Jerald

Just got back from 10 days in Paris over New Years. Miserable weather but had a great time hitting the regulars with side trip to Chartres. Happy to answer questions & help as many have me.

nancy

topping for anyone who wants info on Paris in winter.

al

Jerald, did you get to ride the Metro on New Years Eve? <BR> <BR>I was smashed against the rear wall by hordes of drunks, watched people puking all over each other on the train, saw drunks tossing other drunks off the train and onto the platforms, missed my stop and got dumped by the Metro train driver in the middle of nowhere without a map when he decided it was quitting time! And it was raining and cold that night. <BR> <BR>But it WAS both fun and interesting. Where did you go on New Year's Eve and what did you see?

rbw

Just got back from Paris. A wonderful trip, but the worst new year's ever! Had dinner reservations, which were fine until the (supposedly nice) restaurant got wild and out of control after midnight. We tried to find a taxi or metro around 2 a.m., only to wander for hours in the rain and cold to discover that there was no transport of any kind until 5 am! Finally, got smashed and molested on the metro for 1 stop as it was all we could bear to finally get a taxi on a desolate corner around 6 am. My advice stay within walking distance of where you are staying on New Years in Paris!

xxx

The French must be just NUTS! No taxis, No Metro, No Buses....NO NOTHING after midnight on the BUSIEST night of the year. <BR> <BR>What kind of city would do this?

Buyer

xxx, a horrible city! Don't ever go there.

xxx

Unfortunately, BUYER, it's too late, but don't worry I won't be back - at least not for New Years. <BR> <BR>Paris can be a charming town and part of this charm is their French attitude that differs dramatically from what I call the "civilized" world. <BR> <BR>And its pleasant as long as you don't let yourself become a victim of it. <BR> <BR>They should have advertised the fact that they were closing shop immediately after the bell strikes midnight. <BR> <BR>But it wasn't just the tourists that were left stranded out in the cold with no transportation, there were thousands of French people who were EQUALLY angry at their own authorities attitudes and behavior. <BR> <BR>In fact, it was French people who were slamming empty bottles against the subway cars and cursing the train driver who stranded everyone. <BR> <BR>In was the French people that were pulling the alarms in the train tunnel - the alarms, by the away, were shut off too. <BR> <BR>The authorities in Paris had a total disrespect for everyone there...French taxpayers and Foriegn tourists alike...all of which pay their salaries. <BR> <BR>Maybe they need another REVOLUTION! <BR> <BR>

Tammy

I was in Paris over New Years also and we didn't even try to take the metro or a taxi after midnight. We walked from the Place de la Concorde to the Latin Quarter after midnight. It was rainy, but it wasn't too bad of a walk. The metro around 10pm was getting pretty bad. All in all we had a great New Years Eve, but could have done without the rain. <BR> <BR>I arrived on December 28 and left January 3. It was cold some days and a little rainy others, but considering the temp was hovering around 5 degrees at home, I felt like I was in a heat wave. <BR>

Jerald

Yes it was cold & rainy. We were at the foot of the Eiffel Tower awaiting the fireworks &/or laser show that never developed. Only the twinkly blue lights & they were late. I was smart this time & got a hotel that was within walking distance, near the Champs Elysees. The streets were noisy & routy for 2 hours after we walked back & went to bed. With all the drunks, firecrackers, rockets, routy groups of young guys etc. I don't believe I saw a cop all night. My wife was worried about taking a bottle of bubbly with us because of open container laws in some places. I will not go back!......... until Maybe December if not before, like maybe June for the air show! I love Paris in the springtime.....

Tammy

Jerald, I wish you had been up with us at the Place de la Concord, we enjoyed a laser light show with music, but I was a bit disappointed that there were no fireworks at midnight. <BR> <BR>I also didn't see any police out and about, and the kids throwing fire crackers were annoying. Everytime one went off, I jumped. We brought along a couple of bottles of champagne and were able to toast in the New Year. We also met up with fellow Fodorite Barbara and her husband Michael. <BR> <BR>I hate to hear that you had a crummy time New Years Eve, but all in all, I thought mine was great, enjoyable and memorable. I love Paris, even when it does drizzle.

tcc

What happened to all the others that were joining you Tammy? Lauren, et al. I was hoping to get a report when you guys got back.

Tammy

I've been meaning to post my trip, but various reasons, I haven't gotten around to it. <BR> <BR>For the fordorite dinner on the 30th, only Barbara, her husband, Michael, myself, and my friends were the only participants. Even though the turnout was smaller than expected we still had a great dinner. The next night we all met up near the Place de la Concorde to celebrate. Since returning, I know that some of the people planning to attend dinner were not able to make it at the last minute.

topper

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