Passe Navigo Photo/Metro Stop Question

If you're arriving at either of the Paris airports, you can get your Navigo Decouverte pass at the RER station there. If you're arriving by train, get your pass at that station. As for photos-:why get them there? Bring them with you. If you don't have extra passport photos, just scan your DL or Passport photo, size according to the website dimensions, print them ( any paper will do,) and voila. Keep them tucked safely away jn your moneybelt hntil you need them.

Most of the métro stations have photo machines, 5€ for the required photo, and staffed counters to assist with the purchase of a Navigo Découverte. The only timing question applicable to your situation is when you arrive in Paris. NDs may be loaded up to Thursday for use during the current week. Any card loaded with a weekly fare on Friday through Sunday will not be available for use until the following Monday.

Typically, any ¨not-too-pricey¨ restaurant will not need any specific recommendation (there are alot) unless you can clarify what that means in euros.

I don't recall there being a whole lot of amenities at the Pont Marie metro station, but perhaps someone else can chime in on that?

As for a not-too-pricey--for Paris--restaurant recommendation, it's not on Ile St Louis or near the Eiffel Tower, but if you find yourself on Montmartre, Le Cabanon de la Butte is a pretty authentic and reasonably priced place that has excellent food and really low-key local vibe (despite being steps away from Sacre Coeur).

Thanks CJean. I read several claims about the photos (no photocopies) and also wondered about the paper quality that I figured it'd just be best to get 'em in Paree. And thanks, Tocard. By "timing", I meant the availability of an agent to issue the pass. I have clarified my OP.

There are a lot of good restaurants on rue st. Dominique, which is a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. Les Cocottes and Cafe Constant are good, moderate places. No reservations, and they are popular so there may be a wait at peak dinner times. There are other restos there also, and some are more pricey -- all have their menus posted outside. Cafe du Mars is a good, down to earth place, 11 rue Augereau, a block from rue st. Dominique .

We just cropped a headshot out of a snapshot for our first NDs and for our new ones we printed cropped head shots on our computer. No special paper is required and photo copies will work fine if they are pretty good quality. No one looks at your photos when you buy the thing; they just hand you the kit and it should be available in any station. You buy the ND on the machine which issues a ticket like receipt and then take it to the info window to get the kit, then assemble it and charge it on the machine. The head shot is smaller than a passport photo; 25/30mm and many people photo copy driver's license pictures. Be sure to print your name on the card before putting the plastic sealing flap over the photo. It is pretty obvious when you get it.

We use Pont Marie station all the time and I can't remember if there is a photo machine there but some smaller stations don't have them. There is no RER station at Orly but there is at CDG and all train stations would have photo machines. But it is cheap and easy to just bring your own. The only time it is looked at is when you are checked for tickets; we haven't been yet on this trip but usually average about once a week.

Any passport style photo is acceptable. Official size required is 25 cm x 30 cm and you can use any photo, even one you printed at home.

The Navigo Découverte is not valid for use until the photo is attached and you have legibly written (print is always good) your name in the space provided.

I made a color copy of my driver's license at the local office supply store before I left town. It worked fine for the pass. When I was in Paris looking for a Metro station to issue the pass, I was told to try the Hotel DeVille Metro stop. That is very close to where you are staying.

I have scanned to my computer copies of our passports, and was going to use the photos from those, but there are wavy lines in front of our faces in the photos. Will they still be OK to use?

I wouldn't use photos with wavy lines. If you can get to a printer with your phone anyway, just take a head shot on your phone and print that.

A photocopy of my driver's license worked well for my Navigo Découverte card. I picked it up at a ticket machine at CDG. If you're arriving by train, you can buy your pass at the train station from which you arrive from Madrid.

We photocopied our passport photos (black and white), cut them to 1” x 1” and they worked fine.