Paris Metro Map-a seeming trivial question

hi, i dont have my map in front of me, but your question if i understand your innenuendos about not traveling to particular stations. i was all over Paris to the tourist sites and didnt have any issues. Now i will say that was during the daylight hours. i did travel around after dark but i was walking to the Eiffel tower and abouts. happy trails.

Yes - that does represent an underground walkway between the two stations. You should have no problem navigating with your luggage - just be aware there may be stairs.

"And during our stay there, are there stations newbies should avoid?" Not sure what you mean but I was a "newbie" when I spent a month in Paris last summer and I used the metro a LOT. I think I hit at least 1/2 of the metro stops in Paris and never saw anything that should be avoided. That said, I have heard that some stations in the suburbs can be a litte dicey after dark but not in Paris proper. I was alone and rode after dark several times without any qualms. When you're there in June/July it will stay light very late in the evening so you probably won't do too much after dark traveling. I also walked alone after dark on a lot of the streets in Paris but was never really 'alone', so many tourists and locals were still out and about till well after midnight most places I walked.

A slightly shorter transfer is available by changing at Gare du Nord to the #5 line to Bastille. The transfer between the 6 & 13 lines to the 4 & 12 lines is quite a distance at Montparnasse Bienvenue, although there is a moving walkway for part of the transfer. I do remember going from from the 6 to the 4, I went 2 more stops to do the transfer at Raspail to avoid it. Lazy,lazy,lazy. You can also do the transfer from the 6 to the 12 at Pasteur.

Yes, you'll have a little walk to do, but there are two moving sidewalks and some escaltors. Additionally, you'll need to keep your ticket from CDG until you exit at Bastille because at a few point you'll go through glass doors and then turnstiles using the same ticket. It's very well marked at Chatelet-Les Halles and easy enough to do even with a backpack and wheeled bag.

OK...Thank you so much! We can always count on you guys!
So then a follow-up: What are the rules for using a single Metro ticket for transferring to different lines?

Marilyn,
A single metro ticket is good until you leave the metro through the turnstyles. As long as you stay underground and change from one train to another at a metro station you can transfer as often as you need to. Be sure to hang on to the ticket until you exit the turnstyles as you often need it for that, also you may be stopped and asked to show the ticket before you leave the station. The ticket is not good for a return trip.

Some of the stations are large and complex, with stairs and long walkways. When hauling luggage you may want to avoid stations such as Chatelet, Republique, Bastille. However, if one of these is more conveniently located for your hotel or apartment, you may want to alight there anyway. For your trip to Bastille from CDG, I suggest you look at a map and consider changing from the RER to the Metro at Gare du Nord and take the #5 line to Bastille from there. The Gare du Nord station is large, but I have found it easy to get to the Metro there. Just follow the signs to Metro. A big M is your sign-it's a little like the McDonald's sign, but different. At the Bastille station, it helps a lot if you study the exit maps inside the station. You will discover the correct exit to get where you are going, and save yourself some unnecessary wandering around at street level. I got lost there the first time I took the Metro to Bastille, walked down the wrong street for a long time before realizing I was way off.

Ahhhh....yes...stay underground and don't go through the turnstiles, which when done invalidates the holding ticket for any further transfers. This was not made clear on the website! Thank you! Also, our apt. or Villa is right off Place De La Bastille, across the street from the Opera on Rue De Charenton...so I guess we'll be getting acquainted with one of the busiest metro stops... We will take notes!
Thank you to everyone!

At Chatelet-Les Halles you will have to exit one system and enter the other, but you use the same ticket.

When changing from one line to the other follow the orange "Correspondance" (sp) signs which will save you going outside. Be prepared for stairs.

I love you guys!!! Thanks!

Hi Marilyn. If you use an escalator or moving walk way in the Metro and you're not in a rush stay to the right. Someone maybe going to work or in a hurry and they will try to pass you on the left.