Strange, it seems to be cooler in Rome than in Paris: 33 C predicted for tomorrow versus 36 for Paris.

Here in central Italy, it's not even going to hit 30. The night of the earthquake, we tried to sleep outdoors on our terrace, on our sun chairs. Even with wool blankets we were too cold to sleep, so we went back inside, only to be chased out again by the first strong aftershock.

Except that most tourists want to see Paris at its best. They are not interested in visiting industrial suburbs or seeing rows after rows of merchants selling cigarette packs. Even Parisians wouldn't want to live in these areas.

Why do you keep talking about the suburbs?

Loacker is a specialist in turning any topic into a polemic.

Omigod, Loacker, here too?

Like Nukesafe, I threw off the 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 Arrondisement chains because of kerouac's posts and photographs.

As a result, Paris has ceased to be a place I have visited and has become a place with possibilities that will never run out in my lifetime.

You can always eat steak, but how can you resist curried goat when it is on the menu?

I'm just tired of the "off the beaten path" travel snobs.
90% of the time, the beaten path will prove to be more interesting.

Some people will spend their time in the ugliest areas, or go to Liverpool instead of London, just to feel some sort of validation or to boast that they're seasoned travellers.

Loacker, Liverpool has turned around and is very nice to visit now. We even got a photo of the Queen on a duck boat.

I love the 14th. I can take the metro to the center quick enough.

Hope you survive the heat today.

IMHO the answer is fairly simple- we always get a hotel with decent AC. Granted that often means getting either an american chin hotel or a very upscale one - but after my first trip to Paris (when the temp hit 95 in late June) I wouldn't go without it.

I know the French live without -but I'm not French and can't stand the heat - or sleep in it.

Parisians are affected by the heatwave, but they don't mind nearly as much as Americans. It seems they revel in it sometimes!

I'm originally from US/NY, and I cannot stand any kind of heat. The first thing we did this summer was purchase a mobile AC unit for our apartment. It was the best 400 euro we've ever spent, even though Parisians told me "it's not like NY" or "only a couple nights when it's really bad" Nope nope nope! I haven't left my apartment for 2 days!!!

We bought a portable A/c set for the family house in southern france.
We used it 3 days. 10 years ago. I keep telling my wife we should get rid of it.
I don't understand Loacker's comment though.
Coming from such an adventurer ? Braving the kebab sellers on the filth of the 5th and seeing street sellers selling cigarette packs in the industrial suburbs does look like being off the beaten path ! I work in the suburb (not really industrial but not residential) since 10 years and have never seen it myself.
I think Loacker is the greatest explorer of human misery and a sure specialist of the rundown areas of Paris.
Maybe he ventured as far as the 20th arrondissement - and survived to tell her story. I am impressed.

I actually spend most of my time in the 11th because that's where the hippest cafes and restaurants are located. But you'd have to pay me to make me visit Saint Denis, Pigalle, Chapelle, Barbes-Rochechouart (or Molenbique if we're talking Belgium)

Well, that certainly puts the final nail in the coffin of outdated hipness. The two hippest places in Paris this summer are <b>Grand Train</b> ( http://www.grandtrain.com/ ) and <b>La Recyclerie</b> ( http://www.larecyclerie.com/ ) and believe me, nobody is going to pay you to go to those areas.

Molenbique ? Where would that be ?

That one made me laugh, too. In fact twice, but the second laugh was not a nice one, since it was 'visitors' from Molenbeek who killed so many hipsters in the tragically hip 11th arrondissement.

Well I saw Kerouacs photo essay.. and my first thoughts were "what a vibrant young fun area".. and other than the brown water.. I certainly did not see it as an "ugly area".. To each his own.. but harsh labelling indeed, it may not be an area a first time visitor wants to stay in .. but that doesn't exactly make it a slum for goodness sake..

As for needing to go to upscale or American chain hotels to get AC. I have never ever stayed in a hotel room that cost more than 180 euros( in Paris) .. ( and that was once).. I usually keep it under 130-140 euros.. and have paid less than that.. and I ALWAYS get a hotel with AC. ( because I just do not cope with heat well.. nor street noise so leaving windows open at night not an option for me)

Yup. I guess that was Loacker's intention to throw in terrorists coming from Molenbeek.
Such a nice and knowledgeable chap.
Never short of a stupid comment.

Loacker is the Donald Trump of this forum.

I looked at the pictures, too, and my first thought was where do all the revelers relieve themselves? The bassin? If I'm drinking, I need a bathroom nearby; my wife, a clean bathroom (preferably with paper). It's hell getting old!

"where do all the revelers relieve themselves?" billyandcindy

Haven't you noticed that many alleyways in Paris smell of urine?

Public bathrooms in Paris are "a horror story".
Sorry to be graphic, but I once entered a portable toilet next to and found a poo lying on the toilet seat in all its glory.

Even the public bathrooms in the building surrounding Saint Chapelle are very dirty and have no soap. We pay an exorbitant admission fee to get into Sainte Chapelle. You might as well provide some soap and tissue.

*next to les Halles