Paris - Tips please, never been
Discussion
We're off to Paris in October for a few nights and as we've never been before I'm after some hotel recommendations please. Not stupidly pricey but I'm happy to pay decent money for the right place in a good area.
We'll be getting the train there so I don't have to worry about parking or getting my car smashed into tiny little pieces
Also, are there any areas to avoid?
Things we've booked so far are a hop on hop off bus for two days, the Louvre, the Catacombs, and an evening river cruise.
Merci
We'll be getting the train there so I don't have to worry about parking or getting my car smashed into tiny little pieces
Also, are there any areas to avoid?
Things we've booked so far are a hop on hop off bus for two days, the Louvre, the Catacombs, and an evening river cruise.
Merci
Recent suggestions here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
The Tower at night, also a river cruise at night. Walk along the South Bank. Treat yourself to some really nice patisserie, have a jambon beurre for breakfast. Walk everywhere, the underground is a bit scuzzy. Go to Montmartre and the Palace of Versaille, the place is magical.
https://legrenierapain.com/
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/
https://legrenierapain.com/
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/
The open rooftop viewing area above galerie lafayette is worth popping up to. It's free and gives fantastic views across the city in every direction. Simple easy thing to include and worth the minimal effort. Most guides seem to omit it I guess because it is free. Never seems very busy up there and they have panorama maps displayed so you can name the buildings etc.
Plus proper old school french restaurant Bouillon Chartier, not expensive, about £12 a plate and trad art deco architecture. Expect a short queue if you go at popular times. Beat the queue but having an early lunch,
Plus proper old school french restaurant Bouillon Chartier, not expensive, about £12 a plate and trad art deco architecture. Expect a short queue if you go at popular times. Beat the queue but having an early lunch,
The Palais of Versailles looks like a full day and also quite a jaunt, looks nice but I think we'll give it a miss as we're only there for 3 days.
I've booked a hotel in Montparnasse in the 6th district, I presume that's central enough?
We're also going to have a wander around the Père Lachaise to see some dead people.
I have no wish to use the Metro if I'm honest, from what I've read elsewhere it doesn't seem particularly safe or clean, probably the same as any big city underground. We can walk or Taxi if we can't just get off the tour bus thing near to where we want to go.
Galerie Lafayette sounds like a top tip.
I've booked a hotel in Montparnasse in the 6th district, I presume that's central enough?
We're also going to have a wander around the Père Lachaise to see some dead people.
I have no wish to use the Metro if I'm honest, from what I've read elsewhere it doesn't seem particularly safe or clean, probably the same as any big city underground. We can walk or Taxi if we can't just get off the tour bus thing near to where we want to go.
Galerie Lafayette sounds like a top tip.
The metro was fine when I went years ago, but fully expect to be one of the minority paying, and people to tailgate you through the turnstyles.
I thought le Louvre was amazing and sadly left it until my last day to visit. As above the river cruise/tours and Eiffel at night where amazing.
I would defo search for some top tips specific websites. Like under no circumstances let the African guys give you a friendship bracelet at places like Sacré-Cœur Unless you want to pay 5-20 euros (with inflation) for it. I spent a few months staying in monmartre and saw loads of tourists get stuck with that one whilst eating lunch one day on a weekend.
I thought le Louvre was amazing and sadly left it until my last day to visit. As above the river cruise/tours and Eiffel at night where amazing.
I would defo search for some top tips specific websites. Like under no circumstances let the African guys give you a friendship bracelet at places like Sacré-Cœur Unless you want to pay 5-20 euros (with inflation) for it. I spent a few months staying in monmartre and saw loads of tourists get stuck with that one whilst eating lunch one day on a weekend.
Adenauer said:
The Palais of Versailles looks like a full day and also quite a jaunt, looks nice but I think we'll give it a miss as we're only there for 3 days.
I've booked a hotel in Montparnasse in the 6th district, I presume that's central enough?
We're also going to have a wander around the Père Lachaise to see some dead people.
I have no wish to use the Metro if I'm honest, from what I've read elsewhere it doesn't seem particularly safe or clean, probably the same as any big city underground. We can walk or Taxi if we can't just get off the tour bus thing near to where we want to go.
Galerie Lafayette sounds like a top tip.
You're better off staying just north of the river in that area for the main focal sites. Paris is pretty vast.I've booked a hotel in Montparnasse in the 6th district, I presume that's central enough?
We're also going to have a wander around the Père Lachaise to see some dead people.
I have no wish to use the Metro if I'm honest, from what I've read elsewhere it doesn't seem particularly safe or clean, probably the same as any big city underground. We can walk or Taxi if we can't just get off the tour bus thing near to where we want to go.
Galerie Lafayette sounds like a top tip.
The Metro is easy to use & no worse/better than any other major city underground - you won't see it crawling with p*ssed up tourists at the weekend like you do in London. Uber works a treat and it's also a lovely city to walk around when the sun is shining (but as I say, it's a big city).
The only area I've felt a little uneasy in is Barbes - I got a bit lost one night and there was all kinds of stuff going on in the streets. Nobody even noticed me though and it was actually fine.
Paris is brilliant. Have a great time.
The Louvre closes on Tuesdays. As Mrs L and I found out when we broke up a week in London with a day in Paris. When you can get in, it's marvellous, though some of the signposting could be clearer.
The Champs Elysses has a gradient, so if you're planning on walking it, bear that in mind.
The square in the final scene of the Day of the Jackal is practically unrecognisable today (if you're into visiting film scenes).
Though the French invented the word frappe, obtaining one in a coffee shop is not easy.
The Eurostar was great, when we parked at Ashford. You might want to wait until they open it, as St. Pancras is not well geared for big numbers of people.
The Champs Elysses has a gradient, so if you're planning on walking it, bear that in mind.
The square in the final scene of the Day of the Jackal is practically unrecognisable today (if you're into visiting film scenes).
Though the French invented the word frappe, obtaining one in a coffee shop is not easy.
The Eurostar was great, when we parked at Ashford. You might want to wait until they open it, as St. Pancras is not well geared for big numbers of people.
Adenauer said:
The Palais of Versailles looks like a full day and also quite a jaunt, looks nice but I think we'll give it a miss as we're only there for 3 days.
I've booked a hotel in Montparnasse in the 6th district, I presume that's central enough?
We're also going to have a wander around the Père Lachaise to see some dead people.
I have no wish to use the Metro if I'm honest, from what I've read elsewhere it doesn't seem particularly safe or clean, probably the same as any big city underground. We can walk or Taxi if we can't just get off the tour bus thing near to where we want to go.
Galerie Lafayette sounds like a top tip.
Montparnasse is well connected. The Metro is fine to use to/from there.I've booked a hotel in Montparnasse in the 6th district, I presume that's central enough?
We're also going to have a wander around the Père Lachaise to see some dead people.
I have no wish to use the Metro if I'm honest, from what I've read elsewhere it doesn't seem particularly safe or clean, probably the same as any big city underground. We can walk or Taxi if we can't just get off the tour bus thing near to where we want to go.
Galerie Lafayette sounds like a top tip.
You can walk to a number of locations, including Hotel des Invalides, Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
Adenauer said:
We're off to Paris in October for a few nights and as we've never been before I'm after some hotel recommendations please. Not stupidly pricey but I'm happy to pay decent money for the right place in a good area.
We'll be getting the train there so I don't have to worry about parking or getting my car smashed into tiny little pieces
Also, are there any areas to avoid?
Things we've booked so far are a hop on hop off bus for two days, the Louvre, the Catacombs, and an evening river cruise.
Merci
Happy holidays! However I'd say always be vigilant as though you were still on home soil and never be too touristy in your demeanour or body language. It's easy to be taken advantage of that way. Restaurant staff will pull your arm off to come and eat mediocre food. Try and get out of the centre and into the suburbs for a better experience. We'll be getting the train there so I don't have to worry about parking or getting my car smashed into tiny little pieces
Also, are there any areas to avoid?
Things we've booked so far are a hop on hop off bus for two days, the Louvre, the Catacombs, and an evening river cruise.
Merci
Scammers and pickpockets aplenty. It's summer and therefore tourist season, and the perfect time of the year for them to make a small fortune.
If anyone over-confidently comes up to you (as though they've singled you out after having set eyes on you) and enthusiastically says "excuse me! Do you speak English?" then just ignore them.
Professional beggars.
Beware of scams such as the Italian suit guy (yes he's such a high flyer working with Top Italian brands that he drives around in an Aixam quadricycle or similar), the "which of the three upturned metal cups is the ball in" shell game scam (this goes on on Westminster Bridge), the gold (brass) ring scam etc. Ignore anyone trying to give or sell you stuff like trinkets or gold.
Also be aware that some buskers (not all, just the professional scam artists) may place a transparent cup or similar a foot or so in front of them where it can't be seen and will likely be kicked, sending the tip coins flying everywhere so that they can guilt trip you into giving them money as that's their hard-earned cash.
Plenty of other scams about, but Paris has its fair share.
As for pickpockets, the usual applies. There were two of us once walking near the Opera House and a random guy pretended to bump into one of its, pretend it was an accident / feign drunkenness and give a merry hug. Actually he was being nimble with his hands and managed to steal cash from inside a jacket pocket. We were in two minds about reporting the incident and although we did, going to a Parisian police station was not worth the time or red tape.
There isn't much CCTV in public in France as, say, London.
RC1807 said:
Montparnasse is well connected. The Metro is fine to use to/from there.
You can walk to a number of locations, including Hotel des Invalides, Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
The last time we went (5 years ago) we didn’t use the Metro at all. Stayed out near the Tower, river cruise / open top bus tour / walked everywhere.You can walk to a number of locations, including Hotel des Invalides, Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
We also did a 2CV tour - picked up and dropped off from the hotel.
My post has where I stayed in 7th at Hotel Le Tourville, it was at the bottom of the park where ET is. I'll look around a bit more next time as in reality we wasn't in the room long enough and it really wasn't that luxurious.
We went in April and got really lucky with weather, it really is a great city I will be back soon!
Top of the ADT wan't a bad 30 mins to get some views then some lunch in the area.
Food wise, You won't go hungry that's for sure. But I agree, keep away from the tourist trap places, we made a bit of a faux pas the last night and went for a Bistro restaurant where you could see the tower (Cafe Le Dome). It was s
te service and poor quality food for a dinner. Do the easy places for breakfast as thats all about the same everywhere you go.
Next time we'll do the Army museum as we stayed right near it, Monteparnse Tower, L'orsay museum, the old city and a bit more walking down the seine as we never really got that far down.
With Metro I probably would just buy tickets if you need it, for example to get from Louvre to our hotel it was a long walk so we got the metro. It was a pain in the arse though dragging cases round.
We went in April and got really lucky with weather, it really is a great city I will be back soon!
Top of the ADT wan't a bad 30 mins to get some views then some lunch in the area.
Food wise, You won't go hungry that's for sure. But I agree, keep away from the tourist trap places, we made a bit of a faux pas the last night and went for a Bistro restaurant where you could see the tower (Cafe Le Dome). It was s
te service and poor quality food for a dinner. Do the easy places for breakfast as thats all about the same everywhere you go.Next time we'll do the Army museum as we stayed right near it, Monteparnse Tower, L'orsay museum, the old city and a bit more walking down the seine as we never really got that far down.
With Metro I probably would just buy tickets if you need it, for example to get from Louvre to our hotel it was a long walk so we got the metro. It was a pain in the arse though dragging cases round.
Try an Accor hotel. They have plenty of choice and loads of different brands / price point. We normally stay near Saint Lazare as daughter leaves opposite Galeries Lafayette / Madeleine.
Walk from Galeries to the Opéra then Palais Royal, Place Vendôme and jardin des Tuileries (in any order).
Don't forget the Musée D'Orsay right opposite where the impressionists are.
Walk from Galeries to the Opéra then Palais Royal, Place Vendôme and jardin des Tuileries (in any order).
Don't forget the Musée D'Orsay right opposite where the impressionists are.
Two recommendations from me for when you’re up in Montmartre….
Un Zebre a Montmartre - try their braised beef speciality, it’s fantastic.
KB Cafeshop for decent coffee. Coffee in Paris is ste but if you’re into ‘decent’ stuff then this place is good.
You’ve already had the advice about the beggars and whatnot. I just tell everyone to ps off and don’t even let them start talking. Just be rude, it’s Paris so you’ll just look like a local!
Un Zebre a Montmartre - try their braised beef speciality, it’s fantastic.
KB Cafeshop for decent coffee. Coffee in Paris is s
te but if you’re into ‘decent’ stuff then this place is good. You’ve already had the advice about the beggars and whatnot. I just tell everyone to p
s off and don’t even let them start talking. Just be rude, it’s Paris so you’ll just look like a local!We found using Ubers much more reliable than taxis - at the train station we were waiting 30 minutes on the taxi queue then gave up as they were only arriving every 5 minutes or so and there were dozens of people in the queue ahead of us.
Also waiting at taxi ranks doesn’t mean anything, we were front of the queue and if a taxi stopped at lights 20 yards up the road someone would just get into it.
Loads of Ubers about so ended up using those.
Also waiting at taxi ranks doesn’t mean anything, we were front of the queue and if a taxi stopped at lights 20 yards up the road someone would just get into it.
Loads of Ubers about so ended up using those.
It’s been at least 10yrs since we went..
We would always take Eurostar (as 1hr 50m from ashford) and would generally go for 4/5 days in December.
We found our favourite place to stay was Republique, plenty of Hotels at all budgets, lots of different restaurants & not far from Oberkampf which at the time had some cool bars/restaurants.
Also a nice walk down the boulevards or had access to most of the metro lines.
Food wise.
There was a Sri Lanken restaurant near by, think Indian coconut flavours with Pork (yum).
A lobster restaurant with a big tank (yum).
& plenty of French Food/Brassiere.
Nb there was also a fantastic Italian restaurant on the Rue de Rome. (Different part of the city) but would go to have a lunch or a dinner.
Cafe Flo is worth a visit.
Jules Verne if it’s a special occasion.
Some very good Japanese restaurants too city wide.
Shops.. (don’t forget now we are out of the EU it’s TAX free shopping)!
Galleries La Fayette has been mentioned, Printemps also, Les Halles is worth a brief visit too.
On a Sunday we used to take a stroll from Trocadero, tower (up), Diana memorial (coffee in cafe opposite), up to the arc de triumph, down the champs to the Tuileries, then lunch in the 1st or pop over the river.
Tourist things.
Do a river cruise.
Do the Bus
Go to sacre coeur/montmartre
Enjoy!
We would always take Eurostar (as 1hr 50m from ashford) and would generally go for 4/5 days in December.
We found our favourite place to stay was Republique, plenty of Hotels at all budgets, lots of different restaurants & not far from Oberkampf which at the time had some cool bars/restaurants.
Also a nice walk down the boulevards or had access to most of the metro lines.
Food wise.
There was a Sri Lanken restaurant near by, think Indian coconut flavours with Pork (yum).
A lobster restaurant with a big tank (yum).
& plenty of French Food/Brassiere.
Nb there was also a fantastic Italian restaurant on the Rue de Rome. (Different part of the city) but would go to have a lunch or a dinner.
Cafe Flo is worth a visit.
Jules Verne if it’s a special occasion.
Some very good Japanese restaurants too city wide.
Shops.. (don’t forget now we are out of the EU it’s TAX free shopping)!
Galleries La Fayette has been mentioned, Printemps also, Les Halles is worth a brief visit too.
On a Sunday we used to take a stroll from Trocadero, tower (up), Diana memorial (coffee in cafe opposite), up to the arc de triumph, down the champs to the Tuileries, then lunch in the 1st or pop over the river.
Tourist things.
Do a river cruise.
Do the Bus
Go to sacre coeur/montmartre
Enjoy!
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff