You can obtain a free Métro map at any station. Stations also have a Métro map and a "you are here" map outside. These are very helpful.

You will need to plan the route of your journey, since the underground tunnels are all labelled in a certain way. Go to the Métro map and note how all the lines are coloured differently, are numbered and have a Terminus name for each end. (see illustration).

You will need to know what line number you are on, and in which direction you are travelling.

For example, if you were at Trocadero, and wanted to travel to Exelmans, You would need to know that this is a light green line. You will see from the map, it's number 9. You will be travelling towards the terminus ("Direction") Pont de Sevres.

Once inside the system, you will need to follow the tunnels which are labelled in this way, with the colour, the line number and the "direction". Make sure you get the right "direction" or you will end up on the wrong platform!

If you have to change then follow the signs that say "correspondence" which means "transfer". The lines you need to take will be clearly numbered again, with their colours, and with their "direction".

When you arrive at your destination, then check for the exit or "sortie" signs. Often you can choose which side of the road you can exit on, or even which road! Check out the example below.

This exit sign tells you that you will leave by the "odd numbered" side of the street (Nos. impairs) ; and also which bus connections you can make nearby.

Ticket check.

You will see signs telling you to "Compostez votre billet". This means to validate your ticket.

Before entering the Métro, you will need to insert your ticket in the ticket check machine. If your ticket is valid, the barrier will lift to allow you entry.

Many stations also have these machines at the exit. Unless you have a valid ticket, you will be unable to exit.

Statistics

Today, there are over 320 kilometres of Métro lines around Paris and 14 lines.

There are more than 380 stations. There are interchanges with stations for the main rail lines into Paris and with stations of the RER (Reseau Express Régional) which are rail lines serving the further suburbs of Paris.

Every building in Paris is within 400 metres of a Métro station. This means that it is a very convenient travel system.

More than 6 million people use the Métro every day and in 2010, a staggering 3 052 million trips were undertaken!

There are about 4 000 Métro trains.