alialeatoire

I'm nineteen, and I have been obsessed with Paris for years. I've finally decided to start planning my trip to Paris. I have to save up enough money so that I can go next June. I would rather go in the fall, but unfortunately I start college then.

I will be arriving in Paris the 10th of June, 2013, and I will be leaving the evening of the 24th. And I will also be traveling alone. The apartment I plan on booking is on the 3e arrondissement.

I've been looking at other people's trips, and nobody really seems to go to the Moulin Rouge a lot, which is one of the most important parts of the trip for me.

If any of you have any tips or advice that you could give me, that would be great. I have ten months to save and plan, so I can take my time.

adrienne

If the Moulin Rouge is important to you then do it. I've never been there and never felt the desire to go. It's a cabaret show. I'm sure they get crowds since they're still in business.

Tip - read some guide books, they are full of great advice, particularly Let's Go, Lonely Planet, Rough Guide.

annw

It's great that you have this trip to look forward to and to plan for over the next ten months! Looking at trip reports is a great start and as advised above travel guides help a lot.

For your age group consider the Let's Go guide series -- more of a younger crowd's look at travel and travel advice including places to go, safety tips and the like.

Like adrienne I've never made Moulin Rouge a part of my time in Paris so can't advise you there. I've gone to Paris solo and had a great time--so much to see and do. Since you'll be in an apartment and not have the resources of a hotel or inn I'd be sure to get contact and emergency numbers should you need help or advice.

meadeparsons

I have 2 tips for you.
Read the reviews on Trip Advisor for the Moulin Rouge. This will give you and idea of what to expect and then you can decide if you want to spend the money to do this.

Check out Paris Walks (www.paris-walks.com). They have wonderful 2 hours walks all around Paris. Student rate is 10 euros per walk. Their walks are excellent .

alialeatoire

I was looking at the reviews on Trip Advisor, and I think I've decided against the Moulin Rouge. It looks amazing, but with how crowded people say it is, and the unlikely chance I'll even get a good seat, I don't know if I want to.

I believe I'm going to do the Paris Cruise and Illuminations Tour instead.

Vicky

I went to the Moulin Rouge mostly because I was in the show Can Can which was set in Montemarte in a cabaret in 1890s Paris. So it had a particular meaning for me; therefore I found it a really incredible experience. If you want to go, go. It is not cheap, however (dont' get the dinner - it is still epensive without it but you get a half bottle of champagne).

gwan

Are you sure you want to get an apartment? The first time I went to Paris I was in a horrible hotel in la Pigalle in January 2005 (I think) and I just felt completely lonely and miserable and jumped back on a Eurostar to London after only a few days. (The beginning of my fairly "meh" view of Paris, which persists despite having gone there for brief trips about a dozen times since then.) While undoubtedly an apartment in the third will be a lot nicer than that was, I would at least consider whether you'd be happier getting a private room in a hostel where you can meet other young people. There is definitely nothing wrong with travelling alone - I do it a lot and often prefer being able to just do my own thing - you might welcome the opportunity to meet dining companions or drinking buddies at a hostel. Just something to consider - of course you know your personality, comfort levels etc.

As far as guide books go, I always liked the Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness ones for initial planning because the generous photos and illustrations whet one's appetite much more than the drier, if more informative, Lonely Planet et al. And I do agree with the others that guidebooks are a good place to start in order not to get overwhelmed by the volume of information out there online. You might be able to check out some older ones in a local library and then go online for up-to-date information once you have a better idea of what you might like to visit.

kelsey22

I am so excited for you! I did a Paris illumination tour and cruise in August. It was a lot of fun. I second Paris Walks - very informative with great guides. You might try Sandemans tours too. I enjoyed that as well. Have fun!

Southam

You will need to save up for the airfare. This June the trans-Atlantic fares (I'm assuming you need them) jacked up at least 30 per cent at the start of June and stayed there.
You are spending an unusually long time in one place but that makes taking an apartment sensible, although certainly lonelier for a young traveller than meeting your peers in hostels or university accommodations. Research carefully, especially regarding payment methods. I prefer apartments that take credit cards or, at a minimum, PayPal, for a certain amount of extra security over cash or wire transactions.
Be certain you have Internet access and take a computer with you; it's an essential tool for research while in Paris and to keep in touch. Just for helping you sort out the public transit system it will justify the nuisance of carrying it. Maybe you are comfortable with smartphones but a small laptop is still a lot bigger screen for a traveller with big ambitions.