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First trip to France...advice needed!
Hi! We are leaving Tuesday for our first trip to Paris. For me, it's also my first trip out of the country (I know, crazy, isn't it?). So I'm starting to get nervous! I have a few questions...
-What is the best way to get to Paris from the airport? We're flying into CDG on Air France. -Is there anything in particular I should or shouldn't pack? I know I should pack light (which goes against every inclination I have!)...it's hard to decide what to actually bring! -Will jeans and sneakers be acceptable to wear? (during the day, at the musuems, at dinner...) I am planning on packing a nicer outfit or two for a nice evening out, but for the rest of the nights jeans would be much easier! -Do you have any other recommendations? :) THANK YOU thank you thank you!! :) Mara |
We are a family of four and we opted to just take a taxi after our flight in. It was a good thing because we missed our connection at Heathrow and had to get a later flight to Paris. When we left, we booked a schuttle with Bluvan and they were prompt, roomy and quick. I would recommend them. If you don't have a lot of luggage and there is only you and ?, you might consider taking the train into Paris. Many can help in all aspects of that, like Rex.
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Hi M,
I have one recommendation. Since these same questions have been asked MANY times, simply type in each one into the search box and read forever. Have a nice trip!!! |
If you're trying to pack light, weigh a pair of jeans and see what you think.
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Hello mara, congratulations on going to Paris. I have not been there but almost everyone that visits Paris loves it and returns time and time.
Regarding "what to wear", oh my, you will probably get so many responses, lol. There have been tons of threads regarding this subject. Here is my viewpoint on the subject. Pack as light as possible (you are not going to be seeing the same people day after day and the lighter your luggage the happier you will be). Pack clothes that you would wear in any metropolitan city keeping in mind that the weather could change ( a friend just told me awhile ago that Paris is so warm this evening just a short sleeve shirt was comfortable). So packing clothes you can layer (a sweater over a shirt, a jacket over the sweater etc) should keep you comfortable no matter what the weather. Shoes..take shoes that you know you will be comfortable in for the hours and hours of walking you will no doubt do. That is the most important tip I can give you so that you will truly enjoy your time in Paris. Jeans are popular everywhere. I sometimes chuckle when others say jeans shouldn't be worn. I wish you could see all the photos my Italian friends that are residents of Italy send me. 95% of them are in jeans. Well all except the women say over age 55. Tops, you can feel "welldressed" with intersting tops and good looking sweaters. I personally would not take sweatershirts, but than I don't wear them at home. In otherwords the unisex look is not what you want to go for. I and a lot of my friends pack a pair of black jeans..they can look casual for daytime and with a dressier top be great for a lot of places in the evening. Black pants and a dressier top is good for evening. Or a black skirt and pretty top. Or a dress if you prefer that. I also put a small clutch in my luggage, that will dress up an outfit for evening and it takes up such little room in your suitcase. I use black as my basic color and work around that (my basic color at home also). Chose a basic color you feel good in (shoes, bag, outerwear etc) and than make sure any tops can pretty much be worn with any of the "bottoms". Personal friends that I have had that have gone to Paris opt to take a taxi from the CDG airport as they have a bit of jetlag (flying from the westcoast of the US) to their hotel. That is what I would do. If on a tight budget I was save money somewhere else. You can talk to your hotel about a shuttle when you return to CDG to fly home. I just see that namaka posted that they were pleased with Bluevan when the returned to CDG. So that is one good recommendation. Anyway, we all have different methods of travelling and packing but that is what I would do. I hope I have helped a little. I wish you a comfortable flight and a wonderful time in Paris. I think going to Paris for the first trip out of your country is exciting!! I hope you will give us a trip report. Best regards. |
A Taxi Parisien is going to cost somewhere around 50€, depending on your destination and traffic conditons. You pay the amount on the meter plus 1€ per bag.
A Bee shuttle for two will cost 34€. There are cheaper ways which may make sense depending upon exactly where you are going. Jeans are very popular, sneakers much less so. |
Thanks for the responses so far. I've started searching through the forums (I'm still getting the hang of it!), and everyone's advice is VERY helpful! I am going to do a quick shopping trip tomorrow and see if I can pick up a pair of comfy black shoes & pants that I can mix & match with (can you believe that as a reasonably fashionable 30 year old I own neither?...I usually dress in shades of browns & khakis...) I'm trying not to stress about this too much, even though I'm far past that point! As long as jeans are acceptable for museums, I think I may just go against the fashion grain with my sneakers...I'm only 30, and I already have serious ankle issues!! :)
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Hi Mara
I absolutely would NOT wear sneakers in Paris. You will stand out as a US tourist everywhere you go. Find some decent black (elegant) walking boots, eg Munro boots, in a good shoe store and you'll feel much more comfortable. Sneakers are for US tourists only!!!!! |
maranara: "<i>I usually dress in shades of browns & khakis.</i>" If you wear browns and feel good in browns - there is absolutely no reason what so ever to go out and buy new black clothes.
Most people say wear black - but that is simply because most people have a lot of black and it is so neutral and a very popular color in European cities. But if you have stylish clothing in brown (or blue, or green or any other becoming color) you will be just fine . . . . . |
Jeans and sneakers will be fine -- that's what the great majority of the tourist wear. I can't imagine being a tourist in Paris and wanting to look like I work in an office there. (Since I work in an office in Paris, I wear jeans and sneakers when I visit other cities.)
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Mara, wear your sneakers if they are comfortable, especially if you have ankle or foot problems. Contrary to common belief - there are no Shoe Police in Paris or any other city. If you don't take them, you'll kick yourself with your new and possibly uncomfortable black shoes :-)) Seriously you will see quite a few people, tourists and locals wearing them.
I had never worn sneakers simply because they weren't that comfortable for me. Then last year I bought a pair of New Balance, and for the first time after umpteen trips, I wore them in Paris. They were comfortable and no one paid any attention to my feet. I have always worn jeans during the day, for museums, walking around, shopping etc... then I dress up in black pants, black shoes and most often a black top, unless it is a casual restaurant and I don't feel like changing my clothes. If you are comfortable in brown and khaki why spend your last days before departure changing your entire trip wardrobe. Stay with your original plan. Spend that time getting everything else together and check Fodors for new and interesting things to do, see, and eat. Believe me, as long as you are neat and clean, you will not stand out, and most of all, you will be comfortable. If you look like a U.S. tourist who cares, as soon as you open your mouth they will know that you are American - unless you slap a maple leaf on your forehead. I'm all for taking a shuttle from CDG to your hotel. No hassle, you make your reservation on line and call the number they give you before you retrieve your luggage and they will tell you where to meet them. You get a mini tour of Paris on the way to your hotel. They make maybe two or three stops, depending on where your hotel is - you could be the first. No worrying about clicking meters, extra charges etc.. You pay the driver in euros or $$ plus an optional tip for the driver. Do a search here for pros and cons of various companies .. Bee, Bluvan, Paris Airport Shuttle, etc... By the way, do Germans ask 'how to I avoid looking like a German tourist?" Same with Brits, Italians, Russians etc... Not everyone is into high style, if you look nice at home, you will look just as nice in Paris. No one cares ...... enjoy yourself, you will love Paris. Please write a trip report when you return. Nina |
If your color is beige, as is mine, keep to it--I don't like black except in shoes and handbag, although I am taking a black riancoat this time--anyhow, I work everything around beige and green, for instance, and all shirts, sweater, trousers, etc. (too old, don't wear jeans except for gardening) mix and match. Several scarves. I was kidded on my last trip; told I got the mix and match award. I wear comfortable black or brown Easy Spirit shoes for day and black fabric shoes and small fancy bag for night. Remember it is the custom to greet the staff in stores, "Bonjour, Madame" and "Au revoir" when leaving. If you speak nothing else that will suffice. Well, "Si'l vous plait", and "Merci".
I am using the smallest suitcase possible (5 pounds) because I can pull only about 10 pounds. My tote is 8 pounds so far. Purse 1 pound. I agree about a taxi into Paris unless you are young and have time to take the train. My friend and I will share the cost, about $25 a piece. Take a bus tour around the city first,if you can, to get the lay of the land. Take day trips to Giverny, Chartres, etc., bus or train. Laduree, Champs Elysee, for dinner. Bonne chance! You will have a wonderful time I'm sure. |
Don't forget the in line skates. No really as a 30 ish person it is the thing.
What are sneakers? If you mean sort of pumped gym shoes then wear them but you will not only look American (hey you are so its not a big problem) but poor unless they are really up to the minute latest stuff. Now being poor is not a bad thing as they say but looking poor |
Hi M,
I suggest a shuttle to your hotel. See www.Parishuttles.com, www.beeshuttle.com, www.paris-blue-airport-shuttle.fr Also see Paris Superthread http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236 ((I)) |
I was in Paris and the south of France a couple of weeks ago and I wore sneakers everyday. When I knew I was going to a nice place to eat I wore shoes.
No one gave me a second look. |
Nina66: You hit it right on the head with your advice about what to ware in Paris. Ware what you are comfortable in. You are on a vacation, not in a fashion show. If you really want to know what the people in Paris look like, Google for Paris pictures and you can see for yourself.
I also recommend a shuttle. I have had good results with Bee Shuttle. |
Hi, just back from 2 weeks in Paris, my second visit. We took the RER B train into and out of Paris both visits. It's 8.5 euros per ticket and the signs/directions are easy to follow at the CDG. Just find which RER station is closest to your hotel and either walk from there or transfer to a metro (regular subway) line.
I wear jeans most of the time here and so do when away. Saw tons of people in jeans and sneakers both locals and not - converse seems like the most popular brand for some reason. Wear the most comfortable walking footwear you have and bring more than one pair, swiching from day to day saves me from blisters etc. It's a city that invites a ton of walking and those cobblestone streets and metro staircases are tiring. Black seems to be the big fashion color along with a palette of very dark colors like greys, drab blues and browns often with a brighter scarf worn for contrast. In many areas of the city everyone seems to have a camera and a guidebook/map so you shouldn't worry about standing out as a tourist - there are always a lot of tourists. Buy a carte orange for unlimited zone one/two metro/rer travel for 16.5 euros for a week, it's a great money saver and I brought tiny 1.125" headshots from home that i printed on our color printer. These were accepted without problem. A museum card is still a good idea if you love to visit them but a lot of people are using them now leading to long line ups at some museums like the Louvre or Orsay at opening time. See a smaller museum first thing and go into those a bit later and without any lines. Enjoy your trip and really do pack lightly - we did a quick wash at a laundromat once per week to save on original packing - one with an adorable cafe a few doors down of course. Took very little time and was almost fun. |
We always take the Roissy bus from CDG to Opera. It runs every 15 minutes and is right by a metro station. It takes about 45 minutes and last time I checked it cost 7.32 Euro. You might need to check the price before you leave to make sure it hasn't changed.
But, a taxi might be the best way on your first trip. It all has to do with what you like to spend your money on. Also, wear jeans or whatever is comfortable for you. I wear what I call running shoes during the day when I'm out walking. Don't listen to the fashion police on here, your on vacation and you are a tourist so just be one. |
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