kinhell
Head Pro
Looking to take the missus to Paris during easter. Can anyone recommend anywhere to stay or to avoid?
Anyone been to Paris
- Thread starter kinhell
- Start date
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
I would avoid Paris, it's a sh1thole.
Grumps
Tour Rookie
I was nearly caught in middle of a war while queuing at the tower but was told by cashier at booth it was only a little gang fight ( police used the guns to break it up ) so only go during day if I was you
Basher
Tour Winner
Good answer murph, made me chuckle. 
Never been, have no intention tbh, heard it's a bigger rip off than London!
Plus it's probably full of French people. Wonder if Retiefs been whilst visiting his best mate?
Never been, have no intention tbh, heard it's a bigger rip off than London!
Plus it's probably full of French people. Wonder if Retiefs been whilst visiting his best mate?
medwayjon
Tour Winner
Been once, just for a day, never again, absolute toilet of a city.
If you fancy a short-hop how about one of the nice Belgian cities? I have done a couple and they were thoroughly enjoyable.
If you fancy a short-hop how about one of the nice Belgian cities? I have done a couple and they were thoroughly enjoyable.
chrisd
Major Champion
The best advice I can give if you are going by Eurostar is to be ultra careful in Gard du Nord station on arrival. The place is crawling with people who will be trying to con or steal from you. Dont let anyone get metro tickets for you, keep all of your belongings (wallets, purse) etc where they cant be got at and dont leave anything (cases) where they can be picked up - in fact- get out of the station as soon as you can!
I know a number of people who have been pickpocketed or conned there!
Otherwise, apart from the prices, Paris is lovely - enjoy it!
Chris
I know a number of people who have been pickpocketed or conned there!
Otherwise, apart from the prices, Paris is lovely - enjoy it!
Chris
richart
Major Champion
And the beers are much better.
medwayjon
Tour Winner
Oh yes, remember being very messy out there more than once!
surefire
Challenge Tour Pro
I agree with the above, Paris is not that great, although worth visiting at least once.
As said above I would say Brussels is a much better choice though.
As said above I would say Brussels is a much better choice though.
ADB
Journeyman Pro
It all depends what you want out of the weekend really, if its to stroll the streets soaking up the atmosphere and spend some time alone with your wife, Paris is fantastic.
If you want to do tourist things, Eiffel Tower, River Trip on the Seinne, Notre Damme you are in for an expensive and crowded time.
I took my wife for two nights for our anniversary two years ago and as she used to work in Paris we had a great time rediscovering her old haunts, plus we walked miles hired bikes and didn't take any public transport. We tended to stay away from the typical tourist traps, especially when looking for somewhere to eat as they absolutely take the pi$$ for terrible food.
My advice is do some research beforehand in places to eat and drink and if you are staying over the weekend, book a table as the good places (i.e not eye wateringly expensive) tend to get busy.
Enjoy and vive la difference!
If you want to do tourist things, Eiffel Tower, River Trip on the Seinne, Notre Damme you are in for an expensive and crowded time.
I took my wife for two nights for our anniversary two years ago and as she used to work in Paris we had a great time rediscovering her old haunts, plus we walked miles hired bikes and didn't take any public transport. We tended to stay away from the typical tourist traps, especially when looking for somewhere to eat as they absolutely take the pi$$ for terrible food.
My advice is do some research beforehand in places to eat and drink and if you are staying over the weekend, book a table as the good places (i.e not eye wateringly expensive) tend to get busy.
Enjoy and vive la difference!
Yerman
Journeyman Pro
Paris -most beautiful city in the world, pearls before....
B
birdieman
Guest
Philistines. Have you no culture in you at all?
Paris is a beautiful city but avoid the summer. I did a 3 day trip with the Mrs a few years ago in March and it was great, cold and sunny and few tourists, the Parisiens were friendly.
We got a great deal on a nice hotel on the Rue de la Paix through Expedia, very central, a direct Air France lear jet from Aberdeen to Charles de Gaulle and a simple transfer. Prices were fine at that time of year but I understand it has become very expensive since the £ has collapsed in value.
Think the Scots have a better repartee with French perhaps, English and French just seem to clash?
Me and the Mrs thought it miles more attractive than London fwiw.
Brussels? Do me a favour.
Paris is a beautiful city but avoid the summer. I did a 3 day trip with the Mrs a few years ago in March and it was great, cold and sunny and few tourists, the Parisiens were friendly.
We got a great deal on a nice hotel on the Rue de la Paix through Expedia, very central, a direct Air France lear jet from Aberdeen to Charles de Gaulle and a simple transfer. Prices were fine at that time of year but I understand it has become very expensive since the £ has collapsed in value.
Think the Scots have a better repartee with French perhaps, English and French just seem to clash?
Me and the Mrs thought it miles more attractive than London fwiw.
Brussels? Do me a favour.
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
Ok, here we go.
Been there several times. Stupidly busy, expensive (£7 a pint on the chance elysee), terrible food (forget what the frenchies think, most of their food you wouldn't give to a dog unless you hated it), mainly due to poor quality meat and an insistence on serving everything next to raw. Toilets are still often a hole in the floor, which in 2011 is unacceptable. The people are rude, and arrogant. The restaurants close at lunch time (same throughout France). Last time out it was so dusty I looked like the MacDougal flour man after a 1/2 hour walk. Taxi drivers haven't a clue where they are going. Bars have different tariffs on whether you are standing at the bar, sitting but getting your own drinks, or being served at table (beware, if you sit at table the bill can be pretty gobsmacking). Can't get near the Eiffel tower (that said I get vertigo standing on a chair), r the louvre, and did I mention how blommen rude the frenchies are?
Yes it's pretty, but so is Katy Price, and I wouldn't go there either.
My brother in law is a Parisian. He lives in Augsburg, because he prefers it.
Been there several times. Stupidly busy, expensive (£7 a pint on the chance elysee), terrible food (forget what the frenchies think, most of their food you wouldn't give to a dog unless you hated it), mainly due to poor quality meat and an insistence on serving everything next to raw. Toilets are still often a hole in the floor, which in 2011 is unacceptable. The people are rude, and arrogant. The restaurants close at lunch time (same throughout France). Last time out it was so dusty I looked like the MacDougal flour man after a 1/2 hour walk. Taxi drivers haven't a clue where they are going. Bars have different tariffs on whether you are standing at the bar, sitting but getting your own drinks, or being served at table (beware, if you sit at table the bill can be pretty gobsmacking). Can't get near the Eiffel tower (that said I get vertigo standing on a chair), r the louvre, and did I mention how blommen rude the frenchies are?
Yes it's pretty, but so is Katy Price, and I wouldn't go there either.
My brother in law is a Parisian. He lives in Augsburg, because he prefers it.
DMC
Challenge Tour Pro
I have been a couple of times,lovely city just a shame its full of French folk,wont be going back. As mentioned Brussels is well wort a visit as is Bruge, or Copenhagen.
BROOKIE
Challenge Tour Pro
its a terrible place,even the germans left..
Had a very eventful 24hour stopover in Paris once en-route to Nice for a football match.
Not the best circumstances to judge one of the supposedly great cities of the world but I saw absolutely nothing to tempt me back.
Not the best circumstances to judge one of the supposedly great cities of the world but I saw absolutely nothing to tempt me back.
Macster
Journeyman Pro
Paris is possibly very nice, but spoiled by the Parisiens........horrible arrogant MTF'ers.......
I'd rather go to Orleans, La Rochelle, Vannes, or indeed anywhere else in France.
I'd rather go to Orleans, La Rochelle, Vannes, or indeed anywhere else in France.
daymond
Tour Rookie
Been twice with Mrs D for 2-3 days some years ago. Fantastic and both of us would do it tomorrow if the pound euro rate was'nt so bad.
Look for hotel accommodation on UK websites for costs and location.
PS we were there on one trip on bastille day. Avoid unless you enjoy firework anarchy.
Look for hotel accommodation on UK websites for costs and location.
PS we were there on one trip on bastille day. Avoid unless you enjoy firework anarchy.
viscount17
Money List Winner
been two or three times. stayed in Argenteuil first time, which was pure chance as Monet did a lot of his paintings round there and HID loves Monet's work. getting into the city was pretty easy and cheap by train.
the other occasions were for Stone's concerts. still find travel in the city pretty easy by metro and there is definitely no need to get someone else to get your tickets. if in doubt buy a carnet.
Paris waiters have a reputation for being rude and snotty - it's well deserved especially if you're a Brit, don't speak nasal french and are in any of the restaurants in the busier areas.
Plan your trips to the toilet carefully - they too close for lunch! especially in the crowded tourist areas such as Notre Dame. Try to avoid standing still in these areas too - they'll have a crap caricature drawn, demand lots of dosh and have a handy gendarme standing by - you will lose.
if you use the open top bus try and vet your fellow passengers - avoid US females who go on and on about Dolce & Gabana - god help you when they see the shop!
that said we have managed to enjoy our visits, not had a bad hotel and found decent food by being a bit selective about restaurants - funnily enough some of those near the stations actually aren't bad - depends what you want. *Do not let HID know about the restaurant up the Eiffel Tower! You can't afford it.* (fortunately you have to book well in advance)
you also need to book in advance for certain parts of the Louvre
oh and romantic walks along the embankments of the Seine may not be a good idea - especially after dark. last time we were there we found that encampments of the unwashed had been set up on the support structures of all the city's bridges. despite Paris' reputation for great perfumeries a gasmask would be an essential!
the other occasions were for Stone's concerts. still find travel in the city pretty easy by metro and there is definitely no need to get someone else to get your tickets. if in doubt buy a carnet.
Paris waiters have a reputation for being rude and snotty - it's well deserved especially if you're a Brit, don't speak nasal french and are in any of the restaurants in the busier areas.
Plan your trips to the toilet carefully - they too close for lunch! especially in the crowded tourist areas such as Notre Dame. Try to avoid standing still in these areas too - they'll have a crap caricature drawn, demand lots of dosh and have a handy gendarme standing by - you will lose.
if you use the open top bus try and vet your fellow passengers - avoid US females who go on and on about Dolce & Gabana - god help you when they see the shop!
that said we have managed to enjoy our visits, not had a bad hotel and found decent food by being a bit selective about restaurants - funnily enough some of those near the stations actually aren't bad - depends what you want. *Do not let HID know about the restaurant up the Eiffel Tower! You can't afford it.* (fortunately you have to book well in advance)
you also need to book in advance for certain parts of the Louvre
oh and romantic walks along the embankments of the Seine may not be a good idea - especially after dark. last time we were there we found that encampments of the unwashed had been set up on the support structures of all the city's bridges. despite Paris' reputation for great perfumeries a gasmask would be an essential!
toonarmy
Q-School Graduate
Wow.
Feel free to ignore the xenophobia in here! Opinions, like derrier-holes, can be found on anyone. So let me attempt to redress the imbalance...
Paris is a magnificent city. Not once in all the times I've been have I felt threatened or fearful. You will not dine better anywhere in the world on such a regular and casual basis.
For what it's worth, on my last (very) recent trip, I found the natives to be friendly, conversant in English willingly and unfailingly polite. So much so, that I found myself shaking my head in shame that our country has stooped so low that we are now out-etiquetted by the Parisiens of all people.
Admittedly in the past, the Parisiens could be a little haughty to say the least, but how friendly do you think most Frenchies find London these days?
Marvellous place and happy to give some suggestions if wanted via PM.
Feel free to ignore the xenophobia in here! Opinions, like derrier-holes, can be found on anyone. So let me attempt to redress the imbalance...
Paris is a magnificent city. Not once in all the times I've been have I felt threatened or fearful. You will not dine better anywhere in the world on such a regular and casual basis.
For what it's worth, on my last (very) recent trip, I found the natives to be friendly, conversant in English willingly and unfailingly polite. So much so, that I found myself shaking my head in shame that our country has stooped so low that we are now out-etiquetted by the Parisiens of all people.
Admittedly in the past, the Parisiens could be a little haughty to say the least, but how friendly do you think most Frenchies find London these days?
Marvellous place and happy to give some suggestions if wanted via PM.
