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Very specific Paris questions
Hello. I've got some specific questions that I can't find information on and would like to ask for any help possible.
1. I have something scribbled down about something called 'the illumination tour.' A search of google doesn't yield anything real interesting. Anyone have info on this? 2. I've seen conflicting posts regarding tap water in Paris. Once and for all, is it going to cause digestion problems or not? 3. At cafes, can I get a coffee at the bar and then sit outside at the tables? Again, I saw conflcting posts on this here at Fodors. I may not be phrasing the question appropriately so sorry if I am confused. 4. I need to find a good to great margarita. Any suggestions? Being able to get some good nachos or other Mexican food would be a huge added bonus. 5. Is it true that the Paris Viste pass is a bust? 6. Assuming the answer to 5 above is 'yes' and that I should get the weekly metro pass, is that pass good for a calendar week or simply seven days from first use? If a calendar week, when does the week officially begin? |
I only have a comment to #3 and #5. I did get a coffe at the bar and sat down. Although nobody ran me off, I got some stares and was told later that they charge more for the coffee at the table because you are paying for the real estate. As for the Paris Viste. I would just get a carnet of metro tickets. They are very cheap and there is so much to see just by walking around you may find you will use the Metro less than you anticipate.
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It is considered by most to be quite rude to buy coffee at the bar and then sit down. The same with the water. I have always found it to be safe, but it is rare to get tap water from a restaurant. If I were you I would just buy it. The metro pass..(carte orange) is good for one week...always beginning on a Monday.
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I will comment on questions #1 and #2.
The illuminations tour is a tour of the Parisian monuments which are lit up at night. Alot of tour companies offer this. Your hotel will most likely deal with a couple of tour companies and will have brochures to give you. Regarding the tap water, my family and I never had any stomach problems from drinking it. Everyone's system is different and it could cause problems I guess but I'd say no, you shouldn't have problems with it. We always order tap water everywhere we eat. Also we fill up our empty water bottles in the hotel room; this saves us from buying bottled water. Sometimes we will buy bottled water anyway but rarely. |
Things I have info on:
1) The illumination tour takes you around the city at night and shows you all the beautiful buildings lit up. I don't generally like 'tours' but found this to be really fun. You go everywhere including Montmarte to the Moulin Rouge. Get your tickets at the tourism office, there is one on Champs d'Elyese just before the Arc de Triumph. You can also take a bateux mouches boat trip on the Seine at night but you obviously only see what is on the river banks. 2. I've always just ordered tap water and never had a problem. If you are especially sensitive than order bottled water. 3. Coffee at the bar is one price, inside at a table is another price and outside at a table yet another price (as is wine, tea, etc.) Consume where you order. 5. I have used the Paris Viste card and found it very handy. Not sure why it would be a bust unless you weren't there long enough to really get your monies worth. It is quite handy to not have to purchase tickets each time you go to the Metro. |
Hope my answers help:
1. I have something scribbled down about something called 'the illumination tour.' I think it's the night tour on one of the Seine boats. I took one years ago that had a recording and couldn't understand anything that was said. 2. I've seen conflicting posts regarding tap water in Paris. Once and for all, is it going to cause digestion problems or not? Absolutely safe to drink the tap water. 3. At cafes, can I get a coffee at the bar and then sit outside at the tables? My understanding is that it costs more to sit down at a table than to take-away. I wouldn't be surprised if they spoke to you about sitting without ordering at the table. But, really, it's not costly. 4. I need to find a good to great margarita. Any suggestions? Being able to get some good nachos or other Mexican food would be a huge added bonus. Can't help here but you might try a search in the search function above. 5. Is it true that the Paris Viste pass is a bust? Since I was in Paris for a month I got the monthly pass; however, my sister who visited me for a week got the carnet. I think she even had a ticket or two left over since you wind up walking so much. If I recall, a weekly pass is only good for certain days, e.g. Sunday thru Saturday. If true it will depend on which day you arrive. |
mdtravel-
#2. Never had problem drinking tap water. Also always ordered tap water at restaurants. #5. Regarding the Paris Visite Card, I don't think it is worth it. Apart from transportation, it also has some discounts. Here is the website for it: http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/index.htm #6 Carte Orange starts on Monday, but I believe you can buy it up until Wed. Otherwise, just get the carnet. |
"I have always found it to be safe, but it is rare to get tap water from a restaurant."
It may be rare for you to order it at a restaurant but I've done it for years at every restaurant I've gone to in Paris. It is not the least bit unusual. In fact most places are well prepared to bring it in a carafe, picher, or bottle. Often they are even prefilled and chilled. Now in Italy -- that's quite another matter. |
The water is quite safe, but different chemicals are used for water purification in different cities. If your stomach is at all sensitive, it makes sense to stick with one brand of bottled water throughout a trip.
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No 1..I would assume you are talking about an evening Seine cruise..no problem
NO 2..only you know your digestive tract, I've not ever had a problem anywhere in Paris or elswhere...we are not talking 3rd world country here! No3...If you order at the bar, then stand. If you sit and are waited on, pay the price! No 4..This is a joke or a troll question, right? No 5. I've never bought or even considered one. I buy a carnet or 2 for 2 weeks for the 2 of us, and usually have a few left over. |
I've always ordered tap water and never had a problem. You can order coffe even if you're sitiing at an outside table. It's never occurred to me to do otherwise.
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1. 'the illumination tour.'
Never did it. 2. tap water in Paris. Never drink it , always drink bottled water, but that is just me, I drink bottled water at home too. As others have said, you know better how your stomach reacts. 3. At cafes, can I get a coffee at the bar and then sit outside at the tables? In the US, could you go to the bar, order a cup of coffee then take it to a table? We always sit at the table and order coffee and people watch. Parisian waiters leave you alone, you can sit there for hours with a cup of coffee, that is worth the price of a tip. 4. good nachos or other Mexican food would be a huge added bonus. I guess we all have something that makes us happy, unfortunately, Mexican food in Paris, or the lack of it.. might not make you happy. If you must have it, look in your guide books, it is the last food I would be looking for, perhaps this is your chance to really break away from the old food bonds that bind you and try new foods for a week or so. 5. Is it true that the Paris Viste pass is a bust? Never used it. 6.We buy Travel cards when we arrive for the amount of time we are there, never think about it so can't really respond. I hope you have a good time, try to think about it as a great adventure and let things just happen. You can enjoy your trip so much better if you let yourself be surprised .. Paris is so beautiful, it isn't hard to be thrilled every day. |
There use to be a great little Mexican restaurant on the Left Bank. I'll try to track it down.
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To 2 and 5:
Seemed to me the tap water in Paris was quite fine. (I assume that's what I was getting at restaurants). Beyond restaurants, I tend to buy bottled water everywhere, U.S. and abroad. I also am a fan of the Visite Paris card. It saves you the hassle of having to take a picture (not sure if carte orange requires a foto). My only gripe is that it's so tiny! |
I guess my palate is not as refined as some here -- I see nothing egregious in seeking out Mexican cuisine when abroad. I've had Indian in England, Indonesian in Holland, French in Italy, Chinese in USA and, oh yes, Mexican in Scotland... so why the bias? Maybe they have never had *real* Mexican food?
Anyway, mdtravel, I found info on this authentic Mexican restaurant in Paris, called Anahuacalli: http://translate.google.com/translat...D%26ie%3DUTF-8 Perhaps it is the one historytraveler was thinking of. I have not been there but have jotted it down for my next trip. |
Since it is almost impossible to get authentic Mexican in the USA , I don't see what you expect to find in Paris. They don't have a lot of authentic Mexicans there.
You are not confusing Tex-Mex, or Cal-mex or any other Mex with authentic Mexican food are you? |
We took the Paris Vision 3-hour combination Seine boat cruise/minivan tour on our last night in Paris. The driver picked us up at our hotel about 8pm, drove us to the Eiffel Tower where we boarded a pleasant cruise down the Seine and back. He then picked us up again and drove us (and a couple other people) around for about an hour or so seeing interesting sights by night. He was prompt and informative and it was a lot of fun. You can book online or through your hotel when you arrive in Paris. I liked dealing with this company. There was a mix-up in our reservations but they couldn't have been more accomodating about it and even upgraded us from a bus to the minivan without extra charge. We plan to repeat this combo tour with Paris vision next time.
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I'm not sure what Tex-Mex and Cal-Mex are exactly, but I have had some excellent meals in Mexico City. I assumed them to be "authentic".
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Yes , in Mexico City , you would get excellent Mexico City food, but it will be entirely different than what you would get in Acapulco .. Just as there is no "Authentic" Italian or French food...it all depends on where you are eating ... Food in the Veneto is entirely different than the food in Sicily, though they are both Italian. The food of Provence is nothing like the food in Normandy or Brittany, even though they are both French regions. So if you are going to France why not explore the different regional foods, which many cafes and restaurants specialize in.
Yes there is wonderful Indian, Thai and Chinese, etc. food in London, they have large populations of immigrants. There is not a large Mexican population in France. And certainly not many from the Mexico city area! There is a DIFINITE difference in Tex-Mex and Cal-Mex!! |
<<There is a DIFINITE [sic] difference in Tex-Mex and Cal-Mex!!>> Aren't you assuming all people from Mexico who live in France, or Paris, are really "Mexican-Americans"? How many nationals have to be living in a country before one of them becomes a restauranteur and opens a legitimate establishment reflecting the dishes of their homeland? |
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No, I wasn't assuming that at all. I don't imagine there are that many Maxicans or Mexican-Americans there at all.
I was saying , that what is considered Mexican food in Texas and what is considered Mexican food in California and what is considered Mexican food in Arizona are all different. |
In NYC, what is considered Mexican on the East side is different from the West side :)
But whatever the food is, I for one, find it a touch surprising that someone would think finding Mexican food in Paris to be a "bonus"..unless they were a Mexican living in Paris-but for a week or so? |
1. I have something scribbled down about something called 'the illumination tour.' A search of google doesn't yield anything real interesting. Anyone have info on this?
YOu can either take a Seine cruise on the bâteaux mouches and see all the sights lit up or probably arrange some special illuminations tour from your hotel. 2. I've seen conflicting posts regarding tap water in Paris. Once and for all, is it going to cause digestion problems or not? Never seen any posts about bad tap water in Paris, but at any rate, it's fine and delicious. At a restaurant if you don't want to buy bottled water just ask for "une carafe d'eau, s'il vous plaît." 3. At cafes, can I get a coffee at the bar and then sit outside at the tables? Again, I saw conflcting posts on this here at Fodors. I may not be phrasing the question appropriately so sorry if I am confused. More conflicting posts, eh? Well, no you can't unless you want to appear boorish. If you buy it at the bar, drink it at the bar. Same with tables. 4. I need to find a good to great margarita. Any suggestions? Being able to get some good nachos or other Mexican food would be a huge added bonus. Mexican food is appalling in France. You'll just have to go without or bring your own. 5. Is it true that the Paris Viste pass is a bust? Depends on what your needs are and what days you're going to be there. The consensus is for most people a carnet is a better deal. 6. Assuming the answer to 5 above is 'yes' and that I should get the weekly metro pass, is that pass good for a calendar week or simply seven days from first use? If a calendar week, when does the week officially begin? Good for any calendar week beginning on a Monday. |
Mexican food in Paris? Refried beans? I can't stand it when they fry them the first time. ((b))
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And MD simply represents my first and last name.
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I have a few additional or different comments on some of these points:
1) illumination tour -- I think Travelnut gave the URLs for these; I think the ones I've read most people liking were by Parisvision 3) I don't think it's a matter of manners (being rude or boorish) to buy a cafe at the counter and sit down -- it's more than that, it's not allowed because they are different prices; cafes actually list two different prices for those items and you can see them on the price list on the wall (cafe au comptoir and en terrasse or something like that). I have never seen three prices myself (bar, inside table and outside) but I could see why that might occur. I'm sure some people get away with it at times because of the crowds, but look at the carte and see if two prices are listed for that or not. Generally, there would be no reason to do that unless you were trying to pay too little (buy it at the bar and sit down), so I think the best idea would be to not do that. 2) re tap water -- I do drink it most of the time in Paris, and rarely order bottled water in restaurants/cafes; however, I did once have digestive problems in Paris for severak days when normally I never do, so who knows. I will say that once I encountered some fluid retention problems (in my feet) when staying in Paris about 5 weeks in the summer and I read up on the matter and I think what I learned was that there are more minerals in the water in Paris than was common in the US tap water I was used to, or maybe more of a certain kind that caused some imbalance in my system. I'm not sure of the details (more sodium maybe?), and it could have been chance, but I've never had that problem before or since that time in Paris. That didn't affect my digestion, though, and it only happened after I'd been in Paris about 3 weeks. All I can say is if you think you are particularly sensitive to things like that, maybe you should drink bottled water of a kind you like. 4) There are two well-known Tex-Mex restaurants in Paris -- Indiana cafe and Mustang. There are several of the Indianas around, actually (one on bd St-Germain not far from Odeon metro), but I think there is only one Mustang and that's the one I've been in several times. It's up on bd Montparnasse, roughly around rue Montparnasse intersection (give or take a block). I think there may be an Indiana around there also. Their food really isn't that bad and I've met some interesting Parisians in there who go there for a change. They have live music in there a few nights a week, and a lively crowd. There is also a Mexican restaurant called Susan's around the Maubert metro stop somewhere, but I haven't been in it. They advertise in some expat publications a lot and I think the food is supposed to be pretty good there. Here's on description I found of it (and another place I don't know): http://www.stargonaut.com/restint.html I haven't had margaritas at any of these places, so can't comment on that. |
1. I have something scribbled down about something called 'the illumination tour.'
Cityrama has a tour called "Illuminations" which is a bus tour of the major sites in Paris at night. http://www.cityrama.com/minibus/illuminations.asp 2. I've seen conflicting posts regarding tap water in Paris. Paris tap water will cause indigestion problems only if you are a Bush-loving Republican or are allergic to water. 3. At cafes, can I get a coffee at the bar and then sit outside at the tables? Yes, you can. 4. I need to find a good to great margarita. There are a few Mexican restaurants in town even a Tex-Mex chain. There's a Tex-Mex restaurant on the Place de la Republique but I don't remember its name. 5. Is it true that the Paris Viste pass is a bust? Yes, pretty much it is. It's easy to ask for and not much of a hassle. But you're really best off getting a carnet of 10 metro tickets. The carte orange is too much of a hassle and really just for poseurs who want to pretend to be locals. 6. Assuming the answer to 5 above is 'yes'... See above. |
Author: StCirq
Date: 03/07/2004, 12:09 am Message: Well! One can only wonder how crochety mdtravel is going to be in Paris after a week with no margaritas and nachos! Whoo! Exactly! All the more reason to help me out. They're not for me, their for Mrs. MDTravel...but I'm only as happy as she is. |
The Carte Orange IS a GREAT buy--13E for all your transportation for a week (Mon.-Sun., last day of sale Wed.). It is particularly nice to use on the bus system as each time you change buses you need a new ticket from your "carnet" (cost app. 10E for 10 trips). All you need is a tiny picture--you can cut it out of a snapshot.
Sitting at a table can cost up to 4X as much as standing at the bar. Experience speaking here--a 6E cup of coffee at a nondescript cafe in Marais. There is a TexMex restaurant at the Square Bastille if you must. Tap water is fine--you can order a carafe of it in restaurants also. Instead of the illumination tour for which you will be charged a premium you might take your Bateaux Mouche tour at twilight. Be sure to bring a bottle of wine and a glass. Paris Visite is expensive for what it offers. If you don't get the CO (Monday-Sunday, last day of sale is Wed.) and you are going to have a particular day using a lot of transportation buy the one day Mobilis pass for about 5E for unlimited use--including buses. |
Whenever we have French visitors here in the States, they want to go to a Mexican restaurant. Not sure what that says about anything (we do have a Mexi-French resto in town that's supposed to be quite good!) Anyway, here are some Mexican places in Paris. Haven't visited any, so I can't vouch for them or the margaritas: Anahuacalli, 30 rue des Bernadins, 5eme, metro: Maubert-Mutualite Ay!! Caramba!!, 59 rue de Mouzaia, 19eme, metro: Pre St-Gervais Cafe Iguana (Tex-Mex), 15 rue de la Roquette, 11eme metro :Bastille You might be able to find a margarita at Havanita Cafe, 11 rue de Lappe 11eme, metro: Bastille. It's Cuban/ Carribean but may have margaritas in addition to mojitos. |
I've found this site useful in planning my trip to Paris:
http://babelfish.altavista.com/. It translates, roughly, web pages. I've been looking for fitness centers and these do not usually have English alternatives. Babelfish has been very helpful. |
Don't know why you could not post this here, but I assume that this is what you meant...
============================ re: Paris Tex Mex restaurant Author: benj Date: 03/07/2004, 02:13 pm Message: For some reason it wouldn't let me post a reply under that message. Maybe it didn't like the topic! Anyway, we ate at a tex-mex place near the place Bastille. The kids were dying to say they ate that in Paris. Didn't have any drinks but it was crowded. Food was ok but then I'm not a big fan of that anyway. If drinks are all you want then maybe it will be ok. Here is a list of Paris restaurants. I was surprised at how many tex-mex places there were. Maybe you could try any that are in the area you will be. Good luck! http://www.paris-anglo.com/dedent/de...ants/index.php =========================== Best wishes, Rex |
I know he is not everyone's favorite around here, but here is some text from Rick Steve's Paris 2004. It is pretty much the exact same thing I've seen in several other books:
If you're staying in Paris for a week or more consider the Carte Orange for about 15 euro which gives you free run of the bus and metro system for a week. These passes cover only central Paris. The overpriced Paris Visite passes were designed for tourists and offer minor reductions at minor sights. 1 day is 9 euro, 2 is 14, 3 days is 19 and 5 days is 28. You'll get a better value with a cheaper carnet of 10 tickets or Carte Orange. So that seems to conflict with quite a few folks above. Very little consensus on the Metro. Now the fact that I would dare want Mexican food in Paris....that's another story. Thanks to those that have helped. I've got all the places researched and notes have been taken. Those that find it so upsetting, I'll not share my opinion of goose liver b/c it is only opinion and it was not solicited. |
If you hope to find consensus on metro travel bargains, you've come to the wrong place. ;)
People do what they like to do. But, to make up your own mind, you can do the research and decide if the paris visite pass is a good idea. First, I'm sure you can find online what the discounts are for, and see if they appeal to you. Certainly, for the travel alone, it's not as good a deal as the Carte Orange - you can see the numbers right there in that quote from Rick Steves to do the comparis. But, the Carte Orange is not something everyone wants to use. For one, it only operates from Monday through Sunday, so if you are there Thursday through Tuesday, it's not going to help you much. Second, you pretty much have to ask for it in French to get it, at least from what I've read, and many, many people would not be comfortable doing that. If you're not comfortable buying the Carte Orange, consider using carnets for the metro. I personally am not inclined to use buses a ton because the metro is often faster, and if I want to see more of the city, I enjoy walking, even if it's 10-15 miles per day. So the carnets are great when we travel to Paris, because we just don't use public transport that much. But everyone's situation is unique, so there's not 1 right answer. :) |
I drink bottled water at home. In Paris, I drink tap water.
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I quite like Tex-Mex style food and when I was living in Paris, I tried out a few of the "Mexican" restaurants. None of them was particularly good, and at a number of them, the food was utterly vile (how about a microwaved tortilla with reheated chicken and avocado pieces floating in strange watery sauce, or a plate of weird stir-fried vegetables that tasted more Chinese than anything).
So my advice echoes that given by St Cirq: give the "Tex-Mex" restaurants a miss in Paris. However, you will be pleased to learn that you do not have to go to a Mexican restaurant to get a margarita in Paris. There are loads of bars that serve cocktails and you'll usually find margaritas on the cocktail menus. For example, the Lizard Lounge on rue Bourg Tibourg (in the Marais) does killer cocktails (happy hour is 6-8). |
It is a bizzare request for Mexican food in Paris but we actually eat in a mexical or similar unusual place when I can find one travelling. Had a good night in a Mexican place with Tango Dancing in Florence...it was strange but fun and great Margaritas.
I was suptised a few years ago to find a Chi Chi's off the |Champs Elysee after a group of us were walking for hours. We had nachos and a drink to get us going again...would not say it was the best but it was better than any Mexican I get in Ireland. If its just a Margerita you are after go to a cocktail bar! |
Tex-mex in Paris is a bit of an odd request....unless it's Paris, Texas!!
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