|
travellover
|
Great Tour of Paris with Aeon
My family and I booked a private tour of Paris in November with aeon tours (http://www.aeontours.com) after reading their reviews online. I am happy to say they did not disappoint. Our guide met us at our hotel (right on time) and took us all over the center of Paris. In the 4 hours we toured with him, I am sure we saw more than we would have seen in 2 days on our own. I would highly recommend them.
More
|
|
EleriW
|
A few ideas for the perfect trip to Paris
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
After living in Paris for 6 months, I inevitably learned a few things about the best places to visit (and to avoid!) For me, nothing could beat a Sunday afternoon wandering around The Marais, the fashionable district located in the third and fourth arrondissements. A far cry from the wide Parisian avenues of the more exclusive areas, the small streets are always bursting with life and activity, and this once impoverished area of the city is now the place to be, alive with restaurants, cafes and expensive boutiques which confirm its re-established reputation as the arrondissement à la mode. A trip to The Marais is not complete without a visit to the beautiful Place de Vosges, the oldest residential square in the city, where stunningly restored buildings look out over a public square, one of my favourite places to relax on warm autumn afternoons.
Another favourite haunt has to be St Michel in the Latin Quarter. Traditionally the home of intellectuals, artists and students, this area of the left bank is now more often overrun with tourists. Nevertheless, the Latin Quarter remains, in my eyes, one of the most beautiful and most interesting areas of Paris, not least because of the great diversity it offers. Housing the Sorbonne, the Jardin de Luxembourg and the Panthéon, its certainly not lacking in history. Other parts of St Michel can seem rather tacky, as the narrow streets are lined with themed restaurants, with over-eager waiters poised in the doorways ready to lure the unsuspecting passersby inside. But what is most alluring about St Michel is its lively atmosphere. You are guaranteed a good night in St Michel, whether you are looking for a traditional French dinner, a Greek theme night or just cocktails with sparklers in them! After a day of highly cultured sightseeing, who wants classy French cuisine when they can have a three-course meal and a laugh, all for fifteen Euros?
The Bastille area is another great place to spend a night socialising with friends. The site of an infamous prison may not seem like the obvious place for a light-hearted evening, but this area is now buzzing with bars and nightclubs. Although not always particularly cheap (free club entry is often compensated for by extortionate drinks prices) the wide range of venues ensures that there is something for everyone.
If you do feel like taking a break from the good food and good drink to indulge in a spot of culture, then check out the museums, which are free on the first Sunday of the month. You can admire the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe or gaze at the unusual creations in the Centre Pompidou without paying a penny, although be prepared for long queues, as both tourists and locals come out in full force to make the most of this offer. But the crowds are just another part of the whole Parisian experience, and anyone who is lucky enough to spend some time in this lively city is guaranteed an unforgettable stay.
More
|
|
jubond
|
The guided city tour of Paris
When I visit a city with many attractions for the first time and I spend just few days there, normally I take a city tour in that tourism bus (sometimes double decks), so I can know the main spots of the place. When I was in Paris for the first time, I did it and I liked so much. It is not cheap but in my opinion, it is great value for money. Indeed, I could see the main landmarks of the “city of light” and the advantage is that I also could stop in the points of my interest and explore them. After that, I could continue my tour in other bus with the same company. The tour is guided and normally is translated to other language and the tickets last for one day.
More
|
|
Estebanism
|
Sunset Jazz Club
The Sunset Jazz Club is not for tourists. If you're fearful of cigarette smoke and profuse amounts of alcohol, I'd try something more commercial. This is a real jazz club. It's tiny, the chairs are small and rickety, the bar is noisy, but the jazz is hot. The audience lets loose and bobs their heads, shouting out an occasional "Yeah!" or "Play it, brotha!" The drinks are cheap, but this isn't a seedy joint at all. The musicians play with expertise and sophistication and can make even the most stuffy jazz standard come to life. The ceiling is very low and the stage is set deep in a long, narrow, brick chamber. You might sweat a little if it's very crowded, but the entertainment and authenticity of the atmosphere is worth it. It's a good place to escape and party into the night.
More
|
|
mariaa
|
where to stay in paris
hi, i'm heading to paris soon but i'm unsure which area I should book my hotel.
I've narrowed it down to hotel valadon which is near the eiffel tower and hotel le senat which is near jardin luxembourg.
Could anyone advice which one is easier to travel around to the attractions? I'm also concerned about whether either area is too quiet at night and not safe for a lone traveller?
Thanks in advance!
More
|
|
waters
|
Les Egouts
What's dark, smelly and pretty gross to see in Paris? It's the sewer systems of Paris. This tour has become so popular that one can wait for hours on line to get in. I discoveredit is a great place to spend an hour with your children. It certainly is a place that won't soon be forgotten! After getting into the tour, you first go into a small museum and then see a film about the sewer system of Paris. Next a guide takes you into some tunnels to actually see the sewers in action. My daughter loved seeing this. I found the tour to be a little claustrophobic as well as a bit smelly but I was as fascinated as my daughter with what goes on under the streets of Paris.
More
|
|
ogiovetti
|
Hotel Richard
It's my opinion that the Hotel Richard gets a bad rap among the
Hostels.com and Hostelworld.coms of the world (wide web). True, the
hotel (in actuality, hostel) is pretty run-down, however it's not
without its charms. It is very 11eme Arrondissement, with no elevator,
chipping paint, great views of other apartments, and the feeling of an
abandoned apartment building. I suggest getting a private room, since
the prices are so cheap you don't need to worry about the upgrade. I
avoided the bathrooms (very dodgy) and washed up in the sink in my
room and was all set. I used the hotel for an overnight while
traveling through Paris and was satisfied enough; the girls who run
the front desk have an attitude but if you maintain a laissez-faire
attitude with them, you'll be fine. Make sure with this hotel you
print out all booking confirmations and receipts. Just in case.
More
|
|
ogiovetti
|
Creperies
Getting a crepe in Paris is about as easy as turning around a corner.
Many cafes (especially in the center of town) have take-away stands
that you can approach during normal hours. Here you can order a crepe
sucre, a Nutella crepe, or what is a seemingly endless variation
(sweet and savory) and eat it as you go along. And while street food
may leave you feeling a bit wary (especially if you've seen the dodgy
food carts in New York), take heart that these are of the same quality
you would get in a proper restaurant and cafe at half the price. And
very little compares to buying a crepe and walking around the center
of town (especially near Les Halles) while watching the sun set.
More
|
|
SparkofMoon
|
Living in Paris
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Anyone know of the best, yet most economical places to live in Paris? I want to try to find something near Champs-Elysees since I will be working there for 6 months. Any ideas?
More
|
|
waters
|
palace at Versailles
Palace at Versailles
I think that Versailles is one of the most beautiful palaces that I have ever seen. The approach up to the courtyard is breathtaking. Just the sheer size of the palace is beyond words. Unfortunately so were the crowds. I had been told that the day I went was a free museum day so naturally I believed that one would be able to walk right into Versailles. That wasn’t exactly what happened. Some of the gardens were free to explore but the actual tour inside the palace wasn’t free. I imagine that there are some people who would come all the way to Versailles and not go inside the palace to see it, but I wasn’t one of them. I waited almost ninety minutes just to purchase a ticket to go into the palace. Once inside the crowds seemed to thin out quite a lot. The rooms are small and unable to accommodate large crowds at one time. This was important because into allowed me to see the furniture and artwork without being rushed. I was also able to get close to the things I wanted to see. Versailles was built by Louis the Fourteenth during a time of unrest and poverty in his country yet the palace is unbelievable. The wall coverings in many of the rooms are silk while in other rooms the architect combined gold along with the plaster on the walls. After walking through the palace, I suggest that you go into the gardens. Again one has to purchase a ticket to go into the gardens. The lines here were long, I waited almost forty minutes to get my ticket. The wait was definitely worth it. The gardens are magnificent. They are huge so if you don’t feel like walking there are trams that you can take. Yes, you do have to wait on long lines to get on them and there is a small fee to ride them but they take you throughout the gardens. One is able to get on and off them so that you can see different things that might interest you. Take time to see Marie Antoinette’s Farm. It is still in use today. The lake is a perfect place to take pictures. There is even a place to rent boats and bicycles. There are also small restaurants and kiosks for drinks throughout the gardens. Versailles is a full day . There are numerous tours that you can take. It is also accessible by train. Enjoy the palace, have patience while waiting, take good walking shoes and try going during the week, not on a weekend.
More
|
|
cookie
|
Walking Tour
There is a free walking tour in Paris which is worth doing. One of the starts at 6pm in the Montmarte area and they meet outside of Moulin Rouge. The guide takes you through the montmarte area and talks about who used to live in the houses and how the shows of Moulin Rouge started. For those interested, you will also get to see where Van Gogh spent some of his years living with his brother and the story behind what happened. The tour also takes you past Sacre Cour which is a fabulous cathedral which has awesome views overlooking the city of Paris. The tour ends at aprox 8pm at the bottom of the steps of sacre cour and they will tell you where the next tour is for the following day for those who wish to do that. They do however expect a tip at the end of it which is fair enough.
More
|
|
cookie
|
Sightseeing
If you plan your stay in Paris, the best time to come is just off season so you don’t have to fight the crowds. A good tip is that if you are there on the last Sunday of each month then most museums and monuments are free to get into. The Arc de Triomphe is a must and is great to climb it at dusk so you see the streets around it and the Eiffel Tower light up at night. It is one of my favourite things to do in Paris. Try not to eat on the Champ de Elyse unless you have a lot of money to spend, although there was one restaurant about half way down and you knew it was cheap cause the queue outside was huge.
More
|
|
emiglia
|
Marchee de la Motte Piquet-Grenelle
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
A lot of markets in Paris are overrun with tourists, but there are still some that are frequented by locals, like this one in the 15th arrondissement. It may not be as exciting as the Puces of Clignancourt, but it's real. It's opened every Wednesday and Saturday. Most of the vendors speak English because of the nearby 7th arrondissement, where a lot of English expats live. I go here at least once a week for super-cheap clothes and great fresh food.
The stalls at the end of the market (farther away from the Eiffel Tower) often have cheaper prices, so be sure to peruse the whole market before making any quick decisions. If you go early, you'll have the best range of choice, but if you go right before lunchtime (around noon) you'll get to take advantage of vendors trying to sell whatever they have left at extremely reduced prices.
More
|
|
shreena
|
Shopping!
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Take a bus down the Champs Elysees. The shops are pretty boring, and largely chain stores, but it's pretty, and a nice way to see place de la concorde and l'arc de triomphe.
For high street shopping, visit Rue de Lafayette
Get off at Clingancourt and visit the flea/antiques market. It's surprisingly bargainous!
For interesting boutiques, get off at Grands Boulevards and wander through the four arcades there. Wander up to the Cadet tube stop from there, and eat a cake from one of the Jewish Quarter cafes
Along the...North bank of the Seine, roughly opposite the Eiffel Tower, there are a bunch of stalls selling (largely) second hand books. Great for a photo op.
More
|
|
shreena
|
saving money
There's a travelcard (I forget what it's called) that gives you 3 days unlimited travel, as well as free access to 60 museums. I got one when I went last, and it fast tracked me to all the sights.
More
|
|
shreena
|
Culture!
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
There is a travelcard (I forget what it's called) that gives you 3 days unlimited travel, as well as free access to 60 museums. I got one when I went last, and it fast tracked me to all the sights.
Skip the Louvre if you can, as it will be full of Da Vinci freaks still. Take a walk through the Jardins Tullieries instead and go to the impressionist art gallery there. Lots of Matisse, Renoir, and Monet are hidden away in this gallery, and give a good selection of the more 'indigenous' talents of Paris.
More
|
|
shreena
|
Shopping
Take a bus down the Champs Elysees. The shops are pretty boring, and largely chain stores, but it's pretty, and a nice way to see place de la concorde and l'arc de triomphe.
For high street shopping, visit Rue de Lafayette
More
|
|
emiglia
|
The Bus
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
One of the best tips I can offer for a traveler to Paris is to ride the bus. The métro is usually much more convenient and always much faster, but riding the bus a few times will give you a sense of the city's layout. It's often difficult to remember where one arrondissement starts and another ends, and with so much whirlwind sightseeing, it seems as though everything is in the same neighborhood and yet nothing is close together. The best way to get your bearings and truly understand the large city is to pick a bus line and ride it all the way to the end.
The bus routes are not as easy to understand as the metro routes, however, so while I advise picking up a map of all of the lines from the metro station, the best way to pick a bus is to just look at the sign in the stop where you are and see which stops each serves.
Recently, the government installed a technology that is supposed to tell you how long it will be until your bus arrives, but with the street traffic, this is often unreliable by factors of ten minutes or more. Hopefully this will get better soon.
More
|
|
emiglia
|
Angelina
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This incredible café is famous for its desserts: the Montblanc is the one that people generally go for, and its African hot chocolate, which is essentially amazing-quality dark chocolate melted into a cup and served with whipped cream. Bring a friend and order one dark and one white (which comes with chocolate whipped cream) and mix and match. If you need to get real food, the croque monsieurs and madames are incredible, and the side salad might make you feel better about all the chocolate you just consumed, but the best idea by far would be to accompany your chocolate with one of the desserts in the display case at the front of the café.
More
|
|
janiem1
|
Napoleon's Tomb at Hôtel des Invalides
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
According to the history tablets we found at the Hôtel des Invalides, the place itself was originally built by King Louis XIV to house soldiers who had been injured in battle.
If you paid even the slightest bit of attention in one of your European or World History classes, you'll know a bit about Napoleon, whose ashes lie here in a dark red sarcophagus, mounted on a green granite base, guarded by twelve massive statues in a circle. It was beautiful and very accomodating for Napoleon.
For adults, prices were just 8,00€ per person.
More
|
|
