Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Just Got Back From Paris. Any Questions?

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)

- Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)

- - Just Got Back From Paris. Any Questions? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/just-got-back-from-paris-any-questions-189788/)

Just Got Back From Paris. Any Questions?

I just got back from Paris this morning. The people in France (Paris) could not have been any more helpful and sympathetic if they were told to be. I stayed at the Tulip Cayre Hotel in St. Germain area. Even with the horrible circumstances in the U.S. My wife and I had the most beautiful time. If you have any questions I will try to answer them.

I too returned from Paris twelve hours ago. We were stranded there when our connecting flight was canceled on Friday. I agree totally. The people, the airlines and other passengers were very helpful throughout the entire ordeal. We enjoyed the delay, but we are soooo glad to be home. Delta flights are moving again, and most passengers have been rescheduled for later this week. One suggestion: Wait-list at the airport, not the downtown Delta office. We found their information not current, and they are terribly understaffed at the time. We felt no discomfort in Paris - other than that which we brought with us. I love Paris!

Wow Kathy I bet we were on the same flight. I loved your last comment. My hat is off to the Parisiens and the rest of the European community. This was to be our Honeymoon and even with the horrific situation in the U.S. we still managed to have a wonderful time (which was due a large bit to the sympathetic, yet not patronizing shoulder of this beautiful city).

What were the hightlights of your trip to Paris? Did you use the Metro for transportation? We are going Oct 7th and will be there for six day.

we are going in late october and heard that the light show at the eiffel tower is not going to work again until early 2003, is this true? also we are a little confused, we will be there for 4 days, want to see everything we can and see versaille. our question is should we buy a metro pass or just by a daily pass everyday. can someone please help us. thank you in advance. JAne

Bonjour Margie. I think the highlight of our trip was getting up in the morning stepping out onto the balcony and seeing the sun shine off the Sacre Cour. There are soo many things I can tell you it would crash the server. If your e mail is correct I will try contacting you directly (via e mail) later this evening. As far as transportation. We walked everywhere we didn't want to miss one little detail. Even getting lost in the "Latin quarter" was enjoyable. If you make the attempt to speak and be courteous to the locals, they will bend over backwards to make you feel at home. You are going to love it there. One side note it was chilly at night and rained a little bit each day,but nothing that would spoil your plans. Check intellicast.com and of course weather.com and pack appropriately. Au Revoir.

Lucky you:) I'd buy a "carnet" -- which is just 10 metro tickets that you can share. When you run out buy another carnet. You may end up using the metro a lot less than a pass would warrant.

How was your hotel? Were you happy with it? What was it like?

Gail along with the rest of the trip I don't have a large enough vocabulary to say good things about the Hotel. It was called, "Cayre Hotel" run by Tulip. The bedroom was a little rundown, but my balcony looked directly at the Sacre Couer every morning as the sun glinted off its dome. The bathroom was enormous compared to previous European hotels I had stayed in (6x10). It had a small foyer type entrance that included a closet and a small safe that you personally set the combination. The employees were absolutely fabulous. I got a hug and tearful kiss kiss from our waitress the day we left. It was located on 4 Raspail Blvd which is a half block from St. Germain Blvd. (very chique and famous area of Paris. So I'm sure you guessed it. My wife and I were very pleased with this hotel and would recommend it to anyone.

So glad to hear about your good exprience in Paris. We leave on Oct. 13 and are alittle nervous about the trip. Still havent decided to cancel or not. I really dont want to but my husband is nervous about being an Amercian in Europe. Thanks for your post.

Leslie please don't cancel!!! Your husband has nothing to worry about. The security is very efficient and well thought out in Paris. Please e mail me directly if you have any specific questions or concerns.

hi guys - well I'm going too from Sydney on OCtober 5th, and frankly what worries me the most at the moment is taking clothes that are too warm or not warm enough...I don't want to over-pack you see! Will it not be t-shirt weather in early October anymore? Also, I was told that the best pass to buy if you are going to Paris for about a week is a 'Carte Orange', or something like that - is this not correct. Regards, Carmen

Carmen, Carte Orange is the ticket! It costs the equivalent of a carnet and a half (15 tickets) and you can ride Metro and buses. If you ride the Metro or bus just twice a day, it pays for itself. The only drawback: it is valid from Monday through Sunday (intended for workers). If you arrive on a Wednesday, it might not be worth it (you'd have to buy two). Bring a small picture for the ID card. I'm so glad all the Paris visitors experienced such warmth--I would hardly expect less.

Hi, Greg - I think some of us would really appreciate at least a little report of your trip. Just the highlights, if you don't want to go into too much detail. Favorite sights and experiences, recommended restaurants and meals, lessons learned...that sort of thing. I very much enjoy reading about the good time others have had in Europe, especially a favorite like Paris. Many of us will probably take it from there and start asking questions or making comments about your experience. Anyway, hope you'll consider it!

So glad you posted here. We are leaving tomorrow, and I have been quite nervous. Your information has take a "little" of the edge off...however, there is still definitely an anxiety that was not present before last week's attack.

Ok well here goes. I will try to be concise ( doubt that will happen my says I ramble. But, don't all men, haha). I have found that dress is an important issue. Yes, when in doubt, dress in black. Sneakers seem to be a red flag for yes I'm a tourist that knows nothing and will not bend to new ways. I dressed well the whole time I was there except for one day. I wore some nice shorts, sneakers, and a pullover type shirt. It was the only day that I was treated rather abruptly. The rest of the time I wore slacks and rockport type walking shoes. So if you dress business casual I think it's safe to say you will have no problems. For women scarves are in and by no means wear shorts. Shorts are a cultural taboo. Two of my favorite restaurants were: Le Petite Zinc on St. Germain Blvd behind Deux Magots. This restaurant was a little expensive but the food literally will melt in your mouth. And, Le Petite Chaise on Rue De Grenelle off of St. Germain (oldest restaurant in all of Paris, circa 1604) prix fixe menu very small and truly authentic food. We ended up going there twice. The hotel Cayre on Raspail 4 Blvd was heaven. I feel the personnel made the stay so enjoyable it was almost surrealistic. They spoke very good English and would even prompt me when I attempted my poor French. The room service food was on par with some of the best restaurants in the U.S. As far as transportation. We walked everywhere. We didn't want to miss one thing. Even when we got lost in the Latin Quarter it was fun. Places we visited. Every major landmark and more (yup we hit them all and then some. My poor feet, hehe). We stayed away from Bateaux Mouche because of heavy tour group presence. Also, Champs de Elysee has been Americanized too much, but still worth seeing. I'm sure there is more but that covers most of it in a nutshell. All in all the French were the most polite and pleasant group of people I have ever met. We even got a hand written letter from the hotel owners expressing their sympathies and how if there was ANYTHING we needed they would try to help us. As far as security. The police and military presence is well felt but not obtrusive both on the streets and the airport. If you are planning on going, GO! In my opinion you will be happy you did. And as some of the other Fodorites (as well as my wife) will tell you I can be a very hard and grumpy person to please. Again, I do not claim to know it all but I will try to answer any questions you might have.

Thanks for the report. I'm so sad that we had to cancel our two week trip, we were due to fly on 9/13. I know it's very, very small in comparison to the tragedy in Manhattan....that mixed with missing this trip I'd planned so long for....Hopefully we'll be able to go in the Spring. M in Brooklyn

Greg, thanks for the helpful summary of your trip. What is security like at the CDG airport? Were you nervous flying?

Thanks for your feedback, Sue. Can anyone tell me how cold it will be, by the way? October 5th!

Greg, really appreciate your trip report. Thanks very much for posting it, and also for the helpful answers you're sharing with all.