O/T.....visiting Paris in May....looking for advice please
- Thread starter rockingamecock
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I have been extensively. It is a world class city. Even just walking around is a great experience. See all of the monuments and don't be afraid to eat at the cafe's. Get your tickets to the Eiffel Tower in advance and make sure you purchase a Paris Pass which will allow you access to all of the monuments without standing in line. If I recall, you have to buy it in Paris. If this is your first trip and you are there for only X period of time, enjoy the city and skip Versailles, The Opera is just as opulent. Most of the churches are open for free. Make sure you visit Saint Chapelle, which is close to Notre Dame. I am happy to answer any questions. I even went on a day trip to Normandy from Paris. Spent last August in France, it was great.
First thing to do, take the TGV down to southern France and skip Paris.
I haven't been since 1997 but all I remember is that Paris was nothing but NYC in a different language.
95% of the people we interacted with in Paris were extremely rude.
An attempt to have a nice breakfast/brunch at a cafe was destroyed by the wailing of a siren coming down the street or constant cursing by French drivers.
Being accosted by gypies at Notre Dame.
Peddlers of street corn at the Eiffel tower.
People having sex on the shore of the Seine while our boat tour went up the river.
Our time spent in Montpelier, Sete, Beziers, and all in between was much more pleasant.
If you are into old....visit this church. Only a few blocks from Notre-Dame.....but better if you ask me.
Already plan to take the TGV down to Bordeaux....thanks.First thing to do, take the TGV down to southern France and skip Paris.
I haven't been since 1997 but all I remember is that Paris was nothing but NYC in a different language.
95% of the people we interacted with in Paris were extremely rude.
An attempt to have a nice breakfast/brunch at a cafe was destroyed by the wailing of a siren coming down the street or constant cursing by French drivers.
Being accosted by gypies at Notre Dame.
Peddlers of street corn at the Eiffel tower.
People having sex on the shore of the Seine while our boat tour went up the river.
Our time spent in Montpelier, Sete, Beziers, and all in between was much more pleasant.
Honeymoon 2005. Montparness(sp) - where the actors and writers lived. Had a great time visiting the sights; Louvre(sp) was favorite, effiel tower, underpass where Princess DI died , expensive play. Favorite little restaurant Petit House in St. Germain. She will love the shopping across the river. French guys will be rude to you and nice to your wife (watch em). Enjoyed, but wish we had taken a train around more of France and Europe.
Sorry.....thought i had posted a link. https://www.tripsavvy.com/sainte-chapelle-in-paris-1618618
Also if you happen to have a rainy day. I enjoyed this old culinary supply house. E.Dehillerin Le Specialiste Du Materiel De Cuisine
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=e...ed=0ahUKEwj32P-7o93YAhUMXKwKHXOgBlkQoioIpAEwCw
It (there website) in no way resembles the experience of seeing this place. A great place to spend a couple of hours in culinary heaven.
Dont forget to wear a tshirt that reminds the Parisians everyday that they are lucky not to be speaking German.
I have traveled the world for a living, including Paris and all of the other big name cities. I have to ask my self, why would you come to this board asking for advice. A prospective visitor to Columbia did the same thing recently in another thread and for the most part, he got nothing but smart ass comments from the resident low life's that hang out on here. It has been my experience that if you are dressed in clean clothes, and are polite, anybody will be happy to help you out. Paris is a major destination for a reason. Do yourself a favor and go to YouTube and search out the many travel videos on Paris, or get a Rick Steve's book. I will admit, it can get expensive in Paris. If you want to do it on the cheap, then follow the this crowd. I bet some that made comments have never been to Paris, Europe or Swansea for that matter. People have many times sought my advice on Paris and I have given it to them. Not one, not one ever came back to me and said anything bad about the experience. Most of the people that I have seen on this board certainly don't have the travel experience to get along with locals. It is an acquired art. By the way, if you want to get along with people in Paris, learn five or six simple phrases such as Good Morning, Thank You.... the list goes on and on. Just making an effort goes a long way. The pick pocket game is real though, so be careful. After more that 20 trips, I am today envious that you are going. It is a great experience. By the way, I did spend some time in southern France, Nice to be exact, in August, and it was great, but Paris, if you will let it do so, is a very special place. It is the only place in the world that my wife not only wants to revisit, but to live for about six weeks. We plan on doing that very soon. I see that you are going to south of France as well. Think Avignon.
Funny, I'm not a fan of either city. I was in Paris for a few hours in '84 and that was enough to not want to go back. I've been to NYC maybe 4 times. Went to a wedding in the 90s and saw a GREAT basketball game at MSG last March but all in all I've just never enjoyed the city.
Never been myself, but heard the same!First thing to do, take the TGV down to southern France and skip Paris.
I haven't been since 1997 but all I remember is that Paris was nothing but NYC in a different language.
95% of the people we interacted with in Paris were extremely rude.
An attempt to have a nice breakfast/brunch at a cafe was destroyed by the wailing of a siren coming down the street or constant cursing by French drivers.
Being accosted by gypies at Notre Dame.
Peddlers of street corn at the Eiffel tower.
People having sex on the shore of the Seine while our boat tour went up the river.
Our time spent in Montpelier, Sete, Beziers, and all in between was much more pleasant.
I have been to Paris around 200 times. It is awesome, but it is a big city and you probably don’t know the language. Start now and watch the movie Midnight in Paris. It will give you a feel for the city. Do the bicycle tour, there is a midday tour and an early evening tour that includes a boat ride on the Seine just as it’s getting dark. If you could move the trip to late April or September would be better to avoid the crowds.
This is a prime example of one of the most ignorant post that can be found in this thread. Obviously this idiot knows little of what he talks about. Paris will actually be very cool during the month of May due to where it is located. I would plan on dressing warm. By the way, May 10, 2018 is a holiday know as Ascension Day and will result in the reduction of travel and business openings. Be forewarned. I am sure that you also know that all TGV trips require a reserved seat and often, pre-purchase. Demand for a TGV at that time of year out of Paris could be steep, so act accordingly. Usually the window opens at 90 days in advance. The main TGV station for Paris is at CDG.
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Go to Pau in the south of France. My daughter lived there for three years, and it is a delightful place
Had a great meal at La Jacobine last May. Walking distance from Notre Dame. French cuisine at a reasonable price. Make a reservation, it is small.
The Louvre is open in the evening on night a week. Much less crowded than in the day hours. Could not believe how many tourists were from China and Russia.
We were there the first of May. A little cooler than I expected. Take a sweater and/or jacket. Have fun.
The Louvre is open in the evening on night a week. Much less crowded than in the day hours. Could not believe how many tourists were from China and Russia.
We were there the first of May. A little cooler than I expected. Take a sweater and/or jacket. Have fun.
Dont forget to wear a tshirt that reminds the Parisians everyday that they are lucky not to be speaking German.
DAMN RIGHT!
Sorry Cockgun but he is correct. In May it's just as bad as the middle of summer. It's not the locals that smell so bad, it's the folks from other foreign countries. Paris is a beautiful city, but it is too damn crowded -- The Louvre especially.
I lived in Paris for 6 months and have a few thoughts but it depends on what you like and budget. Enjoy it and have fun with the city.
1. Go to the St Chapelle church for a concert of chamber music at night. It's the oldest church in the city but to see it at night with the perfect acoustics is amazing and the cost is cheap.
2. Go to Brasserie Lipp for dinner or the Deux Margot for breakfast or afternoon drink on the St Germain. It is the true Parisian experience.
3. Go to Le Caveau in the Place Dauphin on the Ile de la Cite for a lunch or dinner. The restaurant is family owned for 3 generations and has a beautiful courtyard where you can play boules with locals. It's a nice family run restaurant on an island in the Seine.
4. Go L'Avenue for lunch on the Right Bank. It is expensive but you will feel like an insider. It is where all the models go for lunch and is on the fashion district.
5. Go to the Invalides and see Napoleons tomb and the military history museum. It's amazing particularly the WWI exhibit if it's still there. Great history.
7. If you like art go to the Picasso Museum which is out of the way and most people skip. Best collection of his work I've ever seen and you won't have a huge crowd.
8. Spend an afternoon walking around the Luxembourg Gardens. Great way to kill an afternoon.
These are things to do besides the usual like Versailles (which I would do but go with a tour to avoid the line), the Louvre, the Museum D'Orsay. All of which you should do. If you go with the attitude Parisians suck, it will suck. You get out of it what you put in it. It is the best city to take a walk in the world. Wonder around. Get lost. Stop in a cafe and have a drink or a coffee. Enjoy
I presume you are flying in? CDG? Or via Orly? How many days?
Already have a place to stay? CDG will require rail into Gare du Nord Station. You can take the Metro from there to your destination. If you already have a place to stay, review the Metro route in advance. Get a multi day pass to get around the city.
If you haven't settled on a place to stay, you may want to consider an apartment rental. Generally bigger and cheaper than a hotel. A hotel can give better assistance for general recommendations, locally, and possibly a shuttle service. If still looking, check out the various arrondissements. Each has it's own advantages and disadvantages. Some in the city center have a lot of hustle snd bustle, but you are near things. Others are more quiet, relatively peaceful Parisian neighborhoods. If you run across one, a good grocery store, if you want snacks, milk, etc., is Carrefour.
May is probably the best time, temperature wise, right at the edge of not needing a jacket, but take a light rain resistant jacket, just in case. Not much to add for places to visit, except the obvious one not mentioned, the Champs Elysee's shops and the Arc de Triomphe. The view from the roof of the arc is worth it. The sun sets fairly late, so go about 10:15 and see last bit of sunlight, then the city in darkness by closing time at 11:00. Another site not mentioned is Disney Paris.
One thing to remember, if walking all day in warm weather and you get thirsty, the cafes are required to offer complimentary pitchers of water, if asked. I would order a pastry, or coffee, or something similar to be gracious for service. Ask for "une carafe d'eau" for a pitcher of water. Btw, if you want a good old fashioned American fountain soda drink dispenser like in American fast food restaurants, the Subways in Paris still had them, last time there. Actual refills you get yourself. In London, a refill is buying another drink, no refills.
I haven't seen a lot of it, but watchout for clipboard girls asking for a survey. While distracted, someone else is pickpocketing you. If you can mimic a good German accent, yell "Nine!"(no!). They really don't like Germans and will scatter (and leave you alone).
Take a chip card and let your bank know when and where you are, so you won't be declined. Skip the money changer booths and just use the atms for cash withdraws. Also, familiarize yourself with the Euro denominations. Pretty obvious, but still different
Enough for now. Hope you enjoy the trip. Paris definitely has a festive atmosphere to it. It a special place if you have time to absorb it all in.
Already have a place to stay? CDG will require rail into Gare du Nord Station. You can take the Metro from there to your destination. If you already have a place to stay, review the Metro route in advance. Get a multi day pass to get around the city.
If you haven't settled on a place to stay, you may want to consider an apartment rental. Generally bigger and cheaper than a hotel. A hotel can give better assistance for general recommendations, locally, and possibly a shuttle service. If still looking, check out the various arrondissements. Each has it's own advantages and disadvantages. Some in the city center have a lot of hustle snd bustle, but you are near things. Others are more quiet, relatively peaceful Parisian neighborhoods. If you run across one, a good grocery store, if you want snacks, milk, etc., is Carrefour.
May is probably the best time, temperature wise, right at the edge of not needing a jacket, but take a light rain resistant jacket, just in case. Not much to add for places to visit, except the obvious one not mentioned, the Champs Elysee's shops and the Arc de Triomphe. The view from the roof of the arc is worth it. The sun sets fairly late, so go about 10:15 and see last bit of sunlight, then the city in darkness by closing time at 11:00. Another site not mentioned is Disney Paris.
One thing to remember, if walking all day in warm weather and you get thirsty, the cafes are required to offer complimentary pitchers of water, if asked. I would order a pastry, or coffee, or something similar to be gracious for service. Ask for "une carafe d'eau" for a pitcher of water. Btw, if you want a good old fashioned American fountain soda drink dispenser like in American fast food restaurants, the Subways in Paris still had them, last time there. Actual refills you get yourself. In London, a refill is buying another drink, no refills.
I haven't seen a lot of it, but watchout for clipboard girls asking for a survey. While distracted, someone else is pickpocketing you. If you can mimic a good German accent, yell "Nine!"(no!). They really don't like Germans and will scatter (and leave you alone).
Take a chip card and let your bank know when and where you are, so you won't be declined. Skip the money changer booths and just use the atms for cash withdraws. Also, familiarize yourself with the Euro denominations. Pretty obvious, but still different
Enough for now. Hope you enjoy the trip. Paris definitely has a festive atmosphere to it. It a special place if you have time to absorb it all in.
I think I heard a story about an old WWll vet who flew to Paris recently. He arrives at Customs but can’t find his ID or passport. He became upset because the authorities were giving him such a hard time. Finally he angrily said, “I came to France in June 1944 and not one Frenchman was on the beach at Normandy asking for my damn passport.”
Then why did our WWII troops wear combat jackets in June, lined with wool. I been several times in May and have pictures of both my wife and me in jackets. It is not cold, but it is not exactly warm either. And frankly, I have never smelled anybody else either, at least from a deodorant standpoint. I stand by my comments.
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I think there are some good tips here, if you filter through some of the bad. Just some preferences of my own:
*If you're not really into art (like me), the Louvre is overwhelming just to spend a few seconds looking at Mona Lisa. Musee d'Orsay is more manageable especially if you're only in Paris for a week or so. I prefer the style of paintings there also.
*Start a day at the Arc, walk the Champs Elysees, eat the best crepes you'll ever have from street vendors. Buy a large bottle of water at the start of the day and look to refill when possible.
*Take a river cruise down the Seine
*Buy in advance if you want to go up the Eiffel tower.
Local hotels will probably have smaller rooms and showers than you're used to. Waiters will not always be right there for you. Some restaurants may charge you for bread that you thought was going to be complimentary. Live it up and have a great time!
*If you're not really into art (like me), the Louvre is overwhelming just to spend a few seconds looking at Mona Lisa. Musee d'Orsay is more manageable especially if you're only in Paris for a week or so. I prefer the style of paintings there also.
*Start a day at the Arc, walk the Champs Elysees, eat the best crepes you'll ever have from street vendors. Buy a large bottle of water at the start of the day and look to refill when possible.
*Take a river cruise down the Seine
*Buy in advance if you want to go up the Eiffel tower.
Local hotels will probably have smaller rooms and showers than you're used to. Waiters will not always be right there for you. Some restaurants may charge you for bread that you thought was going to be complimentary. Live it up and have a great time!
That's fine with me. You had your experiences and I had mine. I too stand by my comments.
Last time I was in Paris (2005) I spent a day in jail for a minor traffic violation so my advice is don't drive an auto while there. I lived in France for 7 years and speak the language but that did not help.
French law has no such thing as habeas corpus...one among a number of bad aspects of latin countries.
French law has no such thing as habeas corpus...one among a number of bad aspects of latin countries.
Here is a great overview of the weather in May:
https://www.tripsavvy.com/visiting-paris-in-may-4012133
https://www.tripsavvy.com/visiting-paris-in-may-4012133
