Getting around Paris and France
Sep 16th, 2011, 08:25 PM
#123
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Definitely book your second hotel in Paris before you leave home. How many travellers have I seen schlepping around Paris, Vienna, Venice et al in those peak months, wasting hours if not days trying to find accommodation. Sometimes they have to repeat next day when only one night is available ....
Do that now.
The days of relaxed wander-around travel in peak periods are long gone.
Also if you travel by RER into Paris be aware that, if you have a suitcase, some of the turnstiles are narrow and hard to fit you and suitcase through on the one ticket. Especially if they are the full height metal ones. You can show suitcase to station attendant (IF there is one) and they will let you and case through). It's not a good idea to have suitcase on one side and you on the other of the turnstile. It happens.
And finally, if you plan to leave Paris it may be a good idea to buy your ticket the day before. This way you can make sure you have the right station (different stations in Paris serve different areas of France, as one reply above noted). You don't need to travel the same day that you buy the ticket and as queues can be long and sloooow, it is good to buy in advance. You will also feel more confident. Look for the English speaking queue. Sometimes there is one, sometimes not.
You punch the ticket into the machine on the station shortly before boarding the train. The ticket collectors on board are not that forgiving if you forget! Bon voyage and so pleased you were able to change your hotel. I was reading these posts with great interest and thought what a terrific and helpful bunch these Fodorite are!
Do that now.
The days of relaxed wander-around travel in peak periods are long gone.
Also if you travel by RER into Paris be aware that, if you have a suitcase, some of the turnstiles are narrow and hard to fit you and suitcase through on the one ticket. Especially if they are the full height metal ones. You can show suitcase to station attendant (IF there is one) and they will let you and case through). It's not a good idea to have suitcase on one side and you on the other of the turnstile. It happens.
And finally, if you plan to leave Paris it may be a good idea to buy your ticket the day before. This way you can make sure you have the right station (different stations in Paris serve different areas of France, as one reply above noted). You don't need to travel the same day that you buy the ticket and as queues can be long and sloooow, it is good to buy in advance. You will also feel more confident. Look for the English speaking queue. Sometimes there is one, sometimes not.
You punch the ticket into the machine on the station shortly before boarding the train. The ticket collectors on board are not that forgiving if you forget! Bon voyage and so pleased you were able to change your hotel. I was reading these posts with great interest and thought what a terrific and helpful bunch these Fodorite are!
Sep 17th, 2011, 07:45 AM
#124
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To add to francophile's post, there are little yellow machines at the head of tracks in the train station. That's where you "punch" (imposter) your ticket before getting on the train. There can be a big fine if you don't do this. (People try to re-use the ticket.)
But if you buy a train ticket for a specific train on a specific day with the seat assigned, you don't need to imposter the ticket.
But if you buy a train ticket for a specific train on a specific day with the seat assigned, you don't need to imposter the ticket.
Sep 17th, 2011, 08:04 AM
#125
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Michael...that must be a cultural pronunciationsm oui?
When I want the washrooms...I say, "Pardon, les toilettes?" when a quizzical look and intonation (and/or desperation
For pronunciation, some sounds are just not easily transferable to english. So if you can find an audio site that gives you pronunciation, great.
You may find that people appreciate you at least trying to begin a conversation in French before them swithcing to English.
When I want the washrooms...I say, "Pardon, les toilettes?" when a quizzical look and intonation (and/or desperation
For pronunciation, some sounds are just not easily transferable to english. So if you can find an audio site that gives you pronunciation, great.
You may find that people appreciate you at least trying to begin a conversation in French before them swithcing to English.
Sep 17th, 2011, 08:22 AM
#126
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Michel_Paris
that must be a cultural pronunciationsm oui?
Which one? vécé (WC) or toilettes? In either case, that is what is current today, note Kerouac's transliteration. Besides, la toilette is something completely different; it means washing up, as in faire sa toilette, or faire sa toilette de chat if you are in a hurry.
that must be a cultural pronunciationsm oui?
Which one? vécé (WC) or toilettes? In either case, that is what is current today, note Kerouac's transliteration. Besides, la toilette is something completely different; it means washing up, as in faire sa toilette, or faire sa toilette de chat if you are in a hurry.
Sep 17th, 2011, 09:33 AM
#128
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Quick update! I am definitely reading your posts but am busy with everything on the "to do" list and can't write anything meaningful right how. I have copied most of the explicit information onto a Word document so I can print it out and take it with me. I'm scanning my important documents, license, etc. and sending the scan to my son, brother and best friend who are all very reliable and trustworthy! I am also sending them our itinerary so they know where we are and our flights. Sewing inside secure pockets with zippers on both our pants for extra money, our passports, credit cards we aren't using that day, etc.--you all will know us because we will be the "lumpy Americans"! Actually, the pockets are working out very well and don't show at all and are comfortable. We've called the Hotel Orient and they have us on a list in case they get any cancellations.
That's it for now! Thank you all again! My eyes are not crossing from all the info!! Instead it's really helping me feel so much better!! Merci!
That's it for now! Thank you all again! My eyes are not crossing from all the info!! Instead it's really helping me feel so much better!! Merci!
Sep 19th, 2011, 05:14 PM
#133
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One final post until we return! We're packed, have our boarding passes, two pages of French phrases spelled phonetically so I can learn how to pronouce them on the plane; key words for menu translations printed out, and 22 pages of travel information from all of you! Thank you once again. I'm beginning to get excited now and can't wait to get there!
I'll be sure to do a post trip post to let you all know how we did!
Thank you all, so very, very much!!
I'll be sure to do a post trip post to let you all know how we did!
Thank you all, so very, very much!!
Sep 19th, 2011, 10:19 PM
#135
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Hope I'm no too late for you to read this RidgeRose. As I recall there are a number of hotels on the same street as the New Orient. Ask the staff and they might recommend one or even know of other hotels to suggest.
I love the Knopf Map Guides and buy one for each new city we visit. Bon Voyage!
S.
I love the Knopf Map Guides and buy one for each new city we visit. Bon Voyage!
S.
Oct 6th, 2011, 04:02 PM
#136
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We're back!! It was the best trip of our lives!!! Paris is a spectacular city. The owners of the New Orient were absolutely wonderful. There's so much to tell you all and I promise to write a full trip report in the next few days!
Oct 6th, 2011, 04:08 PM
#138
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Please do! As you could tell by the number of responses you had to your post, we were quite concerned about your trip bombing. Glad it worked out well, and we will be waiting for all the juicy details.
