European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 14, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Costs waiting times helps get the most out of Paris i r i  n Kcf 4c Lui yet to u us Usu it fail /p>wy4lci a a. &Quot,0 by John Taylor staff writer franc by speaking Paris is not cheap. But the experience of visiting one of the world s great cities is Well Worth the expense. Michelle Waters a teacher at shape Belgium was in the City checking out nightclubs and the prices of the Folies Bergere before the famous music Hall closed in late december. The Cost of dinner a a a a a and a show at the Folies around $130 per person at the time did not put her off. Quot sure the Folies Are expensive Quot she said with a big smile Quot but it s  still there Are ways visitors can save Money and time that can make a trip to Paris More economical a and perhaps last a Little longer. Bernard Weinberg a Chicago native has worked at the Paris Uso for 15 years. During that time he has accumulated lots of titbits and tourist tips that he is More than Witting to pass on to anyone who stops at the Uso office or telephones for help. A the following Are some of his tips on 10 things someone might want to see and do in Paris. A finding a hotel. Call the Uso before leaving Home. The staff knows the hotels of Paris and can find something in the right size location arid Price Range a for no fee. The City tourist office can also make reservations but will charge Between 18 and 55 francs about $3.60 to $11 depending on the Quality of the hotel. Weinberg said that less expensive hotels Are getting hard to find because renovations in Many places have added toilets and televisions in the rooms jacking up the prices. The popular latin Quarter once filled with inexpensive places has become overpriced he said. There Are a few cheap places but Many of them Are in rundown noisy or Tess desirable sections of the City. As for the chains of cheap hotels that Are a it. A a it of Rry 7 in. A. A f w ramp a most parisian restaurants display a menu outside showing the Day s specials. All Over France some with rooms for As Little As $26weinberg said visitors should t even try getting into them. They Are always booked by French salespeople. And these hotels Are on the outskirts of town making them a Long haul from where most tourists want to be. There Are several youth hostels in the City but they too tend to be crowded often with noisy teens. It s better to pay More be comfortable and enjoy the City. A changing Money. The Exchange rates vary sometimes greatly among Banks and the Many Legal change bureaus so shop around. Banks at the Railroad stations though Handy for new arrivals do not give Good rates. Post offices will also change Money but their rates Are not. Always the Best Weinberg said. Watch out for private change offices that Post great Exchange rates with no commissions but mention Only in Small print that the transactions must be for Large amounts often around 40,000 francs about $8,000to get the top rate. Those for lesser amounts Are exchanged at a much lower rate a and one that is much less prominently displayed. Be wary in particular of Cheque Point and exact change both of which have these misleading rate boards posted outside their Many offices scattered through the City. Anyone stopping by the Uso should get directions to Europe ene de change at 7 Rue Malbeuf this Small Exchange office a few blocks away regularly has very Good rates and charges no commission. On a recent afternoon it was giving 5.28 francs to the Dollar while most Banks on the champs a lyse is were giving Between 5 and 5,10 francs. A getting around one of the things that make it easy to see Paris is its subway system the m6tro. Don t let the color coded maps of the crisscrossing lines intimidate you. Once you take a Good look at the map and get a few trips under your Belt you la discover the system is easy to figure out a and that most of Paris is just a artists display their artwork above at the place do Tetre. In the background is the Sac amp Coeur Basilica. Outlet chains like the one at right rarely offer tourists the Best Exchange rates. Few minutes away. ,. There is a variety of ways to buy tickets including single tickets a Carnet or group of 10 tourist passes for one to five Days or a week pass. Weinberg recommends buying a Carnet which costs 36.50 francs for adults single tickets Are 6 francs each and half that for children 4-10. Passes Are Good for those who ride the metro seven or More times in a single Day or want the Freedom of hopping on or off Paris buses can be Tricky to get on and off for those not sure of  Are going. But Riding above ground lets you see the City while getting to your destination and Weinberg said some lines Are particularly Scenic. He warned however that traffic can be bad and you May find yourself stuck in one place while the metro goes whizzing by below. Taxis can be expensive and Many Quot fake Quot ones a unlicensed and not properly marked a ply the areas around train stations picking up unsuspecting passengers and handing them huge Bills at the end of their rides. R a str 8reat Delight of Paris is its Tood and restaurants. The Best Way to c h an g e i select a place to eat for those who have the time is to find an area that looks appealing and to examine the menus posted outside. Half the experience is browsing through All the possibilities be on making your decision. It s not necessary to spend a lot of Money to eat Well. Many restaurants offer tourist meals for $10 or less that taste Good