per bag. Museum guides should get 5-10 francs after a guided tour. It is standard practice to tip bus drivers about 10 francs after an excursion.