JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
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Originally posted by: jadinolf
It's Marie
Why would I want to be Marie?
So I could play with my own jugglies?
Man, I really want to get into a teaching English program in France, but I think I missed the deadline. I'd love to visit someday. Hope you have fun
10 things I've done and recommend (speaking French is highly recommended):
1. Eat at hole in the wall restaurants, particularly in smaller towns. Just walk around and look at menus and in the windows. Best way to get fantastic food (it's difficult though not impossible to be disappointed).
2. Visit a vineyard. Sample wine and BUY SOME. You aren't obligated, but I think it's rude to have the vintner open a bunch of bottles and then you leave without buying anything. The wine is ridiculously cheap, and $10 for the experience is a pittance especially since you leave with a full bottle for later.
3. In Paris, visit the Musee du Rodin. Excellent, small museum which is a little oasis in the middle of the city. One of my favorite museums of all time.
4. Also in Paris, visit the catacombs. FINALLY did this on my last trip in Nov 03, and it was fascinating! Piles and piles and piles of human bones and skulls from excavated cemetaries. Prepare yourself for a steep climb on the exit, but it's a unique visit.
5. Drive through Normandie. Eat apples, drink brandy, and eat crepes.
6. Visit Carcassone in the SW part of the country. It's a huge walled medieval town. Many scenes from Robin Hood (Costner one) were shot there. It's been restored, but it's a terrific place to visit.
7. Let's see, back to Paris and the Musee d'Orsay for Impressionist art. No better place in the world.
8. Paris again, ride the metro A LOT. Lots of characters, and the most interesting mass transit system I've ever used. They say that no location in Paris is more than 300m from a metro stop. I've never measured, but that's probably accurate.
9. Paris and churches -- Notre Dame (don't forget the excavation exhibit on the opposite end of the square in front of the church), Sacre Coeur, many others.
10. My favorite for last (Paris once again!) -- Musee National du Moyen Age (Cluny). It's on the Left Bank and is a relatively small museum with all sorts of stuff from the Middle Ages. It won't wear you out like the Louvre and doesn't just have paintings. I've been there three or four times and will go again the next time I visit (didn't in Nov 03!).
1. Eat at hole in the wall restaurants, particularly in smaller towns. Just walk around and look at menus and in the windows. Best way to get fantastic food (it's difficult though not impossible to be disappointed).
2. Visit a vineyard. Sample wine and BUY SOME. You aren't obligated, but I think it's rude to have the vintner open a bunch of bottles and then you leave without buying anything. The wine is ridiculously cheap, and $10 for the experience is a pittance especially since you leave with a full bottle for later.
3. In Paris, visit the Musee du Rodin. Excellent, small museum which is a little oasis in the middle of the city. One of my favorite museums of all time.
4. Also in Paris, visit the catacombs. FINALLY did this on my last trip in Nov 03, and it was fascinating! Piles and piles and piles of human bones and skulls from excavated cemetaries. Prepare yourself for a steep climb on the exit, but it's a unique visit.
5. Drive through Normandie. Eat apples, drink brandy, and eat crepes.
6. Visit Carcassone in the SW part of the country. It's a huge walled medieval town. Many scenes from Robin Hood (Costner one) were shot there. It's been restored, but it's a terrific place to visit.
7. Let's see, back to Paris and the Musee d'Orsay for Impressionist art. No better place in the world.
8. Paris again, ride the metro A LOT. Lots of characters, and the most interesting mass transit system I've ever used. They say that no location in Paris is more than 300m from a metro stop. I've never measured, but that's probably accurate.
9. Paris and churches -- Notre Dame (don't forget the excavation exhibit on the opposite end of the square in front of the church), Sacre Coeur, many others.
10. My favorite for last (Paris once again!) -- Musee National du Moyen Age (Cluny). It's on the Left Bank and is a relatively small museum with all sorts of stuff from the Middle Ages. It won't wear you out like the Louvre and doesn't just have paintings. I've been there three or four times and will go again the next time I visit (didn't in Nov 03!).
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: jadinolf
It's Marie
Why would I want to be Marie?
Your ideas intrigue me....
DannyBoy
Diamond Member
DannyBoy
Diamond Member
Not when you know where to eat, granted the best restaurants in London have French / Italian chefs.
Note how I said 'almost' everyone of those points
Overall London > Paris.
DannyBoy
Diamond Member
Been to London, though not as much as Paris, and I don't agree at all. Granted, speaking English is nice (though French isn't a problem for me), but the food leaves something to be desired in comparison, as mentioned above. That's not to say there aren't good restaurants in London, but pub to bistro, the French take the cake.
Two words: English wine. :disgust: Granted, the beer is better in Great Britain, but there's no comparison in wine, not even remotely.
While I like the Tube, it doesn't have the same character as Le Métro, at least not from what I have seen. It's a little more modern, a little less...I don't know. Perhaps just my personal impression.
Museums? Been to British Museum, V & A, Imperial War Museum (ok, that one rocks -- better than the equivalent in Paris, Les Invalides), and a few others -- Paris wins this one, too. London does have the Globe, though.
Oh, French women are better. Better teeth and accents.
southern France is really beautiful. Definitly try to make it to Monpillier I think you can hop on the TGV (bullet-train) and it's only a few hours ride from Charles De Gaul Airport to Monpillier. From there it's just a few stops to Carcacon (sp?) which is an entire city inside a huge Castle. I also went to Arles which is where Van Gogh lived. Have a fun/safe trip!
also, when you get back...
:camera:'s or BAN
also, when you get back...
:camera:'s or BAN
I'm heading to France in a few months as well, and my knowledge of French is zero right now. I can speak a bit of Spanish tho'... While I intend on getting a French/English dictionary, how critical is it for me to learn the language, since I"ll likely stay in all touristy areas (May not even leave Paris)
I completely left out Provence because it's an experience unto itself. But, highlights are Arles, Orange, Avignon, Chateauneuf (for the AWESOME WINE!), Cote d'Azur in general, Cannes in particular, Nice, myriad little villages. I also left out the Alps. If you can only go one place in the Alpine region, I'd suggest Annecy -- it's a spectacularly beautiful little village on a lake,
Damn, I want to go back now.
Great advice from AndrewR. I second the Cluny and the catacombs. Very cool places.
I've been to London and Paris. They are both great cities. Given a choice, I'd have a tough time deciding between the two.
I've been to London and Paris. They are both great cities. Given a choice, I'd have a tough time deciding between the two.
DannyBoy
Diamond Member
Originally posted by: AndrewR
Been to London, though not as much as Paris, and I don't agree at all. Granted, speaking English is nice (though French isn't a problem for me), but the food leaves something to be desired in comparison, as mentioned above. That's not to say there aren't good restaurants in London, but pub to bistro, the French take the cake.
Two words: English wine. :disgust: Granted, the beer is better in Great Britain, but there's no comparison in wine, not even remotely.
While I like the Tube, it doesn't have the same character as Le Métro, at least not from what I have seen. It's a little more modern, a little less...I don't know. Perhaps just my personal impression.
Museums? Been to British Museum, V & A, Imperial War Museum (ok, that one rocks -- better than the equivalent in Paris, Les Invalides), and a few others -- Paris wins this one, too. London does have the Globe, though.
Oh, French women are better. Better teeth and accents.
French women are nasty, hairy and stuck up.
Our museums, well, natural history museum, science museum, all the war museums, etc...
The tube is the oldest on the planet, and safest and it's unique
Who drinks wine? Bleh, you can't beat british pubs and ale, anywhere, period
I explained my thoughts on food, yeah we lose on that part, if you don't know where you're going
Originally posted by: DannyBoy
Originally posted by: AndrewR
Been to London, though not as much as Paris, and I don't agree at all. Granted, speaking English is nice (though French isn't a problem for me), but the food leaves something to be desired in comparison, as mentioned above. That's not to say there aren't good restaurants in London, but pub to bistro, the French take the cake.
Two words: English wine. :disgust: Granted, the beer is better in Great Britain, but there's no comparison in wine, not even remotely.
While I like the Tube, it doesn't have the same character as Le Métro, at least not from what I have seen. It's a little more modern, a little less...I don't know. Perhaps just my personal impression.
Museums? Been to British Museum, V & A, Imperial War Museum (ok, that one rocks -- better than the equivalent in Paris, Les Invalides), and a few others -- Paris wins this one, too. London does have the Globe, though.
Oh, French women are better. Better teeth and accents.
French women are nasty, hairy and stuck up.
Our museums, well, natural history museum, science museum, all the war museums, etc...
The tube is the oldest on the planet, and safest and it's unique
Who drinks wine? Bleh, you can't beat british pubs and ale, anywhere, period
I explained my thoughts on food, yeah we lose on that part, if you don't know where you're going
Got you on the teeth part, too.
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