swandav2000

Thanks Bokhara2.

Update -- I just found the news on the ratp.fr site that *most* bus and metro lines will be running as normal.

s

IMDonehere

After 9/11, I could not go to work for a few days because there was no electricity. Across the street from the apartment, the police set up a barricade preventing cars from going any further. They were manned by police cadets and plebes and had the look of fear in their eyes.

I made it my business to go out. I donated so much clothing for the volunteers, I had to go own and buy shoes, Visine, and other things.

Get out of the house and try to live life as normally as possible. I must admit when I saw a low flying plane, I watch it and when I see a beautiful September day with a perfect blue sky, I still see that huge orange and black explosion erupting from the South Tower. But other than for those brief moments, I get on with things.

pariswat

Good post IMD.

Traviata

We are in Paris now and, thankfully, safe. They report at least 153 dead so far......

All we have is tears.......

fuzzbucket

I walked my dog a little later than usual this morning, and saw that Place des Vosges and the other little parks nearby were locked up tight, but the cafes there and on most of the surrounding streets were open - but empty. Too early to tell if the shops will be open, but probably many will remain closed, since we have been asked to stay home. We are not under curfew. Nobody in the streets apart from a couple of people with desperate dogs and the usual number of soldiers guarding their usual posts.

Only a few Metro and bus lignes have been closed, most of them in the area where the attacks took place. As someone mentioned, all places run by the city or state where the public might gather - swimming pools, museums, tourist attractions, stadiums, concerts - are closed today. Flights and trains are operating normally, with some delays reported due to increased security. No word yet on how long this will last.

Any tourists in Paris now should remain calm and avoid the areas where the attacks occurred - there are lots of people looking for photo ops, unfortunately. It would be a good idea to avoid major monuments and the shopping districts, if you go out at all. If you want to go to cafes or restaurants, you should probably choose someplace away from the usual tourist corridors.

The damage at the stadium could have been much worse, but thankfully one suicide bomber's vest exploded prematurely outside the stadium. There was a plan to attack the prime minister's apartment near Republique, but that was thwarted.

Hollande is meeting now with the ministers and representatives of the military.

That's all for now.
Thanks to people on TA who have been asking about some of us. As you know, we have no way of responding, but it's nice to know you've been thinking about us.

bilboburgler

sad,

resilient,

let's hope this doesn't give Le Pen a leg up.

Fear should not drive us, but hope and kindness

kja

Speechless and heartbroken and sending the very best of thoughts to all...

Traviata

We are in the 5th, staying in as has been requested, and NEVER, in all our many, many, trips to Paris have we heard it this quiet........eerily so....

opaldog

All my thoughts go out to the citizens of Paris. What a tragic day for all of them. Paris a city we love and enjoy, may it carry on as it has so many other times in it's long history.

anniemackie

To those in Paris now, thank you so much for posting. There is much power to be gained by reaching out to those who are worried, walking desperate dogs, and trying to help others in your City who are merely trying to visit. Please know that many hearts around the world are with you during these quiet hours.

-Annie

flpab

Swandav, I was reading a post about the weather and saw your post that you were there. I am glad you slept through it last night. I can't imagine most that knew slept much. I got up twice and turned on the news,

TrendGirl2

Watching the news like everyone else.
It is very upsetting that these terrible attacks have taken place in the city of Paris that I love.

Thank you members currently in Paris posting updates.....appreciated.


As of now I am still planning on my trip to Paris in less then 2 weeks.

I have NO PLANS TO CHANGE MY SCHEDULED TRIP at this point. It is of course very upsetting to see what has taken place, yet I must plan on not making changes to my trip.
Trend Girl

tedgale

We are traveling to Paris for a week, departing Canada on the evening of Monday November 23 and arriving at CDG on Nov 24.

Like many on this forum with impending travel, I would appreciate receiving updates on museum and facility closures, travel restrictions and especially airport delays, from those in Paris or with knowledge of how the situation is evolving.

Thanks and Vive la France.

bilboburgler

just a thought, not a siege (think Dubrovnik), this is a biggish city with a few crazy attackers.

greg

tedgale,
You can do a simple search to find out the CDG situation in the wake of this tragedy:
http://mashable.com/2015/11/14/charl.../#FOp9fNg_kOqO
https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdg

yestravel

My heart goes out to the people of Paris and esp to the victims of this horrendous attack - so sad and horrific. We leave for 3 weeks in Paris on Nov 18 and also appreciate updates from those in Paris now.

sandralist

tedgale,

The Eiffel Tower has just been closed indefinitely, but I don't think you should rely on this forum for information like that. I learned this from following the live updates on the BBC news website, and the Guardian website.

I think the only reliable source of info about CDG that might affect your travel plans is your airline.

TPAYT

I've been following this thread and also added info on The Lounge.
The posts from the person who lives in an apt. quite close to the theater were heartbreaking.

We love Paris and are saddened by the attacks on innocent people.

fuzzbucket

tegdale - if you go to the French version of this website, you'll find out about closures, transport and other things related to this emergency situation. Unfortunately, the English version has none of this information - but you could use Google to translate.
http://www.paris.fr/

I checked around on some official museum websites, but haven't seen any updates there.

Apart from that, you should definitely stay tuned to the French news - look for live streaming channels - stay in contact with your airline and check the Canadian government website for tourist updates concerning safe travel. Unfortunately, those of us who live here really don't have access to much more information than this.

I would definitely expect airport delays due to increased security, but don't really think anyone could give you any information except what happened to them personally - which might not apply by the time you arrive.

nola77382

I'm so sad and so sorry for the lives lost to this senselessness. I'm also so mad. Thank you fodorites for updating us.

I love Paris and this will not deter me from returning as soon as I can. The only thing I agreed with George W Bush on is that if I stop living and traveling then yes the damn terrorists win and I won't let them win if I can help it.