Paris Report March 18th to March 23rd 2008
Mar 23rd, 2008, 04:52 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Paris Report March 18th to March 23rd 2008
Just a brief report on a trip i just completed today. I've been to Paris three times in the last two years with friends. This is my first time to Paris alone. I am a 41 year old female.
Continental from EWR to CDG
Flew first class, there are no words. IF you going to go, its the only way.
Carry on luggage, no waiting for bags, I was in the cab within ten minutes of exiting the plane.
Taxi fare to hotel 55 euros in heavy rush hour traffic. I was starting to worry because i only had 85 euros from my last trip.
Hotel
Hotel Le Parc - Trocadero Paris (marriott) I used points. It was a great hotel. It was located near the Effel tower. The rooms were larger than the Paris Marriott Hotel Champs-Elysees. The room came with a great breakfast, the staff was attentive and my room was ready when i arrived at 9:30.
Paris in general:
I was in Germany and Amsterdam in December and Portagal earlier in the year and I have never paid 5 euro for an expresso or 15 euro for pizza. I was shocked.
I paid 10 euro for a glass of Pommery champagne at the Gallerie Layfatte compared to 4 euros at the Galleries in Munich. I don't understand why there is such a difference in price.
Experience:
Paris is magical at whatever price, I had a great time. It rained every day but even in the rain it was beautiful.
Would I do Paris again? In a hot minute.
Continental from EWR to CDG
Flew first class, there are no words. IF you going to go, its the only way.
Carry on luggage, no waiting for bags, I was in the cab within ten minutes of exiting the plane.
Taxi fare to hotel 55 euros in heavy rush hour traffic. I was starting to worry because i only had 85 euros from my last trip.
Hotel
Hotel Le Parc - Trocadero Paris (marriott) I used points. It was a great hotel. It was located near the Effel tower. The rooms were larger than the Paris Marriott Hotel Champs-Elysees. The room came with a great breakfast, the staff was attentive and my room was ready when i arrived at 9:30.
Paris in general:
I was in Germany and Amsterdam in December and Portagal earlier in the year and I have never paid 5 euro for an expresso or 15 euro for pizza. I was shocked.
I paid 10 euro for a glass of Pommery champagne at the Gallerie Layfatte compared to 4 euros at the Galleries in Munich. I don't understand why there is such a difference in price.
Experience:
Paris is magical at whatever price, I had a great time. It rained every day but even in the rain it was beautiful.
Would I do Paris again? In a hot minute.
Mar 24th, 2008, 09:36 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where did you pay 5 euro for an expresso? I'll bet it was just an expensive place, like maybe your hotel or something, as that is not the normal price in many Paris cafes. Of course, you can pay almost anything if you go to certain places. I don't eat pizza much in Europe, so don't know, but I can easily pay that much in the US for a pizza, so that doesn't surprise me (depending on size and toppings). It would be a lot for a single slice, that's for sure.
Paris is generally a more expensive city than Munich, I believe -- it is the capital and the most expensive city in France. I don't know wht the galleries are in Munich, but that price for champagne in a dept. store doesn't surprise me. They charge $10-15 for a glass of champagne in restaurants where I live in the US, and not the most expensive stuff (Piper Heidsieck, Moet or Gosset is more around $18-20).
Paris is generally a more expensive city than Munich, I believe -- it is the capital and the most expensive city in France. I don't know wht the galleries are in Munich, but that price for champagne in a dept. store doesn't surprise me. They charge $10-15 for a glass of champagne in restaurants where I live in the US, and not the most expensive stuff (Piper Heidsieck, Moet or Gosset is more around $18-20).
Mar 24th, 2008, 10:30 AM
#4
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Coffee tip in Paris:
My husband simply MUST have a cup of coffee in the morning. We were in Paris last week and found that Starbucks was a shocking 4 Euros (over $6) for our "usual" so we avoided it and tried to "go local" for our coffee fix.
On our last day, we discovered (too late!) that the many, many "Tabac" stores around Paris are THE TRICK for good, quick, accessible coffee at reasonable prices. We were initially put off by the "Tabac" sign- assuming it meant that it was more of a cigarette place- but then I read in my Fodor's guide that the Tabac is really a neighborhood service center that sells everything from stamps to homemade food.
We found them to be a lot of fun, too- the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else and there are lots of characters around. Much like a local pub in England, or more of a bocara (sp??) in Venice.
My husband simply MUST have a cup of coffee in the morning. We were in Paris last week and found that Starbucks was a shocking 4 Euros (over $6) for our "usual" so we avoided it and tried to "go local" for our coffee fix.
On our last day, we discovered (too late!) that the many, many "Tabac" stores around Paris are THE TRICK for good, quick, accessible coffee at reasonable prices. We were initially put off by the "Tabac" sign- assuming it meant that it was more of a cigarette place- but then I read in my Fodor's guide that the Tabac is really a neighborhood service center that sells everything from stamps to homemade food.
We found them to be a lot of fun, too- the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else and there are lots of characters around. Much like a local pub in England, or more of a bocara (sp??) in Venice.
Mar 24th, 2008, 03:55 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wanted to add a couple of things:
The Louvre:
I ordered 2 tickets via the web so i didn't have to wait on lines. I am so happy i did. I went in the side entrance because i had the tickets in hand, so there was no waiting in line.
The reason I order two tickets instead of one was so that i could spend a half day on one day and a half day another day. Another smart move.
The museum was very crowded both days and the restroom situation was not great on the lower floors, so I went to the least crowded floors and least popular parts of the museum and found empty restrooms.
Eating on the cheap:
When I arrived and got settled in, I found the nearest Grocery store the Monoprix (sp). Loaded up on supplies that i could store in the room. I also emptied out the minibar and filled it with coke zeros.
Everyday my backpack contained 2 zone bars (from home) bottle of water and some snacks from the grocery store.
At the Gallery Layfatte you will find a grocery area with prepared foods and a place to snack. So one afternoon I had dumplings at the asian food stand. this cost about 4 euros.
Con Artist:
In the short time I was surprised at the number of gold rings strangers were finding right in front of me. LOL. All i had to do was put up my arm to signal I am not the one to mess with and they moved on.
Flea Market:
The last time I was in Paris I thought the famous flea market was the African leather market and I was not impressed, its not. Just walk pass the underpass and you will find a wonderful market full of great surprises. From used Chanel bags to great rugs.
The Metro:
Not as scary as it may seem, it costs 1.50 use the spinning wheel to chose your ticket but beware of beggers that stand right on top of you just be firm and they will go away. Map out where you want to go before you go downstairs and look confident.
You will have either press a button or use a handle to open the doors on the trains.
What to wear:
I am a New Yorker, so I wear what I want with no worries, but as I walked around in my Ugg boots and my Northface coat I stood out even though it was cold and raining. There are no French women in Uggs. They didn't care how cold it was they looked fabulous.
Final thoughts, its been three years since I posted my first question regarding traveling to europe on my own. With the help of many of you I've grown comfortable in my travels (about 7 times since that post)
I hope I helped others.
The Louvre:
I ordered 2 tickets via the web so i didn't have to wait on lines. I am so happy i did. I went in the side entrance because i had the tickets in hand, so there was no waiting in line.
The reason I order two tickets instead of one was so that i could spend a half day on one day and a half day another day. Another smart move.
The museum was very crowded both days and the restroom situation was not great on the lower floors, so I went to the least crowded floors and least popular parts of the museum and found empty restrooms.
Eating on the cheap:
When I arrived and got settled in, I found the nearest Grocery store the Monoprix (sp). Loaded up on supplies that i could store in the room. I also emptied out the minibar and filled it with coke zeros.
Everyday my backpack contained 2 zone bars (from home) bottle of water and some snacks from the grocery store.
At the Gallery Layfatte you will find a grocery area with prepared foods and a place to snack. So one afternoon I had dumplings at the asian food stand. this cost about 4 euros.
Con Artist:
In the short time I was surprised at the number of gold rings strangers were finding right in front of me. LOL. All i had to do was put up my arm to signal I am not the one to mess with and they moved on.
Flea Market:
The last time I was in Paris I thought the famous flea market was the African leather market and I was not impressed, its not. Just walk pass the underpass and you will find a wonderful market full of great surprises. From used Chanel bags to great rugs.
The Metro:
Not as scary as it may seem, it costs 1.50 use the spinning wheel to chose your ticket but beware of beggers that stand right on top of you just be firm and they will go away. Map out where you want to go before you go downstairs and look confident.
You will have either press a button or use a handle to open the doors on the trains.
What to wear:
I am a New Yorker, so I wear what I want with no worries, but as I walked around in my Ugg boots and my Northface coat I stood out even though it was cold and raining. There are no French women in Uggs. They didn't care how cold it was they looked fabulous.
Final thoughts, its been three years since I posted my first question regarding traveling to europe on my own. With the help of many of you I've grown comfortable in my travels (about 7 times since that post)
I hope I helped others.
Mar 27th, 2008, 06:19 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's nice to see that LeParc is maintaining its high standards after switching from a Sofitel to a Marriott.
If anyone stays there and breakfast isn't included in the rate, the artisanale Boulangerie Lesk down the street (towards the Trocadero, same side as the hotel) has a nice breakfast deal for 7 euros, which includes croissants, fresh squeezed OJ and hot drink of your choice (tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, etc.). Friendly staff.
If anyone stays there and breakfast isn't included in the rate, the artisanale Boulangerie Lesk down the street (towards the Trocadero, same side as the hotel) has a nice breakfast deal for 7 euros, which includes croissants, fresh squeezed OJ and hot drink of your choice (tea, hot chocolate, cappuccino, etc.). Friendly staff.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
artemislife
Europe
20
Jan 21st, 2014 04:03 PM
bettyo70
Europe
40
May 8th, 2005 11:18 AM
