Bienvenue à Paris! Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning regular, the EURETINA Congress is always a high-energy few days packed with science, networking, and new discoveries — and this year’s edition promises to be no exception. To help you make the most of your time, here are some top tips every attendee should know heading into EURETINA 2025 at the Palais des Congrès de Paris.
1. Download the Congress App — Early
The EURETINA 2025 Congress App is your pocket-sized headquarters. It includes the full programme, speaker updates, venue maps, session bookmarks, and live alerts. Paris is a city where you’ll want to stay on the move — and the app helps you do that without missing a beat.
📲 Pro tip: Download it before you arrive and use it to flag must-see sessions in advance. Search ‘EURETINA 2025’ in your app store to find it.
2. Know Your Venue
The Palais des Congrès de Paris is a major congress centre in the 17th arrondissement, right next to the Arc de Triomphe and the bustling Champs-Élysées. It’s a large, multi-level space — so take a few minutes to orient yourself on Day 1.
🗺️ Look for quiet corners or café zones on Level 2 if you need to step away from the action or take a call.
3. Badge Pick-Up = Best Done Early
Avoid the Day 1 morning queue. If you’re arriving on Wednesday or early Thursday, make a beeline for badge collection. This frees up your Thursday morning for coffee, networking, and a more relaxed arrival.
🎟️ Bring your confirmation email with barcode — digital is fine.
4. Public Transport Is Your Best Friend
The Line 1 Metro (Porte Maillot stop) connects the venue directly with central Paris (including the Louvre, Marais, and Bastille). It’s clean, fast, and runs every 2–3 minutes.
🟡 You can now tap in using contactless cards or phones — no paper tickets needed.
5. Network Like a Natural
EURETINA is a hub for global ophthalmology. If you’re here to build connections, use breaks and sponsored sessions to strike up conversations — the lounge areas near exhibition halls are great for this.
🤝 Not sure how to start? Try asking which session they’re heading to next or what they thought of the last speaker. Everyone’s in the same boat.
6. Make Space for Spontaneity
While it’s great to plan your schedule, some of the best moments happen in the unscripted gaps — when you wander into a late-breaking session you hadn’t planned to attend or catch a conversation over coffee that sparks a new idea.
🧭 Leave space for surprise — not every session needs to be booked back-to-back.
7. Dress for the Day, Not Just the Room
Paris weather in late September is usually mild, but mornings can be crisp and rooms air-conditioned. Layer up — especially if you’re planning to walk to evening events or squeeze in sightseeing.
👟 Also, comfortable shoes are a must. You’ll be on your feet more than you think, and Paris pavements are not heel-friendly.
8. Charge Smart
Bring a portable battery pack — between using the app, snapping slides, checking messages, and Google Mapping your way to dinner, your phone will drain faster than you expect.
🔌 Bonus tip: Power outlets inside the venue can be scarce. A travel adapter with multiple USB ports goes a long way.
9. Get to Know the Local Spots
Need a quick bite? There’s a large shopping centre next to the venue (Centre Commercial Palais des Congrès) with bakeries, a Monoprix, and casual lunch spots. But if you’ve got time, wander a little — the nearby Ternes or Batignolles neighbourhoods are full of charming cafés and wine bars.
🥐 Try Boulangerie Utopie or Le Petit Cler if you’re up for a short walk and excellent food.
10. Don’t Miss the Keynotes
The keynote sessions are the congress’s high points — not only for scientific insight but also for the unique energy they bring. Whether it’s a breakthrough topic, a passionate speaker, or a glimpse into where the field is heading, they’re not to be missed.
🎤 Check the Keynote Programme in advance and arrive early for a good seat.
11. Share the Moments
Follow the official EURETINA social media channels and use the #EURETINA25 hashtag to join the online conversation. It’s a great way to catch highlights, discover side events, and stay connected with peers.
📸 Snap and share responsibly — always double-check if slides or speakers are okay to photograph.
12. Carve Out Time for Paris
Even if it’s just a walk after the congress day ends, take advantage of being in one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. Watch the Eiffel Tower light up, wander through the Marais, or grab a drink by the Canal Saint-Martin. Scientific growth and personal joy don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
🌇 Congress by day. Paris by night.
Welcome to EURETINA 2025. Make it count — in the lecture halls and beyond.
