tips for paris

[shopbruin]

actually i'll be in paris starting the... 23rd but i leave for london on wednesday.

i need tips! i'll be heading out to paris and i need some quick info besides the usual tourist spots.

the big one:
do i need an english tour of the louvre or can i wander on my own?

notre dame - by tour or wander on my own?

 

[Feldenak]

Wear a condom....she's a skank.

 

[Queasy]

Avoid the rioting Muslims.

 

[Homerboy]

walk/metor and observe
don't be a "tourist"

seriously, while the tourist things are "must see" checklist items if you are into that sort of thing, we found that the best way to enjoy Paris is just to enjoy it. Go for a walk through the park(s) and watch the people. Hit small stores and cafe's Its an INCREDIBLY charming and warm city if you just don't pull off the "I'm a tourist" vibe. Just go and enjoy it... site on the Champs for 3hrs and suck down coffee (and check out the womens )

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Feldenak
Wear a condom....she's a skank.

i think he's a she.

 

[Pacemaker]

If you are American tell them you are from Canada. They will hate you less that way.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: Feldenak
Get a dental dam....she's a skank.

i think he's a she.

Fixed

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: Feldenak
Wear a condom....she's a skank.

i think he's a she.

In that case, don't go down on her. Let her go down on you!

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Pacemaker
If you are American tell them you are from Canada. They will hate you less that way.

truth... but the French hate everyone pretty equally.. they treat everyone like crap.. but Americans x2..

 

[Homerboy]

truth... but the French hate everyone pretty equally.. they treat everyone like crap.. but Americans x2..

They were nothing but nice to my wife and I....

 

[MixMasterTang]

Originally posted by: freesia39
actually i'll be in paris starting the... 23rd but i leave for london on wednesday.

i need tips! i'll be heading out to paris and i need some quick info besides the usual tourist spots.

the big one:
do i need an english tour of the louvre or can i wander on my own?

notre dame - by tour or wander on my own?

You should be fine at either location without a tour. I believe they also had some self-guided headphone type tour things in English if that type of thing interests you. If you have time Versailles was actually really neat. If you like wine, you can pick up some pretty decent stuff for only a few Euro's at the little markets they have. Also you can't pass up stopping in at a McDonalds for a beer

 

[MixMasterTang]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

truth... but the French hate everyone pretty equally.. they treat everyone like crap.. but Americans x2..

They were nothing but nice to my wife and I....

I've never had a single problem with anyone being rude to me while I was there either. I think most people speak from speculation and not from experience.

 

[Homerboy]

You should be fine at either location without a tour. I believe they also had some self-guided headphone type tour things in English if that type of thing interests you. If you have time Versailles was actually really neat. If you like wine, you can pick up some pretty decent stuff for only a few Euro's at the little markets they have. Also you can't pass up stopping in at a McDonalds for a beer

I say just wonder on both... pick up some general books on the palces you want to see. Screw tours. Too rigid and you'll be with a bunch of blue-hairs or other "tourists".

I would say, if you have the time, plan a day-trip to The Castle of Versailles. Metro dumps you off blocks from it and its simply ASTOUNDING. We took a carriage ride through the gardens too ($100) and it was CRAZY. That is the one tour we've taken while over there. Well worth it.

 

[klod]

Pay close attention to anyone holding a sweater with their hands crossed in front of them. Those are likely pick pockets. Get a money belt. I had my airline ticket in my front pants pocket, and a 10-year old girl tried to pick pocket me on the subway. They're everywhere. Also, if you give change to one gypsie you will be swarmed by a dozen of them. If you're going to the louvre get there early or be prepared to stand in line for hours. The buses and subways are pretty easy to figure out. I enjoyed wandering around.

Good info here.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: Pacemaker
If you are American tell them you are from Canada. They will hate you less that way.

truth... but the French hate everyone pretty equally.. they treat everyone like crap.. but Americans x2..

FYI Asian + American = hate x100

French treat asians like dogs.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

I walked on my own when I was in Paris two years ago. Go the Museum and walk on your own. Unless you are really into Art to me the Museum was great, but most things didnt make sense to me. I also only got to see like one wing of the Lourve, the other wings were closed. Notre Dame was cool also walk around on your own.

When it comes to safety, I never felt unsafe.

 

[hoorah]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

You should be fine at either location without a tour. I believe they also had some self-guided headphone type tour things in English if that type of thing interests you. If you have time Versailles was actually really neat. If you like wine, you can pick up some pretty decent stuff for only a few Euro's at the little markets they have. Also you can't pass up stopping in at a McDonalds for a beer

I say just wonder on both... pick up some general books on the palces you want to see. Screw tours. Too rigid and you'll be with a bunch of blue-hairs or other "tourists".

I would say, if you have the time, plan a day-trip to The Castle of Versailles. Metro dumps you off blocks from it and its simply ASTOUNDING. We took a carriage ride through the gardens too ($100) and it was CRAZY. That is the one tour we've taken while over there. Well worth it.

We did the carridge ride through the gardens as well, as I had been promising a horse carridge ride to my girlfriend for some months and all of the local ones were gone for the summer (seasonal place).

Definitely take a wander through the gardens in Versailles - theyre HUGE. If you walk all the way down to the end of the rectangular lake and then off to the right (towards the "Temple of Love" on the map, there is a very quaint small village in the woods back there. Its not a anything special, but the fact that there is a VILLAGE in the gardens makes you really realize how huge the grounds are. Its a very relaxing place.

Also, if you're going to go to the gardens, there is a bundle pass you can purchase at the train station that takes you out to Versailles. You purchase your train ticket AND Versailles admission there, and you don't have to wait in the 1+ hour line for admission when you get to Versailles. And I think you save some money also.

For things to do in the city, you really don't need a tour guide for Notre Dame and the Lourve, most of the attendants speak English, at least enough to sell you a ticket. Watch for pickpockets around the Eiffel tower.

Even if you're not into photography (I'm not), try to take some pictures from the top of the Eiffel Tower at night - you'll have to balance the camera on a stationary object to keep it from blurring, but you can take some FANTASTIC night pictures of the city from up there.

If you're going to be there for more than a few days and plan on using the underground, get a carnet of tickets - its a pack of 10. Saves time and money buying them each time you get on.

Okay, one last thing. Repeat after me (in French): I would like a Bananna and Nutella crepe, please!

 

[wyvrn]

Originally posted by: Pacemaker
If you are American tell them you are from Canada. They will hate you less that way.

The Parisians were pretty nice to me when I went this summer. I only spent a weekend, but people were easy to talk to (that knew English).

 

[EKKC]

Originally posted by: Feldenak
Wear a condom....she's a skank.

my thoughts when i first read the thread title

 

[z42]

Originally posted by: hoorah

Originally posted by: Homerboy

You should be fine at either location without a tour. I believe they also had some self-guided headphone type tour things in English if that type of thing interests you. If you have time Versailles was actually really neat. If you like wine, you can pick up some pretty decent stuff for only a few Euro's at the little markets they have. Also you can't pass up stopping in at a McDonalds for a beer

I say just wonder on both... pick up some general books on the palces you want to see. Screw tours. Too rigid and you'll be with a bunch of blue-hairs or other "tourists".

I would say, if you have the time, plan a day-trip to The Castle of Versailles. Metro dumps you off blocks from it and its simply ASTOUNDING. We took a carriage ride through the gardens too ($100) and it was CRAZY. That is the one tour we've taken while over there. Well worth it.

We did the carridge ride through the gardens as well, as I had been promising a horse carridge ride to my girlfriend for some months and all of the local ones were gone for the summer (seasonal place).

Definitely take a wander through the gardens in Versailles - theyre HUGE. If you walk all the way down to the end of the rectangular lake and then off to the right (towards the "Temple of Love" on the map, there is a very quaint small village in the woods back there. Its not a anything special, but the fact that there is a VILLAGE in the gardens makes you really realize how huge the grounds are. Its a very relaxing place.

Also, if you're going to go to the gardens, there is a bundle pass you can purchase at the train station that takes you out to Versailles. You purchase your train ticket AND Versailles admission there, and you don't have to wait in the 1+ hour line for admission when you get to Versailles. And I think you save some money also.

For things to do in the city, you really don't need a tour guide for Notre Dame and the Lourve, most of the attendants speak English, at least enough to sell you a ticket. Watch for pickpockets around the Eiffel tower.

Even if you're not into photography (I'm not), try to take some pictures from the top of the Eiffel Tower at night - you'll have to balance the camera on a stationary object to keep it from blurring, but you can take some FANTASTIC night pictures of the city from up there.

If you're going to be there for more than a few days and plan on using the underground, get a carnet of tickets - its a pack of 10. Saves time and money buying them each time you get on.

Okay, one last thing. Repeat after me (in French): I would like a Bananna and Nutella crepe, please!

Good advice here. There is a nice little cafe in the Versailles gardens that's a nice lunch/snack spot.

I would recommend the Eyewitness Travel Guide for Paris. It will give you some good info not only on which museums to go to, but also where the major works of art are and why they are special. We used them in Italy and it was great. The Louvre is overwhelming, and I wish I had some more information when I was there.

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: Homerboy

truth... but the French hate everyone pretty equally.. they treat everyone like crap.. but Americans x2..

They were nothing but nice to my wife and I....

Same here. I always wonder what these people did to piss them off so much.

 

[George P Burdell]

http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/0602/audiotour.htm

 

[Syringer]

You'll be fine wandering on your own.

They have tour buses that for 18 euros will take you to all the major sights, that allow you to get on and off at any stop for two days..I'd recommened that if you want to just relax and enjoy the city from an open air bus. The metro doesn't quite provide the views as a bus can.

Also, Frenchies are not the biggest in good customer service, so keep that in mind.

I'd also recommened, if you have the time to go to the palace of Versailles, it's very nice out there. It's about an hour train ride out of Paris and can provide a whole day's worth of entertainment.

 

[IBuyUFO]

I was in Paris and they're very nice to Americans. Most of the stores and restaurants can speak English unless you go out to the boonies. What most people tell you here are from their ignorance and stereotypes. Don't listen to them.
The best way to get around in Paris is with their underground transportation. It's very easy to go from one place to another and trains are never too far behind each other.
In terms of the museum you don't need a tour guide at all. The louve is huge and you can expect yourself to spend a day in there. I got tired of walking around and left that place in a few hours.
It's always a good idea to carry your valuables in your front pocket or some other pocket that is not easily accessible from the back. A money belt would be good to carry your passport, id, credit cards and money. When we were in Paris we didn't have any problems at all walking at night.

 

[chambersc]

******.

EDIT: lol, i can't believe that it's a censored word, now.