Paris...Need Your Best Advice
Dec 29th, 2005, 07:04 AM
#21
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On food:
French food isn't spicy (ie hot). It does use strong flavours like garlic and cheese (I'm sorry but americans don't understand cheese - it's one of those cultural divide things like cricket and NASCAR racing).
However outside of things that are likely to gross you out (eg - tete a veau - a calf's head with its brain, or Andouilette - tripe sauasage) the food will be a major part of the experience.
If you're on a budget look for the "Formules" ie set menus for a set price. They start at around 10 euro, and you can get a good meal for that - especially at lunchtime.
Yuo really can't go too far wrong in Paris foodwise.
French food isn't spicy (ie hot). It does use strong flavours like garlic and cheese (I'm sorry but americans don't understand cheese - it's one of those cultural divide things like cricket and NASCAR racing).
However outside of things that are likely to gross you out (eg - tete a veau - a calf's head with its brain, or Andouilette - tripe sauasage) the food will be a major part of the experience.
If you're on a budget look for the "Formules" ie set menus for a set price. They start at around 10 euro, and you can get a good meal for that - especially at lunchtime.
Yuo really can't go too far wrong in Paris foodwise.
Dec 29th, 2005, 07:10 AM
#22
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Hi C,
Re eating:
Chicken, steak, Chinese, Italian, fish, seafood and vegetarian are all available.
In season, oysters are terrific.
Magret is duck breast.
Confit de Canard is duck leg.
Both are very good and not expensive.
In France, veal is a better buy than beef.
Bread, cheese and wine make a great lunch.
Re eating:
Chicken, steak, Chinese, Italian, fish, seafood and vegetarian are all available.
In season, oysters are terrific.
Magret is duck breast.
Confit de Canard is duck leg.
Both are very good and not expensive.
In France, veal is a better buy than beef.
Bread, cheese and wine make a great lunch.
Dec 29th, 2005, 07:20 AM
#24
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No matter what time of year you go bring an umbrella.
I have been to Paris in every month of the year except July and August (too crowded) and my favorite trip was the last week of April-first week of May.
10 days if you plan on making small day trips to Giverny/Loire Valley/Chantilly.
Stayed in almost every Arr. in Paris; prefer the 7th near Invalides.
First Sunday of every month the museums are free.
I still take my Tripbuilder guide book about $6 and carry it in my purse with it's fold out map. When you arrive, stop at one of those little magazine/newspaper stands that are everywhere and pick up a plan de arrondissement book it will be invaluable if you are traveling solo. It gives you the metro/bus routes and maps of every arr.
You will read alot of Paris disappointment sob stories from those who had two high of expectations about Paris. Remember it is still a big city with all the typical things that go with a big city. (So newly divorced, if you find romance stay in public view)
If you think you are going to a resort or spa, you are not so don't expect to be treated like you are at one.
Many think meals are expensive in Paris. Remember tax and tip are included in the price (although you can leave a little extra if you got good service)so when you add tax and tip into the prices here in the US it comes out about the same. And about service. Quietly motion or catch the eye of the waiter/waitress for your bill or you will be sitting all day waiting for it. They think it is rude to rush you. Table turn over is not a well known concept there.
Pick up a book about French culture like Friend or Foe so you will know what to expect. Or read threads/debates on this forum like French are Rude to prepare yourself so your dream trip will be exactly that.
Just remember, People are the same everywhere. The French are no different than us (except more quiet/no loud talking)so treat other's how you would like to be treated and you are a guest in their country so act how you would like a guest to act in your house and you will have a wonderful trip.
I have been to Paris in every month of the year except July and August (too crowded) and my favorite trip was the last week of April-first week of May.
10 days if you plan on making small day trips to Giverny/Loire Valley/Chantilly.
Stayed in almost every Arr. in Paris; prefer the 7th near Invalides.
First Sunday of every month the museums are free.
I still take my Tripbuilder guide book about $6 and carry it in my purse with it's fold out map. When you arrive, stop at one of those little magazine/newspaper stands that are everywhere and pick up a plan de arrondissement book it will be invaluable if you are traveling solo. It gives you the metro/bus routes and maps of every arr.
You will read alot of Paris disappointment sob stories from those who had two high of expectations about Paris. Remember it is still a big city with all the typical things that go with a big city. (So newly divorced, if you find romance stay in public view)
If you think you are going to a resort or spa, you are not so don't expect to be treated like you are at one.
Many think meals are expensive in Paris. Remember tax and tip are included in the price (although you can leave a little extra if you got good service)so when you add tax and tip into the prices here in the US it comes out about the same. And about service. Quietly motion or catch the eye of the waiter/waitress for your bill or you will be sitting all day waiting for it. They think it is rude to rush you. Table turn over is not a well known concept there.
Pick up a book about French culture like Friend or Foe so you will know what to expect. Or read threads/debates on this forum like French are Rude to prepare yourself so your dream trip will be exactly that.
Just remember, People are the same everywhere. The French are no different than us (except more quiet/no loud talking)so treat other's how you would like to be treated and you are a guest in their country so act how you would like a guest to act in your house and you will have a wonderful trip.
Dec 29th, 2005, 07:25 AM
#25
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How exciting for you.....
Actually I live in Fort Worth......
There is a direct flight from DFW to CDG on American...Flight 48 that leaves everyday. I have usually flown for just under $600.00 R/T. out of DFW. I would fly direct if at all possible..however some international fares do allow for stopovers....you could stopover in London or New York For example, British Airways has a daily flight to Gatwick from DFW which you could connect to Paris. I have gone to Paris mainly in March and November. Each time I have gone I have lucked out with the weather.
As far as eating...you will be delighted.
Another good website to check out is tripadvisor.com. I have found the hotel reviews there to be informative.
I wish you lots of luck.
I like davidwests idea about staying in La Defense.
I usually stay in the 16th as I have friends that live there. I find it to be a little more quiet in the evenings. The drawback is it is out of the way for most of the tourist sites.
You might want to be more centrally located for your first trip.
Good luck!
Actually I live in Fort Worth......
There is a direct flight from DFW to CDG on American...Flight 48 that leaves everyday. I have usually flown for just under $600.00 R/T. out of DFW. I would fly direct if at all possible..however some international fares do allow for stopovers....you could stopover in London or New York For example, British Airways has a daily flight to Gatwick from DFW which you could connect to Paris. I have gone to Paris mainly in March and November. Each time I have gone I have lucked out with the weather.
As far as eating...you will be delighted.
Another good website to check out is tripadvisor.com. I have found the hotel reviews there to be informative.
I wish you lots of luck.
I like davidwests idea about staying in La Defense.
I usually stay in the 16th as I have friends that live there. I find it to be a little more quiet in the evenings. The drawback is it is out of the way for most of the tourist sites.
You might want to be more centrally located for your first trip.
Good luck!
Dec 29th, 2005, 07:36 AM
#26
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Forgot to mention, I have lost count on how many times I've been to Paris. I am still discovering new places and things to see. I tell everyone to make a list of the things they want to do and see, then prioritize that list and expect to see maybe 1/2 on the list. If you see more it will be a bonus.
Dec 29th, 2005, 07:38 AM
#27
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Being newly divorced, I am not expecting nor looking for romance in Paris. Just really want to experience the city and the culture. I am looking forward to a time when I can do what I want, cater to my whims and fancies, ya' know? Besides, I love to fly and have always wanted to see the world but knew my adventure would begin with Paris. Anyway, I think Iread somewhere that it would be cheaper to fly to London and then take the Chunnel to Paris? Sorry if I got that wrong, just trying to jog my memory. Thanks again for all of your help.
perk...thanks for that flight info. Will definitely check that out. =)
perk...thanks for that flight info. Will definitely check that out. =)
Dec 29th, 2005, 07:57 AM
#29
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What a wonderful trip to plan!!! I agree with perk that you should check on DFW/CDG on American (I live in Dallas, and fly to Paris about 3x per year.) Flight 48/49 are really great because they are direct and leave at reasonable times of day. In fact, flight 48 leaves at 5:30 p.m., so if you are hoarding your vacation days, I usually manage to put in a half-day on our departure day. I generally book directly through American's website because I don't usually find cheaper fares elsewhere on a direct flight, but you can probably find something cheaper if you are willing to make a stop or two, for sure. The non-stop is really the way to go if it is not cost-prohibative for you. And, if you are going to fly American, note that the peak season begins May 15 and ends Sept. 15, so if you can go at the beginning of May or late Sept., you could save a few $$$ and still get some nice weather. Also, if you have any frequent flyer miles on American, there is a program where even if you don't have enough for a full ticket, you can use what you have to get a discount on the cost of a ticket. As for time of year, I've been there most times of year and am never disappointed! 
The Rick Steves' guide book is a good recommendation, and if you live in Dallas and have a library card, they have all his books, videos and lots of other up-to-date travel guides for Paris. If you need more info that is Dallas or Paris related, just email me at [email protected].
The Rick Steves' guide book is a good recommendation, and if you live in Dallas and have a library card, they have all his books, videos and lots of other up-to-date travel guides for Paris. If you need more info that is Dallas or Paris related, just email me at [email protected].
Dec 29th, 2005, 08:13 AM
#30
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chasnmydreams...
was just playing around on AA.com
I found a fare with tax is 476.90 non stop both to and from...flight 48 over and flight 49 back. No stopovers allowed. I found this buy going to aa.com. Then on home page click on the Net SAAver and Special Offers. There is a Search All Fare Sales box that will appear on the right. Plug in DFW
as departure. CDG as arrival (Charles de Gaulle). This fare is good until the end of March. This is a good rate especially for non stop out of Dallas...if that is the time of year you would like to go...
If the rate is sold out on AA.com check the same dates on Orbitz.com..they have the same webfares as AA.com...they just may not have sold out of their allotment.
Good luck
was just playing around on AA.com
I found a fare with tax is 476.90 non stop both to and from...flight 48 over and flight 49 back. No stopovers allowed. I found this buy going to aa.com. Then on home page click on the Net SAAver and Special Offers. There is a Search All Fare Sales box that will appear on the right. Plug in DFW
as departure. CDG as arrival (Charles de Gaulle). This fare is good until the end of March. This is a good rate especially for non stop out of Dallas...if that is the time of year you would like to go...
If the rate is sold out on AA.com check the same dates on Orbitz.com..they have the same webfares as AA.com...they just may not have sold out of their allotment.
Good luck
Dec 29th, 2005, 08:31 AM
#31
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Subscribe to www.travelzoo.com to get their newsletter with deals. Also check American and USAirways websites for specials. (on fares -- package tours may not put you in hotels that you can't get on your own for even less, and a tour is likely to charge you extra as a single, while in a hotel your nightly charge might be less.) We like going in May, before schools let out -- it may not be the cheapest time to travel, but weather will be pretty nice. You will want to walk all over and take the Metro. It is very easy to spend an entire week in Paris and sometimes just sitting on a park bench near the Eiffle Tower or in Place des Vosges watching people and maybe even munching on a croque monsieur from a bakery will be one of the highlights of your trip. (It really is that cool, because you will know where you are and enjoy the time to appreciate how you got there!!!!)
Do read Rick Steve's books because they have some great walking tours, but you can also join up with a low cost "Paris Walks" tour where you will be able to meet other travelers if you want someone to chat with. These tours have meeting-up places that are easy to find and you learn some fun facts you might not get out of a guidebook. We thought the Paris Walks Montmartre tour was particularly enjoyable and we didn't take it until our 3rd trip to Paris. You can get coupons to discount the price of the Seine boat tours at your hotel (or in the airport or many places where tourists are seen). You'll want to do that because it is another one of those "wow! I'm really here!" experiences.
We found that a week's trip to Paris can be done less expensively than a week's trip to the beach. Also look for Lonely Planet guide books (we always hit the library when first planning a trip, and if we think that there's a MUST have book we'll then get it to keep).
Do read Rick Steve's books because they have some great walking tours, but you can also join up with a low cost "Paris Walks" tour where you will be able to meet other travelers if you want someone to chat with. These tours have meeting-up places that are easy to find and you learn some fun facts you might not get out of a guidebook. We thought the Paris Walks Montmartre tour was particularly enjoyable and we didn't take it until our 3rd trip to Paris. You can get coupons to discount the price of the Seine boat tours at your hotel (or in the airport or many places where tourists are seen). You'll want to do that because it is another one of those "wow! I'm really here!" experiences.
We found that a week's trip to Paris can be done less expensively than a week's trip to the beach. Also look for Lonely Planet guide books (we always hit the library when first planning a trip, and if we think that there's a MUST have book we'll then get it to keep).
Dec 29th, 2005, 08:40 AM
#33
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We love Paris - 13 trips since 1971 -and think that the advice is excellent.
We would add. Study the DK (aka Eye Witness) book to get a good idea of the basic layout. It is a bit expensive so the sugestion of the public library is good.
Also, try to arrange your arrival on Sunday or Monday and then you can get maximum advantage of the Carte Orange.
It is nice to have the option of riding the bus when you have a bad case of tourist feet. >
<
We would add. Study the DK (aka Eye Witness) book to get a good idea of the basic layout. It is a bit expensive so the sugestion of the public library is good.
Also, try to arrange your arrival on Sunday or Monday and then you can get maximum advantage of the Carte Orange.
It is nice to have the option of riding the bus when you have a bad case of tourist feet. >
<
Dec 29th, 2005, 08:42 AM
#34
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How exciting! I went to Paris by myself a year and a half ago and it was amazing. Far better than I'd imagined, and I have a healthy imagination!! I went the last week in March, the weather was beautiful - cold and clear the first day, but warmer - maybe 50 degrees (F) for the rest of the week, and sunny. The Hotel Regine in Montmarte (90 euros per night then) was perfect - found it on this site and was very pleased with my experience there. My room was plenty large for 1 person and the bathroom was just fine. Best of all was the view - my room looked out over the rooftops of Paris and was the perfect location from which to see the Eifel tower light up in the evenings. It's next door to the metro which makes it a great starting point to see the sights. I didn't join any group tours, but wandered around and tried to absorb as much as possible. the music, the food, the fashion. Very cool. I toured the Louvre, Isle St. Louis, St. Germain, Champs Elysees - and wandered into a million nooks and crannies. I stuck to just one regular meal per day and found that coffee and a croissant or baguette in the morning was plenty and typically made a late lunch or early dinner the big meal. On my first night I found a great Indian restaurant near L'Opera - the food was so yummy and the waiters were more than willing to put up with my sketchy French. Speaking of, not sure if you speak French but would definitely recommend taking a weekend or 4 hour class to learn the essentials, it will make your trip much more exciting if you can speak with the people who share the city of your dreams! Have a fantastic time and enjoy every moment!
Dec 29th, 2005, 08:47 AM
#35
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La Défense is only one place you can sleep to save money. Just get away from the middle of town in any direction and you'll find real value. Your commute will be simplified if you're near a rail (RER) line, however. Bus will work (and there are night buses, too), but using it is a little more complicated than the train. See my article on <i>Paris navigation aids on line</i> to familiarize yourself with the transit networks:
<b>http://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/[email protected]^[email protected]/2</b>
<b>http://www.frommers.com/cgi-bin/[email protected]^[email protected]/2</b>
Dec 29th, 2005, 09:00 AM
#36
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Question about spending...
OK. If you haven't already figured it out, this will be my first time to travel outside of the United States. (I just realized that I don't even have a passport. Tacking that onto my list.) Anyway, when I am in Paris, will I be using euro or francs to pay for my purchases? I'm sure the Rick Steves book would answer a lot of my questions, but since you guy are already here...=)
OK. If you haven't already figured it out, this will be my first time to travel outside of the United States. (I just realized that I don't even have a passport. Tacking that onto my list.) Anyway, when I am in Paris, will I be using euro or francs to pay for my purchases? I'm sure the Rick Steves book would answer a lot of my questions, but since you guy are already here...=)
Dec 29th, 2005, 09:22 AM
#37
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You might want to go on and start getting your passport now. It can take 8 weeks or more to get it back. It's good for 10 years.
France uses the Euro. Just use your ATM card at any ATM machine in Paris (including those at the Paris airport).
France uses the Euro. Just use your ATM card at any ATM machine in Paris (including those at the Paris airport).
Dec 29th, 2005, 09:41 AM
#38
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You'll find different opinions on this subject, as you notice above -- I personally would never recommend someone stay in any suburb or even an outer area in order to save a little on a hotel room when this is your first time in Paris and you want a special vacation experience. You won't save that much, if any, as there are all price levels of hotels in central Paris and there are quite good bargains in comparison to other cities. It is true if you require a 4* Priceline hotel, you will get it a little cheaper in the burbs, but one does not have to have that kind of hotel. Well, I just don't like that whole idea of staying in burbs and commuting as a tourist, but others do. It depends what is most important to you.
I agree with just getting a decent guidebook to get an idea of the areas and what you want to do -- some like Rick Steves for beginners; I think the basic Fodors or Frommers Paris guidebooks are pretty good.
There are some packages that sometimes seem a good deal (air plus hotel), such as go-today.com I just checked them and they don't seem to have the greatest prices on Paris for next Spring, though. A 6 nights stay in 3* hotel, single occupancy, was about $1438 total in May from DFW. that's not bad, actually, but not an amazing bargain--if hotel were $125 a night, that would leave about $700 for the complete air fare (that included taxes). Well, that may not be too bad, you'd have to check it out. I was pricing the Royal Montparnasse or Duminy Vendome hotels, which are pretty central and midlevel. That's just to give you an idea of cost.
I agree with just getting a decent guidebook to get an idea of the areas and what you want to do -- some like Rick Steves for beginners; I think the basic Fodors or Frommers Paris guidebooks are pretty good.
There are some packages that sometimes seem a good deal (air plus hotel), such as go-today.com I just checked them and they don't seem to have the greatest prices on Paris for next Spring, though. A 6 nights stay in 3* hotel, single occupancy, was about $1438 total in May from DFW. that's not bad, actually, but not an amazing bargain--if hotel were $125 a night, that would leave about $700 for the complete air fare (that included taxes). Well, that may not be too bad, you'd have to check it out. I was pricing the Royal Montparnasse or Duminy Vendome hotels, which are pretty central and midlevel. That's just to give you an idea of cost.
Jan 2nd, 2006, 07:48 AM
#39
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Just back from Paris, and if you are very adventurous, wait until the last minute to book on site59.com you can only make reservations for the immediate weekend or the next one--that is as far out as you can plan, but you can get a wonderful price on those "leftover" seats. DH and I went for the weekend for $770 each, air and hotel included. Of course, US Airways cancelled flight back due to technical problems. Rather than wait at least a day for them to sort us out on another airline (had to get back) we bought <i>another</i> ticket back, but thanks to the good offices of a conscientious United ticket agent we were routed through London to Washington to Atlanta for a RT price of 740 Euros per person, an amazing feat for same day flights which shows how much cheaper it is to purchase those in Europe! But now US Airways owes us a flight back from Paris, and our rt on United means we have one to London, so another trip quite soon is in the offing . . .
