Metro stations are marked with an M or with
Metropolitain lettering designed by Art Nouveau legend Hector Guimard.
Getting
around. The first trains start running around 5h30am, and the
last ones leave the end-of-the-line stations (the portes de Paris) for
the center of the city at about 12:10am. For the exact departure times
of the last trains, check the poster in the center of each station
marked Principes de Tarification, the white sign with the paltform's
number and direction, or the monitors above the platform. Transport
maps are posted on platforms and near turnstiles, all have a plan du
quartier. Connections to other lines are indicated by orange
correspondance signs, exits by blue sortie signs. Transfers are free if
made within a station, but it is not always possible to reverse
direction on the same line without exiting the station.
Using
tickets. To pass through the turnstiles, insert the tickets into
the small slot in the metal divider just to your right as you approach
the turnstile. It disappears for a moment, then pops out about a foot
farther along, and a little green or white circle lights up, reminding
you to retrieve the ticket. If the turnstile makes a whining sound and
a little red circle lights up, your ticket is not valid, take back and
try another. When you have the right light, push through the gate and
retrieve your ticket. Hold onto your ticket, until you exit the
métro, and pass the point marked, limite de validitié des
billets. A uniformed RATP controleur may request to see it on any
train. If caught without one, you must pay a hefty fine. Also, any
correspondances to the RER require you to put your validated ticket in
the turnstile. Otherwise you might need to buy a new ticket on order to
exit.