Bill

Would jeans be acceptable dress for dinner if dining in a local bistro? Also, are the offerings in the Paris Flea Markets worthwhile or would time be better spent shopping elesewhere? Thank You everyone for your input so far; your information is helping to put a couple of Paris first timers at ease.

Al

Jeans with a casual jacket might be ok for some low-key restaurants; take pair of slacks/dockers just in case decide that's better. We went to the flea market Marche aux Puces de St Ouen (Clignancourt) at the metro stop Porte de Clignancourt - once on street level, walk under the overpass, you will see the outskirts of the market. This will be the "flea" portion of the market, but keep going deeper in, there will be boutiques with second-hand and antique items, much variety, many collectible items. It's open 7am-6pm Sat, Sun, Mon. There will also be some very busy cafes for your lunch mingled in the stalls and sidewalk wares. There is another area in 3rd Arr. called Village St-Paul that is supposed to be an antique district with small shops w/ better quality than "flea" - # 7 - 9 rue St Paul, Thurs-Mon 11/7. I didn't make it to that area, but plan to next time. Metro Pont Marie.

Diane

I was in Paris last week. I saw people in a wide variety of attire. Jeans should be just fine for casual restaurants. Not once did I get dressed up, and I ate in both nice restaurants and casual restaurants. I never felt uncomfortable, nor did my friend. We were surprised at just how casual everyone was dressed. And, I might add, people wore all colors, not just black.

elaine

Unless you are under 21 I am always of the opinion that a couple of pairs of cotton slacks for men or women will take you anywhere, more than jeans, which are hot, heavy, and not what most Parisian adults would wear. But you would not be thrown out of most cafes.

JR

<BR>Bill: <BR> <BR>We were in Paris last May and did see people in jeans but my husband and I decided to dress as we would in any large cosmopolitan city. Nice slacks/khakis and skirt/slacks for me. (My husbans did not even wear the sport jacket/tie he brought.) I felt that we did not play the part of the "ugly American" this way. We did see some tourists in sloppy shorts and tees. In regard to the bistros, I am sure that jeans would be ok. We enjoyed the neighborhood bistros and did not even want to go to the upscale and expensive restaurants. It was fun just to stop and eat when we were hungry and saw a charming spot! Enjoy your trip!

elvira

I'm not a big fan of jeans because they are bulky, heavy and do not dry quickly. They can't pass for 'dressy', so their versatility is limited. Unless I'm planning a vacation of hiking or horseback riding or caving, I leave the jeans at home and substitute leggings, khakis and broomstick skirts. <BR> <BR>The St Ouen/Clignancourt 'flea market' is very upscale; if you are in the market for antiques, it's the place to go. For real flea market stuff, the market at Vanves is the place. <BR> <BR>