Paris!

[windanseaguy]

Anyone here been to Paris? Any recommendation for accommodation especially at the Latin Quarter area? Thanks!

[Guest Phil]

I've been many times to Paris, I live there...

Lots of small charming hotels in the "Quartier Latin".

You might try: www.viamichelin.com (website of the guide Michelin).

Choose your language first, then enter a place; in your case, for instance , "75006" and "odeon/carrefour" or "75005" and "pantheon" or any other place in Latin Quarter if you have an idea.

Then click on "find an hotel".

You have a short description of the hotels, the prices, etc...

You can do the same for restaurants.

Good luck and have a nice trip.

[steelwings]

Hi,

1) How do I get from airport to the city?

2) How do i get from Paris to London?

3) What is there to look out for in Paris?

Thanks...

[Guest wahbiangeh]

Hi,

1) How do I get from airport to the city?

2) How do i get from Paris to London?

3) What is there to look out for in Paris?

Thanks...

never heard of google, tripadvisor.com, lonely planet, fodor's ah??!!

[Guest Phil]

Hi,

1) How do I get from airport to the city?

2) How do i get from Paris to London?

3) What is there to look out for in Paris?

Thanks...

1- As everywhere, you can use train, buses or taxi between the airport and Paris. Maybe buses (Air France) are safer.

2- The most convenient link between Paris and London is the high speed train "Eurostar"; around 2hours and half between Gare du Nord (Paris) and Saint Pancrace (London); lots of frequencies all along the day.

3- Well I'm not sure to be objective about what's to see in Paris (I live there), but I think all the museums, shops, promenades in historical "quartiers", art galleries, and of course all kinds of night life, make Paris a beautiful and pleasant city. Just google your points of interest, or "Paris tourism office", or try Fodor's, Lonely planet, tripadvisor or whatever...

Good luck and have a nice trip.

[steelwings]

2- The most convenient link between Paris and London is the high speed train "Eurostar"; around 2hours and half between Gare du Nord (Paris) and Saint Pancrace (London); lots of frequencies all along the day.

Is it ok to buy tickets only on the day before I travel or should I do advance booking online u reckon?

Good luck and have a nice trip.

Thanks I will

@wahbiangeh

go get a life. never learn.

[Guest Phil]

2- The most convenient link between Paris and London is the high speed train "Eurostar"; around 2hours and half between Gare du Nord (Paris) and Saint Pancrace (London); lots of frequencies all along the day.

Is it ok to buy tickets only on the day before I travel or should I do advance booking online u reckon?

Good luck and have a nice trip.

Thanks I will

@wahbiangeh

go get a life. never learn.

I suggest booking online in advance. If you travel at peak season, trains might be full sometimes.And booking far in advance can be much cheaper.

On the other hand, if you are flexible with departure hours, you will probably find a seat the day before.

Bon voyage! (= have a nice trip)

[Guest Phil]

2- The most convenient link between Paris and London is the high speed train "Eurostar"; around 2hours and half between Gare du Nord (Paris) and Saint Pancrace (London); lots of frequencies all along the day.

Is it ok to buy tickets only on the day before I travel or should I do advance booking online u reckon?

Good luck and have a nice trip.

Thanks I will

@wahbiangeh

go get a life. never learn.

I see, in your profile, that you mentionned "food" among your interests.

You can always find lots of restaurants in "via michelin" website (see my previous post above), or other ones; but if you need some personal addresses, I can give you some of mine.

And for arts, you should not miss the Musée d'Orsay, the Louvre and the contemporary art museum (centre Pompidou). And according to more specific fields, there are lots of other ones; just tell me what are you interesred in.

[steelwings]

hi,

yes, good food is important but not top of my list... I can make do w bread and soup and salads

i kinda set to go see the notre dame christmas market, but i will be in london when closer to 25th dec so U think I will miss it? No quite sure if the christmas market is a whole month event?

Btw, are you a listed BW member? if so, do drop me a private mail. Thanks.....

:smokin:

[Guest Phil]

hi,

yes, good food is important but not top of my list... I can make do w bread and soup and salads

i kinda set to go see the notre dame christmas market, but i will be in london when closer to 25th dec so U think I will miss it? No quite sure if the christmas market is a whole month event?

Btw, are you a listed BW member? if so, do drop me a private mail. Thanks.....

:smokin:

Hi Steelwings

Generally, Xmas markets start weeks before dec 25th; I suppose that the N.Dame one should be in this case; I can take information if you wish.

No, I'm not a registered member. I just drop occasionnaly by this interesting forum, and I don't know exactly your rules. Am I allowed to post a private Email in this message for instance?(No problem for me if it's the case).

[gstc82]

i stayed in a small charming hotel called hotel plesis. i also remember a Leon's selling musscles!! so yummy. i also remember the happy time me and my partner had walking around the streets, having coffee and people watch. that was many years ago. i think its abt time 2 visit paris again.

[iamwill]

here are few points based on my recent trip

1. trains run from airport to paris city areas. take the RER and change to the metro. when i arrived, i went straight to the train station to get a 3-day pass which allows you unlimited travel on bus, metro, RER.. costs think about EUR40+ not a good deal if you are only staying within the city area where metros and bus can reach easily. the booklet of 10 standard tickets is a better deal as each ticket cost about EUR1.20 and can travel single trip to almost most places on bus and metro.

2. trains between paris and london is mostly quite packed, or at least on both the trips i took. like what phil mentioned, book one day in advance. but if u know well ahead, can book early and get some cheaper tickets.

3. my take is, dun bother go up the eiffel tower unless u really like to take panoramic pics of the city. waste of a lot of time unless u get there early. i reached the tower at 10am, queued for 30min before i got my tickets, spent another 30min in the queue to take the lift up the top of the tower, 30min "enjoying the scenery" and anotehr 45min to get down.

4. museums i rather not comment cos i not a arts person. but i went to versailles is quite interesting. can spend the whole day there and have a picnic too.

5. streets are the more interesting sights for me. the shops are selling many different things, old shops, differnt kinds of food etc. particularly in the latin quater and marais quater which is also the gay area. paris chinatown is more like vietnamese town because there are a lot more vietnamese than chinese there. food is great there. coffee houses are more than plenty. interesting to note that everyone faces the street-side when they are sitting at the verendah of the cafes.

6. stroll down the seine river in the evening is quite relaxing. provided the weather is not too cold.

7. MUST bring along a universal adaptor for ur electronics items and chargers. not all hotels provide, at least the one i stayed in didn't.

hoep the above helps

[steelwings]

Hi Steelwings

Generally, Xmas markets start weeks before dec 25th; I suppose that the N.Dame one should be in this case; I can take information if you wish.

No, I'm not a registered member. I just drop occasionnaly by this interesting forum, and I don't know exactly your rules. Am I allowed to post a private Email in this message for instance?(No problem for me if it's the case).

hi Phil

you can register and get an account, and then we can send private messages. i just don't wana bore everyone else with my questions on the forum. thanks alot....

@gstc82 get tics from MAS now its only 1k...

[Guest Phil]

hi Phil

you can register and get an account, and then we can send private messages. i just don't wana bore everyone else with my questions on the forum. thanks alot....

@gstc82 get tics from MAS now its only 1k...

Thanks for the advice.

I'm going to do that and will recontact you as soon as it works (if I'm able...).

Besides, I confirm what's in the previous posts: if you want to have a beautiful view of Paris, including the Eiffel tower, just climb on top of tour Montparnasse, same height and no queue.

And one of the main agreements of Paris is walking along the streets, in Quartier Latin, Saint-Germain des Prés, le Marais/Bastille (new trendy and gay area), along the Seine, and lots of other places...

[steelwings]

wow iamwill, thanks for those tips! great help man... :thumb:

[windanseaguy]

One week more to Paris!!!! Totally excited now. Finally made my accommodation using airbnb.com. Found that its way cheaper than using regular hotels. I have the whole studio apt to myself and comes with kitchen and washine machine too. its great if you intend to stay for extended period of time in Paris.

Its going to be a food trip for me so been making a list of restaurants/bistros to try. Since i am into baking...will be making trips to patisseries and baking shops to get my moulds. My first trip to Europe!!!!

[Phil]

One week more to Paris!!!! Totally excited now. Finally made my accommodation using airbnb.com. Found that its way cheaper than using regular hotels. I have the whole studio apt to myself and comes with kitchen and washine machine too. its great if you intend to stay for extended period of time in Paris.

Its going to be a food trip for me so been making a list of restaurants/bistros to try. Since i am into baking...will be making trips to patisseries and baking shops to get my moulds. My first trip to Europe!!!!

Have a nice trip!

And don't eat too much...

[windanseaguy]

Have a nice trip!

And don't eat too much...

Thanks!

[gstc82]

Thanks!

how i envy you!! have a nice trip. its a lovely place, good for long walks, nice coffee and ice creams. and please go up to the very top of the eiffel toweL! must do some touristy stuff right? take lots of pictures, eat lots of food and have a very very good time. i miss paris. read some french history esp during french revolution to better understand what you will see. have a nice nice trip!!!

[windanseaguy]

how i envy you!! have a nice trip. its a lovely place, good for long walks, nice coffee and ice creams. and please go up to the very top of the eiffel toweL! must do some touristy stuff right? take lots of pictures, eat lots of food and have a very very good time. i miss paris. read some french history esp during french revolution to better understand what you will see. have a nice nice trip!!!

Thanks again...definitely will enjoy myself. Been working hard and I so deserve this trip i just want to be inspired by food culture there...esp the pastries. Been baking french pastries lately and would be nice to compare how it actually taste like over there. I bet it will be loads better than my home-made pastries. I found that using french butter is a key ingredient, especially in tarts and pies

[gstc82]

Thanks again...definitely will enjoy myself. Been working hard and I so deserve this trip i just want to be inspired by food culture there...esp the pastries. Been baking french pastries lately and would be nice to compare how it actually taste like over there. I bet it will be loads better than my home-made pastries. I found that using french butter is a key ingredient, especially in tarts and pies

few notes to point out. most parisians have plain tap water in restaurant, not evian etc. please go to supermarket to buy mineral water, much cheaper. there are few public toilets, use and do your big business b4 u leave your hotel. if you wanna claim VAT be at airport early. beware of pickpockets. i had the most nice tea and pastries and Mount Blanc at Angelina's. you die die must go to the louve!! where besides paris? u planning a trip to italy as well?

someone said to go to versailles, outside paris, must go, i missed it, go visit marie antoinette's playground. must read up abt her and history to really appreciate what paris has to offer. its beautiful. the mussels at leons are to die for.

[windanseaguy]

few notes to point out. most parisians have plain tap water in restaurant, not evian etc. please go to supermarket to buy mineral water, much cheaper. there are few public toilets, use and do your big business b4 u leave your hotel. if you wanna claim VAT be at airport early. beware of pickpockets. i had the most nice tea and pastries and Mount Blanc at Angelina's. you die die must go to the louve!! where besides paris? u planning a trip to italy as well?

someone said to go to versailles, outside paris, must go, i missed it, go visit marie antoinette's playground. must read up abt her and history to really appreciate what paris has to offer. its beautiful. the mussels at leons are to die for.

Thanks for the tips! Yeah been reading up on David Lebovitz's Sweet Life in Paris book to get some idea of what to expect. He has his own food blog too and currently resides in Paris. Been getting tips on what to check when in paris from his blog. pretty useful. His blog is at davidlebovitz.com

Will only be focusing on Paris this time though....

Edited May 18, 2011 by windanseaguy

[gstc82]

Thanks for the tips! Yeah been reading up on David Lebovitz's Sweet Life in Paris book to get some idea of what to expect. He has his own food blog too and currently resides in Paris. Been getting tips on what to check when in paris from his blog. pretty useful. His blog is at davidlebovitz.com

Will only be focusing on Paris this time though....

u know what? my bf and i usually after dinner will just walk, we will have no idea where we were heading, we just stroll. some times, we end up in interesting places. Dogs have it good in paris, we wish we could have took our baby to paris when she was alive. dogs get to take the metro, go to restaurNTS, cafes everywhere. i really want to go back to paris, but my bf do not want to return to paris leh. what to do? cant go.

[Guest Carrefour]

Thanks!

I hope you have learnt some basic French, because you are gonna need it if a you are gonna interact with Parisians , whether to buy Train ticket from the counter, asking for directions, asking the wherabouts of clubs.

Most French people appreciate it if a non French speaker starts with a French greeting, and some spattering effort to speak broken French, then they will respond to you in quite good English to help you if they can.

The French are ultra loyal to their language and culture and they respond politely if you attempt some French.

Get ready your , Bonjour(Good day), s'il vous plais ( pretty please ), Je vou drai...... ( I would like to have........ )

Merci ( thanks)

Let you in on a tip, i was conned once while trying to buy tickets using the automated ticket machines, African migrants and arbic speaking people will approach you to appear to help you buy the tickets , but a sleight of hand a quick switch and then they will switch your tickets with an used ticket leaving your poorer and shaken.

Beware of friendly Africans and Middle eastereners and eastern europeans, they liek to target Asians who don't speak french.

[iamwill]

no worries mate! glad to be of help.

one thing i forgot to add was that public toilets are not easy to find. they are not available in any of the shopping centres or metro. some areas with heavy human traffic will have those toilet stands around but gotta look hard for them. got once i spent 20+min looking for a toilet and it was high tide...

latin quater got many nice small family run restaurants. i had most of my dinners there.

[Phil]

no worries mate! glad to be of help.

one thing i forgot to add was that public toilets are not easy to find. they are not available in any of the shopping centres or metro. some areas with heavy human traffic will have those toilet stands around but gotta look hard for them. got once i spent 20+min looking for a toilet and it was high tide...

latin quater got many nice small family run restaurants. i had most of my dinners there.

Yes, Quartier Latin is also my favourite place in Paris.

I unfortunately have to confirm the points listed in previous posts, about toilets, necessity to beware of some apparently helpful people near ticketing machines or cash dispensers. And keep also your wallet in a safe place when using metro or in congested areas. But well, same situation in Moscow, Rome, London, Madrid or New York...

It's true that French are not gifted for foreign languages, and they will appreciate your efforts to say one or two words in French; but there are always exceptions (maybe I'm one).

One of the main agreements of Paris is walking in the small (or large if you prefer) streets. It's generally safe. Just avoid dark or desert places at night, and some places North (Barbès, Pigalle...); but not much to do here.

The top of Montmartre is also a charming place, full of artistical and litterary memories, and with a splendid view of the city.

Nice trip to all.

[gstc82]

I hope you have learnt some basic French, because you are gonna need it if a you are gonna interact with Parisians , whether to buy Train ticket from the counter, asking for directions, asking the wherabouts of clubs.

Most French people appreciate it if a non French speaker starts with a French greeting, and some spattering effort to speak broken French, then they will respond to you in quite good English to help you if they can.

The French are ultra loyal to their language and culture and they respond politely if you attempt some French.

Get ready your , Bonjour(Good day), s'il vous plais ( pretty please ), Je vou drai...... ( I would like to have........ )

Merci ( thanks)

Let you in on a tip, i was conned once while trying to buy tickets using the automated ticket machines, African migrants and arbic speaking people will approach you to appear to help you buy the tickets , but a sleight of hand a quick switch and then they will switch your tickets with an used ticket leaving your poorer and shaken.

Beware of friendly Africans and Middle eastereners and eastern europeans, they liek to target Asians who don't speak french.

oh yeah. these punks who station at metros will try to grap your change, my advise, bring small change and if they snatch your change, let them be. do not chase or try to get it back, no use risking your life for. and if you smoke, dun walk and smoke, we were followed by some homeless asking for fags, kinda scarey.

[gstc82]

http://www.pierreherme.com/index.cgi?&cwsid=6515ph0A000108ph4492956

OMG!!

[windanseaguy]

http://www.pierreherme.com/index.cgi?&cwsid=6515ph0A000108ph4492956

OMG!!

Yes that's one of the patisseries I will be visiting! Patrick Roger is the other one. Once made a lemon tart using Pierre herme recipe and was divine!

My partner speaks some French so I hope it should useful over there. Need to get couple of financial moulds at Mora too for baking...

[gstc82]

opposite the paris pantheon, there is a shop called OLIVER's. i got lots of very good french produced fluer de sal, oils, truffle oils and many other stuff. die die cannot miss the supermarket at

Galeries Lafayette!!!!can die!!!so many foodstuff to buy!!!!!!my bf cannot take it that whenever we travel, i wanna check out the supermarkets and framer's market, he wanna go shop at those branded shops!

[windanseaguy]

opposite the paris pantheon, there is a shop called OLIVER's. i got lots of very good french produced fluer de sal, oils, truffle oils and many other stuff. die die cannot miss the supermarket at

Galeries Lafayette!!!!can die!!!so many foodstuff to buy!!!!!!my bf cannot take it that whenever we travel, i wanna check out the supermarkets and framer's market, he wanna go shop at those branded shops!

yeah definitely will be going to farmer's market...its asparagus season now in paris! i sound so aunty haha. i read from david lebovitz blog about a really good food market at basement of some department store that carries all kinds of food from regional france. can't remember name liao. will bring back exotic spices hehe. too bad cant bring back french butter...

[Phil]

yeah definitely will be going to farmer's market...its asparagus season now in paris! i sound so aunty haha. i read from david lebovitz blog about a really good food market at basement of some department store that carries all kinds of food from regional france. can't remember name liao. will bring back exotic spices hehe. too bad cant bring back french butter...

It might be "La Grande Epicerie", in the basement of "Le Bon Marché", at the corner of rue de Sèvres and rue du Bac (7th arrondissement). A little bit expensive, but they have lots of wonderful products from throughout the world, including France, of course!

And for the fun, you can always see street markets (Bastille, Nation, Montparnasse...); not every place every day, but there are always some.

Bon voyage.

[gstc82]

you can even find lee kum kee and prawn crackers!! dunno can you bring white asparagus home? u planning day trip outside paris?

[windanseaguy]

It might be "La Grande Epicerie", in the basement of "Le Bon Marché", at the corner of rue de Sèvres and rue du Bac (7th arrondissement). A little bit expensive, but they have lots of wonderful products from throughout the world, including France, of course!

And for the fun, you can always see street markets (Bastille, Nation, Montparnasse...); not every place every day, but there are always some.

Bon voyage.

Yes that's the one

[windanseaguy]

you can even find lee kum kee and prawn crackers!! dunno can you bring white asparagus home? u planning day trip outside paris?

No will only be staying within Paris...maybe next time....

[Phil]

Yes that's the one

They also have wonderful Japanese whiskies, but maybe they are cheaper in Singapore...

And above and besides, Le Bon Marché is my favourite department store in Paris; creative and trendy; maybe a little bit "bourgeois"...

I wish you a pleasant shopping.

[windanseaguy]

They also have wonderful Japanese whiskies, but maybe they are cheaper in Singapore...

And above and besides, Le Bon Marché is my favourite department store in Paris; creative and trendy; maybe a little bit "bourgeois"...

I wish you a pleasant shopping.

Yeah I read good stuff abt the place. Anyways...you guys think 200 euro per day is enough for two?

[Phil]

Yeah I read good stuff abt the place. Anyways...you guys think 200 euro per day is enough for two?

Not sure, maybe a little bit just for two...

You can always eat in cheap places (yes, they exist in Paris!), walk and use metro, but hotel rooms are difficult to find under a certain price. Maybe you will share the same room? Did you book one already? Or is your question related to expenses other than the room?

[windanseaguy]

Not sure, maybe a little bit just for two...

You can always eat in cheap places (yes, they exist in Paris!), walk and use metro, but hotel rooms are difficult to find under a certain price. Maybe you will share the same room? Did you book one already? Or is your question related to expenses other than the room?

Oh I meant just for food and transport. Does not include shopping and exclude hotel.

[gstc82]

Yeah I read good stuff abt the place. Anyways...you guys think 200 euro per day is enough for two?

oh yeah, more than enough if u spend wisely bro. usually, have sandwich for lunch, have some cafe at tea time, and a nicer meal at a moderate price bistro for dinner. dun take cab bro, super expansive. and must check opening hours for shops and stuff. you shd have quite alot left for other stuff.

[Phil]

Oh I meant just for food and transport. Does not include shopping and exclude hotel.

In this case, it should be enough. Metro, bus, tramway ...and walking are not expensive here, and it's the best way to visit Paris.

And if you don't go too often to posh restaurants, must be ok.

[windanseaguy]

In this case, it should be enough. Metro, bus, tramway ...and walking are not expensive here, and it's the best way to visit Paris.

And if you don't go too often to posh restaurants, must be ok.

Great...I think i am all set then Thanks for all your tips!

[windanseaguy]

oh yeah, more than enough if u spend wisely bro. usually, have sandwich for lunch, have some cafe at tea time, and a nicer meal at a moderate price bistro for dinner. dun take cab bro, super expansive. and must check opening hours for shops and stuff. you shd have quite alot left for other stuff.

yeah am thinking of getting sandwich bread, meats, cheeses at deli to prep my own sandwiches or just get ready to go sandwiches at deli. definitely going to metro my way ard paris and buy the 10 passes package for metro.

[windanseaguy]

Been reading about how to get to Paris from CDG airport and I have a few questions/clarifications:

1. Since I am arriving at Terminal 1, I should take the VAL shuttle to Terminal 3/Rossypole to catch the RER train to Paris right?

2. Can I use the RER ticket for transfer to Metro line at Gare du Nord or do I need to buy a separate ticket for Metro line?

3. I am considering buying a carnet of 10 tickets good for zone 1 and 2 in Paris. Is that the best (cheapest) option? There are also the Paris Navigo Découverte and Paris Visit Card but I am not sure whats the difference.

Can anyone help out? Thanks.

[Phil]

Been reading about how to get to Paris from CDG airport and I have a few questions/clarifications:

1. Since I am arriving at Terminal 1, I should take the VAL shuttle to Terminal 3/Rossypole to catch the RER train to Paris right?

2. Can I use the RER ticket for transfer to Metro line at Gare du Nord or do I need to buy a separate ticket for Metro line?

3. I am considering buying a carnet of 10 tickets good for zone 1 and 2 in Paris. Is that the best (cheapest) option? There are also the Paris Navigo Découverte and Paris Visit Card but I am not sure whats the difference.

Can anyone help out? Thanks.

1- I think it's easier to take the free shuttle "CDGVAL" to RER B station "Aéroport CDG 1", then RER B (direction "Saint- Rémy-lès- Chevreuse") towards Paris, and commute to métro at "Gare du Nord".

You can check on CDG website:

"www.aeroportsdeparis.fr"

(and choose your language)

You can see on this site that there is also AIR FRANCE or RATP buses to different places in Paris; depends where you go...

2- I suppose that your RER ticket allows you to commute free with métro.

3- Navigo and decouverte are only useful if you intend to use extensively the metro during your stay.

Buying a carnet of 10 tickets (12€ today) is the most simple option, and you can renew as necessary. It also works for buses.

Have a nice trip!

[Guest brando]

Great...I think i am all set then Thanks for all your tips!

I hope the Iceland volcanic eruption doesn't disrupt your flight.

The ashes are predicted to be blown to France in the next two days.

[windanseaguy]

1- I think it's easier to take the free shuttle "CDGVAL" to RER B station "Aéroport CDG 1", then RER B (direction "Saint- Rémy-lès- Chevreuse") towards Paris, and commute to métro at "Gare du Nord".

You can check on CDG website:

"www.aeroportsdeparis.fr"

(and choose your language)

You can see on this site that there is also AIR FRANCE or RATP buses to different places in Paris; depends where you go...

2- I suppose that your RER ticket allows you to commute free with métro.

3- Navigo and decouverte are only useful if you intend to use extensively the metro during your stay.

Buying a carnet of 10 tickets (12€ today) is the most simple option, and you can renew as necessary. It also works for buses.

Have a nice trip!

Thanks for info!

[windanseaguy]

I hope the Iceland volcanic eruption doesn't disrupt your flight.

The ashes are predicted to be blown to France in the next two days.

Hope not too. Been readin up and said that effect of eruption won't be as bad as last year. I think the ash will reach France on we'd or thur depending on wind. Anyways won't be bad to extend my stay he he.

[Phil]

Thanks for info!

You are welcome.

And I think you are right not being frightened by Icelandic eruptions. The dusts should not reach France before a few days, and the new mathematical model used by Eurocontrol is more accurate than last time.

You are also right in being positive: if, by chance, there were some problems, being stuck in Paris is far from hell!...

Eventually, you stay in Quartier Latin?

Enjoy your trip.

[gstc82]

please please buy travel insurance!! very very impt. esp with the ash situation.