car insurance/museum passes

We always get the full CDW insurance. Somewhere in the fine print, as I recall, some rental car companies will charge your Visa or whatever for any damages and maybe even the time the car is out of commission being repaired pending resolution by your credit card company. This is fine if you don't mind suddenly finding your credit card maxed out (not really a problem if you have say VISA and MASTERCARD). We just don't feel it's worth the worry and "potential" hassle. Museum passes can be purchased at the airport, at museum's themselves and most large subway stations (during normal business hours). I recommend the 4 day pass (o/a E45) for a week long visit. Be advised that your pass clock starts ticking on it's first use. We usually don't go the museum route until day two or three. Remember, you go to the head of the line and check in separately from those purchasing day tickets (feels weird but there you are - for all that people talk about ugly Americans we're great at standing in line). FYI at St. Chapelle there is usually a long line outside but this is for security reasons since the Chapelle is inside the judicial building complex. Once inside go around the ticket line to the entrance for prompt entry. The upstairs stained glass is really best on a high overhead cloudy day. Ah, Paris...

Rick's advice on this: If you plan to use credit card coverage, carefully ask your credit-card company what kind of coverage they provide, the maximum number of rental days they'll provide the coverage, and the types of vehicles they cover. Have them explain the worst-case scenario to you.To use the coverage provided by your credit card, you'll have to decline the CDW offered by your car-rental company. Therefore, as far as some rental companies are concerned, you're technically liable for the full deductible (which can equal the cost of the car). Because of this, the car-rental company may put a hold on your credit card for the full value of the car. This is bad news if your credit limit is low — particularly if you plan on using that card for other purchases during your trip. (Consider bringing two credit cards — one for the rental car, the other for everything else.) If you don't have enough credit on your card to cover the car's value, the rental company may require you to purchase CDW insurance.If you have an accident, the rental company will charge your credit card for the value of the damage (up to the deductible amount), or, if the vehicle is stolen, the value of the deductible associated with theft. It's up to you to seek reimbursement for these charges from your credit-card company when you get home (you'll need to submit the police report and the car-rental company's accident report). Note that big American-based rental companies are easier to work with if you have a problem.

Corinne:Having an International Driving Permit is not mandatory in France, but you will be glad you have one if you have an accident or are stopped by the police for any reason while driving. It is basically a translation of the info on your US licence, and it only costs about $15, so why risk the wrath of a unilingual gendarme who can't understand your US document?

The last few times I was in Paris you could not buy the museum pass at a Metro station. Perhaps that's changed again?? The easiest way to buy it is to stop at one of the smaller, lesser known museums. I usually buy at Rodin or Les Invalides since I stay in that area.

Corinne - Kent's advice is good - ask about the worst case scenario for your insurance. Make three calls - your own insurance agent, your car rental company, and your credit card company. Be horrifyingly explicit - what happens if I crash the car, it bursts into flames and kills someone? You may find that such liability is already covered in the rental charge as a matter of law. But damages to the car itself are your concern. I've felt much better about my options after those three phone calls. But I do them before every trip, because coverage changes, especially with credit cards these days.

Museum passes can be bought at the museums themselves and at Paris tourism offices. No big deal. Just buy when you're ready.

As has been mentioned, an IDP is not necessary in France as it is in Italy. However, when you're out in the sticks and you're pulled over for speeding (which is increasingly likely because of radar), the police will write a ticket and fine you on the spot. You don't want them struggling to figure out your state drivers license to determine which is your birthday and which is the expiration date. I've said before, you want a happy gendarme.

And, finally, Perry's advice is a nuisance on this site. Tom's Guide to Paris is certainly charming and helpful but it does not cover the details people ask about here. Tom would be the first to tell you that but Perry persists in making referral to that website as the catch-all response to any question concerning Paris. Pay him no mind.