Symposium premises and Local transportation
By air
Paris is served by two main airports (Charles-de-Gaulle and Orly) plus one low-cost airport (Beauvais). Paris is well connected, and a large number of airlines fly into one or other of the two main airports with regular schedules. Beauvais is a smaller airport with limited services, and is used by low-cost airlines.
CDG is 30 km north-east of Paris. Rail travel from CDG to central Paris is easiest done on the RER line B which runs from CDG (terminals 1 and 2) through the heart of Paris. Trains leave every 15 minutes from 5 am to 11:30 pm (7 am to 9 pm on weekends); travel time is 35 minutes to Gare du Nord, 45 minutes to Luxembourg.
Fare is about €10 one way. A limited number of destinations in Paris are served by coach. RoissyBus departs every 15 minutes between Roissy Terminal 2 and Opéra from 6 am to 11 pm. Air France Bus (Line 2) leaves every 10 minutes from 5:45 am to 11 pm, taking passengers to Porte Maillot, Place d'Etoile/Place Charles de Gaulle. Fares are around €10. Onward travel from these places to other destinations in Paris involves local Paris transport. Taxi stands are located outside all airport exits. Prices will likely be at least €50-60. Some private shuttle services can be booked. Road travel time to Paris is about an hour, depending on traffic.
Orly is 13 km south of Paris. Rail travel involves taking "Orlyval", an automatic tram service, to Antony (departures every 7-10 minutes, from 6 am to 11 pm, then transferring to the RER line B, direction Paris. The fare is 9.60 Euros, and you must buy the special combined ticket at the airport. Orlybus runs direct to Denfert Rochereau (RER and metro) in southern Paris every 15 minutes, 5:35 am to 11 pm from Orly Sud and Orly Ouest. The trip takes about 25 minutes, price €6.30. Air France coaches go to Porte d'Orleans, Montparnasse, and Invalides (all with metro stations). Departs: every 15 minutes from 6 am to 11:30 pm, price €9. Taxis are available, at a cost of roughly €30, depending on the final destination on Paris. Beauvais is 80 km north of Paris, and the public transport connection is limited to a shuttle bus running directly between the airport car park and the "Pershing" car park at Porte de Maillot, in the north east of Paris (metro stop nearby). Timetables are organized according to flight schedules: departure from Beauvais 20-25 min after flight arrival, departure from Paris 3h15min before flight departure time. Travel time is 1h15min, price €15.
By rail
National and international rail services are fast and efficient, making rail travel a feasible option from a good number of European countries. Special offers are often available if booking is made well in advance and with limited exchange options. For the French national rail website, see: http://www.sncf.com
By private car
All roads lead to Paris. Note however that traffic is often congested in and around Paris, and that parking facilities are not cheap within the city.