First Time in France--Paris and Burgundy

Old Sep 1st, 2015, 04:30 PM
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First Time in France--Paris and Burgundy

Hi! I am taking my first trip to France solo in October and am in the preliminary phases of planning. I am looking to spend five days in Paris and five days in Burgundy (Beaune most likely)—maybe at an Airbnb.

For Paris I would like to pick a charming neighborhood with lovely cafes, shops, and clubs and live like a local for five days—maybe take in a few museums and some music. I should mention I'm a bit of a foodie. I don’t want to try and cram too many things into one trip. I want to relax and enjoy.

In Burgundy I would like a bicycle, nature and wine. Something that is not too difficult to get to from the train station but that perhaps is also not directly in the city.

I would love recommendations for places to stay, things to do, and restaurants—things that are less touristy and more for locals in the know. I am also a little worried since I don’t speak the language. I will not be renting a car and moving between cities by train and cab.

Also any websites or places I can go to get info on traveling solo in France—the nuts and bolts kind of stuff—would be awesome.

Thanks in advance!
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Old Sep 1st, 2015, 04:42 PM
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"...places I can go to get info on traveling...in France—the nuts and bolts kind of stuff..."

Many of your questions are answered in guidebooks. Boring, I know, but that's what they're for. First stop, your library, to see which you like, then on to a bookstore or Amazon to buy the latest editions.
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Old Sep 1st, 2015, 04:43 PM
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By the way, is your trip next month, or next year?
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Old Sep 2nd, 2015, 05:52 AM
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In Burgundy, you have a lot of B&B's available and a lot are owned by english people.

I like gites de france.
For example find a gites in the region, I got a price of 55 e (but in october) and you'll see on the right a flag next to 'langue parlée' (spoken language). This one is french, but if you browse, you may easily find englishspeaking people.
http://www.gites-de-france-bourgogne...b=131015&nbj=1

For PAris, You should look into arrondissements 14, 16 (but quiet) where (rich) locals live. No idea of their level of english but everybody speaks english in Paris at hotels, not sure about appt owners.

Enjoy
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Old Sep 3rd, 2015, 01:18 PM
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In Beaune, you can probably get a bike or bike tour and drive up or along the Route de Grand Cru (N74). Not terribly scenic unless your idea of scenic is the greatest vineyards in the world. We drove, but saw many bikers on routes parallel to the road. Google "bike rental in Beaune" to see what you find; at a minimum you'll probably find a bike tour for the area.

"I would love recommendations for . . . things to do, and restaurants—things that are less touristy and more for locals in the know." You really don't want to do things that the locals do, because the locals don't go to the museums, etc., much, which you and we and every other visitor to Europe want to do.

Google "Michelin Bib Gourmand Paris" and ditto for Beaune and print off those that will be near where you are. Bib Gourmand restaurants offer a reasonable menu (that is, three course meal) but has been approved by Michelin, FWIW. When you arrive at one, peer through the window to see whether it looks like locals (or tourists) are in the place. Or do the same for any other place that looks and smells good when you get hungry.

Try the 11th Arrondisment in Paris.

Don't worry about knowing French. Almost everyone speaks English.

Bon Voyage!
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Old Sep 3rd, 2015, 01:45 PM
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>

What is your per night budget?

Getting a guide book is a good idea. Look at photos and read about different arrondisements and see what appeals to you.


Paris has many many neighborhoods with
>

It comes down to where you can afford to stay and which suites you best.
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Old Sep 3rd, 2015, 01:59 PM
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I have no idea why, for a first trip to France, the 14th or 16th arrondissements in Paris and a gite in Burgundy have been recommended above. I'm not saying either is a terrible idea, just not recommendations I'd make for a first trip. Do look further before you decide.

As others have asked, knowing your budget helps a lot with suggestions for accommodations. And again, what year is this trip?
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 11:39 AM
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Congratulations on your first trip to Paris. Hopefully you have done some research by going to your library and taking out guide books on Paris and France. There is a wealth of information in those travel books of which to take advantage.
Since you don't speak French it will be very difficult to live like a local. But try to learn a few phrases to get started. Accept the fact that you are a tourist and want to enjoy the other things tourists enjoy; museums, restaurants, cafes and Paris or Burgundy itself. My first trip to France many years ago I stayed in the 4th in a small hotel, The next trips were to other areas all with their own advantages.
Set a budget, then try to ask questions relative to that budget. Many people on this Forum will gladly help.
Beaune in Burgundy is a lovely town with many good hotels and restaurants and it is surrounded by vineyards. It is easily accessible from Paris by train.
Five days in Paris and five days in Burgundy should give you plenty of time to get acquainted with both areas. Six days in Paris would even be better.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 11:55 AM
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'things that are less touristy and more for locals in the know'
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 12:00 PM
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In Burgundy I would like a bicycle, nature and wine. Something that is not too difficult to get to from the train station but that perhaps is also not directly in the city.>

I second or third the choice of Beaune in Burgundy as a place to take the train to and stay a few nights - rent a bike and explore the Burgundy Wine Road that runs north and south of the city and is a biker's Nirvana - vineyards all around - wine villages (if looking for something outside a city check out the likes of Nuits-Saint-Georges (sp) or other tiny wine villages - great for biking though they also have train service.

For trains take the TGV from Paris to Dijon and then change to regional train to Beaune - only takes a couple of hours all told. for some web sites about train travel check www.seat61.com - great info on discounted train tickets that can be booked if you book weeks in advance as they are sold in limited numbers - but can save lodas over full fare walk-up tickets - but they are non-changeable non-refundable and train-specific - other sites for general info on French trains and French travel - www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Consider doing a day trip from Paris like say to Chartres to see the world-famous Gothic cathedral.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 01:40 PM
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Hi

We stayed in the Marais (3rd arr) last July on rue Charlot, in an apartment we had rented through Paris Deluxe. That street was very residential (with some boutiques) but with many boulangeries, patisseries and markets just up the street, on rue Bretagne. That area of the Marais felt very safe. I would've allowed my kids (11 and 14) to walk around on their own. Other parts of the Marais were much louder and less residential-feeling, to me at least.

Like you, we also wanted to live "like locals" and that neighborhood allowed us to do that. On rue Bretagne is Le Marche des Enfants Rouges (large food market), plus cheese stores, bakeries, etc. Monoprix, the large supermarket, was nearby and so much fun for us to stock up not only on food but also souvenirs, beauty products, etc.

As we were traveling with two kids, we didn't eat at any fancy restaurants, but in that particular neighborhood we enjoyed: Poilane bakery, Cafe Charlot, Nanashi, La Briciola, Rose Bakery.

Good luck with the planning!
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Old Sep 6th, 2015, 03:21 PM
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I guess MadisonCurry got enough information and did not have to ask any additional questions. She never came back to this thread. I hope the trip goes well.
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Old Sep 6th, 2015, 05:41 PM
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Sorry - unlike quite a few other countries most everyone does NOT speak English. In hotels, department stores, larger restaurants and places near major tourist sites there will be someone speaking English. But in areas away from most tourists quite a few people may understand a little but not speak much. And in smaller towns - quite a few people will not speak English.

Be sure to learn the basic polite phrases and take a good menu reader with you - other than that you should be OK as long as you're not looking for/trying to do something obscure.
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Old Sep 6th, 2015, 10:36 PM
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Excuse me but local residents - French or otherwise - DO go to museums, expos, concerts, ballet, opera...in fact, most of us know where to find special discounts and we are usually the first in line!

Anyone coming to a foreign country for the first time - and especially if not able to speak the language very well - has no business staying in AirBnB or other apartment where they will be left to figure things out alone. Clean, budget hotels are everywhere in Paris and have front desk staff to help you with anything you need. This hotel is in an excellent location and includes breakfast and wifi.
http://www.hotel-saintandredesarts.fr/
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Old Sep 7th, 2015, 03:15 AM
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Excuse me but local residents - French or otherwise - DO go to museums, expos, concerts, ballet, opera...in fact, most of us know where to find special discounts and we are usually the first in line!

Oh, thank you!! I was SO afraid that generations of the French hated the Louvre, and only established the Orsay to save a train station. What an inane comment!!

Our collective legs are being pulled by this poster.
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Old Sep 7th, 2015, 04:38 AM
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Our last trip to Europe included both Paris and Beaune and we loved them both and I'm sure you will too.

In Paris we have once stayed in a hotel and the 3 times since stayed in an apartment. I prefer an apartment as it feels more "local".

The latest apartment we stayed in was in the Marais (4th) and was in a lovely neighbourhood overlooking a small square Place Sainte Catherine.
http://www.vacationinparis.com/listi...-in-the-marais

It wasn't too noisy at night and had a number of lovely restaurants close by for dinner if you are out alone. It is also close to Place des Vosges and lots of lovely little shops.

Beaune has a fabulous Saturday market with great local produce and a highlight of our trip was the wine and cheese of the region in the caves and also at local restaurants. Another highlight was a visit to http://www.fromagerie-berthaut.com/ the maker of the famous Epoisses de Bourgogne.

We stayed in the village and had a car so cannot advise on the best place to stay for a solo traveller without a car.

I'm sure you will enjoy both locations.
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Old Sep 7th, 2015, 02:20 PM
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Oh my! Thank you for all the thoughtful responses!

My trip is spur of the moment and is happening this October.

I'm super excited to learn about Michelin Bibb gourmand--that's awesome!

For accommodations I am looking at mostly airbnbs--they are reasonably priced and I like the idea of having a kitchen if I decide to cook some nights. I would love to make use of some farmers markets while I'm there. I'm looking to keep my room rates under $100 a night--which seems very doable for something reasonably nice. I'm looking at Marais, Montmarte and the off the beaten path 19th arrondissement--mostly for the parks.

I am also debating whether or not I should rent a car for the five day trip to Beaune or rely on public transportation--not sure how I feel about driving in Europe.

Thanks again for all the insight!
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Old Sep 8th, 2015, 07:47 AM
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You should be aware that in Paris there is a big crackdown on renting apartments. I don't know how this has affected airb&b.
I do agree with Manouche that for a first time traveler hotels can be very helpful and convenient in many ways--and just as economical. Folks should remember that hotels are not just used by American tourists which seem to be the bane of American tourists' existence abroad!! LOL
As for cooking some nights on a 10 day trip--possible, but with even the "takeout" possibilities of French markets, it would be too bad to miss that. Big platters of antipasto, paella, rotisserie chicken, bread, cheese!! What's not to like!!
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Old Sep 8th, 2015, 02:05 PM
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Hi
19e arrd is the only one of Paris I don't like.
I particulraly dislike the neighbourhoods of the portes la Chapelle and Porte d'Aubervilliers, an grosso merdo the arrea aroundla cité des sciences and ugliest of all imho la porte de Pantin.
Area around buttes chaumont is quite nice though as well as area towards menilmontant.
My opinion of course.
I hope Kerouac gives an advice - he knows the area quite well too and is less prejudiced than me.
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Old Sep 9th, 2015, 08:24 AM
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Manouche and Grethen--I guess your comments were aimed at me. I did not say Europeans did not go to museums, etc. I said they did not go there "much."

Europeans work, cook and dine at home, care for the house and yard, watch soccer football, etc. on a daily basis. Tourists, on the other hand, go to museums, eat in restaurants, etc. on a daily basis.

I attend my share (probably more than my share) of concerts and often visit museums when I'm at home, but I certainly don't consider my daily activities in my home city something a tourist should pursue.
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