Paris, France - Anyone been there?

[Gregg]

Try to learn a few basic French phrases, they'll appreciate it. I didn't find the people to be rude, but others have complained about their attitude towards tourists.

zchut ze door

Le french fries


J'aime Jerry Lewis. Jerry Lewis est drôle.

[TranaGreg]

zchut ze door

Le french fries


J'aime Jerry Lewis. Jerry Lewis est drôle.

dooze your doog baite?

[dslaw]

Tip #1 - don't take French lessons from anyone with "Greg" in their handle.

[DMT]

It's my favourite place to visit.

I've only been twice (for a total of about two weeks) but I can't think of a big city I've enjoyed more. And your wives will absolutely love it.

[johnnya24]

I've only been twice (for a total of about two weeks) but I can't think of a big city I've enjoyed more. And your wives will absolutely love it.

It's amazing, especially in the spring ... it can get oppressively hot in the summer. I'd still put London ahead in terms of doing stuff, but Paris is in a league of it's own when it comes to beauty and atmosphere. It feels great being there. London is one of those cities were everything is waiting for you whenever you want it, any day of the week, any time of the year ... especially for a resident. Paris isn't really like that, though you'll never be bored. We always took every opportunity to see touring bands in Paris (and Berlin) as an excuse to visit ... and it usually only worked out only slightly more expensive than seeing a gig in London because you could actually buy tickets direct!

We were usually able to get cheap decent hotels, and if you're careful it shouldn't be that expensive. Personally I wouldn't bother with an apartment for a long weekend type trip. I'd want the ease of a hotel, especially for all the time you're going to spend there.

[DMT]

We were usually able to get cheap decent hotels, and if you're careful it shouldn't be that expensive. Personally I wouldn't bother with an apartment for a long weekend type trip. I'd want the ease of a hotel, especially for all the time you're going to spend there.

I'd second this. VRBO is awesome for longer stays but for 3 days the hotel will likely be a lot more convenient. Plus, a lot of owners don't like renting their places for 3 days.

[DMT]

My 2nd time in Paris was in the middle of my 2nd term at Oxford. My wife (then girlfriend) had just finished her semester so she flew out. We spent a week in England, where she got to watch me perform in Glengarry Glen Ross as Moss (played by Ed Harris in the film). For whatever reason, this monologue got cut out. It was a small theater and my wife was the only Indian in the audience.


MOSS
You had one you'd know it. Patel.
They keep coming up. I don't know.
They like to talk to salesmen.
(pause)
They're lonely, something.
(pause)
They like to feel superior, I don't
know. Never bought a fucking thing.
You're sitting down "The Rio Rancho
this, the blah blah blah," "The
Mountain View--" "Oh yes. My
brother told me that..." They got a
grapevine. Fuckin' Indians, George.
Not my cup of tea. Speaking of
which I want to tell you something:
(pause)
I never got a cup of tea with them.
You see them in the restaurants. A
supercilious race. What is this
look on their face all the time? I
don't know.
(pause)
I don't know. Their broads all
look like they just got fucked with
a dead cat, I don't know.
(pause)
I don't know. I don't like it.
Christ...

Afterwards, she noticed several people staring at her so she informed them 'that's my boyfriend'.

So in the middle of the 8 week term I took off for 3 weeks and we went to Ireland, and then Paris. She was continuing on for another month around Europe while I had to return to my studies. I ended up missing the last chunnel back to England and miraculously and thought I was gonna be spending the night in the station (I was pretty much out of money by that point)...but miraculously was able to find a room right next to the Gare du Nord...with another dumbass who was stuck there, one who didn't speak a word of English. So we just hung out on the balcony and smoked cigarettes and drank wine (I wasn't a smoker but didn't know what else to do). Good times.

[johnnya24]

I ended up missing the last chunnel back to England and miraculously and thought I was gonna be spending the night in the station (I was pretty much out of money by that point)...but miraculously was able to find a room right next to the Gare du Nord...with another dumbass who was stuck there, one who didn't speak a word of English. So we just hung out on the balcony and smoked cigarettes and drank wine (I wasn't a smoker but didn't know what else to do). Good times.

I was forever missing the last train home from London after gigs ... which is another reason we abandoned London and shifted to Europe for our concert going. There was a little 24 hour cafe near Liverpool Street where all us dumbasses would be sitting around desperately trying not to fall asleep (this wasn't allowed) ... that cafe must make a fortune from late night tea and coffee sales. The other option was an all night club, but by your late 20's / early 30's, that's not as attractive an option. When I was with Anastasia neither of these were acceptable options ... so it was usually expensive last minute hotel room somewhere in the square mile (because the tube was shut down by that stage also!).

[Fresno Bob]

This isn't really true at all. Vrbo is more expensive than airbnb but there are tons of places for rent and they're almost always cheaper than hotels. Last trip to Europe we didn't stay in a single hotel and paid less for much nicer accommodations. Hotels have zero advantages over airbnb other than room service and turn down. You might save $300+ in your three day stay.

They may not like it, but they'll take it...my guess is that Europe is going to have a crap tourist summer this year, at least in terms of Europeans travelling.....also, most of Europe doesn't seem to start vacation until mid July, at least that's when we get all our houseswap requests

[bryanbutler]

They may not like it, but they'll take it...my guess is that Europe is going to have a crap tourist summer this year, at least in terms of Europeans travelling.....also, most of Europe doesn't seem to start vacation until mid July, at least that's when we get all our wifeswap requests

fixed...

[amcg]

I've been to Paris a few times - important to stay fairly central as then you can walk* to most places or at least make it just a couple of stops on the Metro.

- The Eiffel Tour is ok. Impressive to see up close but don't feel you have to go to the top.
- The Champs Elysees does nothing for me.
- Notre Dame is worth a detour.
- The Louvre is amazing - allow for long queuing.
- Echo what the guys have said about heading up to Sacre Coeur.

MOST IMPORTANT: Take the time to enjoy the simple things about Paris: sitting outside a corner cafe sipping coffee or wine... buying fresh croissants from a boulangerie for breakfast, and perhaps a baguette to have later. Get lost in some winding streets. Sit on a bench drinking a bottle of wine bought from a corner store from paper cups. Eat snails, bone marrow and enjoy simply perfect creme brulee.

It's a wonderful city.

* You'll understand that by "you can walk", I mean in the European sense. Bring comfortable shoes.

[TranaGreg]

... MOST IMPORTANT: Take the time to enjoy the simple things about Paris: sitting outside a corner cafe sipping coffee or wine... buying fresh croissants from a boulangerie for breakfast, and perhaps a baguette to have later. Get lost in some winding streets. Sit on a bench drinking a bottle of wine bought from a corner store from paper cups. Eat snails, bone marrow and enjoy simply perfect creme brulee.

It's a wonderful city.
...

this is brilliantly put.

I've been thinking about this since this thread was first posted. For a first visit of only 3 days, I'm changing my suggested itinerary; plan to do nothing. Unless you absolutely love museums, or classical gothic architecture, I can't imagine a better way to spend 3 days than what amcg has posted above.

Of course you will plan stuff - it's inevitable; but plan as little as possible, and only things everyone really wants to see/do, as opposed to what the tour books are saying. And as above, fill the rest with soft cheeses, cheap wine, and whatever else you stumble across.

[johnnya24]

this is brilliantly put.

I've been thinking about this since this thread was first posted. For a first visit of only 3 days, I'm changing my suggested itinerary; plan to do nothing. Unless you absolutely love museums, or classical gothic architecture, I can't imagine a better way to spend 3 days than what amcg has posted above.

Of course you will plan stuff - it's inevitable; but plan as little as possible, and only things everyone really wants to see/do, as opposed to what the tour books are saying. And as above, fill the rest with soft cheeses, cheap wine, and whatever else you stumble across.

You can do both. But if you live 5000 miles away, and might never be back again, I reckon it's crucial to experience the important stuff. Sacre Coeur and Montmartre has both atmosphere and important stuff to see. Notre Damme, The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower are all along the Seine, which is quite ornamental and imperial.

I think one thing we can agree on is that 3 days isn't long enough.

[griswold]

Thanks again folks! Great info!

Sadly, it looks like the plans are failing to the wayside.....which actually may be a blessing as my wife and I had planned for a longer trip in 2014 for our 25 wedding anniversary.

Sounds like that's a better idea anyways....

[dslaw]

My wife and I will probably go in 2015 for our 25th anniversary. Jeez you must be old.

We were looking at a river cruise from Amsterdam to Vienna or Budapest but the Paris trip will probably be cheaper.