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I wouldn't call the area around Sacre Coeur "unsafe," at least during the daylight and early evening hours. However, it always pays to be cautious.
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"I was told" = zero credibility
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FYI Kerouac, the concierge at my hotel in Paris was the one who told me to avoid Sacre Coeur, so I took him at his word because he lives in Paris and I don't. That's enough "credibility" for me. I was only trying to help Jet stay safe. If you're not going to bother to take the time to make sure you have all of the facts before you post a criticism of me, then kindly direct all of your comments to the OP that you are responding to instead of me!
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That doesn't make it good advice. I wouldn't call any area that a tourist might visit in Paris "unsafe" much less "very unsafe." Like tourist sites in any major city of the world one should be aware of their surroundings.
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Kerouac also lives in Paris and is a good source of unbiased advice.
I've been to Sacre Coeur a few times, yes duting the day, and have never felt unsafe there or in that neighbourhood. The fact that Place du Tertre exists with its kitchy portrait painters geared to tourists should be an indication...that there are lots of tourists around. Safety wise..if you live in a City...it is like any other City, though I'd guess safer. If you live in the Country, it means making adjustments that you would have to make visiting any City. |
MrNuke, any advice that someone who lives in the city that you're visiting gives you about safety is good advice to follow. You're being irresponsible to say that it's not.
Michel-Paris, Kerouac has "zero credibility" with me because he posts rude comments, so I would never follow any advice that he gives. |
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Bus/metro tickets you can buy at any Metro/RER station and some stores. A carnet of 10 tickets costs 11,60 euros for adults
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a few questions about rue Mouffetard and its market?
Do you like it? What days is it open? Hours? Do you like the area? If we get the vrbo apt. it will be right near there. ************ in regards to Kerouac's comments.. I think we are over protective of our "loved ones" |
BTW, it's <B>Pont d'Iéna</b> (that first letter is an "eye" not an "ell." This information might be useful when trying to locate it in a guide, for example.
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I still need help with r/t shuttle service from train station to apt.
Which service do you recommend? |
Kerouac has been a font of reliable information about Paris - I say this from personal experience and I am sure many on this forum who have followed his advice will agree.
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PamEwing,
Kerouac has lived in Paris for a number of years. I lived in Paris for over a year and have visited the city every other year for 2-4 weeks at a time to visit family and friends. It isn't as if we (or others that have disagreed with what you said) don't know what we are talking about. I am not being irresponsible in anyway for disagreeing with what you were told. |
These forums are full of differing opinions... they aren't meant as personal attacks. There are many very knowledgeable people here who have travelled for years, and many who live in the cities on which they offer advice. Pam, on 2 threads that I've visited in the last 2 days you've accused some very knowledgeable longtime posters of being rude to you. People are allowed to disagree with other posters and to question their advice - that's what a forum is for!
Anyway, jestsetj, I second the Musee D'Orsay as a must-see (I like it better than the Louvre) - the building is lovely and the art amazing. I love the Musee Rodin as well... especially when the roses are in bloom in the garden. If you're there on a clear day it's possible to get a great photo of The Thinker, surrounded by roses, and with the Eiffel Tower off in the background. I wouldn't think of visiting Paris for a first time and skipping the Sacre Couer/Montmartre area! I find the begging and scamming and pickpocketing around Notre Dame to be worse than anything I've seen in Montmartre... Make sure you spend some time wandering around the St Germain area in the 6th... nice window shopping and people watching, if nothing else. And do make sure you spend some time just sitting at a cafe, strolling, and soaking up atmosphere. You will love Paris!! |
can people stop disagreeing and pay attention to MY questions :)
After all this is MY thread :) Has anyone stayed at this apt? http://www.vrbo.com/250968 Can anyone tell me about the Mouffetard Market? What days are fruit and veggie vendors there? What are the hours? Any recommended cafes in that area? |
MrNuke, Taggie, and Basingstoke: My point is that I deserve to be shown the same common courtesy as everyone else who posts here. The polite way to disagree with someone is to simply say, "My advise is ...." without trying to make the person you diagree feel bad.
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where in the 5th would I find the best croque monsieurs?
thanks |
I'm not sure how it is in the fall, but in the summer, the lineup for St. Chappelle was ridiculously long due to the security check (it's the same entrance to the law courts so it's more strict, I guess). It's best to arrive when it opens and even then, there was a line. The chapel is tiny and doesn't take too long to see.
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do you go through metal detector or something?
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Do go to a neighborhood market. There's a web site if you do a search for "district markets of Paris" that will show you days and times. Not only is the produce beautiful to see, there are incredible cheeses as well. I have bought nice little wrap skirts, linen blouses, and lovely soaps for very reasonable prices as well. Nearby shops had sandwiches, more cheeses, wine, and a bakery about a block away whose relatively long line tells you just how good it is.
Last time I was at the Place Maubert market (Tues, Thurs and Sat 7 am til 2:30 pm), a friendly Parisian lady had me wait to take a picture until she had picked up armfuls of radishes and stood there like a queen with a gigantic bouquet. I'd lke to add that at d'Orsay it pays to start at the top and work your way down. Most people go to see the Impressionists, and they are at top floors. If you are there early, everyone else will be on lower floors. If you have bought a 2 day museum pass, you can see d'Orsay (closed Monday)and Rodin on same day, use it to visit the top of the Arc de Triomphe at dusk, for a wonderful view of the city. On this site, someone recommended the following bus for great viewing of the city. Just past the Eiffel Tower, take a right on the Blvld and catch the #42 on the next street. It will take you down ChampsElysses, past the Grand and Petit Palais, though the Place de Concorde and the Madeline. Get off at the Opera stop. Use same metro tickets for buses. You ask the attendant for a carnet of tickets. I think that's 10 and you save a little, plus you buy more and split between your group as needed. |
Hi Jetsetj -
St. Chapelle entrance: The Line-up may look long but it moves fairly quickly considering: They ask you to leave largish bags behind at security. They do put you and your bags through some type of scanner. I am very grateful they are not allowing ( or trying very hard not to allow) dangerous explosives or such like inside such a magnificent building. I disagree with Blakejared - St.Capelle may be tiny but it does take quite a long time to see - lets say at least 1 hour if you know what you are actually looking at when inside. Do read up on it - take a small pair of binocs if possible - take your time, I repeat, take your time! I'm working on your croque monsieur question! |
Here are some suggestions for the ultimate CROQUE MONSIEUR from old posts but not all in the 5th:
elizabeth on May 7, 01 at 11:32 AM For me it's the Cafe Musee on the corner just down from the Rodin Museum. Delicious! elvira on May 7, 01 at 01:45 PM Le Celtic bar in the 20eme Austin on May 7, 01 at 07:59 PM LBrasserie Arc d Triumphe (Arch of Triumph) rizzuto on Sep 29, 04 at 12:32 PM THE place for a Croque Monsieur in Paris is the Ferme St-Hubert on the rue Vignon, roughly in the middle of a triangle formed by the Madeleine, the Opera, and the Gare St Lazare. This is both a cheese shop and a restaurant, with virtually all of the restaurant offerings cheese-based. The Croque Monsieur fills a plate and is covered with delicious cheese that has melted exactly to the right point -- all you need is a glass of red wine, a knife and fork, and maybe a cardiologist. Tables can be hard to get at lunchtime (especially one of the tables on the sidewalk), so be prepared to "patienter." oakglen on Sep 29, 04 at 11:05 AM Hi Degas, my vote would be for Flottes, on rue Cambon; the Croque Royale is my favorite, while my wife prefers the Croque Provencal, an all veggie version. Their Aligot is also quite good. JP Michel_Paris on Sep 29, 04 at 09:46 AM Hi, One place that I remember as having a quite nice Croque Monsieur is Cafe Bonaparte in the square of St Germain des Pres church..down from Cafe de Flore. Nice cafe creme there also...at one time one of the places Paris intellectuals (Sartre, de Beauvoir)used to go. Mike starrsville on Feb 21, 06 at 06:38 PM I like Cafe Bonaparte just steps away from the Deux Magots. Maybe it was the best because it was the first meal I had in Paris. The onion soup there was fabulous too! Beatchick on Feb 21, 06 at 07:16 PM I had a lovely one at Dame Tartine on rue Brisemiche in the 4th (facing the Igor Stravinsky fountain outside Centre Pompidou). Scarlett on Feb 21, 06 at 07:46 PM The cafe on the corner of rue Dominic and rue de Grenelle. With a glass of red wine, perfection. laclaire on Feb 21, 06 at 08:11 PM L'ombre de Notre Dame: facing the front of the cathedral, take the street that goes along it on the left. It is, as its name says, in the shadow of the cathedral, and I love love love it!!!!! Claire luveurop on Feb 22, 06 at 12:43 AM The best I've had, no contest, is at the Café Marly. |
Thank you for everyones replies.
d'Orsay and St. Chappelle advise must needed. We will definately go to these 2 places. We have shortened our itinerary. It was too much for only 3 days. We wont be going to Pere Lachaise or Sacre Couer. We will go on Paris Vision night boat/tour. We will go early morning to d'Orsay. We will buy 3 day carnet tickets. Tod, On St Chappelle.. I am glad they are screening people at certain sites. We can never put our treasures at risk. ..So I take it that binoculars and cameras are allowed. For croque monsieur, do recommend this place? http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Vide...ank-Video.html croque monsieurs Can someone recommend shuttle/van service from train station to apt. in the 5th.? |
I was typing when you were.. :)
thanks for all the recommendations.. whice one do I choose!!! |
Has anybody mentioned that the Orsay is closed on Mondays?
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Oh yes, I see that frenchwow mentioned it.
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as someone mentioned above..
thankfully DH is in touch with his feminine side and will happily go into any shop and look at anything. It looks like food will be high on our list of things to buy. THAT, we are really looking forward to. |
Jetsetj - Yes, cameras, binocs, or anything that fits into a reasonably sized bag & things that are recognisable at a glance.
Have you got yourself a guide book? There are so many good ones out there now and I would not leave home without some sort of reference - you will miss out terribly not knowing what the heck you are looking at - or more importantly...missing! |
i have several guide books from the library that have educated me on many sights.
can anyone please recommend a shuttle from train to apt. in the 5th?? or is a cab the best way?? |
Can anyone tell me of perhaps an English Pub in the 5th where they would have CNN news in English playing on TV?
One of our traveling companions needs his daily fix of news and their apt. doesnt have English channels... Also I still need Shuttle from Train Staion info.. thanks |
Personally, I would just take a taxi.
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I would skip the bus tour takes to much time and you sit and wait alot.Take the bus .
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Venezia, you said dont take the bus, then you said take the bus ??
Do others recommend just taking taxi from train to apt. in 5th? Does 91 euros sound like a good price for 2nd class RT AmS to Paris on high speed train in Sept? |
Believe Venezia suggested you skip the bus tour to see city sights, but taking a bus from the station to your apartment.
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I know some English/Irish pubs in Paris, but they don't play CNN news on TV in the pub. The places I know that have TV in them that are pubs are sports bars and show sports in TV, not news. I could be wrong, but I think you'd more likely find such a thing in a 4* business hotel that caters to English-speaking businessmen on travel. If he just wants to know the news, he can always buy a newspaper (IHT is in English) or just go online to read newspapers (or even view CNN online). There is one Canadian pub in St Germain near Odeon metro (the Moosehead) that has a several screens, so maybe you could get them to show CNN if no sports were on, or maybe they do. It's on rue Quatre Vents, I think.
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thanks for replies...
We dont want to take bus with luggage.. Christina, Update.. our friends did end up with apt. with CNN news. They got the confirmation this morning...Now he can get his daily fix :) |
Jetsetj,
If you are carrying alot of luggage I would suggest taking a taxi to the 5th. Be sure to have your address written down to show the driver. :) Or if you don't mind carrying your luggage around, you could ride the RER B line into Paris to 'St Michel-Notre Dame' or 'Luxembourg' stations which are in the 5th. Where are you staying in the 5th? |
We have really trimmed down our itinerary.
DH wants it to be a 2nd honeymoon. We will only be with traveling companions on Sunday. Here is what we have. Sat. Rue Mouffetard Market Luxumborg Gardens Sun. With friends d'Orsay Eiffel Tower Mon. Notre Dame St.Chappelle Marais How does this sound?? |
TTT
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