Cell phones in Paris

For the street map, you can get a "Plan de Paris par Arondissement" at any newspaper kiosk and perhaps most large bookstores. It's a small booklet that fits into a pocket or handbag that even Parisians use.

If you're already in France, you could possibly consider getting a prepaid phone from a provider like SFR (their logo's a big red square with SFR inside), Bouygues, etc. The cheapest phones are usually about 30 euros, and come with maybe 5 euros of startup credit. You would want one of the phones from the "sans abonnement" (without contract) section, and then the phone cards can be bought at the store, at tabacs, and online. They come in different amounts and usually have different durations of validity (one week/une semaine, one month/un mois, two months/deux mois, etc.)

The problem is that it usually requires some talking to sign up, and you need an address (although you could probably just give your hotel's address and they won't know the difference).

Of course, if it's for a short trip, a phone card for pay phones might be easier. Depends on who you want to call, because preloaded French phones can sometimes cost 50 cents a minute just inside of France!

I've used the "Plan de Paris par Arrondissement" for many trips but someone on the Helpline recently recommended "Le Petit Parisien" instead. It actually sounds better. I was going to compare the two when I get there (tomorrow!). You can get either at any newspaper kiosk on the street.