Finally back to Paris: Need help remembering
 

Greetings to the all knowing forum. My wife and I are finally returning to Paris for 10 days Nov 26 - Dec 5th. We'll be fling out on the 26th so we wont get to Paris till the 27th and just plan to use that day to walk around and adjust to jet lag. We fly home on the 5th so that day is shot.

Need some help in remembering some details that I have forgotten since my last trip in 2003:
- What is the subway pass that is unlimited rides for a number of days?
- What days are thing closed?
- Any good hotel recomendations that have full kitchens and or an apartment. Would like to be around 100 E a night or less if possible. Hoping the off season will find good rates
- Anything closed this time of year?
- Anyone know of good one day food and or wine tours?
- Anyone know of good lingerie shops for my wife?
- Any passes or things we should consider for Paris?

Thanks!
Aarron

Aaron,

10 days in Paris on a return trip - good for you and your wife.

Your questions:

<i>- What is the subway pass that is unlimited rides for a number of days?</I>

You may be thinking of the Carte Orange - which has been phased out. Here's a rundown of current options: http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...ance/metro.htm

<i>- What days are thing closed?</I>

Asuming you mean museums...

Closed Mondays:
The Rodin Museum
Musee Carnavalet
Musee du Quai Branly
Musee de la Vie Romantique
Musee d’Orsay
Catacombs
Musee de l’Orangerie
Musee Marmottan

Closed Tuesdays:
Le Louvre
Pompidou Center
Picasso Museum
Cluny Musee du Moyen Age
Eugene Delacroix Museum
La Cinematheque Francaise

Churches, parks, towers, and all other attractions are open 7 days a week.

<i>- Any good hotel recommendations that have full kitchens and or an apartment. Would like to be around 100 E a night or less if possible. Hoping the off season will find good rates</I>

Uhhh... rates are much higher nowadays...

Here's a start, others will certainly help with other apartments (plentiful) and hotel rooms w/ kitchens (rare):

http://www.vacationinparis.com/infop/studios.htm

http://www.le300.fr/English--Studio.phtml

<i>- Anything closed this time of year?</I>

No - everything is open.

<i>- Anyone know of good one day food and or wine tours?</i>

I sure there are, but I've never looked for them. Others here might have recommendations.</i>

<i>- Anyone know of good lingerie shops for my wife?</i>

I sure there are, but I've never looked for them. Others here might have recommendations.

<i>- Any passes or things we should consider for Paris? </i>

The Paris Museum Pass - don't just consider it - get it. Avoiding lines alone is enough reason to do it. Savings are just icing on the cake. Order ahead before you leave home.
http://en.parismuseumpass.com/

I am just about to begin a lengthy trip report, but I wanted to put in my two cents now since we just returned from a two week trip to Paris.
We rented an apartment on the Left Bank in an ideal location from Paris Best Lodging. If you look at all the reviews on the forums, the owner of these rentals has a sterling reputation. It is well deserved. We paid 800 E a week for a studio, not large, but very well equipped including a computer.
The Carte Navigo for bus and metro was very user friendly and easy to buy. We brought our own photo and it was a breeze. The only problem is that is runs from Mon-Sun, so it only works if this coincides with your time frame. We also had a museum pass and I highly recommend it.
Watch for my trip report for further info.
Have fun, we sure did.

We stayed here for two weeks. Loved it. See: Nadine Studio 30 sqm Paris 9e near Montmartre/Opera E-mail : [email protected] Website : http://locationparis9.canalblog.com

There are definitely apartments available for 100 euros/night or less. We rented one this past April for quite a bit less. It wasn't a studio but had an actual separate bedroom. There was a full, yet small, kitchen, a small living area and a nice sized bathroom. I'm trying to find the link but we found it on Homelidays.co.uk. I've also had luck on Arbitel.fr or Homeaway.com

If you order a Museum Pass in advance, you'll pay extra for it. There is no need to do that.

Stores and restaurants are often closed on Sundays - there will be some open, but it is a common 'closing' day/night.

You can definitely get use from the Navigo Decouverte electronic pass. Good Mon-Sun, as mentioned. Bring a small head photo (like drivers license size). For Nov 26-28, just buy a 'carnet' of 10 single tickets, which you can split/share. Here is some good reading:
http://parisbytrain.com/

You can advance book entry to the Eiffel Tower, if you plan to go up. Haven't done it myself, but it would help reduce in-line waiting.
http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk...-en-ligne.html

You can read or download .pdf files from the Paris Tourist Office website:
http://en.parisinfo.com/press-and-tr.../publications/

Taking notes myself, have not been since 2002 when I was stationed in Germany.

Last time we went to Paris we used the train from the airport to our hotel. Is that still the best option? If so do the normal tickets (the book of 10) work for that or is it a special ticket? Also, do we watch for a special train that goes non-stop from the airport to one of the main metro stations?

Any ideas on the wine and food tours?

Since last year, many of the Franprix supermarkets have begun to open on Sunday, either until 13:00 or all day.

Aarron,

Yes, the train is by far the best way (and much cheaper than other options). You will need a separate RER ticket for the trip from CDG into Paris. The carnet (book of 10) tickets are good only for inside Paris itself. If it all possible bring Euro coins as the ticket machines don't accept American credit cards - otherwise you'll have to go to a manned window and WAIT in line.

The RER train goes from the airport to central Paris, with multiple stops. It has a unique ticket (i.e. not metro ticket). When you get off at RER station, you can transfer to metro without using a Metro ticket.

RER from airport: 8,70
Metro: 1,70 a ticket or a carnet of 10 for 12,00

www.ratp.fr is a good site for public transit info

Aarron,

Just to be clear - the WAIT (often 15-30 minutes) referred to in my post above is at the train ticket office at CDG airport - there is no problem once you are in Paris. Bring 20E in coins or just go to a window to buy RER ticket.

Every second RER train is an express...
no stops until Gare du Nord. I believe they are marked with an X.

But there's no reason to let a train go to wait for the next express... since there's only the 1 line the train that makes multiple stops still beats the express. ;^(

For food tours try Context Travel - they have several options and come highly recommended! www.contexttravel.com

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