Practical information :Luggage lockers, waiting time...
Luggage lockers
The closest luggage locker is at “Gare du Nord” railway station (platform 3, level -1, next to the car rental). It is open daily from 6.15am to 11.15pm. Rates per suitcase: €4 (up to 4 hours), €7.50 (between 4 and 12 hours), €9.50 (from 12 to 24 hours).
€6 per additional day.
Stroller rental also available at €15 per day (with a €200 deposit).
Luggage lockers are also available in the following train stations:
– “Gare de l’Est” (7/7 from 6am to 11.45pm, main hall, level -1, opposite toilets). A small locker costs 5,50 € for 24 hours [32 cm wide x 44 cm high x 82 cm deep], A medium locker costs 7,50 € [32 cm wide x 60 cm high x 82 cm deep], A large locker costs 9,50 € [48 cm wide x 90 cm high x 82 cm deep]
– “Gare de Lyon” (7/7 from 6.15am to 10.00pm, hall “extension Chalon”, exit “place Henri Fresnay”),
– “Gare d’Austerlitz” (7/7 de from 7.00am to 11.30pm, hall “cours Muséum”),
– “Gare Montparnasse” (7/7 from 7.00am to 11.00pm, level +1),
– “Marne-la-Vallée Chessy” (= Disneyland Paris) (7/7 from 7.00am to 10.00pm).
At last there are now 2 more possibilities to leave your luggage somewhere in Paris:
– Musée d’Orsay: The left luggage is free and it is open every day except Monday from 9h30 – 17h45. The suitcase size must not be bigger than hand luggage (60 cm x 40 cm).
– Musée du Louvre: an entrance ticket is required here, but it is free for 25’s and under living in the European Union. The cloakroom is open every day except Tuesday from 9h – 18h. Maximum size per bag: 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm. To enter the museum without queuing in the Pyramid take the entrance which is located in front of the Apple Store of the “Carrousel du Louvre” (underground shopping mall).
Gare du Nord
Gare de l’Est
SHOULD YOU CHOOSE A LOCKER IN A PARIS TRAIN STATION OR A PRIVATE LOCKER?
That’s a big question… Over the last few years, private companies have invaded the market with innovative offers that aren’t necessarily any cheaper than the traditional luggage locker at a station. These companies include Citylocker (100% automatic), Nannybag (retailers), Stasher and Bounce, but you’ll find many more on the internet. So how do you choose? Here’s what I think…
SECURITY
At stations, luggage is X-rayed and then personally stored in secure lockers under camera surveillance. What more could you ask for?
Citylocker also offers secure lockers in their own shops.
For others, retailers (hotels, souvenir shops, supermarkets) take care of the luggage, but there is always a risk of error (poor storage, poor surveillance, unexpected closure of the shop, etc.).
Location
If you’re taking a train from a Paris station, choose a station locker because it’s the closest you’ll find. For other lockers, you’ll have to walk a little, sometimes in the cold and rain, which is never practical with children.
If you’re visiting a tourist site such as the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame, private lockers are the best choice.
More generally, Nannybag and Stasher are present in all the arrondissements, Bounce only in the centre of Paris and Citylocker only has 5 shops.
RATES
It’s impossible to compare prices! At stations and Citylocker, the price is for one locker, regardless of how much luggage you put in it, as long as it fits! At Nannybag or Bounce, the price is per bag (€6 per 24 hours), whatever the size. For the others, the price depends on the size of the luggage. But the important thing to remember is that it’s never very expensive compared with the advantage of being able to enjoy your day in Paris with a free mind.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
– In private lockers, bookings must be made in advance and by internet (or an application): open an account, email, check email, fill in personal details, pay by credit card. Cancellation is free of charge. You can’t book in advance at stations, but you can pay in cash – and it’s much simpler!
– Insurance is often included in the price (damage up to 1,000 €), but does not apply to valuables or passports.
– opening hours: shops are generally open from 9am to 10pm, and often longer depending on the shop. Some are even open 24 hours a day.
SIM CARD
It is very expensive for some travelers (Australians, Brazilians, Japanese etc.) to use their usual mobile phone (roaming). Buying a local sim card is the solution!
With “Orange Holiday” you get:
– 20 GB of high-speed mobile data valid in European zone
– Unlimited calls/texts within Europe
– 2 hours calls + 1000 texts from Europe to the world.
More information here. Please note that the offer is not valid for Great Britain 🙁