Metro Confusion

Hello this is the official site for rapid transit Paris
https://www.ratp.fr/en

If you get on M4 at Cite it will stop at Denfert Rochereau
The RER B has a stop there that is separate from the Metro that goes to the RER B stop

You can use the M4 from Denfert Rochereau to go to St Michel metro stop. It is on the same line
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_M%C3%A9tro_Line_4#/media/File:Plan_m%C3%A9tro_4_Paris.svg

You really should not use Google for mass transit directions. Given the alternatives you offer, it's not you, it's Google.

Thanks all!

If you do use google do not use it when it is late at night in Paris. Use it when Paris time is during the day. I find that when I google directions the time difference makes a big difference because the metro is shut down and google then puts you on the buses as it has no choice because the metro is not running. It is only effective when the metro is running and google maps can provide information to you correctly. Google is using Paris time not your time. I hope I am making myself clear. You need to use google and check the Paris time to make sure Paris metro is up and running.

The same is true about timing with the metro site Ratp.fr. If you try to plan now (9 pm central) in the US it will just give you night buses; you need to adjust the time to be daytime in Paris.

Never use google for public transport in Europe; it is okay for walking directions but hopelessly bad for public transport. use citymapper or ratp.fr. Or just look at the metro map -- here is one I use often:
http://metromap.fr/en
I like it because the cursor magnifies the area you are looking at.

Actually, the RATP site has been updated for the time situation. It used to be that it defaulted to the time in Paris when you were checking so if I checked at 1 AM in New York City, the default would be 7 AM in Paris. It now defaults to the time where you are but in Paris. What I mean is that if I use it right now when am in New York and the time is 10:35 PM on July 30th, the date and time at the site will default to July 31st at 10:35 PM in Paris.

interesting -- thanks for the update

There is an official RATP metro app for smartphones that works pretty well for metro planning - certainly better than Google maps does.

My only complaint about the app are that it tries to route you onto RER trains sometimes in addition to the metro as if it's the same. So double check with another source because there is a better solution because only one time to take RER inside Paris - RER C to
Musée d'Orsay if you want to get right there.
Also the app will pop up ads sometimes which I think is lame for an official app.

=Tod

CityMapper is much the best app for Paris public transportation.

Yes, you can take the 4 metro or RER B, but the 38 bus is a quick straight shot between the two places, too.

It used to be that it defaulted to the time in Paris when you were checking so if I checked at 1 AM in New York City, the default would be 7 AM in Paris.

The information provided by the RATP, either on its website or app, is real time and it is the same information displayed at stations. Information available at 07h00 in Paris is exactly what is shown on the RATP web/app no matter where you are and no matter your local time reference.

Googlemaps are fine for walking, terrible (inaccurate) for public transportation information.

I agree with Kim that Citymapper offers the very best app available for public transportation information in Paris.

I am in USA and planning a trip to Paris in September. When I have been looking into certain planned day trips on Citymapper App such as to Versailles Palace and Fountainbleau from Le Marais location and adjusting for a future day and time of day, I get the route and time options, but for some reason it recites my early morning trips of approximately 60-70 minute durations will put me on RER trains in the mid afternoon. Anyone know why because there are clearl morning RER trains to my destinations.

mosesrus, I am guessing because it is taking what you enter as your local time.

The internet is time-zone-free. What gets sent across the internet is in most cases GMT, converted at each end.
That is why your post is showing on my browser as "07/31/19 03:14 PM", that is Swiss time.
And if I send you an e-mail, it shows on my PC as being sent at "15:20" (the time now), but shows on your PC as being sent at the equivalent in your time zone.

I like the RATP site. I know it as "Next Stop Paris". Download the app at home. If you have data, it gives real time information on the best connections. If not, you can use it when you have WiFi. The directions will work but they may not be the most updated option.