The main tourist office is at 127 avenue des Champs-Élysées, 8e (April-Sept Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-7pm, closed May 1; Oct-March Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-6pm; tel 08.36.68.31.12, fax 01.49.52.53.00, ; Mº Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile). There is a branch offices at Gare de Lyon (Mon-Sat 8am-8pm; tel 01.43.43.33.24) and also at the Eiffel Tower (April-Sept daily 11am-6pm; tel 01.45.51.22.15). Each gives away plenty of brochures and leaflets, as well as maps.

For recorded tourist information in English , phone 01.49.52.53.56. Alternative sources of information are the Hôtel de Ville information office, Bureau d'Accueil , at 29 rue de Rivoli, 4e (Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; tel 01.42.76.43.43; Mº Hôtel de Ville), and electronic billboards dotted around town. Within the new Carrousel du Louvre, 99 rue de Rivoli, 1er, below the triumphal arch at the east end of the Tuileries, you'll find the Espace du Tourisme d'Île de France (10am-7pm; closed Tues; tel 01.44.50.19.98), with stylishly presented information on attractions and activities in Paris and the surrounding area.

For what's on information, one of the best sources is the free monthly, Paris Le Journal , published by the mairie and available at the Bureau d'Accueil, as well as in museums and shops. Also good for museum and other cultural information are Paris's two listings magazines, Pariscope (with a small section in English) and L'Officiel des Spectacles , available at tabacs and métro stations.