My Super Low Budget Trip to Paris
May 6th, 2008, 06:30 PM
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Yes, it's Dave's and yes, he is one of the nicest people you could ever want to meet. I knew I was in good hands, so to speak, my entire stay. Dave and Aralynn put a lot of thought and care into this little apartment, and do everything possible to unsure that renters are happy and comfortable. Just great people and great landlords, I can't speak highly enough of them.
May 7th, 2008, 04:33 AM
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I'm also from Toronto and will be doing a 9 day tour of Europe with my daughter, leaving June 21. We'll only be in Paris for 1 full day staying overnight, but I loved your report and now am so looking forward to our time in Paris. Great report!
May 8th, 2008, 06:33 AM
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Apres, I'm enjoying your report. I listen to French lessons on my iPod on my morning walks just in case a Paris opportunity comes along like it did for you!
Since you are from Toronto, did you know that the second annual Toronto GTG is planned for August 9th? Check this thread started by Kodi:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=29
Since you are from Toronto, did you know that the second annual Toronto GTG is planned for August 9th? Check this thread started by Kodi:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=29
May 8th, 2008, 07:37 AM
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Thanks so much for all the information! I wanted to take a solo trip to Paris for my 40th...that didn't work out. I WAS going to take that trip this year but Lasik won out for this year's b-day present to myself but by golly I will make it before I turn 45!!!
Your trip is EXACTLY what I want to do. Go cheap, stay where the tourists don't, and spend all my time people watching and looking through at art!!!
Of course, I would LOVE to check out a flea market. Has anyone ever bought furniture at one and had it shipped back? That would be some good info to add to my list!
Your trip is EXACTLY what I want to do. Go cheap, stay where the tourists don't, and spend all my time people watching and looking through at art!!!
Of course, I would LOVE to check out a flea market. Has anyone ever bought furniture at one and had it shipped back? That would be some good info to add to my list!
May 8th, 2008, 04:32 PM
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May 8th, 2008, 05:01 PM
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Thanks for the heads up on the Toronto gtg. Sounds like fun, I'll have to check my calendar.
People watching and looking at art pretty much sums up my entire trip. I looooooved being able to spend as much time as I wanted in the museums without having to worry about anyone else.
And I think anyone who has thought about travelling alone should give it a try, at least once. I found it amazing, the little things I was able to notice because my attention wasn't given over to someone else.
People watching and looking at art pretty much sums up my entire trip. I looooooved being able to spend as much time as I wanted in the museums without having to worry about anyone else.
And I think anyone who has thought about travelling alone should give it a try, at least once. I found it amazing, the little things I was able to notice because my attention wasn't given over to someone else.
May 8th, 2008, 08:36 PM
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I'm glad the link finally works. It's kind of funny that the first picture is of a couple of city workers powerblasting flyers off the front of a building. Pehaps not the first thing that comes to mind when you think "Paris".
To continue, shopping at Leader Price went off without a hitch. The store was clean, well stocked, and not very busy on a late weekday morning. I did kick myself while waiting in line because I didn't remember to bring a tote bag to carry my groceries home- I had to use sign language and broken French to ask for a couple of plastic bags. The young woman at the cash register was patient and kind, and smiled and wished me a "bonne journee" as I left. I was feeling much better as I headed back to the apartment for the second time that morning.
Back home, I pulled out a guidebook and sat down for my *third* breakfast of the day- more coffee but with lots of milk which is how I really like it, a pot of yoghourt, and a banana.
It was time to re-assess. I had been in Paris for over 24 hours now, and all I'd managed to accomplish was picking up toilet paper at Leader Price (and, as it turned out, not even that. I’d later discover that I picked up paper towels by accident).
I knew I wasn't being a very good tourist, and with my limited time in the city I needed to get moving. I decided I'd take bus 96 to the Hotel de Ville and then walk up to the Pompidou Centre, which was the number one thing on my list that I'd missed on my first trip to Paris.
But first, I stopped in at the Parmentier metro station to buy a carnet of tickets. The RATP employee at the wicket was a young woman who was also very beautiful- it was a little startling to see someone like that behind the plexiglass in a public transit uniform. She, too, smiled and said "bonne journee" after I thanked her for the tickets. I was beginning to get a taste of how things would be during my stay in the 11th. I didn’t feel glum at all anymore.
Carnet in hand, I headed back up and out of the metro station, and walked a block or two to over the bus stop. I never waited more than a couple of minutes for bus 96. It was a quick 10 or 15 minute ride to the Hotel de Ville, and it was fun watching the city go by the bus wound its way down through the Marais.
The other people on the bus where much like the people on the street; a mix of young and old, sharply dressed and shabby. One thing I found to be true of ALL Parisians during this trip, while riding the subway or the bus, was that they are extremely polite and soft-spoken. A few young people may be on their mobiles, but they speak in tones barely above a whisper. The slightest accidental nudge into another passenger and immediately an apology is offered with "pardon".
Manners, cleanliness, efficiency- public transportation in Paris is a joy. I marveled at it every time I rode the metro or the bus. RATP, je t'aime.
I didn't have any problem with getting off the bus at the right stop for a couple of reasons. One, the bus has an automated voice that announces each upcoming stop. Two, Hotel de Ville is a main stop so there is always someone else getting off there. I stepped off the bus and immediately felt that hum of energy you get in downtown areas of big cities. I *love* that hum.
I was also no longer an outsider- other tourists from every part of the world were everywhere. I didn't feel conspicuous at all as I hauled out my camera and started snapping shots of the Hotel de Ville. In some ways this was comforting, but in other ways it was a bit distasteful at the same time.
Still, I enjoyed wandering around the square, where an old-fashioned, Mary Poppins type carousal had been set up. Kids of all nationalities thought it was a blast. So did a few teenagers and parents.
To continue, shopping at Leader Price went off without a hitch. The store was clean, well stocked, and not very busy on a late weekday morning. I did kick myself while waiting in line because I didn't remember to bring a tote bag to carry my groceries home- I had to use sign language and broken French to ask for a couple of plastic bags. The young woman at the cash register was patient and kind, and smiled and wished me a "bonne journee" as I left. I was feeling much better as I headed back to the apartment for the second time that morning.
Back home, I pulled out a guidebook and sat down for my *third* breakfast of the day- more coffee but with lots of milk which is how I really like it, a pot of yoghourt, and a banana.
It was time to re-assess. I had been in Paris for over 24 hours now, and all I'd managed to accomplish was picking up toilet paper at Leader Price (and, as it turned out, not even that. I’d later discover that I picked up paper towels by accident).
I knew I wasn't being a very good tourist, and with my limited time in the city I needed to get moving. I decided I'd take bus 96 to the Hotel de Ville and then walk up to the Pompidou Centre, which was the number one thing on my list that I'd missed on my first trip to Paris.
But first, I stopped in at the Parmentier metro station to buy a carnet of tickets. The RATP employee at the wicket was a young woman who was also very beautiful- it was a little startling to see someone like that behind the plexiglass in a public transit uniform. She, too, smiled and said "bonne journee" after I thanked her for the tickets. I was beginning to get a taste of how things would be during my stay in the 11th. I didn’t feel glum at all anymore.
Carnet in hand, I headed back up and out of the metro station, and walked a block or two to over the bus stop. I never waited more than a couple of minutes for bus 96. It was a quick 10 or 15 minute ride to the Hotel de Ville, and it was fun watching the city go by the bus wound its way down through the Marais.
The other people on the bus where much like the people on the street; a mix of young and old, sharply dressed and shabby. One thing I found to be true of ALL Parisians during this trip, while riding the subway or the bus, was that they are extremely polite and soft-spoken. A few young people may be on their mobiles, but they speak in tones barely above a whisper. The slightest accidental nudge into another passenger and immediately an apology is offered with "pardon".
Manners, cleanliness, efficiency- public transportation in Paris is a joy. I marveled at it every time I rode the metro or the bus. RATP, je t'aime.
I didn't have any problem with getting off the bus at the right stop for a couple of reasons. One, the bus has an automated voice that announces each upcoming stop. Two, Hotel de Ville is a main stop so there is always someone else getting off there. I stepped off the bus and immediately felt that hum of energy you get in downtown areas of big cities. I *love* that hum.
I was also no longer an outsider- other tourists from every part of the world were everywhere. I didn't feel conspicuous at all as I hauled out my camera and started snapping shots of the Hotel de Ville. In some ways this was comforting, but in other ways it was a bit distasteful at the same time.
Still, I enjoyed wandering around the square, where an old-fashioned, Mary Poppins type carousal had been set up. Kids of all nationalities thought it was a blast. So did a few teenagers and parents.
May 8th, 2008, 08:41 PM
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I took note of the famous BHV department store looming in the background. I'd read so much about it here on Fodors that I knew I had to go inside and take a look around. I was tempted to walk over right then and there, but reason prevailed- I realized I wouldn't want to be dragging any purchases I might make around with me in the Pompidou Centre.
Instead I headed off for a quick walk to circle the Tour St Jacques, then doubled back and set off for the Pompidou Centre. I approached it the back way, by walking up Rue de Renard, and circling around the building. There was a lot of scaffolding round back, where the entrance to the Bibliotheque can be found. There were quite a few people heading into the library, students mainly by the look of them.
Finally I made my way around and saw the front of the Pompidou Centre for the first time. I loved loved loved it, both the design and the sheer size. I kept wandering around the front, staring up and not paying attention to where I was walking. A few times I almost bumped into the human statue/hula-hoop guy who was striped down to his shorts and wearing gold body paint. He'd alternate between doing the human statue and doing this hula-hoop routine. Did he think he was in a Scissor Sisters video? I was starting to think that I had just walked into one myself.
Of course all the little kids who were around loved it. When he went into human statue mode it was like the kids got hypnotized, they would get really still, almost like they were afraid to move, and they would stare at him really intently. When he hula-hooped, the kids would relax again and start running around. The whole thing was starting to freak me out in a Pied Piper meets the Cuckoo's Nest sort of way. It was time I skeedadled on into the museum.
There was a steady stream of people going inside. There were the ubiquitous guards at the door, of course, looking in people's bags. I made it through and got in the ticket line, which seemed long but moved quite steadily. I think I was in line for about 10 minutes. When one of the ticket windows came free, I walked up and bought a 4 day Museum Pass from this hunky looking guy- what was it with all these gorgeous people behind plexiglass today?
Riding the escalators was a thrill- what a view! I decided to ride all the way to the top before doubling back down to the fourth floor. I entered the Museum, and then easily found the staircase to the fifth floor. I then spent the next three hours or so in heaven.
Instead I headed off for a quick walk to circle the Tour St Jacques, then doubled back and set off for the Pompidou Centre. I approached it the back way, by walking up Rue de Renard, and circling around the building. There was a lot of scaffolding round back, where the entrance to the Bibliotheque can be found. There were quite a few people heading into the library, students mainly by the look of them.
Finally I made my way around and saw the front of the Pompidou Centre for the first time. I loved loved loved it, both the design and the sheer size. I kept wandering around the front, staring up and not paying attention to where I was walking. A few times I almost bumped into the human statue/hula-hoop guy who was striped down to his shorts and wearing gold body paint. He'd alternate between doing the human statue and doing this hula-hoop routine. Did he think he was in a Scissor Sisters video? I was starting to think that I had just walked into one myself.
Of course all the little kids who were around loved it. When he went into human statue mode it was like the kids got hypnotized, they would get really still, almost like they were afraid to move, and they would stare at him really intently. When he hula-hooped, the kids would relax again and start running around. The whole thing was starting to freak me out in a Pied Piper meets the Cuckoo's Nest sort of way. It was time I skeedadled on into the museum.
There was a steady stream of people going inside. There were the ubiquitous guards at the door, of course, looking in people's bags. I made it through and got in the ticket line, which seemed long but moved quite steadily. I think I was in line for about 10 minutes. When one of the ticket windows came free, I walked up and bought a 4 day Museum Pass from this hunky looking guy- what was it with all these gorgeous people behind plexiglass today?
Riding the escalators was a thrill- what a view! I decided to ride all the way to the top before doubling back down to the fourth floor. I entered the Museum, and then easily found the staircase to the fifth floor. I then spent the next three hours or so in heaven.
