111op

Hi, it is hoped that this will be a "superthread" to interesting and useful tidbits about Paris for the first-time and the repeat visitor.

The pros and cons for its creation are being debated here:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519182

A superthread is basically an index and provides links to other threads that address a specific topic at hand.

To keep the superthread useful, I'd like to request the following:

1. Please use a standardized format in your posting. Give the topic, a *brief* description of the information in the linked threads followed by the links. Also provide useful outside links and information not covered in the threads you're linking but you think would be useful to the visitor. Please, however, keep this information as factual as possible and limit personal commentary in the superthread. In other words, information in postings for a superthread should be brief, followed by relevant links. This will make it easier and faster to read the superthread.

2. Before creating any new threads that are linked to the superthread, please attempt to search to see whether previous threads have addressed the topic at hand. This will avoid a proliferation of new threads.

3. Please *do not* top the superthread. It would be better to consider adding to it a topic that has not yet been previously discussed (as this will automatically bring the superthread to the top and enrich it).

111op

Users of superthread:

1. Please use this information at your own risk. You're responsible for cross-checking hours of stores, etc., with web searches, guidebooks, or by simply asking on this forum.

2. If you've used any subthreads linked to the superthread and found information in the subthreads that are out-of-date or incorrect, it might be good for you to post to the subthreads to correct these errors.

111op

Paris ice-cream:

Berthillon: 31 rue Saint-Louis-en-L'ile, closed Monday and Tuesday (according to website). Probably closed part of summer.

Website:
http://www.berthillon-glacier.fr/

Threads:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34403035

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...mp;tid=1392976

Amorino (touted as Berthillon competition on this forum): Three locations, one of which on 47 rue Saint-Louis-en-L'Ile (close to B.).

Website:

http://www.amorino.fr/

Threads:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34506527

Amorino and other ice-cream places also mentioned here:

http://www.bonjourparis.com/pages/ar...543&page=3

111op

Links from publications:

Economist:

Economist's city guide for Paris:
http://www.economist.com/cities/citi...fm?city_id=PAR

The "Catch If You Can" section on current events is useful.

New York Times:

http://travel2.nytimes.com/top/featu...ris/guide.html

Restaurant recommendations and also the periodically updated "What's Doing in" section, along with other interesting articles.

Times (UK) Travel section:

http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/arti...161058,00.html

111op

Repeat (or even first-time) visitors -- things to do:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34496680

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...mp;tid=1277898

111op

France: Useful information -- started by ira

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34479132

111op

Fat Tire Bike Tours (Formerly Mike's Bike Tours) and Segway Tours:

Website:

http://www.fattirebiketoursparis.com

Threads:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34503753

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34468561

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34516712

(More can be found by typing bike tours Paris into search box.)

Tess_Durberville

PARIS WEBSITES:

Paris In Sites Newsletter
http://www.parisinsites.com/

Paris Tourist Office
http://www.paris-touristoffice.com/

Paris City Official Website
http://www.paris.fr/en/

"RATP" -- Paris Métro and Regional Transport System
http://www.ratp.fr/

Eiffel Tower
http://www.tour-eiffel.fr

Paris Museum Pass
http://www.museums-of-paris.com/
http://www.museumpass.com/
http://www.intermusees.com/index.html


Recent Fodorite discussions on popular hotels in Paris ---

Paris first timers looking for a good hotel > > >
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34512881

Hotel Muguet vs Hotel de Fleurie or other hotel in 6th? > > >
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34512429

PARIS Hotel, which one? Jardins, Tourville, Littre or Relais du Louvre? > > >
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34513922

paris for first timers > > >
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34493249

111op

Find comments on Superthread here:

The not particularly useful comments:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34519276

The (presumably) useful comments -- possibly corrections to postings in the Superthread:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34519278

Travelnut

PARIS TRANSPORTATION

Official website: http://www.ratp.com/

Routefinder:
http://www.citefutee.com/informer/anglais/index.php

Metro/bus pass information:
- Tickets / Carnet
http://www.citefutee.com/informer/anglais/ticket_t.php
- Carte Orange (Fr only)
http://www.citefutee.com/informer/ta...nnements_o.php
- Paris Visite / Mobilis (French)
http://www.citefutee.com/informer/ta...me.php#mobilis
- Paris Visite (English)
http://www.ratp.com/ParisVisite/Eng/index.htm
- Carte Musee pass
http://www.citefutee.com/informer/an..._monuments.php

How to use the subway:
http://www.gisparis.com/paris/paris_subway.htm

Metro map/plan: http://www.citefutee.com/picts/plans...eaux/metro.gif

RER map/plan: http://www.citefutee.com/picts/plans...eseaux/rer.gif

Bus map/plan: http://www.citefutee.com/orienter/cv/cartebus.php

Tess_Durberville

FOOD -- restaurant suggestions and cooking classes. Food critic and author Patricia Wells offers up her opinion on top restaurants, bistros & casual dining.
http://www.patriciawells.com

nonnafelice

http://www.metropoleparis.com
A weekly online magazine with some quirky essays, and good listings of what's going on in the city

http://www.parispourvous.net
Paris webcams

http://www.resto.fr/default.cfm
"All the restaurants in Paris"

And my absolute favorite:
http://photos.pagesjaunes.fr/x/home_paris.htm
Put the address of your hotel (or anyplace in Paris) in the appropriate blanks, and you'll be able to take a virtual "walk" down the street in that neighborhood.

111op

Paris walks:

Guidebooks/self-guided threads:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34518751

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34511772

(The above link has a link to a series of pretty detailed walks posted by Degas.)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34495778

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34479121

Tours:

A review of "Paris Walks" can be found in this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34516336

Direct link here:

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pariswalking/

elaine

websites for classical music concerts in Paris

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...=6&start=0

elaine

adding to superthread
restaurant discussions or info

?affordable? Paris restaurants
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34504962

restaurants for a ?student budget?
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34387887


www.smokefreeworld.com/paris.shtml restaurants with non-smoking sections

http://www.paris.planresto.fr in French, but not that hard to understand. Search by name, price, location, cuisine.
http://www.parisrestaurants.com/ great info, including price estimates, hours of operation, places by location, etc
For vegetarians: http://www.vegetarianguides.co.uk/paris
http://www.nwfolk.com/vegparis.html
http://www.ivu.org/avf/VisitFrance/visitfranceMAIN.html
http://www.vegetarianguides.co.uk/sa...einparis.shtml


Student(university) restaurants:
Open to the public, only those with a French student card pay student rates, but even so the rates are very reasonable. Most universities in France have several ?Restos-U?.
In Paris:
IUT Descartes, 143 Ave de Versailles, 16th. West-Indian influence on the food. Mon-Fri 11-1:45 only.
Le Mabillon 4,, 12 rue Clement, 6th. Very very good food. Reserve 2 days ahead for this gourmet experience. Tel (0)1 43 25 66 23 Mon Fri 11:30-2 and 6-8pm.
Necker, 155 rue de Vaugirard, 15th. Food choices from around the world. Mon-Fri 11:30-1:45 and 6-8.


For more bargain suggestions:
http://www.top10guides.com/samples/T..._to_Paris.html (their top 10 inexpensive places to eat, also romantic choices)

http://www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/PURSUITS/F...09/paris.cheap

elaine

daytrip
visiting Versailles

www.chateauversailles.fr/

www.versailles-france.com/tfaqa003.htm

www.frommers.com/destinations/versailles/

town of Versailles: www.versailles-tourisme.com

also www.mairie-versailles.fr

The chateau is closed all Mondays and some holidays. Open approximately 9-6:30, closes earlier in fall and winter. Summertime crowds are bad, especially on Tuesday, Sundays, and every day between 10 and 1. It is less crowded earlier and later (before and after the tour groups arrive and leave.) If you dislike crowds, arrive after 3:30pm and pay a reduced charge, tour the chateau on your own (you'll be too late for the guided tour), and, when days are long, tour the gardens after the chateau closes. If you arrive mid-day, tour the gardens first, then see the chateau before closing.

Allow at least 2 hours for the palace and 2 hours for the gardens, but many people stay all day and still don't see it all.

A very helpful Rick Steves article on visiting Versailles http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/countries/versail.htm

Fountains: Check the website for the most current information.

Admission to the chateau and to the Trianons is included in the Paris Museum Pass/Carte Musee. Pass holders will have a special entrance at Versailles, entrance A2, it?s on the right when facing the chateau. You can also buy a guidebook there.

There is also a Versailles Pass which includes admission, allows you to bypass the ticket-buying line, and includes an audioguide. It is sold at the Versailles train station, the RER station in Paris, and possibly elsewhere.

If you don?t have a pass, join the ticket-buying line.

To get there, take the RER line C to Versailles Rive Gauche (R.G.). The RER lines are suburban trains to and from Paris. You can catch the RER train in Paris at Invalides, Champ de Mars, Musee d'Orsay, St Michel, and Gare d'Austerlitz (consult your metro map for these stops). Make sure your C train goes to Versailles Rive Gauche (R.G.) as the end destination.You?ll have about a half-mile walk to the Chateau.

When you leave the Versailles Rive Gauche station you will be on Avenue General de Gaulle. There is a clean bathroom at the MacDonald?s near the RER station?be nice and buy something. Head right on Ave. G deG and then left on the big Avenue de Paris which goes straight to the chateau. Tourist information offices: across the street from the Rive Gauche Station; also at the chateau at the entrance.

You can take a taxi from Paris to Versailles which according to someone who did the math, saves money over the train fares for every four of you. To save a long walk, have the taxi drop you at the Petit Hameau.

Acoustguides are available for use in the self-guided tours, as are free maps. The self-guided tour takes at least an hour.

There are also toilets and public telephones available. So are bike rentals, and a tourist tram.

You can picnic in the gardens, but you?d have to check your bags or baskets while you do the indoor tours.

For an article on top eating in Versailles (1999)
http://www.nytimes.com/library/trave.../ct990124.html

111op

Where else and how else to start -- Use Fodor's, of course:

Have you checked the miniguide that Fodor's puts out, which you can find here?

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...tion=paris@117

Contains hotel and restaurant listings and also a sample 3-day itinerary found here:

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...;feature=30002

Michel_Paris

OK,

Angelina's, Rue de Rivoli, famed for its hot chocolat (Africain) and deserts

http://www.angelina.fr/

Paris Walking Tours...to work off those deserts..

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pariswalking/

And then have a bit of chocolate to get back your strength...

http://chocolat.chapon.free.fr/decouverte.htm

Time to go to Versailles...?

http://www.chateauversailles.fr

Neat site...enter an address and gather info on area...map, bust stops, Metro...

http://www.citefutee.com/Proxi/proxi.php

Perhaps a nice dinner...

http://www.blanc.net/

Want to see what the restaurant and neighbourhood look like? The famous pages jaunes...enter an address, get a picture of the buidling, then using the arrows you can 'walk' around the neighbourhood..Note you need the arrondissements eg. Paris 16

http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/


A nighttime bus tour...

http://www.parisvision.com/fr/index.cfm

And off to bed...

http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/index.html

http://www.timhotel.com/hotels/us/index.html

http://www.travel-in-paris.com/hotel...me/english.htm

http://www.myhotelinparis.com/hotels2/023.htm

More to come
Mike

111op

Chocolates in Paris:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...mp;tid=1278655

A list can be found here:

http://www.french-at-a-touch.com/Gou.../chocolate.htm

Also here:

http://www.timeout.com/paris/shops/26.html

And here:

http://www.ivillage.co.uk/travel/ins...2641-2,00.html

A degustation experience that compares Richart, Christian Constant, Dalloyan and Maison du Chocolat:

http://www.andrews.edu/~penner/chocolate/parisfour.html

[I should add that I did a own taste test recently with Richart, CC, Maison, Hevin and Debauve et Gallais. I still like Maison the most, and Hevin is very good as well. Richart chocolates are extremely beautiful.]

This interesting link has pictures of the display cases of the pastry section of the various patisseries and chocolatiers:

http://forums.egullet.com/index.php?...p;#entry575548

Travelnut

HOTEL SEARCHES
(all sites show photos, some show comments; cannot personally vouch for booking through them)
-------------------------------------
<> These have photos, customer reviews and/or ratings:
www.venere.com
www.hotelclub.net
www.france.com
www.1stparishotels.com
www.france-hotels.net/
www.cybevasion.com/hotels/france/paris.html

<> These have photos but no customer reviews
www.france-hotel-guide.com
www.parishotels.com
www.hotels-paris.com
www.parisby.com
http://www.123france.com/123/en/rech...hp?ville=Paris
www.webscapades.com

<> For more customer comments: (not a hotel booking site)
www.paris.org
www.tripadvisor.com