The ParisSharing Blog

Living like a local is something that we at Paris-Sharing really try to encourage and facilitate. We want your stay in Paris to be as authentic as possible.  One way we do this is with the help of our owner community. Each of our owners writes a “Welcome Book” for their guests that lists information specific to their neighborhood that helps their guests truly live like a local.  It also offers personal insider tips on Paris.

But when you’re out and about in Paris, it is nice to have useful and fun travel information right at your fingertips without having to pull out a guidebook and pin a “tourist” sign on your back.  Apps have changed the way people travel – all your Paris travel information and more are now immediately available in your handy iPhone!

As an avid iPhone fan, I’ve personally used all of the apps listed below and some on a daily basis.  Here’s a list of some of Paris-Sharing’s favorite apps:

TRAVEL GUIDES

TimeOut Paris $2.39

Compiled by resident experts, TimeOut Paris provides an urban outlook to visiting Paris with the same “tuned-in” focus as the magazine.  TimeOut is offline, so no worry of additional charges.

Wallpaper City Guide $4.99

Guides for the design conscious traveler includes the best bars, restaurants, stores, sites and architecture compiled by the magazine’s editors and Parisian correspondents for up-to-date information.

Paris 2 Go $0.99

Simple and fun guide with nice offline features such as wikipedia articles and an offline Paris map.

WALKS AND MUSEUMS

Meet me at Père Lachaise $,99

For an interactive and out of the norm visit of one of the world’s most famous cemeteries.

Rick Steve’s Historic Paris Walking Tour $2.99

Personal tour guides from Rick Steves.  Rick also has apps for Musée d’Orsay, Louvre and Versailles.

Musée de Louvre Official App FREE

Official app of the Louvre lets you take a tour of the museum, view artwork, search artwork, explore the palace, take an audio tour and view videos.

Museums of Paris $1.99

For the art lover, Museums of Paris is an app with detailed information on not only museums, but current exhibits, art galleries and art auctions in Paris.

TRANSPORTATION

RATP $0.99

Help has arrived for navigating the Paris Metro and bus system with the official RATP (Paris Transit Authority) Metro and bus app that includes information for the Metro, RER, buses, tramway, and three different airport shuttles. It also has Paris transport maps (with an offline option) and timetables.

FOOD/RESTAURANTS:

Last week, we wrote about the latest Michelin Guide 2011.  Here are two more apps for food lovers enjoying Paris:

Fooding $3.99

Two well-known French food critics started Fooding as an alternative to the MICHELIN Guide.  Fooding recognizes unique cuisine and great cooking regardless if it is from a famous chef or a take-out restaurant.  Helpful categories and a localization feature helps you to easily find the restaurant you are craving.  Unfortunately, the app is only available in French for the moment.

Paris Food Markets $2.99

While you are living like a Parisian, why not buy your groceries like one, too, and visit one of the many food markets around the city? Paris Food Markets is just the app for locating the closest market to your apartment.

French Chefs Cuisine $0.79

One advantage of renting from www.paris-sharing.com is that you have a fully-equipped kitchen to enjoy home cooked meals.  Once you have bought your ingredients at an open market, try one of these recipes from real French chefs.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find a Paris Events/Nightlife app in English.  If anyone has a favorite please let us know.

USEFUL APPS

Numerous travel planning, postcard, translation and converter apps are available on iTunes.  Here are just a few that I’ve personally used:

Postcards

Simply Postcards FREE

Mail your photos as real postcards that arrive just in days to friends and family.  Great borders and easy to use.

Postman $2,99

Create epostcards and share them everywhere – email, Facebook, Twitter, Tumble and more

Language & Converter

iSpeak Français $0.99

Converter Touch $0.99

Travel Planning

TripIt Free

Tripdoc Free

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

Obviously, you can use all your favorite apps while in Paris, like Skype, Facebook, Foursquare, and Yelp.  In addition, France has some truly great music that doesn’t make it overseas, so don’t forget to Shazam, when you hear a French song you love.

Paris has free WIFI zones in all parks, squares, museums and around municipal buildings.  In addition, all Paris-Sharing rentals have WIFI available to guests – checkout our wide selection of alternative vacation accommodations on www.paris-sharing.com.  We would still recommend that, before heading over to France, you check with your telecom carrier for rates and special calling plans.

Do you have a favorite app for Paris?  Let us know.

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