alekzants

Hello guys

So, I've been researching a lot but it's been really hard to figure a plan out for my staying in Paris that starts on sep 23rd. Basically I'm going there alone for a 5 days (sep 26th - sep 30th) french intensive program that is 4 hours a day (from 9am to 1pm) and so I also have 6 more free days.

So my problem really is that I'll be there all by myself and tho I'm a 21 guy that scares the hell out of me because it's the first time I'm travelling abroad - and I'm on a budget that I will have probably 950~1000 euros (the hotel -an apart-hotel with kitchen - and the plane tickets are out of this budget) for food, tickets, transportation, little gifts and stuff like that. Also I think that I'll be purchasing a simcard for my phone so I can have internet on the go and access to maps and my social medias. Is that too little? I have no problems about going to a supermarket or something (I researched a bit and Picard's products looks pretty good).

Obviously I can't miss typical places like the Louvre, Sacre-Coeur, Versailles and Luxembourg gardens, but I would really appreciate suggestions of places (turisticals or not) to go alone and maybe tips of places I would probably like to stay away when alone or at night (i don't know if that helps but i'm gay and where I live we have really conservative regions of the city where it's really better for me to stay far from or it could get a little dangerous, so is this a issue somewhere around in Paris?).

Thank you guys in advance for any help you can provide me.
Regards,
Alex

KTtravel

I am not an expert on this subject but I believe the Marais area is particularly gay friendly and has clubs, bars and restaurants. I think you should be quite comfortable in most of Paris.

We took several walking tours when we were in Paris which was a nice way to meet and chat with other people while seeing sights and learning about Paris. We used this website but there are others: http://www.paris-walks.com.

I hope others chime in with more suggestions.

Have a great trip!

tuscanlifeedit

Research your transportation options. There ought to be a visitor transport pass that will get you around. I hope someone will add that to this thread.

Visit parks; they are lovely and free.

Paris has stunning and famous cemeteries that are free.

Canal St Martin and Menilmontant are youngish neighborhoods that I know about, but I'm old. Hopefully someone will chime in.

No problem with being gay, and the Marais is teeming with young gay men and inexpensive cafes.

Plenty of grocery stores and little shops for food.

Your budget should really be OK. Where is your school and where is your apart-hotel? Might help you get some more specific tips.

Cathinjoetown

With airfare, lodging and breakfast already paid, you should be okay with your budget but it's tight. You need to get in and out to the airport at the least cost possible, taxis are 50-60€ each way. Take the RER/métro or the airport bus then métro or walk. Ask the school for advice on inexpensive restaurants, etc., in the area. Where is the school and the apart'hotel? You need to determine if you can walk between them or need to set aside funds for the métro or buses. I'd feel better about your budget if you had a bit more of a cushion.

Picard is only frozen food, good quality and a bit pricey. Don't buy it until you are sure you have a way to heat it, some things need just a microwave, others need an oven. A better bet is a regular grocery, it will be a better value, you can get fresh fruit, veg, bread, all sorts of charcuterie, often rotisserie chicken and always cheeses. Street markets are fun and a good way to practice your French.

It is daunting to be in a large city on your own but you'll find that Paris is made up of many neighborhoods with their own small shops, bistros, bars, etc. You probably will meet other people your age in your class. As in any large city, it's not a good idea to be out on your own late at night in unfamiliar areas but the most of Paris is very safe.

Search on "free things to do in Paris." The gardens are free, a few of the museums have free opening times, I think some give discounts if you have any form of student ID.

Whathello

Yup, le Marais is full of gays. Last I was there I played gay with my nephew, for the sake of the age difference. That is what attracted attention, not the fact that you are gay.
Apart from some cavernous guys, nobody cares if you are gay in Paris, so this is no prob. I will ask some (gay) friends what would be the best places for a gay in Paris - you a male of female ?

menachem

You might want to go to one of the Franglish nights, essentially a social language exchange in a nice cafe or bar.

They're always on the search for English speakers, and you'll get to practice what you learned on your intensive in a sociable and supportive environment.

Around Canal St Martin is nice, also around Place de Republique.

You'll really like the Marais

http://www.franglish.eu/en/language-exchange-paris

fuzzbucket

If you plan on drinking alcohol, look for "Happy Hours", when prices are cheaper, though you might not want what they are promoting.
A glass of wine = 5 EU
Bottled beer = 6 EU
Draft pinte = 6 EU
Cocktails = 15 - 35 EU (not a typo)

Don't flash your money around, don't get drunk/stoned and stupid, always bring along a "raincoat" and trust your instincts.
Also know how to get back to your hotel.

Christina

I wouldn't focus on Picard which is just frozen food. Any supermarket will have loads of stuff you can buy to eat, if that's what you want (although there are many cheap cafes/restaurants in Paris where it may be just as cheap to eat and you won't have to buy full sizes of things). large supermarkets also have some take-away stuff, and there are deli-type places called traiteurs that you could use, also. Sounds like you already have a place booked with a kitchenette (which may not have a regular oven, I don't know--some only have burners and a microwave). Also, don't assume it has a big freezer space in the frig.

To be honest, it would be easier to give you advice about places to shop and go if you had said exactly where you are staying, nearest metro stop at least, since it's an aparthotel those should have known addresses. NO sense in going several miles across town to a completely different neighborhood when there would likely be something closer.

Christina

oh, and try not to worry too much, I know it can make one anxious the first time you do something like this, especially in a foreign country. But since you are in class 4 hrs a day, you may meet some others in that class who will want to hang out some or do things, also.