Help me enjoy Paris! PLease

Well
FEb is mid winter - and this year europe seems to be having a very cold one - so be sure you check the weather and bring proper clothes. You can plan for some outdoor things - but be sure you have plenty of indoor things you want to do in case it is bitter cold. (Ordinarily I would expect very moderate temps in the 40s - but this year has so far been unusual.)


I think part o fyour problem was the illness (you shuold have gone to an MD in Paaris right away - there are thousands that speak English) and partly the neighborhood - which is somewhat more residential than tourist oriented. Also, the French tend to be more formal than we are in shops and what we consider friednly and breezy can easily be contrued by them as rude. Be sure to properly greet whoever you encounter on entering a shop or restaurant with a bon jour and not a totally casual attitude.

Moulin Rouge is a ripoff but if you have the money to indulge in her particular tastes if she is over 16-18. It's the home of the Can-Can. There are many friendly restaurant, Shop workers (in clothing boutiques) are rude if you pick up the merchandise rather than ask them to show you, but they think of you as being rude, a cultural difference.
One of the oldest most fun restaurants is Chartier, VERY
inexpensive, not great food. and as David Lebovitz said,
the wine was pas mal The decor is old world Paris.

Also the best way to enjoy Paris is to walk and walk and enjoy the scenery..
Just be aware of the ring scam..

When I was in Paris this past September two different people tried the scam with my daughter..

I told her to keep walking and dont pay attention to these people.

Enjoy Paris..

There are a million ways to have a lovely time in Paris, the Moulin Rouge not necessarily being one of them. I think your last experience was colored by being sick (and yes, doctors abound in Paris for tourists as well as residents at incredibly reasonable prices, but no matter...). Not sure what you're asking. Paris is a huge city. There are thousands of shows to see and thousands of friendly restaurants. What interests you? Can you be more specific? Frankly, if the Moulin Rouge is a target, it would probably be hard for most of us Paris diehards on this board to make recommendations for you as it's just such a touristy rip-off and not even Parisian. Better off taking a night cruise on the Vedettes de Pont Neuf, going up the Tour Montparnasse, strolling around the Marais, having brunch at the Jaquemart-André, wandering around the Latin Quarter, etc.

THank you, my daughter is 20 and has seen the Moulin Rouge advertised and has been swayed by that. I have read on this site that it was not good. We did try and be polite in the shops, always said Bonjour. In one particular shop the gentleman was speaking english to one customer and my daughter approached him and asked him a question , his reply was that she should speak French in his shop and he walked away. I can assure you that my daughter and I were nicely dressed and always try to be polite. Anyway I have been looking at the Segway night tour and the Vedettes de Pont Neuf. I hve not been to the Marais, is that something that would interest a 20 year old?

Tricia, we had an experience like yours with a shopkeeper. A very snarly butcher took offence when I accidentally asked him in English instead of French if he was able to speak English. He refused, so my husband, who speaks fluent French, offered to order our meat in French at which point the butcher offered to speak English to my husband. He was nasty, but definitely the exception, most shopkeepers were lovely.

I hope you love Paris this time.

I think the Marais would interest most 20 year olds. There are about a million 20 year olds there, anyway. All sorts of boutiques and cafes and galleries... my own daughter enjoyed it very much at that age.

Great food and wine!

Here's an incredible resource that my wife & I found indispensable during our two months in Paris last year:

http://www.thepariskitchen.com/

When you shop at home do you let rude clerks ruin your day?

Thought not.

Parisians are human. Some humans are rude. Fact of life. Of course if you decide all Parisans are rude based on your shopkeeper experience then it becomes self fulfilling. (just today I decided that all drivers in the town I am in are idiots...and I know that's not true, but after I decided that all I saw was "proof" ).

This person has a 19-yr old niece and their itinerary might hold some points of interest for you....
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/heading-back-to-paris-itinerary.cfm

If you are looking for a show, I highly recommend this one: http://www.oliviergiraud.com/UK/

Move past the rude people you encountered. Paris is too wonderful to let a few ruin your trip. I was sick in Paris on our last trip a few months ago and that really can get you down.

For the most part, my experience with Parisians has been wonderful. Like any where you go, you will find a few jerks but most people are welcoming and helpful.

I highly recommend Reed in the 7th for lovely dining experience. Catherine Reed is the chef and owner and is so kind. She is French Canadian and makes the best risotto. The restaurant is small, cozy and charming but not crowded. We loved it.
11 bis rue Amelie, 01 45 55 88 40, catherine.reed@wanadoo.fr

I encountered a lovely clerk at Un Dimanche a Paris in the 6th. I asked if she spoke English and she is readily did so with no attitude. She was so helpful regarding their wonderful macarons and desserts. She could not have been more accomodating and we felt welcome to ask questions and get info on everything they have. I could have ordered in bad French but couldn't have asked questions, so we were very happy with the experience AND the macarons were terrific!!

I would skip Moulin Rouge. You will be disappointed and we want to give you a much better experience than you had last time!

My two favorite things to do: climb the towers at Notre Dame...close up views of the remarkable gargoyles (get there early to be first in line to go up) and a VIEW of Paris and Ste Chapelle...breathtaking!

Learn the bus system to get great views of the city and get around VERY easily!! The metro may be better occasionally but you use the same tickets and the bus is really the way to go and not hard to figure out.

I adore Paris. I hope your next trip will be better.

Regarding the Moulin Rouge, unless I'm mistaken which is certainly possible, none of the naysayers above on the subject has said they've seen the show. I think that's significant. I have seen the show and as Cigalechanta said it's the home of the Can Can as as such might be a very entertaining way to spend an evening for the 2 of you if you can afford it. Why not? The dancing is athletic, as good as any Broadway or Las Vegas show, the production excellent. You're unlikely to do better if a show of this kind appeals to you. It seems to be the thing to say that it's not worth it or that it's only for tourists but if your daughter is interested I believe it could be very worth your while.

triaciafromoz,

We took our then-18-year-old granddaughter to Paris for Thanksgiving week 2010.

One of our favorite memories is having lunch at Le Ciel de Paris, located on top of the Montparnasse Tower. The views are magnificent.

This was recommended to us by Fodorite gracejoan3, who spends several months a year in Paris.

I don't know how much of Paris you have seen (or want to see), but we had a delightful day with guide Michael Osman (much recommended here)

I hope your trip makes up for last year's problems!

Byrd

A little Paris TLC...

if you do go to Moulin Rouge I would skip the meal and go for the show only.

Ciel de Paris was being renovated, check web for latest reopening date.

I would do one or more Paris Walks. A relaxing way to see a more detailed side of the city.

Consider renting an apartment.

I like finding a locla cafe to start my day. Ease into day, OJ/cafe creme/croissant.

After Lafayette, consider a walk through covered passageways. These were 18th century and newer first indoor shopping arcades. Some high fashion shops along Faubourg St Honore.

every shop, every resto...I say bonjour on way in and au revoir on way out. Formalities matter lot more over there. And, when starting any conversation, I might start with word/two in french before switching to english

walks along seine, visits to green (less in feb.) Like Tuileries, Palais Royal, Place des Vosges, Luxembourg gardens

Fat Tire Bike Tour is fabulous - great introduction/overview of lots of sites in Paris. Weather permitting, of course. I'm sure you will love Paris this time!

Thank you so much for your kind replies. I will check to see if Ciel de Paris is open and will definately spend an afternoon wander ing through the Marais. THank you Travelnut for that link. WE leave tomorrow for London, then Paris, will let you know how we go.

Bookmarking

I also recommend spending one day just strolling around...here's one of my favourite routes

Start Hotel de Ville Metro Stop:

Admire the Hotel de Ville buidling itself. Spend the morning then walking around the area north east of the stop, finishing at Place de Vosges where you can have lunch.

Cross over to the ille St louis via pont Marie or Pont Louis Phillipe:

Which has lots of boutique shops and cafes and narrow streets...a couple of lovely chocolate shops and a great fromagerie. stop for coffee/hot chocolate and maybe a nice cake on ille st louis,

Cross the tiny bridge to Ille de la cite:

Stroll through the little park Square Jean, pop in to Notre Dame if the crowds are not mad or admire from the outside, be sure to walk all the way to place Dauphine at the western tip, a nice little quiet square with a couple of cafes

Go to Latin Quarter:

To do this cross over the pont neuf going south and walk back along the river parallel to the island (so seems like going back on yourself) along to the left bank. When you get to Pont st michael turn right on to boulevard St Michael and stroll arounf the area the west of this-latin quarter for more strolling- this is a big university area and then stroll into St germain de pres area to the west. Ending up in the area around Rue de Buci/Rue Gregoire de tours. Lots of little shops/bars restaurants.

But thats just my idea of a nice walking day...i'm 29 so a bit older but i love this walk. Its a long day but fun.

End: Mabillon Metro

Thank you Hg0001london tht sounds great, hopefully the weather will be good enough to do that lovely walk

First of all, what a shame you were so sick in Paris, I am sure that made your visit miserable. Secondly, why on earth would you not go to a French doctor,, they are very good. Even going to a pharmacy , the pharmacists are most helpful .

I have been to the Moulin Rouge. My opinion does not matter , my only caveat is do not eat there. Food is overpriced banquet fare. And yes, the Moulin Rouge IS FOR TOURISTS,, locals do not go. Really. I have friends and relatives who live there, some very close and its considered a tourist trap by them. Not just one or two of them. All of them. An alternate show might be the Lido,, also touristy, but some locals will go there .

Fat Tire Bike tours are fun, I have done all the tours and loved them, but, frankly, in cold weather, well, I am a bit of a wimp.. it would have to be a decent day for me. I assume you will go with her, trust me, they are easy,, I hadn't even been on a bike for decades before I tried it,, and I may be older then you!

Lastly, most 20 yr olds will enjoy wandering through the Marais and Latin Quarter.

So sorry your first trip had so many hurdles to overcome.

I think a hotel vs apartment is a good choice. While I appreciate all that an apartment has to offer, there is nothing like a good concierge to smooth things over by getting last minute restaurant reservations, doctor or pharmacy or transportation needs for you. Let them help you take the stress out of traveling.

re: Moulin Rouge - There are many activities/events that are tourist oriented and considered "touristy"; that does NOT make them less fun, as long as you go in with eyes wide open. Example: My brother and his wife treated me to dinner at the Eiffel Tower (not Altitude 95, the other, lower level one). Would I have paid that price? No. Did I have a great time? Yes. Just listen to suggestions by those who HAVE done the Moulin Rouge experience themselves, and adjust accordingly.

Besides the Fat Tire bike tours. You might want to consider http://www.paris-walks.com/
We have only taken one tour, on our most recent visit, and I would gladly take more. It was very informative and not too long (2 hrs) so you get a valuable introduction/history lesson to a neighborhood, with sufficient time left at the end to do exploring on your own.

Lastly, get out of the shops and museums and take walks - parks (my favorite), cemeteries, along the Seine...wherever! But I agree with Justine, Latin Quarter and Marais for a 20 year old.

Relax and have fun!

Thanks Justine, my daughter does have her heart set on Moulin Rouge so I guess we will be going. We did go to a pharmacy but they didn't seem to understand the word "flu" guess the language barrier was too great. Klondiketoo we will be looking at some walks, just depends on the weather, it looks like it will be raining most days but we will try!

No ,, flu is a tough one, I know a cold is rhume,, but then I guess you could have pointed to your tummy too and charaded throwing up,, its hard though cause it can be embarrassing,, I have been lucky, most times I have hit a pharmacist that speaks a little english, you got unlucky! This time will be different though fingers crossed!