"Paris? Again?" And an odd pickpocketing

Old Apr 24th, 2017, 11:38 AM
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"Paris? Again?" And an odd pickpocketing

Paris is my favorite place and I go as often as I can. I hear "Paris? Again?" when I tell someone who knows I have been before that I am going again. There is always so much to see and do and never enough time. We were there for ten days at the beginning of April. The weather was perfection and I now know how lovely April in Paris is.

I have tried every form of transport into Paris from CDG. The RER was a nightmare the last time we used it. Our fault. We took a local instead of the express. Now taxi is what we use. However, this time we somehow got escorted to a taxi, bags in trunk and in the car when the bell went off and I asked if this trip was €55 and the driver said "meter." Out of the cab and into the right line for the official cab. Our driver wanted to let us out about two blocks from our destination due to one way streets. We said no.

The first thing we do is load the Navigo Decouverte card. One Metro ticket is €1.90, a carnet of 10 is €14.50 and the Navigo with unlimited bus, Metro and RER zones 1-5 is a great bargain for us at €22.15 for the week. And convenient. Next we get provisions and then a nap. Some people power through and some nap. We have found that a short nap and shower works best for us.

Tomorrow the Louvre and the Vermeer exhibit.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 11:44 AM
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Looking forward to hearing about the odd pickpocketing as well as the rest of your trip.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 11:47 AM
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Me too. You were wise to refuse that taxi driver. Though we've already met at the Paris GTG but I still want to hear about your adventures ^^
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 12:14 PM
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We had timed tickets for the Vermeer exhibit at the Louvre. I had posted a question about the lines as it was very unorganized at the opening of the exhibit. This may be helpful if anyone is going to see it.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...the-louvre.cfm

We had 1:00PM tickets and tried to enter through he Carousel entrance but were told to go up to the Pyramid entrance. There was a separate line for people with tickets and no one waiting. We got in line at 12:30 for our 1:00PM entry for the exhibit. People were let in at 1:00 and then were let in in batches of 12-15 so it was another 20 minutes or so before we were in. It was not jammed and easy to see the paintings up close. The Valentin du Boulogne exhibit and the Leiden Collection were also on view. Amazing that all of that was included with the regular admission to the Louvre.

There are new lockers since I was there last. Instead of a coat check you pick an empty locker and put your items in and set the lock with your numbers. They even have a rack where you can put your umbrella and lock it! No more standing in line at the coat check.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 12:22 PM
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>

I think you should make this clear for those who aren't familiar with Paris. You allowed yourself to be taken off by a stranger who was not an official taxi driver. Because you almost make it sound like if you go to the official taxi queue, you may get into an unofficial taxi and this is NOT true. Also, if you go to the official taxi queue, not one "escorts" you to it. It sounds like you are saying you let someone take your bags and things from inside the terminal and they took you to an unofficial taxi. Good thing you got out. Although I'm surprised they didn't just agree to the flat rate if they want that business, I'm sure they know what it is.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 01:21 PM
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nice start, gomiki, though I too am wondering about the "odd" pickpocketing. Mind you my own experience of being "dipped" on the Tube in London was weird - they took my purse out of my handbag and then gave it back totally intact. Perhaps I just looked too poor to rob.

Last time we were in Paris [too long ago] we were waiting in the queue for those who had tickets [to the Monet exhibition at the Grand Palais] for as long as those who didn't and inside it was madness. Glad that the Vermeer was better than that.

looking forward to more....
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 01:48 PM
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I have frequently had taxi drivers make me get out two blocks from my destination because they either don't want to turn in busy traffic or there's a one way street involved. Never happens with Uber.

Looking forward to your trip report.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 03:14 PM
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The first thing we do is load the Navigo Decouverte card. One Metro ticket is €1.90, a carnet of 10 is €14.50 and the Navigo with unlimited bus, Metro and RER zones 1-5 is a great bargain for us at €22.15 for the week.
We stayed in the 14th last trip and so wish we had done this. Great tip.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 04:07 PM
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Macross, you must first get the card. There is a €5 fee and you need a photo about passport size. I just cut my picture from a photo. They also have photo booths if you need to get one there. The person in the ticket office will put it together for you. Then you just renew it. I have had mine for years. They are good from Monday morning to Sunday night. The last day to purchase for the week is Thursday. So you need to see it it works for your dates. We think it's an amazing bargain.
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Old Apr 24th, 2017, 11:36 PM
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Ah, yes Miki.....how well our family and friends know the song "Paris? Again?"........but, we know better, don't we
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 12:33 AM
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I have frequently had taxi drivers make me get out two blocks from my destination because they either don't want to turn in busy traffic or there's a one way street involved. Never happens with Uber.

I use taxis often and have never had a taxi driver attempt to drop me off shy of my destination. This happens to you frequently? What do you do to these poor drivers?

Unlike taxis, Uber drivers do not have access to bus lanes which can make a big difference in how quickly you arrive at you destination, particularly during busy periods.

Unlike Uber, taxis do not have surge pricing.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 12:50 AM
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'What do you do to these poor drivers?'
Made me laugh too. Never happened to me either, I seem to be in the right category of the guys who stay on board to the end.

Unlike Uber, taxis have good insurance coverage.
Unlike Uber, taxis are required to follow a training.

(interesting article about Uber insurances in Bruxelles
http://www.rtl.be/info/vous/temoigna...xi-743015.aspx)


Where is the pickpocketing ?????
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 09:34 AM
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We have taken several of the Paris Walks. http://www.paris-walks.com/ On Friday we took the "Palais Royal and the Arcades of Old Paris" walk. It was two hours and €20. Most are €15. So it was €5 more than the Louvre and special exhibits. Hmmm. It was interesting and I learned a lot. Luckily it was a nice day. Last year they offered a special walking tour of street art. It started on Telegraph Hill in the 20th which is the highest point in Paris. http://www.parisdailyphoto.com/2008/...-in-paris.html That was a great tour! Now when in Paris we notice and look for the art and recognize some of the work.

One of the things we always do is go to the fashion show at Galleries Lafayette. It is free, fast (30 minutes) and fun to see. It is reserved on line. Then we go up to the roof deck and look at the panorama of Paris. What was once an open deck has morphed into a cafe on the left side and a bar area on the right with lots of comfortable seating and astroturf over the concrete. It's still a great view. They have certainly maximized the value of the real estate.

We then tried to meet friends (Fodors Traviata and her husband) at the Boullion Racine for drinks. It's a gorgeous Art Nouveau bar and restaurant. In a comedy of errors we were trying the wrong entrance and they were inside but we did not meet. And we had been there before as I had organized a large GTG there about five years ago. It's a great place for a meet up for a larger group as the bar area is large and they have a happy hour. Skip the food.
www.bouillonracine.com/en/
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 11:01 AM
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Pickpocketing! Pickpocketing! We want the Pickpocketing!
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 11:15 AM
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Where's the pickpocketing?? Did I miss it???
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 11:33 AM
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OK OK....pickpocketing coming up! LOL
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 12:24 PM
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"OK OK....pickpocketing coming up! LOL"

As Johnny Cochrane might have stated, "When you tease, you must appease!"

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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 12:28 PM
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Saturday was a bit of mess. We tried to take the RER from Gare de Lyon to Chateau de Fontainebleau. We failed miserably. After wandering around and up and down we gave up. I posted a thread asking for help and we did make the trip on Monday. Lord, it was easy. Oh, well.

So we hopped on the Metro and went to the small flea market at Marche d'Aligre and then had wine and oysters at nearby le Baron Rouge. We love this old wine bar. And then decided to go to Chateau de Vincennes. As you get out of the Metro go right. We of course went left into the park. It was that kind of day. But we figured it out.

We decided to go to Hotel de Ville to see the photography exhibit of French firefighters but didn't stay long. Then on to Ryst Dupeyron to pick up some armagnac. http://www.lebestofparis.com/wine/ryst-dupeyron

PICKPOCKETING alert! When we made a connection at the Concorde Metro there were two teen girls who blocked the way onto the car and made it difficult to get past them. I pushed past and sat in the drop down seat. As the buzzer was sounding one of the girls said "Madame" and as I looked up she handed me my camera! And ran off the car. My wallet was still deep in my small crossbody bag. Thank goodness.

So, annhig, similar story but no money involved. Odd, indeed.
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 01:27 PM
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As the buzzer was sounding one of the girls said "Madame" and as I looked up she handed me my camera! And ran off the car. My wallet was still deep in my small crossbody bag. Thank goodness.

So, annhig, similar story but no money involved. Odd, indeed.>>

indeed, gomiki. Perhaps she was the daughter of the person who dipped me all those years ago in London, and had inherited his guilt gene! What other explanation could there possibly be???
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Old Apr 25th, 2017, 01:39 PM
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Leaving for Paris tomorrow. We are using FF miles for tickets so will be there Thursday to Thursday.....only time in many years that Navigo Decouverte is really not a good deal for us!

We always get the same question re Paris but I've never heard anyone say, "so you're going to a beach again?"
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