Crossing Paris
If you need to cross Paris what are the options and how can you turn it into a pleasure?
Metro (and RER)
The Parisian Metro is a practical, speedy, traffic-free way to cross Paris which can be used in conjunction with the longer distance RER trains to get you where you need to be. However, travelling through a tunnel without being able to see, hear or smell the mad melee of Paris, for me, feels like sensory deprivation.
The Metro/RER lines D and 5 run from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon and Gare d'Austerlitz respectively.
An English version journey planner and downloadable maps can be found at: https://www.ratp.fr/en
Bus
If you want to see more of Paris, the No. 91 bus pootles from Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse via Gare de Lyon and Gare d'Austerlitz making it a simple way to get between stations. Tickets can be bought on the bus with cash or you can get a ticket in advance on Eurostar.
Bike
If your bags will fit on your back, why not up the Parisian sensory experience and take to peddle power?
Getting from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon by bike is pretty easy with dedicated lanes running along Boulevard Magenta and the Canal Saint Martin.You can pick up a Vélib’ Metropole bike (manual or electric) from a docking point outside Gare du Nord. To hire a bike simply download the Vélib’ Metropole app (links below). The app comes with tutorials which explain what to do. Note: the scheme requires a 300 Euro deposit.
Android app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.paris.velib&hl=fr
iOS app: https://apps.apple.com/fr/app/v%C3%A9lib-app-officielle-de-la-ville-de-paris/id577807727
Tutorials: https://www.velib-metropole.fr/en/tutorials
You can also pick up e-bikes from Lime or Tier
Lime: https://www.li.me/en-pe/locations/paris
Tier: https://www.tier.app/en/
....but if you've had enough of sitting down, you could (for now) try an e-scooter.
e-scooter
This futuristic mode of travel may soon become a thing of the past if the Mayor of Paris has her way, but for now, you can hop on an e-scooter and use the cycle lanes.
It was possibly my last chance to e-scoot through Paris. Here's what I found.
Walk
If you are travelling light, then why not do something very Parisian and become a flâneur. Flânerie, is the cultivated art of urban walking, espoused by light-footed luminaries such Baudelaire, encouraging us to slow down, look around and marvel at city around us.
Getting from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon is an easy 5km stroll and if you want to know more, here's a video I made about it.