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Paris Metro System Now Touting "Paris Visite" Pass During Your Ride

I know that most folks around here (and, I believe, the Rick Steves staff) have long assessed that the Paris Visite pass (the one that includes transport) is not a good deal for travelers (as opposed to the Paris Museum Pass, which can be a huge time saver and a decent money saver as well).

Well, more visitors to Paris are likely to become susceptible to it now, as the RATP has started including an ad for the Paris Visite Pass in its recorded messages that it plays while you're riding the Métro!

Considering that many tourists don't do research of any kind before coming (and thus don't take the time to find out that the Paris Visite Pass isn't actually a very good deal), I'm wondering how many will now be lured to purchase it after hearing all about this wonderful money-saving measure on one of their first metro rides upon their arrival in the city.

I don't know if the recording is being played on all train lines, but it's certainly a feature on the line 1.

Posted by
21150 posts

Well, since the RATP runs the system, is it any surprise that they push their own products? I am shocked, SHOCKED, that there is rampant commercialism going on here. Round up the usual suspects!

Posted by
10194 posts

hee hee, you're absolutely right of course Sam. I know it's perfectly logical -- but for some reason it makes me feel bad for the poor unsuspecting folk who will think they've really found a good deal. And it's just interesting to me -- you know how incomprehensible most public transportation address system announcements are? Well these ring out loud and clear.

Posted by
33823 posts

Are they in French, Kim, aimed at the domestic market, or are they in English or other languages, aimed at tourists?

Posted by
10194 posts

English -- that's why it's so striking to me.

Well I guess they're in other languages too, but I was just so shocked a week or two ago when I heard this clear English announcement ringing out about the Paris Visite Pass.

I'll have to pay more attention the next few days and see what other languages they're relaying them in. Typically the "watch out for pickpockets" announcement is in French, English, Italian, German, and (I think) Japanese. Hmmm. Now I have to listen to those again too. Have been listening to them at least twice a day during weekdays for almost the last 10 years, you'd think I'd be sure!!! : )

Posted by
8967 posts

Well, ..... there are times when I am willing to pay more than the absolute minimum, for the sake of convenience.

Posted by
10194 posts

Yes, that's right, too. There is value in denominations other than money!

Posted by
16538 posts

Convenience can definitely be worth the extra $$ but carnets are so easy to buy plus can be shared so you don't have purchase one for each person in the group. They're not as big a deal (depending on the amount of days/zones on the pass) if lost or stolen, either. We barely got through one booklet during a entire week.

Posted by
5457 posts

Paris Visite never seemed to be repriced after first class was eliminated from the metro.

Posted by
8889 posts

Marco, you're going back a bit. I looked it up, first class was abolished on the métro in 1991. Back then, the "Paris Visite" card would have been priced in French francs!