I'm a USA citizen driving from ORLY airport into Paris on Jan 16, 2018. What should I expect?

I'm a USA citizen driving from ORLY airport into Paris on Jan 16, 2018. What should I expect? - 1

Paris is very busy city and that's what will greet you. Try not to drive in peak hours (these correspond to the working day which is the same the world over).

Why are you driving? Paris is a nightmare to drive in; you'd be better off using public transport

One important point is that roundabouts (rotaries) are loved in Europe. And in France the rules are different in that traffic on the roundabout should give way to traffic entering the roundabout. Other than that it's mainly traffic and remembering speeds are in KPH, not MPH.

Insane traffic. You don't need a car in Paris!

I'm an experienced driver .driven 36 states. And frequent driver through paris… Wherever your from in the states you won't have experienced anything like paris before… You must be 100% alert. And then some… Main reason? Motorbikes and scooters .both inner and outer ring roads will have severe traffic jams. But that does not stop the bike boys… Your ok if you stay in slow lane. The right hand one… But if you do you will get nowhere fast… Most bikes go inbetween the second and third lane… At least 30mph than you! Shut them off or squeeze them they will soon let you know .so the secret is to keep as far right as possible in second lane. And as far left in the third lane .warning! All traffic changes lanes without warning… So be prepared at all times… And if you see your turnoff .indicate and move. They will let you move… But no1 .stay calm

You're actually renting a car and driving? Are you insane?

You can expect mental traffic, for a start.

I think you should ditch the idea and use public transport.

If you you really must drive then you can check out your route into Paris from the airport avoid the busy hours the morning and evening rush hours… Take the A106 hwy, -> the Porte d Italie (A6b) -> via Porte d Orleans (A6a) -> A6 highway to Paris. Following the signs to Paris centre and as you get closer to the city you need to know what direction on the circular 'peripherique' you need to take, west or east. If you want to reach the heart of the city then head west and exit at Port Mallot.

Tip - Take some euros with you - small change- for paying peage/tolls as some are not manned at all times--and remember if you are in a right-hand drive car its your passenger who pays!

Know the Traffic signs - example: Sortie - exit, Péage - Toll, Prochain sortie - Next exit, Serrez a droite - Keep to the right… And so no and so forth…

If you break the traffic rules you will be fined.

Accident - call the SAMU, ambulance,(15) or the fire brigade (18). The police (17) are only called out to accidents when someone is injured, a driver is under the influence of alcohol or the accident impedes the flow of traffic. Please notify your car hire company as soon as possible.

French speed limits

Motorway- 130kmph /81 mph (Dry) - 110kmph /68 mph (Wet/Snow)
Dual carriageway - 110kmph /68 mph- 100kmph /62 mph
Open roads - 90kmph /55 mph - 80kmph /49 mph
Towns and villages - 50kmph /31 mph - 50kmph /31 mph

- All the major hire companies have locations at the airport including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt.

the best choice to travel from Orly to Paris Ville are the limo service, Le Bus Direct and public transportations

You can expect to crash your car. You would be insane to get off a long-haul flight, hire a car and then try to drive it through one of the most congested cities in the world.

Use public transport.

Traffic

And just where do you plan to park in Paris? Just take a taxi or public transport from Orly airport to your hotel, and pick up the car the next morning.