I just came back from bringing a group to Europe and here are some things I was telling people, who seemed to like my advice.
Today it is Paris
Notre Dame
Instead of lighting the candle you gave a donation for, take it with you. The larger ones, have the Notre Dame printed on it and its only 5 euros a nice gift for someone who is a good Catholic.
My favorite area to walk around is the St. Germain/St.Michel area - Take Metro to St. Michel or Odeon. My favorite little block to walk is St. Andres Des Arts - This block has everything, cute stores, hotel ( which is fabulous and cheap) art stores - yes you can buy art in Paris, bars (a good Irish Pub if you need to talk English to someone) , a good falafel place and walk up past the top of the block you will find very good bakeries ( boulangerie), macaroon shop on St Germain, wine store and super market. Go buy yourself a nice bagette, some cheese, wine and macaroons, then walk over to the Seine ( only two blocks away) or NotreDame and have yourself a French picnic.
Also in that area you will find some good book stores ( the Shakespeare and Co is near there ) a movie theater ( great if the weather is bad ) and all along the Seine are individual vendors selling cute souvenirs from their green carts . If you have people who like to split up, its a good area cause you can meet either at Notre Dame or the Fountain de St. Michel.
If you have teens, I hate to tell you this but nothing will make them more happy than shopping in H&M,, yes that is correct. I could not put my finger around it why you would want to shop in a store that you have here at home. They say its different, they walk out with a smile, and if you can make a teen happy ,, go to H&M. If it is raining take the Metro to Chatelet Les Halles- there is a huge underground Mall there. Give them time limits and be clear where to meet up . Also up stairs around the rue St.Denis, there are also a lot of funky shops the kids will like and a fountain for whoever is tired and just wants to people watch. The Pompidu is near by, if you need to have some culture after the mall.
Another teen tip, take them to the lock bridge,and buy a lock a head of time. At this point you may want to lock THEM at the bridge,, lol ( just kidding ) but let them put a lock there and take some nice pics of the Seine.
For those of you who wear glasses, I took my prescription with me. I was in the area of Monmarte and walked into a cute eye boutique . The woman put the most fabulous frames on me ever. She told me to go get a coffee and come back in an hour,, better than lens crafters . Mind you , they were expensive ( about $400 ), but I wear glasses every day, and I have had these frames now for 4 years and they are still cool. For me , instead of buying an expensive scarf that I would wear once a year, I bought glasses , and I love it when people say, "I love your frames, where did you get them?",, and I say, "Paris"
Quicker access to the Louvre, enter through the Carrousel du Louvre take the Metro to Palais Royal. You will avoid the longer lines outside at the Pyramid. Also tip with the Louvre, face the facts its as large as Disney, you will need a good week, to take everything in. So go see Mona, and then pick a few others you want to see- you will get lost but its a great way to work on you map skills. I always pick up some brochures for friends who speak other languages for a cute souvenir. The map will give you suggestions, take them. Say to yourself, you will just have to come back to Paris again and see more of the Louvre another time.
If you want a great way to end the evening . Take the Metro to Trocadero , bring a picnic and have it overlooking the Seine. Beware of the pickpockets and the guys with the Eiffel tower key chains. Buy some they are cheap, and do not take less than 5 keychains for 1 euro.
Watch the sun go down , and watch the lights go up at the Eiffel tower. Find out the sunset times. Then walk over to the Bateux Parisienne and take a 12 Euro ( 6 euro for students ) hour long ride on the Seine. ( I think 830 -9pm is good ), the Eiffel tower starts to sparkle at the top of the hour when it gets dark, and the boat times its perfect . Nice way to end an evening.
As far as food- I am a fan of the picnic- I can not recommend any restaurants. Lately I am with students and time limits , so sitting down to eat in France is stressful because they take their time, and we never have any. So pick something up and go eat outside. There are so many parks, fountains, scenic places to sit. Bring some plastic knives, a cork screw and plastic cups. Buy a big bottle of wine , non alcohol , some good bread, cheese , ham ( jambon) and fruit and have a delicious, healthy and cheap meal. Then after walk to a cafe ( they are all over ) and have a coffee and French cafe experience. ( use their bathroom ! )
Also remember if you visit Paris during peak seasons, lines are insane. So you may be only able to do one museum or attraction a day. My plan is this.
Go EARLY !! Line up BEFORE it opens - ie the D'Orsay
then spend your morning in the museum, go for lunch, go shopping, dinner,
Most places we tried to go around 11am , there were lines up to 3 hours.
My last tip is this- learn the words
"Parlez vous Anglais" ?
Ask them IN FRENCH if they speak English, it is polite, remember we are in their country, many people do speak English, but they speak French first.
If they say "yes/oui" , then then continue in English, if they say "Non" say "Merci" and find someone who does, or try and speak French.
People in Paris are a lot like NYers,, they will help you , but they are busy. and not interested in being your best friend. If they are, beware.
Also bring a little notebook, if you do not understand the amount and its not digital on the register, then ask
'ecrivez sil vous plait' ( can you write please )
have them write the amount down.
Bienvenue à Paris ( welcome to Paris )
Today it is Paris
Notre Dame
Instead of lighting the candle you gave a donation for, take it with you. The larger ones, have the Notre Dame printed on it and its only 5 euros a nice gift for someone who is a good Catholic.
My favorite area to walk around is the St. Germain/St.Michel area - Take Metro to St. Michel or Odeon. My favorite little block to walk is St. Andres Des Arts - This block has everything, cute stores, hotel ( which is fabulous and cheap) art stores - yes you can buy art in Paris, bars (a good Irish Pub if you need to talk English to someone) , a good falafel place and walk up past the top of the block you will find very good bakeries ( boulangerie), macaroon shop on St Germain, wine store and super market. Go buy yourself a nice bagette, some cheese, wine and macaroons, then walk over to the Seine ( only two blocks away) or NotreDame and have yourself a French picnic.
Also in that area you will find some good book stores ( the Shakespeare and Co is near there ) a movie theater ( great if the weather is bad ) and all along the Seine are individual vendors selling cute souvenirs from their green carts . If you have people who like to split up, its a good area cause you can meet either at Notre Dame or the Fountain de St. Michel.
If you have teens, I hate to tell you this but nothing will make them more happy than shopping in H&M,, yes that is correct. I could not put my finger around it why you would want to shop in a store that you have here at home. They say its different, they walk out with a smile, and if you can make a teen happy ,, go to H&M. If it is raining take the Metro to Chatelet Les Halles- there is a huge underground Mall there. Give them time limits and be clear where to meet up . Also up stairs around the rue St.Denis, there are also a lot of funky shops the kids will like and a fountain for whoever is tired and just wants to people watch. The Pompidu is near by, if you need to have some culture after the mall.
Another teen tip, take them to the lock bridge,and buy a lock a head of time. At this point you may want to lock THEM at the bridge,, lol ( just kidding ) but let them put a lock there and take some nice pics of the Seine.
For those of you who wear glasses, I took my prescription with me. I was in the area of Monmarte and walked into a cute eye boutique . The woman put the most fabulous frames on me ever. She told me to go get a coffee and come back in an hour,, better than lens crafters . Mind you , they were expensive ( about $400 ), but I wear glasses every day, and I have had these frames now for 4 years and they are still cool. For me , instead of buying an expensive scarf that I would wear once a year, I bought glasses , and I love it when people say, "I love your frames, where did you get them?",, and I say, "Paris"
Quicker access to the Louvre, enter through the Carrousel du Louvre take the Metro to Palais Royal. You will avoid the longer lines outside at the Pyramid. Also tip with the Louvre, face the facts its as large as Disney, you will need a good week, to take everything in. So go see Mona, and then pick a few others you want to see- you will get lost but its a great way to work on you map skills. I always pick up some brochures for friends who speak other languages for a cute souvenir. The map will give you suggestions, take them. Say to yourself, you will just have to come back to Paris again and see more of the Louvre another time.
If you want a great way to end the evening . Take the Metro to Trocadero , bring a picnic and have it overlooking the Seine. Beware of the pickpockets and the guys with the Eiffel tower key chains. Buy some they are cheap, and do not take less than 5 keychains for 1 euro.
Watch the sun go down , and watch the lights go up at the Eiffel tower. Find out the sunset times. Then walk over to the Bateux Parisienne and take a 12 Euro ( 6 euro for students ) hour long ride on the Seine. ( I think 830 -9pm is good ), the Eiffel tower starts to sparkle at the top of the hour when it gets dark, and the boat times its perfect . Nice way to end an evening.
As far as food- I am a fan of the picnic- I can not recommend any restaurants. Lately I am with students and time limits , so sitting down to eat in France is stressful because they take their time, and we never have any. So pick something up and go eat outside. There are so many parks, fountains, scenic places to sit. Bring some plastic knives, a cork screw and plastic cups. Buy a big bottle of wine , non alcohol , some good bread, cheese , ham ( jambon) and fruit and have a delicious, healthy and cheap meal. Then after walk to a cafe ( they are all over ) and have a coffee and French cafe experience. ( use their bathroom ! )
Also remember if you visit Paris during peak seasons, lines are insane. So you may be only able to do one museum or attraction a day. My plan is this.
Go EARLY !! Line up BEFORE it opens - ie the D'Orsay
then spend your morning in the museum, go for lunch, go shopping, dinner,
Most places we tried to go around 11am , there were lines up to 3 hours.
My last tip is this- learn the words
"Parlez vous Anglais" ?
Ask them IN FRENCH if they speak English, it is polite, remember we are in their country, many people do speak English, but they speak French first.
If they say "yes/oui" , then then continue in English, if they say "Non" say "Merci" and find someone who does, or try and speak French.
People in Paris are a lot like NYers,, they will help you , but they are busy. and not interested in being your best friend. If they are, beware.
Also bring a little notebook, if you do not understand the amount and its not digital on the register, then ask
'ecrivez sil vous plait' ( can you write please )
have them write the amount down.
Bienvenue à Paris ( welcome to Paris )
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