France - Paris - Thanks for the memories

A couple of weeks ago I visited Paris for four days and I must say all of my expectations were blown out of the water right from the start. I had heard all about how rude the people were and how dirty some parts of the city was and how I was going to be robbed within minutes of arriving at Gare du Nord.

Now, while some parts of the city are less desirable than others, I still felt it was a beautiful city on the whole. I went with a treat people as you would like to be treated attitude and I never encountered a rude person in my entire time there. I learned a little bit of French (the basics, you know) and I was able to communicate quite effectively with the locals. Parlez vouz anglais is invaluable and remember, just because someone says "no" when you ask them, it doesn't make them rude. It just means they don't speak English. Is that such a crime?

I heard it was expensive and to be sure, in some areas the prices can be quite steep but after asking a couple of local lads on my first night near the Sacre Cour, I was directed to a nice little restaurant where I got a really nice meal for a decent price. Eating on a budget is still available in Paris if you know where to look or who to ask.

I never felt in danger or afraid of being robbed or pickpocketed no matter where I went in the greater Paris area. I try not to look like a tourist or at the very least try and not be an easy target. They are mostly looking for an easy score and if you make it hard for them, without being overly cautious or vigilant, you will have no worries. I find that is true for a lot of cities throughout the world.

I was a bit hesitant when booking to go to Paris as I thought it might be a bit of a fizzer. How wrong I was. Paris has gone somewhere near the top of my favourite cities in the world. I will definitely try and get back there at some time in the future. So much more for me to see and do, even though I crammed a lot into the four days I was there.

Paris has gone somewhere near the top of my favourite cities in the world. I will definitely try and get back there at some time in the future. So much more for me to see and do, even though I crammed a lot into the four days I was there.

Welcome to the club and welcome to Flyertalk, TheStinger.

Bobette

The idea that Parisians or French people are rude is totally out. Maybe that was the case 2 or 3 decades ago but the reality in France and Europe is very different in 2012.
I have traveled several times to Paris and I always have a great time: people are nice and helpful, they will do their best to communicate with you in any language (they usually speak 2 or 3) and it is probably safer than most US cities.
Food is absolutely awesome and you would have a hard time finding a bad meal in France. Service is most restaurants is far superior to most restaurants in the US. You can take your time ordering and you can spend as long as you want after the meal. There is no constant "can I get you something else?";
Glad to hear you had a good time.
May I suggest a trip to Lyon and Provence next time.

I went with a treat people as you would like to be treated attitude and I never encountered a rude person in my entire time there. I learned a little bit of French (the basics, you know) and I was able to communicate quite effectively with the locals. Parlez vouz anglais is invaluable and remember, just because someone says "no" when you ask them, it doesn't make them rude. It just means they don't speak English. Is that such a crime?


+1. The phrase "un vin rouge, s'il vous plaît" will last you all day in Paris. :p

Cheers.

Food is absolutely awesome and you would have a hard time finding a bad meal in France.

There is a lot of fabulous food in Paris, but it isn't that hard to find some absolute crap as well. Luckily at least half of that can be avoided by skipping most brasseries and places with tourist menus.

I have to say that even a little place with a tourist menu in 5 different languages is better than most run of the mill food places in the US. And the prices in those places is very competitive.
Bistro Romain has several places in Paris and their menu varies between 10-20 euros and they have some great plates and desserts. Try finding that in the US. You would pay more than that for a half way decent burger and fries.

I have to say that even a little place with a tourist menu in 5 different languages is better than most run of the mill food places in the US. And the prices in those places is very competitive.
Bistro Romain has several places in Paris and their menu varies between 10-20 euros and they have some great plates and desserts. Try finding that in the US. You would pay more than that for a half way decent burger and fries.

Thank you very much for the bistro name. Going to Paris with the family (2 boys 6/8) and the only thing I really dread is the eating part. My wife and kids are fairly plain eaters and anything I know ahead of time will help.

And yes, I agree, the level of quality of food is fairly high compared to US at a base level. Germany is like that too I have found.

Thanks again.

I have to say that even a little place with a tourist menu in 5 different languages is better than most run of the mill food places in the US. And the prices in those places is very competitive.
Bistro Romain has several places in Paris and their menu varies between 10-20 euros and they have some great plates and desserts. Try finding that in the US. You would pay more than that for a half way decent burger and fries.
I've eaten hundreds, if not over a thousand, meals in Paris , and I still stand by my statement that there is a lot of crap. But chains like Bistro Romain aren't too bad and are somewhat predictable. Chez Clement is similar, and in my opinion better. Indiana and Hippopotamus on the other hand are aweful.

Thank you very much for the bistro name. Going to Paris with the family (2 boys 6/8) and the only thing I really dread is the eating part. My wife and kids are fairly plain eaters and anything I know ahead of time will help.

Wood fire pizza in Paris is plentiful and may be a really good option for you. It's also fairly reasonably priced. Look for "feu de bois" on the sign.

If you absolutely must have a burger, the Hard Rock Cafe in Paris isn't bad and is actually one of the better Hard Rocks in the system. The best burger in Paris is at Coffee Parisien (also great eggs benedict) but be warned, burgers will be cooked in the French style on the rarer side (a "well done" or "bien cuit" will be more like a medium). Also note that Coffee Parisien, and to an extent HRC, are a little pricy for what you get.

Stinger,

I am glad you enjoyed your time there. I was there about 15 months ago and it was an absolute great time. I had been there before (last being in Jun 89). This past trip was totally different (or maybe I just matured more). Paris is my all time favorite city in the world. I found a great hotel in the 2nd Arr and it was perfect for me. I wish I could go back and see Paris in the spring. If only I was conversant in French but I did fairly well with my limited French skills.

Stinger,

I am glad you enjoyed your time there. I was there about 15 months ago and it was an absolute great time. I had been there before (last being in Jun 89). This past trip was totally different (or maybe I just matured more). Paris is my all time favorite city in the world. I found a great hotel in the 2nd Arr and it was perfect for me. I wish I could go back and see Paris in the spring. If only I was conversant in French but I did fairly well with my limited French skills.

How about sharing the name of this hotel in the 2er?


Bobette

How about sharing the name of this hotel in the 2er?


Bobette

Here is the location on Google Earth:

http://maps.google.com/local_url?q=http://www.hotel-chamonix.fr/&dq=Hotel+Chamonix&cid=14038255371022893464&ui=earth&view=teaser&hl=en&ved=0CBAQ5AQ&sa=X&ei=daY1T43cB4eEwAHoxcVS&s=ANYYN7lSahZWJ9PEDtDOMmuTmrGAACiSsA

And here is the hotel's website.

http://www.hotel-chamonix.fr/English--Hotel.phtml

I think the prices must have gone up. I paid less then that for my double room (120 euros I think; booked on Venere.com website). The location was great. There was a Starbucks right at the top of the street though lots of little pastry shops and restaurants in the area. Plus it was very close to the metro stop. I took the RER from CDG to Gare du Nord and walked to the hotel (about 10 mins or so; though I only had a carryon at the time). I bought a booklet of 20 metro tickets for my 4 days there and it nearly worked out (had to buy a few extra). As for the hotel, I didn't buy the breakfast. Instead I went to a local market and bought some fruit. Add that to a few fresh croissants from the pastry shop and I was good. I did buy the internet for 1 24-hour period. Hopefully the information was helpful Bobette.

Here is the location on Google Earth:

http://maps.google.com/local_url?q=http://www.hotel-chamonix.fr/&dq=Hotel+Chamonix&cid=14038255371022893464&ui=earth&view=teaser&hl=en&ved=0CBAQ5AQ&sa=X&ei=daY1T43cB4eEwAHoxcVS&s=ANYYN7lSahZWJ9PEDtDOMmuTmrGAACiSsA

And here is the hotel's website.

http://www.hotel-chamonix.fr/English--Hotel.phtml

I think the prices must have gone up. I paid less then that for my double room (120 euros I think; booked on Venere.com website). The location was great. There was a Starbucks right at the top of the street though lots of little pastry shops and restaurants in the area. Plus it was very close to the metro stop. I took the RER from CDG to Gare du Nord and walked to the hotel (about 10 mins or so; though I only had a carryon at the time). I bought a booklet of 20 metro tickets for my 4 days there and it nearly worked out (had to buy a few extra). As for the hotel, I didn't buy the breakfast. Instead I went to a local market and bought some fruit. Add that to a few fresh croissants from the pastry shop and I was good. I did buy the internet for 1 24-hour period. Hopefully the information was helpful Bobette.

The hotel looks great, from my experience of Parisian hotels you were right to go elsewhere for breakfast. Some years ago on my first visit to Paris I stayed in a hotel in that area, it might even have been the same place judging from the pictures.

I hope you avoided the Starbucks, it's easy to find real coffee in Paris without drinking that horrible stuff :)

Here is the location on Google Earth:

http://maps.google.com/local_url?q=http://www.hotel-chamonix.fr/&dq=Hotel+Chamonix&cid=14038255371022893464&ui=earth&view=teaser&hl=en&ved=0CBAQ5AQ&sa=X&ei=daY1T43cB4eEwAHoxcVS&s=ANYYN7lSahZWJ9PEDtDOMmuTmrGAACiSsA

And here is the hotel's website.

http://www.hotel-chamonix.fr/English--Hotel.phtml

I think the prices must have gone up. I paid less then that for my double room (120 euros I think; booked on Venere.com website). The location was great. There was a Starbucks right at the top of the street though lots of little pastry shops and restaurants in the area. Plus it was very close to the metro stop. I took the RER from CDG to Gare du Nord and walked to the hotel (about 10 mins or so; though I only had a carryon at the time). I bought a booklet of 20 metro tickets for my 4 days there and it nearly worked out (had to buy a few extra). As for the hotel, I didn't buy the breakfast. Instead I went to a local market and bought some fruit. Add that to a few fresh croissants from the pastry shop and I was good. I did buy the internet for 1 24-hour period. Hopefully the information was helpful Bobette.

This looks like a nice little find. I've stayed in the 1arr, 6arr, 8arr, 14arr and the 15th arr but never in the 2er. Thanks HawaiianTrvlr.

Bobette

BadgerBoi, I actually only went there once or twice. :) I was just glad to find it because I collect their city mugs (bought one for myself and my sister who also collects them).

Bobette, glad you found the information useful. The bed was extremely comfortable. I truly enjoyed opening my windows and hear the sounds of Paris flow in. I walked up and down Bonne Nouvelle a few times (the main street where Rue d' Hauteville comes to). It was a quaint street and an easy walk to the Opera and then to the Louvre. I was all set to post a trip report in the Trip Report section of FlyerTalk but lost my writeup when my old computer crashed. After 5 days in Paris, I spent 3 days in Normandy and then onto Italy for a week.

BadgerBoi, I actually only went there once or twice. :) I was just glad to find it because I collect their city mugs (bought one for myself and my sister who also collects them).

Well, as long as you didn't go for the coffee...:)

I recalled my first hotel in Paris, it wasn't the one you mentioned, it was in rue Taylor, Hotel Annexe (was called the Louxor back then) and it's still there. My room was tiny, but I'd been staying in pensiones in Italy and Germany so to have my own bathroom and tv was a real luxury. I think it's perhaps not quite as nice as your Chamonix, but it still looks to be well-kept and a bargain, their site says single rooms start at 53 euros.

I'm going back to Paris in June, but we stay in apartments now when we visit.

This hotel worked very well for me. It was a decent room. I do remember it actually had a small twin bed in the room along with the double bed (though I was traveling solo). The bathroom was a decent size too. It did come with a small flat screen TV with a few English speaking stations. I think the main one was BBC or maybe CNN international. I searched and searched for a decent hotel. In one of the other forums, I learned about Venere.com and it was extremely helpful. Though I spent a few weeks trying to narrow it down. I finally just gambled and booked this place. I am glad I did. On my last visit (Jun 89), I was traveling with my mom and 2 others. We had a 2-star that wasnt too far from Gare du Nord. I just remember it wasnt the cleanest and the hot water ran out early in the mornings.

Can I go with you in June? I can't wait to go back.

This hotel worked very well for me. It was a decent room. I do remember it actually had a small twin bed in the room along with the double bed (though I was traveling solo). The bathroom was a decent size too. It did come with a small flat screen TV with a few English speaking stations. I think the main one was BBC or maybe CNN international. I searched and searched for a decent hotel. In one of the other forums, I learned about Venere.com and it was extremely helpful. Though I spent a few weeks trying to narrow it down. I finally just gambled and booked this place. I am glad I did. On my last visit (Jun 89), I was traveling with my mom and 2 others. We had a 2-star that wasnt too far from Gare du Nord. I just remember it wasnt the cleanest and the hot water ran out early in the mornings.

Can I go with you in June? I can't wait to go back.

This is such a wonderful thread, nice memories of a beautiful place.

Sure you could come, the more the merrier, and you'd enjoy meeting the Parisian friends that I've made over the years. We even have room for you - the one bedroom apartment we wanted wasn't available, so the people we rent through gave us a two-bedroom place for the same price, in rue Vieille du Temple.

Oh how I wish I could go. I looked at the area you are renting the apartment and it looks like a nice area too. It looks to be somewhat close to the area where I stayed.

Paris definately has a magic to it. That was my 4th trip there. My first trip was on a bus tour (late 80s). We hit all the major hot spots and I remember the hotel was on the outskirts of Paris (at the end of one of the metro lines that wasnt too far from the cemetary where Jimmy Hendrix is buried. We got an authentic French meal at a place not too far from Notre Dame. Otherwise we were on our own.

I just wish I spoke better French so I could go there more often. Of course, having money would help too.

In 2007 we stayed in the rue Rambuteau and from our apartment window we looked across the road to a butcher, a fishmonger, a baker and a bookshop among others. We spent a lot of time just hanging out the window taking it all in.

Early one morning we were woken by a huge racket. It was the night of the elections, and there was a riot progressing down our street, people who were unhappy that Sarkozy had been victorious. No real damage done, I think that they'd come from the Bastille area where they had broken windows and lit a few small fires, but they'd pretty much run out of puff by the time they reached our street and they were just jumping on cars and knocking rubbish bins over.

My French improves every time I visit, and over the years I've been lucky enough to make friends with some Parisians who gently correct me when I butcher their language, and patiently let me participate, stammering, in their conversations. This year I'm lucky, my currency (Aussie dollar) has skyrocketed against the Euro, but I love visiting there so much that I go as often as I can, no matter how it cripples me financially.

Wow, that sounds like an eventful trip with the election crowd. Where is the rue Rambuteau area?

The second trip I took to Paris was over Thanksgiving weekend. I spent the dinner with some friends in my little German town. The wife had family visiting from the US (which my friend , the husband didn't like and didn't want to show them around). So I offered to take them to Paris via train. It was a mom, a 17-year old son and a 9-year old girl. They were excited about seeing something other than the German village they had been in. Can you imagine coming all the way to Germany for 2 weeks and only seeing the same village each day? So I pick them up and we go to the local train station for the overnight train to Paris. The little girl kept talking nearly the entire 6 hour train ride. Of course by the time we got to Paris, she was tired and complaining. Our plan was to walk around a bit, get a hotel room for the night and take the train back to Germany late the following afternoon. We didn't make it til noon of our arrival day. The little girl basically complained about everything. "The McDonald's fries don't taste the same as the ones back home." "Why don't they speak English here?" and on and on. We came in around 7am and by noon, I was ready to throw them in to the Seine. The mom thought it would be best if we just went back to Germany. They only got to see the train station, the Champs de Elysee and the Eiffel Tower. We took the metro back to Gare du Nord and caught the next train back to Germany. My friend gave me that "I told you so look" when I dropped them back off at their house.

I fell in love with Paris after a mere 36 hour trip. The people I met were helpful and nice, food and drink incredible. I must go back, as soon as possible!

Wow, that sounds like an eventful trip with the election crowd. Where is the rue Rambuteau area?



Rue Rambuteau is in the Marais, it leads to the Pompidou Centre (Beaubourg), near the Town Hall and a quick walk to the river. It's a terrific street for tourists, there are a lot of apartments and shops in the street so you are living amongst Parisians and not just other tourists. We came became on familiar "bonjour" terms with several of the people who lived in our building who we would bump into on the stairs.

I'm a bit sad that the apartment we have rented this year looks over a courtyard and not onto the street, but I'm sure that will have a certain appeal as well.

I fell in love with Paris after a mere 36 hour trip. The people I met were helpful and nice, food and drink incredible. I must go back, as soon as possible!

Don't just leave it at that...who did you meet, why did you find them to be helpful and nice, what did you eat and drink that was so incredible, and where?

My friend gave me that "I told you so look" when I dropped them back off at their house.

:D Nice story. ^

The idea that Parisians or French people are rude is totally out. Maybe that was the case 2 or 3 decades ago but the reality in France and Europe is very different in 2012.
I have traveled several times to Paris and I always have a great time: people are nice and helpful, they will do their best to communicate with you in any language (they usually speak 2 or 3) and it is probably safer than most US cities.
Food is absolutely awesome and you would have a hard time finding a bad meal in France. Service is most restaurants is far superior to most restaurants in the US. You can take your time ordering and you can spend as long as you want after the meal. There is no constant "can I get you something else?";
Glad to hear you had a good time.
May I suggest a trip to Lyon and Provence next time.

I am thinking of going back to France soon and I have heard good things about Lyon and Marseilles. Will definitely check them out.