Key Paris Facts and Figures:
- Population: Approximately 2.2 million people (3.6% of total French population)
- Average yearly high temperature: 16 degrees C (60.8 degrees F)
- Average yearly low temperature: 9 degrees C (48.2 degrees F)
- Average visitors per year: Over 25 million
- High tourist season: July and August
- Time zone: Paris is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time.
- Currency: Euros (Universal Currency Converter)
Paris Geography and Orientation:
- Paris is the political, cultural, and intellectual capital of France.
- Elevation: 27 meters (90 feet above sea level)
- Surface Area: 105 square km. (41 square miles)
- Geographical Situation: Paris is located in Central Northern France, at the heart of a region (departement) called Ile de France. The city does not border any major body of water and is relatively flat.
- The Seine river cuts through the city center East to West. The Marne river flows through suburbs east of Paris.
Orientation Tours
- Paris boat or bus tours can help you get oriented.
- Companies such as Paris Trip offer orientation tours (Buy direct)
Paris Layout:
Paris is divided into sections North and South of the Seine, more commonly known as the Rive Droite (Right Bank) and Rive Gauche (Left Bank), respectively.
The city, often described as being shaped like a snail shell, is broken into 20 districts or arrondissements. The first arrondissement is at the center of the city, near the Seine river. Subsequent arrondissements spiral out clockwise. You can easily find out what arrondissement you're in by looking for street plaques on corner buildings.
The Boulevard Périphérique, Paris' beltway, generally marks the boundary between Paris and its near suburbs.
Tourist Welcome Centers in Paris:
The Paris Tourist Office has welcome centers around the city, providing free documentation and advice to visitors. You can find maps and pocket-sized guides to Paris sights and attractions at one of the welcome centers. See a list of Paris tourist offices here.
Accessibility Issues:
On average, Paris rates poorly for accessibility. While major efforts are underway to improve accessibility in the city, travelers with limited mobility may find the city difficult to get around in.
The Paris tourist office website offers a list of popular Parisian sights and attractions that are accessible.
In addition, the following Metro and bus lines are accessible to people with limited mobility or disabilities:
- Metro line 14, RER Line A
- Bus lines 20, 21, 24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 38, 39, 43, 53, 60, 62, 63, 80, 81, 88, 91, 92, 94, 95, 96.
Taxis are required by law to accept passengers with wheelchairs.
