Hi--tried to post yesterday but it looks like it got gobbled up in the problems with the website. Here goes again.

Am starting a new job mid October, family and friends can't take off at this time--so am off to Paris for 6 nights by myself and leaving in just 10 days. With the wonderful advice already posted on this board, and experience gleaned from my previous visits (with hubbie 5 yrs ago, daughter 2 yrs ago), have reserved Hotel de Fleurie in the 6th, 3 days with Michael Osman, bike ride to Monet's gardens in Givency, haircut and color at Monique Desseignes in the 9th, and the free Friday fashion show at Galeries Lafayette.

Unfortunately, Josy Mermet at Printemps is completely booked the week that I am there so won't be able to have my personal shopping (had my makeover 2 yrs ago).

My questions:
1) Fodor's guidebook says to NOT use a money belt. Is this correct?
2) any experience with personal shoppers at the department stores?
3) suggestions for best/safest way to get to my hotel from the airport? There are so many options and now learn that there are reserved airport shuttles that you can use.
4) suggestions for good value restaurants near my hotel for dinner (although loved Willy's wine bar and Le Grande Vefour last time, airfare and hotel are SO much more expensive than last time)
5) budget and safety tips for traveling alone in Paris with limited French

Thanks!

Hi lacontessa,

I spent 4 days solo in Paris in May. I would not follow Fodor's recommendation NOT to wear a money belt...that's foolish advice, and not just in Paris but anywhere. I carry all my credit cards (but one which I actually use), spare cash and passport in mine. I think it's just good sense. Otherwise just do as you would in any large city, don't leave your common sense at home. I never felt unsafe on my own, either on the street or in the metro.

I'm not sure exactly where your hotel is, but I would make a point to check out Le Reminet in the Latin Quarter (right on the quay near Notre Dame). I had a wonderful lunch there one afternoon.

I used Paris Shuttle to get from the airport. I just liked not having to schlepp my luggage on the metro and not have to pay exorbitant rates in a taxi if stuck in traffic.

You'll love Giverny, that was a wonderful day trip for me.

Thanks for the reply. Did you find a need to carry your passport each day? Or, will a photocopy do and leave the passport in the hotel safe?

As to "Best" way into the city. The best way in my opinion would be a limo; the second best is a taxi. That all said, I took the AirFrance shuttle to its first stop and the driver schlepped the luggage, schlepped it off and then I took a taxi to my hotel. I shutter if I were going solo to think about the rail service, yes yes yes...it is efficient, inexpensive, etc. But!?!
I loved being solo in Paris.

No..I shudder. sheesh

Thanks for the replies. That is also what I thinking. When you have 2 people, someone can watch the bags while you purchase the fares and you can look out for each other. On your own, with jetlag, would think safety takes precedence over cost. I did check the limos prices real quick--seem expensive but the reserved shuttles are 25-27 Euros each way. Not sure how long may have to wait for other passengers if taking Paris Shuttle or similar--website says that they have max of 3 stops, and will wait up to 1 hour for flight delay.

What did Fodors suggest you do in lieu of a moneybelt? Are you sure they didn't mean don't wear a 'fanny pack' (belt bag, whatever)..? Anyway, it's ridiculous advice and doesn't make sense at all. You can choose or not to use security pouches, but I can't imagine a travel expert specifying NOT to use one.

Anyway, it sounds like you have wonderful plans for entertaining yourself!

Here is word for word what is the Fodor's Paris 2006 guide--having done a lot of international travel, I was astonished with what they said:

"Don't wear a money belt or a waist pack, both of which peg you as a tourist. Distribute your cash and any valuables including your credit cards and passport between a deep front pocket, an inside jacket or vest pocket, and a hidden money pouch. Do not reach for the money pouch once you're in public."

Perhaps the writer's first language is French and not English and confused what we normally call a money belt with the type that you wear on TOP of your clothing?

OK, they don't mean the security waist pouch we call a money belt. They are talking about the bag with strap that people often wear around their waist, <i>outside</i> their clothes. Americans often call it a 'fanny pack' which is a giggle for those from Britain (b/c fanny means something else there).

&quot;Hidden money pouch&quot; is = to money belt. Or leg safe or neck pouch or.... whichever version feels comfortable to you.

Personally I wouldn't bother with a money belt or any other unusual security measure in Paris -- or anywhere in Western Europe, for that matter. In your case, with Michael Osman, personal shoppers and assorted hairdressers watching your back, I'm sure you'll be fine. Relax.

As to the pouch. I thought I would be &quot;safe&quot; and bought one. Well, I didn't enjoy the look of the third boob...and so I swung it around so that the thing hung under my arm down almost to my waist.
Ugh.
The tummy packs are just plain goofy looking to me as well.
So? I recommend a good safe purse, with good safe difficult to cut straps; lots of zippers and pockets. That is my way to go.
We have pickpockets in my town in the US; one has to be vigilent anyway.
Come to think about it, the only place I was pickpocketed was here in Wilmington!

With your wonderful help, have figured it out--will take and use my money belt after all (under clothes).

Any comments on the other questions?
2) any experience with personal shoppers at the department stores?
3) suggestions for best/safest way to get to my hotel from the airport? There are so many options and now learn that there are reserved airport shuttles that you can use.
4) suggestions for good value restaurants near my hotel for dinner (although loved Willy's wine bar and Le Grande Vefour last time, airfare and hotel are SO much more expensive than last time)
5) budget and safety tips for traveling alone in Paris with limited French

Pausanias - evidently you haven't been to Amsterdam (which I believe is in Western Europe). That's where my wallet was taken from my handbag, while my important items remained safely in my moneybelt.

lacontessa, I want to have a form of ID on me at all times and my passport is it. In the late 90s I once popped up out of a metro station in Paris into the midst of some kind of demonstration that was turning scary. A policeman asked to see my ID, and I had it in my money belt. He noted I was American and moved me out of the mess while they were herding others into police vans. I don't know what I would have done if it was &quot;safe&quot; in the safe at the hotel. I will note though that this is the ONLY time I've ever had to show it, but I learned then I'd rather have it on my person than not.

I highly recommend Paris Shuttle. I phoned before I went to retrieve my luggage and had to wait only about 5 mins before they picked me up curbside at the terminal. It dropped one party off before me. All depends on how centrally located your hotel is, because they will drop those in the outer regions off first. To not have to worry about my luggage was worth it with my jetlag!

Are you preferring to avoid the RER method? You could take it to St Michel, then walk about 600 meters (10 minutes).

no experience with personal shoppers here...

Travelnut --

Been to Amsterdam, Naples, Seville -- all those &quot;scary&quot; places.

But I'm from New York, where such things happen every day, and where only a rube would wear a money belt. I rather suspect Parisians don't bother with them, either.

I use a taxi to and from the airport. Solo that seems easiest to me.

Tips for safety, carry the business card from your hotel. That way if you get lost, or tired, or walk too far away, you can catch a taxi back when you're ready.

Use the money belt, if you normally would when traveling. I think the guidebook was referring to &quot;fanny packs&quot; that peg you as a tourist, not something worn under your clothing (because how would anyone know it is there?).

Myself I always use a normal leather pocketbook, and keep my cards and money divided up among a couple places (not all in one lump, or all in one wallet, and some left locked in my suitcase back at the hotel). Not saying this is right or wrong but that's how I do it, and I often travel by myself.

Lastly, pack light! It is even more important when you are traveling alone and don't have anyone to help you, or watch your bags when you go to the restroom at the airport, etc.

well, thank you for your superior advice. Hope you don't mind if I ignore it.
~ the Rube ~

I tried money belts and gave up - just to uncomfortabel and unwieldy. Now I use a wallet or clip stored in an inside pocket that zips or velcroes (is that a word?) closed.
As to your passport, consider what alot of folks (including myelf) suggest - make a color copy of the page with your photo and ID information and carry that with you unless you will need the actual passport that day. To be safest, leave your passport with the front desk at the hotel rather than in your room.
Personal shopper - never tried, too cheap and enjoy the thrill of the hunt myself.
Airprot transfer - Tried the shared shuttle and hated it - wasted precious time waiting for others to arrive and be dropped off. Air France coaches are easy, would get you into town and you could taxi from either Gare de Lyon (coach line 4) or Montparnasse (coach line 1 or 4). Given your hotel's location, though, I'd just jump on the RER B and exit at St Michel then walk a few minutes to the hotel. It really isn't that big a deal unless you have scads of luggage and since you will be there only 6 nights that shouldn't be the case.