Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

Ok, girls....I am leaving for paris in less than 2 weeks...I need to know:

*Restaurants not to miss (or just yummy spots)
*Special places that were off the beaten path...
*Anything that I should need or bring that I might not have thought of....

(Don't need to know any of the toursity places as I am armed with a ton of info. on those...)

What should I bring as far as clothes? Do they wear jeans a lot? What's the weather like this time of year??

I have traveled in Europe quite a bit, but have never been to Paris, so any advice, tips or recommendations are welcome!

THANK YOU!

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

Last time was there was 12 years ago so I am not much help, but I alway bring my own medicine wth me! So that's one advice I can give you!

Also, check our frommer's. They are really good with off the beated path things!

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

I LOVED this Thai placed called the Blue Elephant. It's by the Bastille and pretty popular so I would make reservations. I heard the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower is really nice and good food too.

There is a chocolate place/bakery right outside these gardens.... man I cannot remember what it's called but they are like the main jardins in the middle of the city..... I will try to get the name of the chocolate place for you- it was soooooo good.

I went in August so it was warmer but I wore shorts, capris... I was casual. Be sure to hit the department stores like Les Printemps and BonMarche which I'm sure you know of. Usually if you pick up one of those tourist maps from your hotel they have 10% off coupons in there.

Where are you staying?

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

I thought of some more things... go to this area called the Trodedoro at night - it gives you a great view of the Eiffel Tower. Also, we took a boat ride down the Siene and it was amazing. We loved it and seeing all the buildings at night.

For some reason I think people drive like maniacs in Paris. Be careful when you cross a busy street- cars come out of nowhere. Esp. on the Champs Elysees. Also, be prepared to walk ALOT of steps- everywhere you go- Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe - tons of winding staircases!!!!

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

Do you mean Jardin de Luxembourg?

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

OH YAY! Thanks Ladies!!!!

Merf - I am staying at the Hotel Verneuil
It's on the left bank...and from what I have heard...in a great location!

I am so excited....I wish the 16th was here already!

Whatnow - Thanks for the tips on bringing your own medicine...I ALWAYS do that too....
You can never be too careful or too cautious!

Merf - If you can - I would LOVE the name of that choc. place...hey - what girl doesn't love chocolate?

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

I'll find it for you. Jessica- what is your e-mail address? You can FM it to me if you want. I found this great guide that my friend made me and I carried it around Paris with me.

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

FM!

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

YEAH ITS PARIS TIME!!!!


I was on a big time budget both times I went, so what we would do is ask the 'concierge' of the hostel what were good places to eat...we found that they were an invaluable resource!!! they would steer us to fabulous little bistros and such...that were affordable on a McDonalds budget...

next time I go i want to eat at Montparnasse - where Hemingway ate...I eaten in places he has in Key West and Madrid...



Some of my favorite things in Paris:
English writers walking tour...I couldn't find the one we used (they may not be there - but I found out about them in the hotel from a brochure)

here is a link of other walking tours


Mike's Bike Tour (changed name...but still a very easy leisurely ride) and they even have the segways

bike tour



the Picasso Museum


Père-Lachaise cemetery - Jim Morrison...Abelard and Heloise...Oscar Wilde...Collette...among others


and buy one piece of clothing in Paris!!!
rue du Fauburg St. Honor

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

I think my Mom would be apprehensive about doing an actual BIKE tour....but the segway tours look so cool!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU YABBO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it's almost here...I am so excited!!!!

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

If you want to eat at the Jules Verne (one of the restaurants in the Eiffel Tower) MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

When we were in Paris over New Year's, we tried to get reservations, but you needed to have made reservations 3 months prior (holiday season and all).

So, I recommend making a reservation for lunch or dinner NOW.

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

We did a 'City Lights' tour, which was really nice, it was a tour of all the major sites at night with all the beautiful lights. I liked it more than a regular day time tour.

The only MUST HAVE accessory in Paris....MANY SCARVES!
EVERYONE WEARS Scarves, everywhere all the time

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

THANK YOU KATHY!!!!!!!! (you know I needed to know what the must have accessory was! lol )

Also, about the tour - was it a walking tour? How was it facilitated?

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

The tour we took was through CITYRAMA, and it was on a double-decker bus (be sure to get the upper level of the bus, because the top is partially glass).

We stayed at The Meurice Hotel, which was walking distance to CITYRAMA tours, and to the Louvre (sp?).

I would seriously make those reservations for at least a lunch! I'm still kicking myself that we didn't get to eat there!

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

Thanks Kathy!!! I appreciate all the tips!!!
And I have been taking notes on your Switzerland tips to Merf as well!!
Zermatt looks AMAZING!!!

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

is mom up for the ferris wheel?

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

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Posted by yabbobay

is mom up for the ferris wheel?

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Oh yeah!!!!!!!

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

Jessica- that Jules Verne place was listed in the email I sent you. I have heard it's excellent. Let us know if you get reservations!

Re: Paris Travelers....NEED HELP!

We were just there last week. wonderful honeymoon Two restaurants to try that you can most likely look up in a time out or small world guide or something:

Chez Rene - the scallops were amazing

El Truffiere - That looks like a cross between Spanish and Italian...hmmm not sure of spelling, but this restaurant was absolutely incredible!!!! It was a truffle restaurant. Pretty expensive, but we splurged because it was our honeymoon....amazing service, amazing food, amazing wine....Probably the best meal I've ever had!!!

There's one more that was some sort of Brasserie with Beaujoulais in the title....I think on Blvd San Germain. It was very good. The french onion soup was excellent and the rabbit was wonderful.

I'll look them up at home tonight, so FM me if you want correct spellings!!! :) have fun!!!