Note culturelle: se déplacer à Paris

Paris is a model of urban mobility. The city’s Métro network, one of the world’s oldest, offers over 300 stations, one is almost always within a very short walk. Linked to the Métro are busses, trams, and RER suburban trains, putting all the city and outskirts within reach.

As Paris is one of the densest cities in Europe, walking is a very common way of getting around.

Recently, under the watch of the first female mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, the city has made a dramatic investment in cycling infrastructure. Many were skeptical, saying “Paris n’est pas Amsterdam”, but the changes have been a great success. Cycling trips have increased exponentially, air quality is better, and there is more green space.

Today, one of the most auto congested intersections, La Place de la République, has become a pedestrianized area where one can have a picnic and not be drowned out by the din of traffic.