Champagne & Brie Region
Getting There/Around
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Getting to The Brie & Champagne Region:
By Air:
The most convenient airports are without a doubt Paris international airports. Two airports take care of the enormous amount of traffic flying in and out of Paris: Paris-Charles de Gaulle, handling most international flights and Orly, taking care of most domestic routes. You can find major information about all Paris airports at: http://www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/
Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
Looking like something way out of the future or just out of George Orwell's mind, Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport ( CDG ) ( +33 1 486 2 2280 ) resides 14 miles northeast of Paris. Not only is the structure a bit imposing, but the mass of humanity trying to move from point to point in the airport can make for a frustrating and confusing experience. But most of the airports customer service representatives are quite friendly, speak English, and are more than willing to help you. Free ADP shuttle buses ( each color coded green or blue depending on terminal ) connect the three terminals, which are loaded with shops, restaurants and bars, play areas for the kids, ATMs, information booths and currency exchange centers. Parking is ample and a number of hotels are perched in the center of the airport grounds. Most international airlines descend into Paris-Charles de Gaulle at some point. Major carriers include:
Air Berlin ( +33 811 02 5102 / http://www.airberlin.com )
Air Canada ( +33 825 88 0881 / http://www.aircanada.com )
Air France ( +1 800 237 2747 / http://www.airfrance.com )
Air Malta ( +33 1 58 18 6407 / http://www.airmalta.com )
Air Transat ( +1 877 872 6728 / http://www.airtransat.com )
Alitalia ( +33 820 31 5315 ( France ) / http://www.alitalia.com )
All Nippon Airways ( +1 800 235 9262 / http://www.fly-ana.com )
American Airlines ( +1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com )
Blue1 ( +372 668 0140 / http://www.blue1.com )
Blue Air ( +40 21 208 8686 / http://www.blueair-web.com )
BMI Baby ( +33 890 71 0081( France ) / http://www.bmibaby.com )
British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297 / http://www.british-airways.com )
Cathay Pacific ( +1 800 233 2742 / http://www.cathaypacific.com )
Condor ( +1 800 364 1667 / http://www7.condor.com )
Continental Airlines ( +1 800 523 3273 / http://www.continental.com )
Corendon Airlines ( +31 23 751 0600 / http://www.corendon.com )
Delta ( +1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com )
Easy Jet ( +44 20 724 1 9000 / http://www.easyjet.com )
FlyBe ( +44 1392 26 8529 / http://www.flybe.com )
Germanwings ( +44 870 252 12 50 / http://www1.germanwings.com )
Iberworld Airlines ( http://www.iberworld.com )
JAL Japan Airlines ( +1 800 525 3663 / http://www.ar.jal.com/en )
Lot ( +1 212 789 0970 / http://www.lot.com )
KLM ( +33 0890 71 0710 / http://www.klm.com/travel/fr_en/ )
Korean Air ( +1 800 438 5000 / http://www.koreanair.com )
Lufthansa ( +33 826 10 3334 ( France ) / http://www.lufthansa.com )
Northwest Airlines ( +1 800 225 2525 / http://www.nwa.com )
Norwegian ( +47 21 49 0015 / http://www.norwegian.no )
Qantas ( +1 800 227 4500 / http://www.qantas.com )
Singapore Air ( +1 800 742 3333 / http://www.singaporeair.com )
Sterling.dk ( +33 1 55 69 5571 ( France ) / http://www.sterlingticket.com )
United Airlines ( +1 800 538 2929 / http://www.ual.com )
Vueling ( +33 800 90 5461 ( France ) / http://www.vueling.com )
Wizz Air ( +33 825 54 0001 / http://www.wizzair.com )
Zoom Airlines ( +33 800 21 3266 / http://www.flyzoom.com )
From Charles-de-Gaulle Airport to the City Center:
There are more than enough ways to get into the center of Paris, including a wealth of inexpensive options and those that require a hefty wallet.
By Car
Driving out of the airport can be taxing on the nerves, especially if you do not speak or read French, and once you manage to find your way, traffic rushing toward the center of town is nothing short of a nightmare. For those jetlagged travelers, driving is either a great adventure or a nail biting obstacle. The best bet to get into central Paris is to locate the A1 and head southwest. From there the motorway options are ripe with possibilities, but a good map will keep you from getting lost or run over.
Onsite car hire companies are:
Avis ( +1 800 230 4898 / http://www.avis.com )
Budget ( +1 800 527 0700 / http://www.budget.com )
Europcar ( +33 0825 82 5490 / http://www.europcar.com )
Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131 / http://www.hertz.com )
National ( +1 800 227 7368 / http://www.nationalcar.com )
Sixt ( +0820 00 7498 / http://www.e-sixt.com )
By Taxis
Taxis are one of the more expensive options ( EUR40-EUR60 depending on destination ) and trips can take up to an hour in traffic. There are only two official taxi companies in Paris: Taxis G7 ( +33 1 4739 4739 / http://www.taxisg7.fr ) and Taxis Bleus ( +33 891 70 1010 / http://www.taxis-bleus.com/ ). In addition ( like many other countries ), there are a number of non-regulated taxis. If you choose to use a non regulated taxi service, make sure you agree on a price before your departure as many drivers will try and take advantage of foreigners. From the airport to central Paris should be around EUR50. A supplement of about 15% applies to rates at night ( between the hours of 7p-7a ), on Sundays, and on public holidays. Ranks are located outside the terminal arrivals hall.
By Shuttle and Limousine
Door-to-door van service is available though Airport Shuttle ( +33 1 301 1 1300 / http://www.airportshuttle.fr ) and Paris Airports Service Fare ( +33 1 559 8 1080 / http://www.parisairportservice.com ). Must Limousine Service ( +33 145 62 3077 / http://www.mustlimousines.com ) and Agence VIP Car ( +33 145 00 1211 / http://www.agencevipcar.fr ) are among the luxury car and limo services.
By Bus and Train ( RER )
Getting into town via coach is a more frugal transportation alternative, fares usually range between EUR8-13 depending on your destination. Air France ( +33 1 415 6 8900 / http://cars.airfrance.fr ) operates two lines of bus service: Line 2 departs from the terminals to Porte Maillot and Étoile. Departures are every 15 minutes from 5:50a-11p. Line 4 connects the airport with Montparnasse and Gare de Lyon, leaving every 30 minutes from 7a-9p. RAPT ( +33 1 446 8 2020 / http://www.ratp.fr ), the local public transportation company, employs the Roissybus, which heads off from each terminal from 5:45a-11p every 15 to 20 minutes for a 45 minute direct jaunt to the Place de l'Opéra. The fare is EUR8.20. Public bus 350 jogs to Gare de l'Est train station and bus 351 connects Roissy with the Nation metro stop. These buses run daily but stop during the night.
If you are not dragging along a truck load of luggage the Regional Express Network ( RER ) B line train ( http://www.ratp.fr ) is the way to go. It leaves from the TVG Station in Terminal 2 ( via an ADP bus if coming from other terminals ) for Gare du Nord, Chatelet Les Halles, St. Michel, Denfert-Rochereau and beyond every 4-15 minutes from around 5am to midnight. Each stop links with the Paris Metro. It is also the quickest way to go to the city center.
Orly ( ORY ) Airport
Orly ( +33 1 497 5 1515 ) is the smaller of the two airports and at 9 miles due south is closer to the city center, but unfortunately most international airlines fly right over it to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Planes pull into one of the two terminals ( South, West ), and free shuttle buses join the terminals. Shops ranging from duty free to newsstands, restaurants, bars, currency exchanges, and ATMs are dispersed throughout both terminals. A business center is in the west terminal and a business lounge is in the south terminal. Airlines include:
Air Canada ( +33 825 88 0881 / http://www.aircanada.com )
Air France ( +1 800 237 2747 / http://www.airfrance.com )
American Airlines ( +1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com )
All Nippon Airways ( +1 800 235 9262 / http://www.fly-ana.com )
British Airways ( +1 800 247 9297 / http://www.british-airways.com )
Cathay Pacific ( +1 800 233 2742 / http://www.cathaypacific.com )
Continental Airlines ( +1 800 525 0280 / http://www.continental.com )
Delta ( +1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com )
JAL Japan Airlines ( +1 800 525 3663 / http://www.ar.jal.com/en )
Lot ( +1 800 223 0593 / http://www.lot.com )
KLM ( +1 800 447 4747 / http://www.klm.com )
Korean Air ( +1 800 438 5000 / http://www.koreanair.com )
Lufthansa ( +1 800 645 3880 / http://www.lufthansa.com )
Northwest Airlines ( +1 800 225 2525 / http://www.nwa.com )
Qantas ( +1 800 227 4500 / http://www.qantas.com )
Singapore Air ( +1 800 742 3333 / http://www.singaporeair.com )
United Airlines ( +1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com )
From Orly Airport to the City Center
By Car
If you are ready to take on the speedy roads of Paris wind out of the airport and hop on the A6 going north to hit the city center via Porte d'Orlé ( A6a ) or the Porte d'Italie ( A6b ). For more of a warm up to driving in Paris opt for the N7 to the Paris Porte d'Italie. Rental car companies are located in the arrivals hall and include:
Avis ( +1 800 230 4898 / http://www.avis.com )
Budget ( +1 800 527 0700 / http://www.budget.com )
Europcar ( +33 1 494 6 1570 / http://www.europcar.com )
Hertz ( +1 800 654 3131 / http://www.hertz.com )
National ( +1 800 227 7368 / http://www.nationalcar.com )
Sixt ( 0820 00 7498 / http://www.e-sixt.com ).
By Taxi
Taxis ranks are located outside the arrivals hall of each terminal. Although rather expensive ( EUR20-EUR60 ), especially if you are heading to the suburbs and at peak traffic hours a crawl into the city, it may be a good option if you are tugging along a houseful of luggage. Remember to negotiate a fare with you driver in advance if you are not using one of Paris' official taxi companies, Taxis G7 ( +33 1 473 9 4739 / http://www.taxisg7.fr ) or Taxis Bleus ( +33 891 70 1010 / http://www.taxis-bleus.com ).
By Shuttle
Airport Shuttle ( +33 1 301 1 1300 / http://www.airportshuttle.fr ) and Paris Airports Service ( +33 1 559 8 1080 / http://www.parisairportservice.com ) offers door to door service to and from the airport. Limo services include Must Limousine Service ( +33 1 456 2 3077 / http://www.mustlimousines.com ) and Agence VIP Car ( +33 1 450 0 1211 / http://www.agencevipcar.fr ).
By Bus and Train ( Orlyval & RER )
Air France ( +33 1 415 6 8900 / http://cars.airfrance.fr ) has coach service between Orly and Invalides every 15 minutes from 6am to 11pm for EUR7.50. Jetbus darts between Orly and Villejuif-Louis Aragon Metro station, which links with Line 7. RAPT's ( +33 1 446 8 2020 / http://www.ratp.fr ) Orlybus will cart you from either terminal to the Denfert-Rochereau metro station, and efficient and popular option among travelers. Bus 180 departs from the south terminal and terminates at the Porte de Choisy metro station with stops at various RER stations in between. Train service has two options: Catch a free shuttle bus from either terminal to the Pont de Rungis, Orly Station and hop the RER C line train, which leaves for Paris every 15 minutes. The other route is via the Orlyval monorail, which leaves each terminal's arrivals area every seven minutes, for the Antony station where the RER B line heads into Paris.
Paris to Seine-et-Marne
To Melun:
By train - SNCF ( Paris Gare de l'Est ): Melun or RER D line
By car – From Paris take Quai de Bercy south to Autoroute de l'Est. Take the exit for A5/Troyes/Nancy/Melun/Sénart/Evry/Emerainville. Merge onto the N104 ( following signs for A5b/Lyon/Troyes/Provins/Melun/Moissy-Cramayel/Cesson/Vert-Saint-Denis ). At Square Beauregard, take the 3rd exit onto N105/Route Nationale, then the exit toward Avenue de Meaux/D415.
To Fontainebleau:
By train - Train SNCF ( Paris Gare de Lyon ): Fontainebleau
By car - Take Quai de Bercy to Boulevard Périphérique, then merge onto the L'Autoroute du Soleil via the A6b/Nantes/Bordeaux/Rungis/Evry/Lyon exit. Take the exit on the left onto A6 toward Evry/Lyon/Chilly-Mazarin. Take the exit onto N37 toward N7/Fontainebleau, then continue on N7/Route Nationale to Boulevard André Maginot/D417. Turn left at D210/Rue Denecourt into Fontainebleau.
To Marne-la-Vallée/Disneyland:
By train - RER A: Marne-La-Vallée/Chessy
By Car - Take Quai de Bercy to L'Autoroute de l'Est. Exit 10-Champs-sur-Marne-Noisy-Richardets toward Chelles. [At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit to Boulevard du Ru de Nesles/N370 towards Chelles/Champs-sur-Marne/Emerainville/Le Plessis-Trévise. Right at Boulevard de Nesles/D75. At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit to Boulevard du Bois de Grâce/D104, then at the next traffic circle take the 2nd exit onto Rue Auguste Vallaud...]
To Provins:
By train:
Train SNCF ( Paris Gare de l'Est ): Provins
By car:
Take Quai de Bercy to L'Autoroute de l'Est. Take the exit toward A5/Troyes/Nancy/Melun/Sénart/Evry/Emerainville and merge onto the N104. Exit 17 toward Nancy/Ozoir-la-Ferrière to the N4 ( Route Nationale ). Merge onto the D231 via the D231/D209 exit toward Provins/Pécy/Jouy-le-Châtel/Coulommiers/Bray-sur-Seine. At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto N19/Route Nationale. Continue to follow N19. Turn left at D74a/Route de Sourdun, and continue on Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny to Rue Edmond Nocard into Provins.
Paris to Champagne
To Épernay:
By train:
Épernay: "Train SNCF ( Paris Gare de l'Est ): Épernay
By car:
Take Quai de Bercy to L'Autoroute de l'Est/A4 ( partial toll road ) for about 110 km. Take exit 21-Dormans toward Epernay/Fismes/Dormans. Turn left at D980 then right on D23e. At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto D1. Turn right at D601 onto N3. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Avenue Jean Jaurès/D951, follow D951 to the D40. Left at Rue du Colonel Tiffoinet on to Épernay.
To Reims:
By Train:
Train SNCF ( Paris Gare de l'Est ): Reims
By car:
Take Quai de Bercy to L'Autoroute de l'Est/A4 ( partial toll road ) about 140 km to exit 23-Reims-Centre toward Reims-Centre. Take Boulevard Louis Roederer to Boulevard du Général Leclerc, on to Boulevard Foch for the town center.
