quicksilver.... these are great tips! I especially like your tip about picnic spots safe from the rain. I wish you a happy afternoon noshing on saucison sec and a little camembert.

Quicksilver, thank you so much! I am longing to go back to Paris, but the weak dollar and high air fares and blah, blah are holding us back -- for a while. You have taken me there in my mind for a moment, and given me hope that it can, and must, and will be done! Please keep posting -- tips, or just random observations and experiences. Yours is the kind of trip that appeals to me the most, and your appreciation for it is delightful.

When we were in Paris in April 2006 (sigh), L'as du Falafel was a destination. And it was closed for Passover. Drat! Oh well -- another reason to go back.

By the way, I have called myself a flâneur (or, assuming there's a female equivalent, flâneuse) since reading Muriel Spark's "Loitering with Intent" many, many years ago. One of my favorite words -- and favorite things to do.

quicksilver...

Thanks for posting from the road! :)

I will be in Paris is September. Sadly only for 3 days, but I keep reading about L'As du Falafel and think I will really need to try this place.

Looking forward to more of your tips!

I think the majority of purchases are made through the walk-up window, but I suggest getting a table inside--it is a more "authentic" way to get exposed to the whole experience. At busy times there may be a wait, but they are quite efficient in seating and serving people.

quicksilver, thanks for the heads up on the ordering process for falafel. I'm sure I would have raised an eyebrow over that. We are arriving in Paris on 8/8, and we are staying in the 3rd. Keep us posted on good budget finds! With 4 of us trying to sight-see and eat on a budget, I'm looking for any and all suggestions.

Hello, our family will be visiting Paris for 7 days. Can anyone suggest an easy way to get from CDG to the Invalides area where we are staying? Also, any nice places to visit with children?

It's really not polite to highjack someone elses thread...n2tennis, you should start your own...however since you are more than 2 people, the best way into the city will be a taxi or a limo. Do a "search" here on Paris taxi or limo CDG and you should get lots of previously given advice on the topic. (I always hate it when someone slams you and doesn't even give a nod to your heartfelt question.)

quicksilver, this is a wonderful thread. I live in Paris, and I can't argue with any of your observations. I hope you continue to enjoy your stay.

As to Sundays, there is a chain of convenience stores, Proxi, that are open on Sunday -- several in the 6th. Like most convenience stores, they are a little more expensive -- although cheaper on some items. They have very nice produce.

Also, there are several outdoor markets open on Sunday.

I'm glad you discovered L'As due Falaffel, one of the best deals in town. They have redecorated and enlarged the interior, so seating is less a problem than in the past. Sometimes when the lines are really long for takeaway there are tables available.

Great observations and tips about my favorite city! I was there in April and tried to spend as little as possible, which was a lot more difficult than the last time, ten years ago. We stayed and ate in the less expensive arrondisements, and found the French to be even more friendly than in the past. I wondered if maybe we were dealing with recent immigrants, who were unconcerned with my poor French skills and readily spoke English.

Now that the internet is so common, I had planned to post messages often, but found the French keyboard to be too difficult. Also, I was amazed at how few places offered "internet-by-the hour". Perhaps it would have been less stressful if I'd had a computer in the apartment so I could take my time while adapting to the differences.

Paris is still affordable, in spite of the weak dollar, as there are so many free things to see and do. And if you enjoy walking, be willing to explore the places you didn't plan to see but where you ended up when you got off at the wrong Metro/bus stop!

I am so jealous!
You make me want to be back in Paris ,I have been there seven times an i really loved it more each time. It's a place you always want to go back to. I really don't have a favorite place i love it all .One of my favorite things for breakfast there is the chocolate croissants.

Thank you for posting this. I am going to Paris for the first time in November and I love hearing great tips for saving some money!

quicksilver, enjoying this very much
suggested reading": the Flanuer by edmund White/

Hi quicksilver,

I see that sunset is around 9:50 right now - what time is it actually dark?

l'As du falafel has the best falafel sandwich anywhere. The bread is always fresh, the falafels patties are very small and fried to order, the rest of the filling always perfect. The French are very, very tough critics; Middle Eastern people(jews or arabs muslims) are as well. They always complain about something or other not being just right; so imagine French Jews or French Arabs...
No wonder the poor sod has to get it right daily! So go to the Marais and enjoy it while strolling in the oldest Paris neighbourhood.
Later, walk across to Hotel de Ville, take a bridge to l'Ile Saint Louis ( 10 min. walk, maybe 15) and have for dessert a glace ( gelato) at Bertillon, Paris best glacier, and you would have had another best the same day. Ah the simple joys of Paris...

Don't forget to have a rotisserie chicken and roasted potatoes with a baquette. You can have it hot for dinner and cold sandwiches the next day for your picnic. I loved the one I bought at the foot of the Rue du Muffetard.

Try one of the shops where they do the ready-made food. I bought a roll with ham and a salad with peas one day and sat in the Luxumbourg Gardens on a bench for lunch.

Wow! I long for Paris...

We are also in Paris right now and I thought I would add a tidbit about Saint Chappelle . . .

First of all, it is kind of hard to find because the church is surrounded by government buildings. It's not like you can look for the spire and walk that direction. We found it and got in line. The line is very long because everyone has to go through a metal detector before entering the building (which is not the church - you go through security, then leave that building into a courtyard then walk a short distance to the church. This is where you buy your tickets.) We bought croque monsieurs from a brasserie across the street and ate them while we were standing in line (our first picnic of the trip!!)

Here is my tip: the Church closes between 1:00 and 2:15 p.m. Thus, most of the people standing in line at that time didn't get in (or had to wait another hour to get in). We got in line about noon, but the way the line wraps, you can't see the sign saying it closes at 1:00 until you are close to the front of the line. We had been in line about 1/2 an hour when an employee came out and warned everyone the church would be closing soon. We eventually made it into the church at 1:00 on the dot - whew! The windows in this church are the most amazing I have ever seen. If you really want to see this beautiful church, make sure you factor in the afternoon closing time and get in line with enough time that you can for sure make it in. It would be a huge bummer to wait in line for an hour and have the door close right when you get to the front of the line!

Hi quicksilver,

I'm hoping for more - would still love to hear what you're up to!

wow...thanks to katie for resurfacing this post. thanks to quicksilver for wonderful tips and a fun read.