Where can one get change--as in coins--in Paris? On more than once occasion when I was there a couple years ago, people wanted exact change and didn't even want to break a 5 or 10 Euro note. It seems like I was always hurting and hunting for coins. I found out on my last morning there that my hotel could make change but I'm staying at a different hotel this coming September. Almost every bank had a sign saying that they didn't make change. Will exchange bureaus make change? Any other suggestions out there?

Thanks!

wow! What an experience!!!
Welcome home and back to fodors with your wonderful post.
Wishing you a speedy recovery after your knee replacement.

Scarlett:

Longchamps black bag, sort of shiny - could be used as casual or dressy. Red backpack bag with calalilly design on back - Furla, obligatory, pink with attachments to change look and my daughter bought me a Furla black, with silver medallion on one strap. We were totally out of control. But it only gets worse. During the cooking class, Christian was cooking vegetables in a small pot and put in a handful of salt. Everyone just gasped - I only use a few shakes of salt at home. He said go to Bon Marche grocery for salt. So, of course, off we went. Well, there are so many kinds we didn't know what to buy. He said he buys the salt in the tall, thin container. So we bought every size they had. While unpacking this morning, I realized that I have enough salt for two to three lifetimes. And then we saw this beautifully colored toilet paper. Some with roses, some with ducks, reading paper, etc. Now don't you just know, we came home with toilet paper. \

We both came down with the flu during the trip - she lost one day, I lost l/2 day. During her sick day, I went to the cooking store, Dehillerin, and bought a gadget to strain soup and one to mash vegetables. Very elegant. I hand dip chocolates for friends at Christmas and bought three different types of dipping utensils. Then to professional uniform shop to buy a hat and apron for my son. He likes to cook.

We did visit all the top spots except the Arch. We followed the signs one day to get underground and after a long walk and many stairs we ended up where we had started. So decided we would try something different. Another day, we found ourselves at the Arch, found the correct entrance point and walked the long, dark hallway. It was too much for me - that was my sick day and we left and took cab back to apartment.
Came home with lots of chocolate, macaroons from Lauderee and lots of Fauchon goodies. It was a wonderful trip. My daughter is my best friend and it was such a delightful time to show her Paris. She now has fallen in love with Paris. Thank you all for letting me share my trip with you.

Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Your report was wonderful and I think you would be an absolutely terrific traveling companion. Your daughter is very fortunate!

Regarding those ATMs, we are spoiled at home with our withdrawals all coming out in 20's normally. But in Europe, yes, everything seems to be in 50's, a little big for the small change use we tend to make of cash. We did learn to enter 330 to get a 20 and a 10, but still the rest were all 50's.

Incidenatally, we really laughed in Las Vegas when I once did a $300 withdrawal and out came 3 -$100 bills!

Benitakarn, sounds like a wonderful trip! (Oh, for a daughter) and I love your calling the Ameribags your bagpipes! I'm sure I'll think of that every time I hitch it in front of me.

Regarding getting smaller bills and change - we went to Italy and had the same problem. Finally I took out Rick's Steves phrase book, practiced how to say "Would you please change this into smaller bills", stood in line at a bank and the guy there was more than happy to do it for me. After my saying the phrase in Italian (don't remember it any more) He said "Yes certainly" in perfect English, even asking if I wanted coins. But I think trying to say it in Italian made him more willing to help me out.

Joelle

What a delightful report, Benitakaren. I can identify with your shopping style except that I would have added shoes, at least 2 pairs.

Hi Benita,
We are your balcony buddies from across the street. I hope you received the photos we emailed you from the cooking class. For all you Fodorites out there you should know that Benita and her daughter were the added spice to the cooking class. Our forced move because of the scaffolding necessitated by the outside buiding cleaning has been a blessing in disguise. The apartment we moved to, St. Emilion, is superbly decorated, light and spacious; 2 roomy baths and 2 toilets...you should consider it over Sancerre next time, not that Sancerre is at all shabby. Please let us know what you thought of Astrance.

Hi Laidback:

I sent you an e-mail last night. Thanks for the pictures, they were wonderful. I got so sick that we couldn't make Astrance. I was very, very disappointed because I was so excited to eat there. I am already preparing my husband for Paris next year. Please tell me all about St. Emilion apt. What is the view like? I am definitely hooked on Paris Perfect. Just talked to daughter, she is walking around in a daze and trying to take care of her two daughters. How long will jet lag last? I have to sleep sometime soon.

Interesting report, although some experiences aren't mine, and I've never been cheated by a taxi, either. Maybe I'm remembering wrong, but I don't remember soda being more than wine, either, typically. I don't really order soda, but it seems to me all drinks as refreshment cost about the same (wine, beer, sada, fancy mineral water).

As for ATMS, yes, you should have tried another one. Some do give out other denominations than 50s, and maybe it's even by location. I just know BP ATMs always give me 50s only, and BNP will give other types of bills. For instance, if you withdraw 100 euro (which I typically do), BNP might give you a 50, 20, 20 and 10, whereas BP will only give 2 50s. I try to remember to punch in 140 euro as you know you'll have to get 2 20s that way, but I forget sometimes.

I do agree with the umbrella advice, only when it has been clear for several days and the forecast is absolutely no rain, do I go out without one.

The fight for small change is the one drawback of using ATMs. I've found this "problem" in Mexico and sometimes in Europe (excepting Switzerland!).

I have managed to get large bills broken by asking "smaller change, please?" in spanish at currency exchange booths or banks. Also by always remembering to break the largest bill reasonable at big & busy grocery or department stores.

benitakaren~~ Thanks for taking the time to make this great trip report with all the handy details and tips you are sharing!!

6. Cabs, although expensive, can save time. Metro can sometimes be confusing.

I know this might be a matter of opinion, but I feel Paris metro has a very understandable metro, and I don't know that one can necessarily save time in a taxi, depending on the traffic. Taxis can be handy if you arrive with too much luggage(which I did, until I switched to backpacking). Otherwise, depending on one's budget, the extra money spent on taxis could be used on a nicer meal.

BenitaKaren - Thank you for sharing your Paris trip with us and what fun it must have been to share it with your "best friend." I am leaving for Paris 2 weeks from today...but who's counting...I am. I am so excited.

Madison:

Looking forward to reading your trip report upon your return. Hope you have a wonderful time.

Benita

Great report benitakaren. I have been dying to hear about someone's adventures at Longchamps. It sounds like you bought them out. Good for you! I'm not sure if I dare set foot inside, it might be my major event for 1 whole day in Paris. Your elevator ride must have been very nerve-wracking to say the least. How many people will have this story to relate. We are leaving in 3 weeks and also staying at Paris Perfect. I can't wait! Thanks again for such a fun accounting.

Okay, I'll admit that the toilet paper is a new one on me--but I probably would have done the same thing!

Very enjoyable report of a memorable trip.

Sighing, you did good! The bags sound great and all those other goodies!
Toilet paper- was the paper in the apt the worst?? that was the one and only sign of scrimping in that apt..it was the sort of paper a gas station might have in its bathrooms. We went straight to the FranPrix and bought flowered paper also
I also loved the scent of the laundry soap they gave us so I bought a box and brought that home, in a few weeks, I will need to wash some sheets with that soap so when I fall asleep with that scent, I can pretend I am back in Paris
I would have been the person on the elevator with my head between my legs, gasping for air, I have this thing about elevators and getting stuck in them or falling out of them
What???
Doesn't everyone??

"Metro can sometimes be confusing."

Sometimes? When is that?

it's maybe because I'm French but I've never had any real problem breaking bills. you just go into a bakery and buy a "pain au chocolat" and say " desole je n'ai pas de monnaie" and that's it! if the guy is reluctant, try the next shop, I've never been said no twice in a row...
but it's true one has to avoid paying with E 100 bills, people just wouldn't understand what one does with such big bills
As for the metro vs. taxi, do as you feel, the metro is cheaper and quicker, unless you have to use 3 different lines, but less comfortable... i personnaly avoid using it after 11 pm, not really dangerous, it's just hat the proportion of winos increases and makes it even less comfortable