Off-Beat Ways to Get Around Paris

Yes, Paris has an ocean of taxis, one of the best subway systems in the world, six railway stations and no shortage of buses. But, the City of Lights also boasts a number of off-beat ways to navigate the city. Up hills, via Segway, and along the river, make sure that you try some of these modes of transportation for a memorable experience:

Montmartre Funicular
The Montmartre Funicular is a miniature railway that whisks visitors from the base of the Montmartre butte to the summit, near Sacre Coeur Basilica. Not only does this transport save walking the more 300 steps up the hill, but it offers one of the best views in the city. The train, first established in 1900 and most recently refurbished in 1991, makes the 118-foot climb in just 1.5 minutes. Since it is run by the same company that operates the Paris Metro system, you can use Metro tickets and passes to ride this train.

Segway Tours
Sure, Paris is an ideal city for walking, but just think of how much more you can see by traveling on a Segway, those unique two-wheeled passenger transports. City Segway Tours of Paris offers four-hour day and night Segway tours that go past the Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Gardens, Orsay Museum, Louvre and Les Invalides. Tours meet at the Eiffel Tower and each tour begins with a 30-minute orientation so you are comfortable operating the Segway. Segway Tours are suited for those 12 years of age and older and under 260 pounds.

City Segway Tours
24 Rue Edgar Faure in Paris
866 614-6218 in North America

Seine River Cruises
The Seine River cuts through the heart of Paris, past the city's 37 bridges, the tony Ile St. Louis, the scaled down replica of the Statue of Liberty and the Ile de la Cite, where the city began and home to Notre Dame Cathedral. Taking a cruise down the Seine offers a different perspective from walking along the sidewalks, and numerous companies offer day and night cruises.

One of the best of these companies is Bateaux Mouches. This company, in business for more than 60 years, operates a fleet of 14 flat-bottom boats. Each has an enclosed (heated and air-conditioned) lower deck and an open-air top deck. Cruises last around one hour and 10 minutes and depart from the Pont d'Alma on the right bank of the Seine. Lunch and dinner cruises are also offered.

Bateaux Mouches
Pont d'Alma, Rive Droite in Paris
011 33 01 4225 96 10

Other Travel Articles by Sandy Mitchell
Keeping it Weird in Austin
A Day-Trip to Toledo, Spain
Beyond the Tourist Path in Paris

Sources:
Europe for Visitors: Montmartre Funicular