DP PARIS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Ang Final
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In an age when living, consuming and travelling need to be combined with environmental, ethical, social and compassionate considerations, Paris has embarked on a sustainable approach in a number of areas. Principal among these is tourism. Numerous initiatives define the sustainable face of what is the world’s leading tourist destination. Paris is linked to the rest of Europe via its six train stations. 21st century travellers get around Paris on public transport, but also by Velib’, by Autolib’, on foot, and share their car or a taxi; they eat organic and responsibly-sourced food, and make the most of the city’s 500 green spaces or regional parks in the Paris region. They prefer accommodation with an eco-label, readily seek out less well known areas of Paris to explore and enjoy meeting Parisians. They appreciate eco-design and related 2013-2014 cultural institutions. Very soon, the reality of being a responsible tourist will be matched by that of professionals, major players in sustainable tourism. Paris is continually adopting new way of making the most of the natural, cultural and social resources it already possesses, for the long term. It helps hoteliers to opt for sustainable development by creating a self-diagnosis tool for their establishments, boosts the evolution of eco-districts, and encourages the development of biodiversity, as well as the many initiatives for urban transport and city lighting that respect the environment. Plus, the capital is continually promoting cultural, alternative, original, and ecological tourism, which is also tourism that is participative or with a social conscience. GETTING AROUND RESPONSIBLY > Paris has excellent rail connections to the rest of Europe With six train stations and a central geographic location in Europe, Paris already has all it takes to be a sustainable tourist destination easily reached by train, one of the cleanest means of transport around. The capital is only a few hours from the major European cities of London, Brussels, Basle, Cologne, Amsterdam, Geneva, and Frankfurt thanks to the TGV. By 2020, other European cities will be on average within three hours’ reach of Paris. >Public transport, the smart environmental option In Paris, tourists have access to a huge public transport network that offers smooth and pleasant travel, and which especially helps reduce car traffic. 89% of tourists get around the city by metro, 23% by bus, 16% by taxi, and 3% by bike. The Paris metro has 16 lines and is a quick way of getting around. To alleviate congestion on line 13, line 14 will be extended from Saint-Lazare to the Mairie-de-Saint-Ouen, in December 2017. The bus network has grown significantly and become more fluid since the introduction of designated bus lanes. The variety of lines crossing Paris from east to west and from north to south provides multiple possibilities for discovering the city. Some buses are now hybrid or electrically-powered vehicles, including the ‘Montmartrobus’ which, thanks to its route and charm, rivals the little tourist train of Montmartre! Then there’s the Noctilien, which meets the needs of nightbirds, enabling them to party in Paris into the early hours — with the assurance that an all-night public transport option is available to them! > Metros for longer Although the Paris Métro may have already clocked up over 100 years, it couldn’t be more up-to-date! Each day, it fulfills the demand for sustainability in the capital a little more; a demand which means that public transport is favoured over private vehicles. This powerful symbol of the capital offers users 16 lines serving over 380 stops, with metros every two minutes during rush hour, every four minutes during off- peak and every eight minutes in the evening. It’s therefore very easy to get anywhere in Paris, with travel averaging about 20 minutes. To encourage ever greater numbers of Parisians and tourists to use the metro, the timetables have even been extended on Fridays, Saturdays and evenings before public holidays to 2.15am. On New Year’s Eve and the night of the Fête de la Musique, a number of lines (1, 4, 6, 9 and 14) operate until 5.30am, to cater for those staying out all night. NB the Ratp has launched an M21 research programme (metro of the 21st century), of which one of the avenues of innovation is concerned with sustainable development, in order to improve energy intensity and quality of urban life. www.ratp.fr > Non-motorized travel by bike or on rollerblades With 600 kilometres of bicycle paths, cycling is an important mode of transport in Paris. Whether renting a bike for the day from one of the capital’s cycle rental companies, or renting one of the 20,600 self-service Vélib cycles from a self-service automatic station, this non-motorized way of getting around is proving to be popular with Parisians and tourists: 40% of Parisian cyclists use Vélib’, making it a veritable institution in the capital. Since their introduction, more than 100 million cycle rentals have been made, from the 1,800 docking stations in Paris and in the 30 outlying areas. There are currently some 245,500 subscribers to the service. Vélib’ offers the simplicity of getting around above ground, the pleasure of an outdoor activity to explore Paris, and a clear conscience knowing that you are using a non-polluting means of transport. Between now and 2014, the cycle network should account for 700 kilometres of cycle lanes! Since last summer, online subscription and booking up to 15 days in advance means the rental can be safely paid for before coming to Paris. Also new: a Vélib application for Androïd smartphones can now be downloaded for free! Vélib, which celebrated its 5th anniversary in 2012, and which has just been awarded the Responsible Tourism Trophy in the eco-mobility category, has also significantly altered the image of the bicycle, which was previously considered somewhat outmoded. Now, cycling along the streets of Paris is seen as living in harmony with the city and oneself. Alternatives to the legendary two-wheeler include the traditional scooter as well as roller blades, and these are becoming increasingly popular in Paris too. Lastly, some districts usually reserved for motor vehicle traffic are even transformed at weekends into routes for more natural modes of transport (bicycles, roller skates/blades) and for pedestrians as part of the ‘Paris respire’ scheme, which takes place on the Seine, quaysides or in districts such as Montmartre or the Saint-Martin Canal. Vélib’ in all districts of Paris – www.velib.fr http://blog.velib.paris.fr/: great blog on cycling in Paris. www.deplacements.paris.fr Download a map of recommended cycling routes at www.paris.fr > The tramway, still on a ‘green’ roll How can you get around town, while at the same time respecting the environment? As early as 2006, Paris produced its answer to that question: by tramway! The old boulevards of the Maréchaux sud are now crisscrossed every day by the city’s tramway n°3 - electrical, quiet, less polluting, regular, fast and reliable. Everyone appreciates it as a mode of transport and for its green and artistic setting. A trimmed lawn runs alongside the tracks, the pavements have been widened, a variety of tree species planted to embellish waiting areas and the works of contemporary artists like Sophie Calle or Franck O. Gehry grab the attention, so unexpected is their presence. The line will be extended from Porte de Vitry to Porte de la Chapelle in December 2012 and to Porte d’Asnières in 2017, completing an almost full circuit of the city. At the end of 2009, the tramway n° 2 was also extended, enabling users to travel from La Défense to the Porte de Versailles in around 30 minutes. In November 2012, line T3 was created contributing further to respect for the environment. www.tramway.paris.fr > The Seine more than ever in vogue The Batobus tourist river shuttle offers visitors an alternative to coach and bus tours with 8 stops to hop on and off at along the Seine. A ticket offers unlimited travel. www.batobus.com > Use an electric two- or three-wheeler Trying it means adopting it! Try out an electrically assisted bike, electric scooter, E- Solex, Segway or the latest in eco-mobility, the three-wheel electric scooter, or Trikke and feel the difference straight away. Silent, environmentally-friendly, practical and trendy, they are an easy and pleasant means by which to travel around the capital – with a clear conscience as well. NB as well as guided tours, Paris Trikkes now hires out its three-wheel electric scooters, on an hourly or daily basis. Alternative Bike 227 rue Saint Martin Paris 3rd – M° Arts et Métiers – www.alternative- bike.com Paris Trikkes 54 avenue de la Motte-Picquet, Paris 15th – M° La Motte-Picquet-Grenelle – www.paristrikkes.com Vélo Electro 39 and 50 rue Saint-Georges, Paris 9th – M° Saint-Georges – www.velo- electro.com Free scoot 144 bd Voltaire, Paris 11th – M° Voltaire – www.electro-scooter.com Holidays Bike 22-28 rue Henri Barbusse 94100 Clichy – www.holidays-bike.com Mobil Board Paris – www.mobilboard.com > Clean cars Nothing is lost, everything is transformed. And, rather than disappear, the car is undergoing something of a transformation. Paris already boasts initiatives which pre- empt this transition into a new era: in terms of taxis, some companies have converted to agrofuel or offer a fleet of hybrid vehicles, especially Taxis Bleus, turned into Taxis Green; Taxis G7 with the Green Cab fleet; and NEOCAB, luxury taxis offering various ways for travellers to respect the environment.