How do you get from Charles de Gaulle to central Paris?

Charles de Gaulle airport is connected to central Paris by the RER B train, the Roissybus, coaches and road transport, and all run from the terminal buildings. The choice is a trade between journey time, luggage and fare, not between reaching the city and not reaching it.

How do you get from Orly to central Paris?

Orly is connected to central Paris by the Orlyval automated shuttle onto RER B, the Orlybus, tramway T7 and road transport. Orly sits closer to the centre than Charles de Gaulle, so journey times are generally shorter.

What is a Navigo pass and how does it work?

Navigo is the rechargeable travel card for the Île-de-France public transport network, covering metro, RER, bus and tramway. It can be loaded with a weekly or monthly unlimited pass or, for visitors, a set number of single journeys.

What is the difference between the Paris Métro and the RER?

The Métro is a dense urban network with closely spaced stations inside Paris, while the RER is a regional express network that also serves the suburbs and both airports. Both are shown on the same transport map and both accept the same Navigo pass within its zones.

How do Paris and Île-de-France fare zones work?

Île-de-France is divided into numbered fare zones spreading out from Paris, and which zones a journey crosses can affect the ticket or pass needed. Zone 1 covers central Paris, and higher numbers extend toward the suburbs and both airports.

Single tickets or a carnet in Paris: what is the difference?

A single ticket (t+) covers one journey with permitted transfers between Métro, bus and tramway, while a carnet is simply a bundle of several single tickets bought together. Both are being phased into a dematerialised Navigo Easy card rather than paper.

Can you get around central Paris without the Métro?

Central Paris is compact enough that many journeys within a few arrondissements are realistic on foot or by bike, alongside bus and tramway routes that cover the same ground. The city operates a shared bike scheme and marked cycle lanes as part of its public transport offer.

What is the weather like in Paris through the year?

Paris has a temperate climate with cool winters, warm summers and rainfall spread across the year without a sharply dry season. Météo-France publishes thirty-year climate normals that describe the typical pattern for each month rather than any single day.

How do you transfer between Charles de Gaulle and Orly?

There is no single direct rail line between the two Paris airports, so a transfer normally means a change of train in the city or a direct coach or taxi. The two airports handle different route networks, so some connecting itineraries route passengers between them.

Can you pay for Paris transport with a foreign bank card?

Contactless bank card payment is accepted directly at the gates on parts of the Île-de-France network, alongside buying tickets or topping up a Navigo Easy card with a foreign card at machines. Coverage of direct contactless validation has been extended but is not yet uniform across every line.

SAS or SARL in France: what is the difference?

SAS and SARL are the two most common private company forms in France, and both give shareholders limited liability. SAS offers more freedom to set governance rules in its articles, while SARL follows a more standardised structure set out in the commercial code.

What are the SIREN and SIRET numbers for a French company?

SIREN is a nine-digit number identifying a legal entity in France, issued by INSEE when the entity is registered. SIRET extends that number by five digits identifying each physical establishment of the same entity, so one SIREN can have several SIRET numbers.

When does a business register for VAT in France?

A business established in France generally registers for VAT (TVA) when it starts taxable activity, and small businesses under the micro-entrepreneur turnover limits may benefit from a VAT exemption scheme instead. A foreign business with taxable activity in France can also need to register, regardless of turnover, depending on the type of supply.

How does corporate tax work for a French company?

A French company subject to corporate tax (impôt sur les sociétés) pays it on its taxable profit for each accounting period, with a rate set by the tax administration and a reduced rate available to some smaller companies. The company files an annual tax return and pays instalments during the year.

What does registering as an employer in France involve?

A business hiring its first employee in France registers with URSSAF, the body that collects social security contributions, and this registration is usually generated automatically from the company's own registration. Once registered, the employer declares and pays social contributions through the unified payroll declaration system.

What is micro-entrepreneur status in France?

Micro-entrepreneur is a simplified regime for individual businesses in France, with simplified registration, simplified accounting and social contributions calculated as a percentage of turnover rather than on a fixed schedule. It is available up to turnover limits set and updated by the authorities.

Do you need a French bank account to set up a company?

A dedicated business bank account is required to deposit share capital when forming most French company types, and the bank issues a certificate confirming the deposit before registration can be completed. Sole trader and micro-entrepreneur activity has a lighter requirement, generally needing only a separate account once turnover passes a set level.

EURL or SASU for a single founder in France: what is the difference?

EURL is the single-member version of a SARL, and SASU is the single-member version of an SAS, and both let one person hold all the shares with limited liability. The main practical differences are in social status of the founder, governance flexibility and how profits can be paid out.

What social contributions does a French employer pay?

French employers pay social contributions on gross salary covering health insurance, pensions, unemployment insurance, family benefits and other schemes, alongside contributions withheld from the employee's pay. Rates are set by law and published by URSSAF, and they can vary with company size and salary level.

Branch or subsidiary in France: what is the difference for a foreign company?

A branch (succursale) is an extension of the foreign parent company with no separate legal personality, while a subsidiary (filiale) is a new French legal entity, typically an SAS or SARL, owned by the foreign parent. The subsidiary carries its own liability separate from the parent, while the branch does not.

What are the Schengen entry rules for a trip to France?

France is part of the Schengen area, so entry conditions depend on nationality, purpose of travel and the ninety-day-in-any-180-day rule that applies to short stays without a visa or with a short-stay Schengen visa. Passport validity, proof of means and travel purpose are checked at the external border.

What is a long-stay visa for France?

A long-stay visa (visa de long séjour) allows a stay in France beyond ninety days, for purposes such as work, study, family reunification or retirement, and is applied for before travel. Certain long-stay visas function as a residence permit for their first year, removing the need for a separate permit application immediately on arrival.

Does a foreign worker need a work permit for France?

Most non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals need authorisation to work in France, usually combined with the relevant long-stay visa or residence permit rather than issued as a separate standalone document. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a work permit to work in France.

How is a French residence permit renewed?

A residence permit (titre de séjour) must be renewed before it expires, and the application is generally made online through the government's dedicated renewal platform. Renewal requires evidence that the conditions for the permit category, such as employment, study or family ties, still apply.

What are the customs allowances for entering France?

Travellers entering France from outside the European Union are subject to customs allowances on goods such as alcohol, tobacco and cash, with different limits for travel by air compared with other means. Amounts above the allowances must be declared, and cash above a set threshold must be declared regardless of the goods allowance.

How does family reunification work for a resident of France?

Family reunification (regroupement familial) allows a foreign national legally resident in France to bring a spouse and minor children to join them, under conditions on length of residence, income and housing. The procedure is separate from family visas for people joining an EU or French citizen, which follow different rules.

What is the talent passport (passeport talent) scheme?

The talent passport is a multi-year residence permit category for certain skilled profiles, including qualified employees, researchers, company founders and investors, among others. It combines residence and work authorisation into a single permit, generally valid for up to four years, renewable if conditions continue to be met.

What visa and residence rules apply to international students in France?

Non-EU students generally need a long-stay student visa before travel, which for many nationalities also functions as a residence permit for the first year once validated online after arrival. Continuation of study beyond the first year usually requires a residence permit renewal tied to enrolment.

What are the rules for bringing a pet into France?

Pets travelling into France from outside the EU must generally meet identification, vaccination and, for some countries, health certificate or quarantine-related conditions before entry, in line with EU pet travel rules. Requirements differ depending on whether the animal travels from an EU country, a listed third country or a non-listed country.

What is the difference between a carte de séjour and a visa?

A visa is the authorisation to travel to and enter France, issued before departure, while a carte de séjour is the residence permit that authorises ongoing stay once in France, generally issued or renewed by the local prefecture. Some long-stay visas act as a residence permit for their first year, which can make the distinction less visible in practice.

How do rental deposits work when renting in Paris?

A rental deposit (dépôt de garantie) is paid when signing an unfurnished or furnished lease and is held by the landlord as security against unpaid rent or damage found at move-out. The maximum amount and the return deadline are set by law and differ for unfurnished and furnished lets.

What lease types and notice periods apply to renting in Paris?

French residential leases mainly come as unfurnished (bail vide), typically for three years, and furnished (bail meublé), typically for one year, each with its own minimum notice period for the tenant to leave. A landlord's ability to end the lease is far more restricted than a tenant's and only applies at renewal for specific legal reasons.

What documents are needed to rent housing in Paris?

A landlord can request a defined list of documents to assess a rental application, such as identity, proof of income and proof of current address, but the list of what can lawfully be requested is limited by regulation. Documents that are not on the permitted list, such as a bank statement showing account balances, cannot lawfully be required.

What is the carte Vitale and how does French health insurance work?

The carte Vitale is the physical card linked to a person's registration with French health insurance (assurance maladie), used to identify the holder and speed up reimbursement of medical costs. Registration with the health insurance system is generally required before a carte Vitale can be issued.

How does seeing a doctor and getting reimbursed work in Paris?

Patients registered with French health insurance generally see a designated primary doctor (médecin traitant) first for routine care, which affects the level of reimbursement received for a consultation. Reimbursement rates depend on the type of professional seen, whether the pathway through the médecin traitant was followed, and any complementary insurance held.

How does school enrolment work in Paris?

Enrolment in a public primary or nursery school in Paris is generally organised through the local town hall (mairie) of the family's arrondissement, based on the child's home address and the corresponding catchment school. Enrolment for secondary school (collège) follows a similar principle of geographic assignment, managed with the relevant education authority.

What are the waste and recycling rules in Paris?

Paris households sort waste into separate streams, generally including recyclables, glass, food or organic waste and general waste, each with its own bin colour and collection schedule set by the city. Collection days and points vary by street and building, so residents check the schedule that applies to their address.

What is the ZFE low emission zone and the Crit'Air sticker in Paris?

The ZFE (zone à faibles émissions) restricts circulation of certain vehicles within a defined area of Paris and its inner suburbs, based on the vehicle's Crit'Air sticker category. The Crit'Air sticker classifies vehicles by emissions level, using the registration document, and must be displayed to be identified during checks.

What are the noise and neighbour rules in Paris?

French law distinguishes ordinary daytime noise from nighttime noise disturbance (tapage nocturne) and from repeated noise disturbance that can occur at any hour if it exceeds normal thresholds and disturbs neighbours. Local rules can set specific quiet hours or conditions for activities such as building work, in addition to the general legal framework.

How do you register utilities and update your address in Paris?

Moving into housing in Paris generally requires opening an electricity and, where applicable, gas supply contract directly with a chosen supplier, since housing is not automatically connected in a new occupant's name. A change of address also needs to be reported separately to relevant administrations and organisations, since no single update automatically covers every account.

Paris questions, answered from official sources

Forty questions about visiting, working and doing business in Paris. Each page gives the short answer first, then how it works in practice, then what it is most often confused with, and links the official source so you can check the current rule yourself.

Travel and visit

CDG and Orly access, Navigo, Metro and RER zones and weather.

Business and finance

SAS and SARL, registration, SIREN, VAT and employer duties.

Legal, visa and entry

Schengen entry, long stay visas, work permits and customs.

Big city topics

Renting, carte Vitale, schools, waste rules and the low emission zone.

These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.

Knowledge, Paris

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