Very specific Paris questions
Mar 6th, 2004, 05:25 PM
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Mar 6th, 2004, 05:38 PM
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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.
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.
Mar 6th, 2004, 05:43 PM
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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?
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?
Mar 6th, 2004, 05:49 PM
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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.
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.
Mar 6th, 2004, 06:12 PM
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Mar 6th, 2004, 08:17 PM
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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) 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.
Mar 6th, 2004, 09:09 PM
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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.
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.
Mar 7th, 2004, 03:55 AM
#30
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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.
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.
Mar 7th, 2004, 04:45 AM
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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.
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.
Mar 7th, 2004, 05:24 AM
#32
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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
astilleYou 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.
Mar 7th, 2004, 09:53 AM
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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.
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.
Mar 7th, 2004, 10:18 AM
#34
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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
============================
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
Mar 7th, 2004, 01:07 PM
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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'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.
Mar 7th, 2004, 01:38 PM
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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.
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.
Mar 7th, 2004, 10:52 PM
#38
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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).
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).
Mar 8th, 2004, 01:11 AM
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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!
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!
