Various Paris questions
 

I have a few questions that I haven't been able to answer by researching.

1. Is it OK to bring a croissant or pastry to a cafe to have with one's coffee? Any time of day?

2. Bateaux Mouches: Are they the only boats that have the spotlights or do the Vedettes Pont Neuf have them also? I like the VPN, especially sitting up top. And the VPN website is extremely helpful (unlike the BM site!). I can't even find departure schedules for BM.

3. I've been to the Place Monge/Rue Mouffetard market early on a Sunday morning. But do they go on into the afternoon?

Thanks for your help.
Jeanne

as for 1), I would say no. As with any restaurant, I don't think they like you bringing in outside food. There have been a few threads on this topic, where you can read various experiences and opinions. I definitely wouldn't do it in a more expensive or trendy cafe, although I think it is more debatable in a cheap place. I generally do not see people bringing their own food to eat in cafes in Paris, but I don't frequent the places with a lot of tourists in St Germain, etc.

Most all outside markets in Paris end up in early afternoon. A lot of vendors may close up around 1, although Monge officially runs until 2 or 3, as I recall. As for Mouffetard, the regular street is just shops. There is another market at the bottom of the hill (near St Medard) that is different than the regular shops. That one is there several days a week, I think, maybe many days, but I don't think they are there in later afternoon. Some of the permanent shops on rue Mouffetard even close in afternoon, although some open in late afternoon and run until around 5 pm. I think the worst time for any of those temporary markets is mid to late afternoon.

1) It's rude to bring in your own food to a cafe/restaurant here, and it's considered rude there too. Unless you have some highly specialized diet that you can explain to the chef.

2) Bateaux Mouches leaves so often I suspect they don't publish since they run all the time (10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.), ever 20 minutes-half hour. $7 Euro Adults/$4 for kids. According to my Paris 2005 book. I don't know about the spotlights, I took the Bateaux Mouches once and just remembered everything being lit up on its own.

3) I've never been to the Place Monge, but my book says it's Wednesday, Friday and Sunday mornings only.

Happy travels.

Jules

The Place Monge market is a roving market and is only open Wednesday, Friday and Sunday until 1 or 2 PM, depending on which guide book you believe.

The rue Mouffetard market is a permanent market at the bottom of rue Mouffetard and is open every day except Monday. Depending on which guide book you believe, it is only open until 1 PM or it reopens from 4-7 PM every day except Sunday, when it is closed all afternoon. On Sunday there is music and singing from 11:00 for a couple of hours.

There is also a market at Place Maubert on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, ending around 1 or 2 PM.

We enjoyed the boat trip from Pont Neuf, including the spot lights. As I recall the website also had some discount coupons you could print out - enjoyed them too.

I think you've all covered my questions. I love Fodors!

PS: I certainly will not take my croissant to the cafe!

I have read that one might be permitted to eat their croissant at a cafe if
- that cafe does not offer any breakfast items
- you buy a coffee or tea to go with it

I imagine, however, that it is quite rare for a cafe that is open in the mornings to not have anything on offer for breakfast.

My preference is to relax and enjoy my coffee, croissant/pain choc, and juice in the hotel breakfast room rather than have to be fully dressed, 'packed', and ready to go for the day before coffee ever crosses my lips (and seeps into my brain).