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Driving & Drivers, Paris
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'Top gear' in France - Paris
'Top gear' in France
by sourbugger
Paris Warnings or Dangers: Driving & Drivers tips posted by real travelers and Paris locals.
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Driving & Drivers: Sabot de Denver
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  • Updated By JLBG on March 14, 2005
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  • Driving & Drivers - Paris
    by JLBG
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    Of course, you CAN drive in Paris. Contrary to what is often said, driving is not a problem, drivers are not a problem. The traffic is not more difficult to handle than in any other city, drivers are neither nicest nor worst than anywhere else, but, however, I strongly advise you to avoid driving in Paris. A car will be more a burden than any help as the public transport system is very efficient while parking is always a challenge. Parking your car is always a big problem. As you won't find any place to park, you might be tempted to park at a forbidden spot. Then, you might find your car tied up in a nice (!) "sabot de Denver" (colloquial name in France for a wheel clamp or Denver boot) fitted on the front wheel of your car ! I do not know exactly how much is the fine to remove it but it is heavy !

    A special thank to Jeff (VT Seabiscuit) who wrote the following note on the history of the wheel clamp.
    The Denver Boot was invented in 1953 by a gentleman by the name of Frank Marugg. Besides being an inventor, he was a musician with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, and a pattern maker. He was a friend to many politicians and police department officials in Denver.
    The Denver Sheriff's Department came to him to ask for help with their parking enforcement problem. Frank and the Sheriff decided to build a device to immobilize vehicles whose owners didn’t pay their outstanding parking tickets. He invented and patented the Denver Boot.
    Frank was quite a guy, he could build almost anything, he even made his own violin, which he played for the Denver Symphony. The Denver Boot was only one of his brilliant inventions. (Ed. Note: And one of his worst).
    Jeff-

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    Driving & Drivers: Crazy French drivers
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  • Updated By Helga67 on January 31, 2004
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  • Place Charles de Gaulle - Paris
    Place Charles de Gaulle
    by Helga67
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    Never presume that crossing the street at a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights is safe. Parisians do not stop for pedestrians using these. Those on foot must give way to cars even when the light is green.
    French drivers can be very rude, drive too fast and don't pay attention to pedestrians.

    Thank God, there is an underground passageway to Arc de Triomphe ;-)

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    Driving & Drivers: Beware the Parisien Drivers
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  • By easyoar on November 20, 2004
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  • The Parisiens drive like lunatics. I have been close to being run over on several occasions in Paris (not all of them my fault, although I probably deserved to be when I ran across the roundabout at the Arc de Triomphe, but that's another story...)

    I swear that the average Parisien driver would rather hit a pedestrian than to lose the top surface off of his (or her!) brake pads, by having to brake at all.

    Be very careful crossing roads, and be aware that the Parisiens drive very fast (Princess Diana was of course a famous casualty of the roads in Paris).

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    Driving & Drivers: Danger makes no distinction btwn the classes!
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  • Updated By morgane1692 on June 14, 2003
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  • Remember 31Aug97 - Paris
    Remember 31Aug97
    by morgane1692
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    As in most major cities, the traffic in Paris takes on a life of its own. When you're a pedestrian, you'd best try to cross the streets at officially marked paths. Mind the gap. Look right. Look left. Several times. And thank your stars when you realize you've made it to the other side of the boulevard in one piece. Then again, when you're a passenger in a car, you must also hope for the best. Aboveground and in those tunnels. Best of luck to you!

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    Driving & Drivers: No Second Chance In Paris Virtual Reality Driving
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  • Updated By Confucius on May 22, 2006
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  • "Insert another token for new
    game"
    by Confucius, 1 more photos
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    I think they should create a video game in which you rent a scooter and try to get around Paris while dodging bad drivers, tourists standing in the middle of the street taking photos of Arc de Triomphe, and the occasional French poodle that snaps off of its leash and chases Vespas.

    2006 update: The Arch of Triumph is still a fun place to just hang out and marvel at the amazing traffic whirlpool that has made Paris notorious for mishaps. I actually thought about renting a car just to drive in circles around the Arch. On my second trip I witnessed another traffic accident just west of the China embassy involving a local taxi and an old man from the suburb of Meudon. How do I know he is from Meudon? He gave me his address and asked me to send him the photo I took with my digital camera! (See second photo.)

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  • Phone: Dial "15" for emergencies

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    Driving & Drivers: Avoid the worst roundabout in the world
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  • Updated By sourbugger on April 4, 2006
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  • I though you said fourth left...oh sh... - Paris
    I though you said fourth
    left...oh sh...
    by sourbugger
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    Thirteen major avenues lead into the Arc d'triomphe. Properly speaking it is a traffic circle rather than a roundabout. Either way it is something that only the French mind could have planned - and it is only the French who could make it work.

    Even on quite small roundabouts these days in the UK, the local council ensures that it is festooned with white lines, traffic lights and directional signs. They will also probably add a bloody silly lamp or sculpture to it and a crummy little sign informing you it is cared for by the local firm of solicitors - oh yeah, like they come out and weed it during their lunchbreak in their suits.

    But not in Paris : Around the Arc de Triomphe you will find no white lines, apart from the ones that most of the drivers must have sucked up through their noses before attempting to navigate the place.

    Avoid at all costs, but if you end up here by accident (and you probably will) then :

    1. Keep an even speed
    2. Don't other indicating - no one will notice, or care
    3. Never make eye contact with other drivers
    4. Feel free to cut across several cars when you find your exit
    5. Beware of local schoolchildren playing 'chicken'
    6. Try to forget the excess charges on your hire car.
    7. Learn a few choice words of French to use to advise other road users
    8. Never leave a space - anywhere
    9. Remember it's worse in the rain
    10. Learn to pray - And may your God go with you.

    Bill Bryson explained it this way :

    "Ch. 4, p. 47-8 - I know Baron Haussmann made Paris a grand place to look at, but the man had no concept of traffic flow. At the Arc de Triomphe alone thirteen roads come together. Can you imagine that? I mean to say, here you have a city with the world's most pathologically aggressive drivers - drivers who in other circumstances would be given injections of thorazine from syringes the size of bicycle pumps and confined to their beds with leather straps - and you give them an open space where they can all try to go in any of thirteen directions at once. Is that asking for trouble or what?"

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    Driving & Drivers: DANGER : unmastered Segways on the loose
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  • Updated By mariev on December 25, 2005
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  • They look funny... when they don't hit you - Paris
    They look funny... when they
    don't hit you
    by mariev
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    In the Champ de Mars neighbourhood, the Segways (those strange looking electric push bike type thingies) have become a locals' nightmare.

    Since a couple of years - an american based - company proposes guided tours (in english only) by Segways (for those unable to walk more than 500 meters ?)
    Good intention, sure !

    But...
    Those tours are organized ON THE SIDEWALKS : just imagine rather large groups (20-25 units) of electric -motorized push bikes, handled by unexperimented - wearing audio guide on their ears - wanabee pilots on the loose.

    While the proposed itineraries are limited to loops around the Champ de Mars (relatively flat and broad), the company operating them claims to have not more than 3 accidents a week - this may sound few to visitors, but for those living in the area that's 3 accidents a week (generally involving old people, small kids or dogs).

    Petitions have been sent to the townhouse to have those tours forbidden (in Nice the locals have succeded in it) but - in Paris - the Segways have been declared disabled peoples' vehicles and thus are nearly impossible to eliminate (and with 70 Euros/person minimum for a 2 hours tour, the operator choses to pay the fines).

    The fact that the company (formerly known as Fat Tire Bike Tours - they had to close once but reappeared under an other name) doesn't offer tours in French (English only) and doesn't rent locally doesn't make for a better ambiance.

    So, if you intend to have one of those tours (i have nothing against their bike - on the streets- or walking tours) PLEASE ,think about us, the locals, and take care (and wear your helmet, it may look dumb on the photos, but please - again - we are fed up with callling the 112).

    Paris Segway Tours
    24, rue Edgar Faure
    75015 Paris

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  • Phone: 01-56-58-10-54 (english only)
  • Website: http://www.citysegwaytours.com/paris/segway-tour/
  • Other Contact: Paris@CitySegwayTours.com

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    Driving & Drivers: Don't follow his example....
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  • Updated By sourbugger on April 4, 2006
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  • The Black Prince - Paris
    The Black Prince
    by sourbugger
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    Amongst biking circles the feats of the now deceased (unsurprisingly) 'Black Prince' have passed into urban folklaw. He achieved infamy mainly through his illegal racing on the Paris peripherique, the city's 35 km ring-road. Averaging 190+ kph on his Kawasaki ZXR750 with a camera strapped to the tank. You would think he would do this at first light, but no, this 11-minute (and that is the full circuit) video was taken during the height of the morning rush-hour. I have yet to see it, but I'm told it makes experienced bikers whince with the pain of what could have been.

    Watch out for any nutters trying to better his record.

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    Driving & Drivers: If you choose to drive in Paris...
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  • Updated By Norali on October 10, 2004
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  • As for me, I chose to walk - Paris
    As for me, I chose to walk
    by Norali
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    Be aware that Parisian drivers are crazy... bla bla bla... OK, I am not here to tell that. I've seen worse. lol

    My concern is about pedestrians crossing everywhere, even when lights are red. I don't compare with a country like Madagascar where noone respects traffic lights (only 5-10% of drivers would). I rather compare with neighbouring Belgium. Drivers who are used to more disciplined pedestrians should be aware about local practices in Paris.

    Parisians just cross the streets when they don't see any car coming whatever the lights are: be they red, orange or green. Of course, if one drives fast and passes the green lights without seeing the faultive pedestrians, that wouldn't be pleasant.

    Wouldn't it better to have a stay without an accident in Paris? I would have suggested to drive slowly but if you do that, people would hoot at you. They are nervous too. It's a big city, really hectic... My solution is to use the very efficient public transportation and respect the lights. :)

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    Driving & Drivers: Crossing the road is a risky...
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  • Updated By worldkiwi on March 6, 2003
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  • Crossing the road is a risky proposition in Paris. The best way (but by no means the safest) is at a crossing controlled by traffic lights. Be careful when accepting the green man's invitation however, as not every driver in Paris heeds a red light.
    Pedestrian (zebra) crossings are a trap for the uninitiated! Parisians do not stop for pedestrians using these. Those on foot must give way to cars.
    J-walking is just plain hair-raising, though by no means impossible. Don't attempt it on the Champs Elysee though!

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