Just returned from Paris. Had a great time.
 

The weather was overcast and rainy everyday except the day before we left for home. But it was still a great week - great museums, sights, food. My son (12) also had a good time - he enjoyed Luxembourg Garden and the Salvadore Dali museum. <BR><BR>We gave in and I spent one afternoon at Disneyland Paris with him - he was a good sport on the rest of the trip so....<BR><BR>The only negative - the cab driver from charged us 400 francs from the airport to our apt in Le Marais area. From the other postings here, I think it was double what it should have been. But we don't speak French well enough to argue, and we were dog-tired.<BR><BR>We didn't take another taxi on the trip - but we really didn't need to. The Metro was wonderful - we agreed it was the best subway we've seen so far. We never waited more than 2 minutes for a train, no matter what the time of day. And it was so clean.<BR><BR>I can recommend Drawbridge to Europe for apts. Our apt was very nice and clean. Great location. One bedroom with a very comfortable pull-out futon in the living room for about $900/week. Apts are definitely the way to go.

Jane,<BR>I'm glad to hear you had a good trip. Paris is one of my favorite cities (the beautiful Elizabeth accepted my proposal of marriage there just last fall). <BR>I am, however, suprised to hear the Parisian subway described as "so clean." I found it to be "so cheap," but for all around tube-cleanliness I've never found one to beat the London system.<BR>Any wranglers out there disagree?<BR>j.

I think the metro in Washington DC is far cleaner than either Paris or London (not nearly as extensive though). It's the cleanest I've ever seen anywhere.

The Metro in DC is the cleanest. One thing I was surprised at in my rip to Paris three weeks ago was how the metro had deteriated from my last trip. Pretty grungy. I used to think it was very clean and kept up.<BR>Paris was wonderful though. Even with the rainy weather.

Thanks for the report, especially on the apt as I think I suggested that and was wondering how it worked how for future reference? Did you end up going to the Musee Carnavalet or not, that's what I want to know, and how did your son like it? As for the cab, that does seem somewhat high but probably not that much, so I wouldn't worry about it--there are extra charges per piece of luggage and an airport fee (I think), maybe for third passenger, not sure on that (I know I've seen addons for fourth passenger), and I think Parisian taxi fares went up a little last year. It really depends on traffic, though, but I would have expected about 250-300F. If I ever think fares are way too high or something funny, I don't tip. Maybe you were cheated a little, who knows, I watch the meter so there are no surprises, so I guess you're thinking he rigged the meter? If it took you an hour due to bad traffic, that would probably not be too high. I think the DC subway is very clean and good, also (I live here so ride it regularly), but it does not approach Paris for convenience and cost; Paris has so many more lines that truly blanket the city well and it's a lot cheaper than DC as it's a flat fee ticket; DC's fares get very expensive by distance. I do think the DC metro is one of the cleanest I've seen, also, so kudos to DC for something (BART was pretty clean but I haven't taken it in a long time, Vienna is clean).