MarkC5

First off, let me say thanks in advance for all the information! I’ve been scanning the Paris threads and have already found a wealth of material that will help tremendously. I’m planning a trip for my 10th anniversary, albeit over 12 months away.

--Our anniversary is in late October and my wife suggested going during that time but I’d love to see the city during Christmas time, 1st week in December. Being a Florida native, I’m a cold weenie and am now a bit scared of how cold/wet it may be during December. Would late October or November be a better weather choice compared to early December?

--I’ve been to Paris once during the Military but that was over 20 years ago now. I do recall walking a lot and found the Metro very easy to use. I’ve read that sneakers are suggested but not the gym type, Fodor even states, “think urban hip.” Count me LOST, any suggestions?

--I’ve not seen much written about Burlesque shows. When I visited 2 decades ago I was able to take in a show at the Lido. Any thoughts between Lido, Moulin Rouge and Crazy Girls?

--I play cards, poker specifically and would JUMP at the chance to play while on holiday. I’m only talking a single evening but I’d be remiss if I didn’t take the opportunity. If I’m not mistaken I believe there are 2 casinos in Paris. Any thoughts, comments, suggestions?

Thanks again!!!

PalenQ

the weather in Nov and Dec and Oct may not be all that different IME

I've been there in early Feb the last few years and has been quite nice - in 40s or even 50s and flowers all ablaze.

Unlikely to be bitter cold or below freezing anytime - but you are from Florida so you have a different idea of cold than i do - here it may not get above freezing for weeks so to me Paris in winter seems balmy

Most tourists wear sports shoes for walking as do many French

Christina

I don't think it makes much difference weatherwise in terms of November vs. December. Of course October would be better. Why do you want to go at Christmastime so much, but not really at Christmas, only first week in December? I mean, that's not Christmas, although some street decorations will be up, sure. As with most places, the weather will likely get worse, on average, the deeper into winter you get.

I wouldn't worry about shoes at this point, they are just referring to a style and are advising not to wear big white gym or Nike type shoes in a city.

I have no opinion on cabarets as that isn't any kind of entertainment I enjoy. I think you mean "Crazy Horse" not Crazy Girls. It is the most overtly sexual, if that's your goal. Lido is more glitzy, Las Vegas-y, Moulin Rouge probably most "traditional", if you go to one, that's probably the one that makes sense as a tourist activity.

I don't know anyone who goes to the casinos in Paris so can't comment on that. I know there is one called the Aviation Club near the CHamps-Elysees. http://www.aviationclubdefrance.com/

PalenQ

Enghien-les-Bains i belief is a very famous spa with casino in the Paris suburbs - trains from Gare du Nord. At least i think - if you want a classy old-style casino.

TDudette

What does your wife want to do?

kaley1kt

I was in Paris last year late November, and it was VERY cold (and I am from WI/now live in CO). Definitely plan on layers. There was some rain, but not a lot, but we did carry umbrellas at all times.

We vistited the Eiffel Tower at night, which was worth it, but again very cold. The Rue Haussman was all decked out for the holidays, which was really neat to see.

As far as shoes, I am not a tennis shoe person. I brought along a pair of black loafers from soft walk and only had a few problems with them - mainly because I was there during the Metro strike to we had to walk everywhere (usually 7-10 miles per day). For normal walking, I would suggest those, or a pair of Dansko shoes over tennis shoes.

Can not comment on shows or casinos - due to the strike, we were somewhat limited on where we could actually go, and a lot of places were actually closed.

MarkC5

Thanks for the quick replies, awesome!

Yes, it's "Crazy Horse," thanks for the correction I consider these shows a qunitessential part of Paris, so it's a must

As for what my wife wants to do, we're still in the early planning stages but the normal tourist sights apply as she's never been; Louvre, d'Orsay, Rodin, Picassi, Georges Pompidou, Hotel des Invalides, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe and Versailles just to start!

We plan on a 10-day trip so it should all be doable on a leisurely pace. I'd also like to visit Mont St. Michel and possible side trip to London.

Any thoughts on flying Open Skies using their premium plus seating?

Any ideas on storing bags as the plane arrives at 8am or so but most check-ins don't open until 12-2p?

Thanks again!

lilaki

hi markc5,

DH and i just returned from one week in paris (you can click on my name above and find my trip report)... a couple of thoughts on your thread:

1. wear whatever you want. if you're comfortable wearing running shoes, then wear running shoes. we were on our feet for the entire week and we move at a FAST pace. i can't imagine doing that in uncomfortable shoes just for the sake of 'fitting in'. there have been numerous threads about this topic and it's a matter of comfort and opinion.

2. re: my comment above about moving quickly ... you have a lot already listed on your itinerary listed for your wife PLUS a trip to versailles and london (my personal opinion would be to do london separately altogether instead of as a day trip) ... i won't tell you about sitting in cafes and/or wandering the lovely boulevards (i'm not a cafe-goer myself) but i will warn you that you will be TIRED - physically and mentally. i was soaking my feet every night in cold water just to deal with the exhaustion. and i was wearing comfortable, good quality walking shoes! there were some afternoons and evenings where we just 'stayed in'. so, we didn't fit everything in that we wanted ... an even better excuse to plan a return trip!

3. for ten days, why not rent an apartment? it's an awful long time to be holed up in a hotel ... and chances are, it will be more economical to stay in an apartment.

hmmm

Mark:

Ask your hotel to store your bags for a few hours.

Mont St-Michel is well worth a visit, though I'm not sure you'd like the weather in December. You may find the dampness from the Seine provides you with enough chill to fill your quota.

Enjoy your anniversary trip. Sounds like one guy pals might enjoy also.

MarkC5

Christina,

My motivation for "Christmas time" is the atmosphere, lights, ambience, etc. Maybe redundant considering the city

lilaki,

Great points! I'm not "too worried" about the shoes, but I've also seen many examples of the "ugly American" and certainly don't want to fit into that category.

As for the apartment, I'm looking into those options as well, doing a LOT of reading with the posts here. It seems like a lot to schedule and most likely, London is a pipe dream for this trip, I don't want to rush through this vacation. I want to take as much in as possible and have a good time doing it.

twk

I bought some brown New Balance walking shoes that were very comfotable on my feet, but didn't stand out as "tennis shoes" or "trainers" (as the Brits would call them) because they weren't white or colorful.

nytraveler

They are suggesting that you wear dark colored leather walking shoes - well broken in - rather than giant white clown sneakers (like you wear for actual running).

Weather can vary - but Dec will usually be colder than OCt. Have been in mid November to early Dec and a leather jacket (not blazer) was plenty - definitely along with a folding umbrella. If you feel the cold bring a hat, scarf and gloves. A warm winter coat was not necessary and it very rarely snows at all.

The Moulin Rouge etc Las Vegaas shows are still there - still as tacky as ever - with bad, expensive food.

Don;t know anything about a casino - you could google. but if there is you would need to check if they have poker.

avalon

Here's your place for poker inParis

http://www.pokernews.com/news/2008/0...ris-france.htm

BuckeyeBud

I was in Paris in late Sept / early Oct and the weather was cool (for OH standards) and very changeable (think Scotland). Take the suggestions on layers to heart. Don't forget to pack a pair of thin gloves if you are going to walk around quite a bit.

The Crazy Horse does have a web site that is NSFW, but you would get an idea as to the "theme" of the show. Well worth the 100E IMHO.

With respect to your itinerary (Louvre, d'Orsay, Rodin, Picassi, Georges Pompidou, Hotel des Invalides, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre-Coeur, Arc de Triomphe and Versailles just to start! + Mont St. Michel and possible side trip to London), in 10 days I think you are going to be whipped. I don't think you have alotted enough time to experience Paris. There is more to it than the taking in what you have listed here. You will leave disappointed. Look over your travel itinerary and think about your depart/arrive times and the amount of time needed to get to your point of transportation.

Keep in mind if leaving CDG to US, airlines suggest 3 hrs. And what we went through for the VAT refund, boarding checks, passport checks, security checks we needed it.

Barb_in_Ga

MarkC5--You have gotten some good advice, which is the great thing about participating in the Forums. I wouldn't think about planning a trip without the input I get here.

We just got back last week from our 5th Paris trip, and once again, I didn't do everything on the list I had made! I recommend that you prioritize and do the key sights early in the time you are there, allowing for changes in itinerary as you go. I always think I'm going to "accomplish" more than I do, yet every trip is a marvel. As you plan, remember to work around the fact that many sights and museums close either Monday or Tuesday.

An apartment is wonderful, and I've done that our last 4 trips, but remember that you won't have hotel staff to help direct you, call cabs, etc. Still, the ability to have more space, including a sitting area and at least minimal kitchen facilities is wonderful. I have not stayed in them, but I know there are "apart-hotels" such as Citidines that combine the benefits of apartment with hotel convenience.

As far as shoes are concerned, we saw mostly the dark-colored sport type shoes; white sneakers stand out like a sore thumb.

Have fun planning your trip!
Barb

grace44

If you really want to play poker, you need to know the aviation club has a dress code. My son loves poker and wanted to play at the aviation club, as it is on the world poker tour. The day he was going to go, he wore dress shirt and pants, but had on black canvas shoes. He was stopped at the door. The nice men standing outside the front door wouldn't even let him inside for a quick look at the inside. No blue jeans, no t-shirts and no tennis shoes, not even black ones. We didn't have time to go back another day, so he missed the aviation club that time. Maybe next time.

Michel_Paris

With 10 days, I'd reconsider any trips other than Versailles.

First day is jet lag day, plus by the time you get to hotel or appartment, it will probably be after lunch. Departure day, probably no touring either since with getting to airport for flight, that day is also gone. So you are down to....~8.5 days.

For Versailles you have the choice of getting there on your own, easy short ride on the RER (search here for info on Forfait Loisir - package price for train and entrance), or doing an organized bus tour via one of the larger companies: Parisvision or Cityrama

I'd question calling Crazy Horse, Lido et al "quintessential part of Paris". Perhaps in the time of Josephine Baker Kind of like dinner at Maxim's.
They are expensive and the food not that great. If you must, eat elsewhere first. The majority of the people there are tourists. That is their market.

I've been in November and December. Bit unpredictable. In November, some days I did not need a jacket. In December, it 'misted' everyday. But always above freezing. The windows and decorations of the Grands Magasins (Lafayette,etc) and Grands Boulevards are worth seeing.

Planning wise, for a relaxing vacation, I'd have two "planned" items per day, and the rest of the time I'd wander the neighbourhood I was in that day.So I might go to Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle one day, and spend the rest of the time wandering the Islands, walking along Seine,etc..Similarly, another day perhaps the Pompidou and a walking tour of the Marais from Paris Walks (recommended) followed by a wander in the Marais seeing Place des Vosges, Carnavalet,etc..

At night, I'd recommend a boat cruise on the Seine. Vedettes du Pont Neuf is one good one, there are many others. VdPN is located at the western tip of the Cite island, so it could fit into your Notre Dame day.

There are quite a few nightime classical concerts given in churches (like St Chapelle). Perhaps even a jazz bar (there is a thread here with reocmmendations)

So maybe the following (really rough!)plan :

Day 1 (half day) check-in, lunch, wander neigbourhood, dinner, night lights (Champs Elysee?)
Day 2 Notre Dame and Islands, river cruise
Day 3 Montmartre
Day 4 Versailles
Day 5 Louvre area (Palais Royal, Place de la Concorde, covered passageways...)
Day 6 Left Bank (St Germain, Latin Quarter, Rue de Buci, Musee Moyen Age, Luxembourg gardens)...)
Day 7 Eiffel Tower and area (perhapas Military Museum, Rodin Museum)
Day 8 Right Bank (Marais, Place des Vosges, Picasso Museum, Carnavalet..)
Day 9 TBD, perhaps Christmas lights, Jacquemart-Andre museum...
Day 10 Home

AHAve a look at the Fodor Paris guide at this site.

I've been 9/10 times and still have a list of to-dos. Part of my routine is to start each day at a cafe with 'dejeuner', plan my day and go. Lunch is relaxed..some days just a sandwich and a sweet at a bench others will be at a cafe, and dinner (7:30-8PM) is a mix of restaurants near my hotel or from list I've gathered over time. I usually set limit of one museum a day, and like walking tours. I also buy one of the local magazines that lists events that week.

A good map and wandering off the main streets leads to little treasures.

Paris cannot be seen in ten days. Very tempting to make that huge list. So prioritize. Paris cannot be enjoyed by running around everyday trying to check off a list of things. So prioritze time to do nothing...be it wandering around or just sitting at a cafe "wasting" hours. Sometimes it is the latter that become the better memories.

Experience it, don't just see it.

Hope this helps,

Mike

MarkC5

I just wanted to say thanks again, I'm extremely glad I not only found this forum but posted as well! Some amazing advice and suggestions.

I should've better explained but I plan spending 10 actual days in Paris, departing on a Thursday to arrive Friday morning, then leaving 10 days later on Monday. This should leave plenty of time (minus London) to do the city right. Great suggestion for arrival day as getting acquianted with the city and not planning too much.

I certainly don't want to rush around and fully expect to wander/walk/Metro to most locations and not pack in a day just to get items checked off a list I really like the suggestion of 2 sights/day then wandering around. Factoring in leisurely meals and other items like a boat ride on the Seine and visiting Pere Lachaise should make for a great trip.

I make several trips to Vegas every year and always plan too much so adjusting is easily doable. I know I should plan a "full day" for places like Louvre and Versailles so I hope I'm on the right track.

Thanks again y'all