Tips for your Paris Trip
Here are the few things that I learned when going to Paris last year.
1. Take a good guide book such as Eyewitness Guide to Paris, it's a bit heavy though. I'm also going to try out Let's Go Paris 2004, since the reviews are good. Costco has a nice little discount on the Eyewitness Guides usually.
2. A good shopping guide would be helpful, just roaming around got me to all the major department stores but some boutiques would have been nice. I'm going to order Where to Wear 2004: The Insider's Guide to Paris Shopping, and see how that one is.
3. A good map is very very helpful (of course). Don't buy the Michelin Paris Pocket Atlas (by Arrondissements) Map No. 16 (which I couldn't figure out and was annoyingly too large and detailed, particularly since it didn't come in English and it's out of print now yay!), do try out Streetwise Paris or use the map in the back of the Eyewitness Guide. Or just pick up one of those freebie Printemp maps that they have around at hotels which also point out the major department stores etc. Paper and easy to tuck away. Although mine started falling apart from so much use. Plus Printemps is fun to shop, so at least check it out while you're there. They have maps on the ground floor as well and most of their maps have a discount coupon, which I happily used. My dad also bought me Inside/Out Paris, which I'll probably use most of the time since its small, has a guide, map, compass and pen! So handy!
4. If you plan on using the metro (duh) or go to any Museums (this applies to London as well, in my experience) you absolutely MUST buy the Museum and Metro Passes . I like to buy them in advance, but you can buy the Museum pass at department stores such as La Samaritaine. I prefer to get mine in advance, particularly since the first time I went I had no friggin clue how the metro machines worked, and still don't. I just the good ole passes! The benefits are that you not only save money on this and can get in almost anywhere by flashing your pass, you can also go to the front of the line (at D'Orsay) or go in a special entrance (at the Louvre) with NO waiting. This was particularly helpful when it was 100+ degress in paris last year during the August heatwave when we were there. The D'Orsay line went 3 blocks! In the direct sunlight! I would have passed out for sure.
5. You don't really need to know French in Paris, just basics like Merci, or Excusez-Moi was a personal favorite since people like to get in your way. Knowing decent pronunciation is nice and less touristy and knowing some basic words or even phrases may help when looking for the restroom (Ou sont les toilettes, s'il vous plait?) . I did need to know some French in Versailles, so knowing my numbers helped in particular. Not as many English speakers in the main town.
6. The last thing I picked up for this years trip was Paris Revisited: The Guide for the Return Traveler. I haven't gotten it yet so I'll let you know if it sucks or not.
At the risk of pissing someone off who will not like that I'm going on a big trip right now, this years trip to Paris will be in June, (if all goes well). Two of my friends will be meeting me there, (if all goes well) and we will have a crazy good time! My immediate plan is to stay at my tattoo artist/friend's apartment for four days then stay in a hotel with my friends for the the remaining 5 days. I'm psyched and hope this all works out! I'll keep ya posted.
Can you offer anymore Paris tips? I know some people have been there (that's YOU Jenn!) and can probably offer some comments.
1. Take a good guide book such as Eyewitness Guide to Paris, it's a bit heavy though. I'm also going to try out Let's Go Paris 2004, since the reviews are good. Costco has a nice little discount on the Eyewitness Guides usually.
2. A good shopping guide would be helpful, just roaming around got me to all the major department stores but some boutiques would have been nice. I'm going to order Where to Wear 2004: The Insider's Guide to Paris Shopping, and see how that one is.
3. A good map is very very helpful (of course). Don't buy the Michelin Paris Pocket Atlas (by Arrondissements) Map No. 16 (which I couldn't figure out and was annoyingly too large and detailed, particularly since it didn't come in English and it's out of print now yay!), do try out Streetwise Paris or use the map in the back of the Eyewitness Guide. Or just pick up one of those freebie Printemp maps that they have around at hotels which also point out the major department stores etc. Paper and easy to tuck away. Although mine started falling apart from so much use. Plus Printemps is fun to shop, so at least check it out while you're there. They have maps on the ground floor as well and most of their maps have a discount coupon, which I happily used. My dad also bought me Inside/Out Paris, which I'll probably use most of the time since its small, has a guide, map, compass and pen! So handy!
4. If you plan on using the metro (duh) or go to any Museums (this applies to London as well, in my experience) you absolutely MUST buy the Museum and Metro Passes . I like to buy them in advance, but you can buy the Museum pass at department stores such as La Samaritaine. I prefer to get mine in advance, particularly since the first time I went I had no friggin clue how the metro machines worked, and still don't. I just the good ole passes! The benefits are that you not only save money on this and can get in almost anywhere by flashing your pass, you can also go to the front of the line (at D'Orsay) or go in a special entrance (at the Louvre) with NO waiting. This was particularly helpful when it was 100+ degress in paris last year during the August heatwave when we were there. The D'Orsay line went 3 blocks! In the direct sunlight! I would have passed out for sure.
5. You don't really need to know French in Paris, just basics like Merci, or Excusez-Moi was a personal favorite since people like to get in your way. Knowing decent pronunciation is nice and less touristy and knowing some basic words or even phrases may help when looking for the restroom (Ou sont les toilettes, s'il vous plait?) . I did need to know some French in Versailles, so knowing my numbers helped in particular. Not as many English speakers in the main town.
6. The last thing I picked up for this years trip was Paris Revisited: The Guide for the Return Traveler. I haven't gotten it yet so I'll let you know if it sucks or not.
At the risk of pissing someone off who will not like that I'm going on a big trip right now, this years trip to Paris will be in June, (if all goes well). Two of my friends will be meeting me there, (if all goes well) and we will have a crazy good time! My immediate plan is to stay at my tattoo artist/friend's apartment for four days then stay in a hotel with my friends for the the remaining 5 days. I'm psyched and hope this all works out! I'll keep ya posted.
Can you offer anymore Paris tips? I know some people have been there (that's YOU Jenn!) and can probably offer some comments.
