First time in Paris
 

Dear FTers,

Me and the wife is planning our first trip to Paris in Sep. Booked 5 nights at the Paris Marriott Rive Gauche Hotel, not sure how convenient is the location, any thoughts ?

And we're also wondering if there are any tourist pass for visiting museums and transportation. Any help is appreciated.

Your location will be fine - Paris has a wonderful Metro system and you will be able to get wherever you wish to go. That said, one of the best parts of Paris is walking around the city and that will also be possible (except for the more remote areas).

Museum passes are available for 2 days or more. They are not cheap but the major advantage is that they allow you to bypass what can be very long lines for tickets. I usually purchase the two day passes from the hotel concierge - longer passes usually need to be purchased at a tourist bureau.

Two issues here. First of all, when you have the passes, there is an urge to make the most of them and we tend to run our rear ends off - it can be exhausting! Second, you may find that you really don't need them in September when the big crowds should be gone and museum lines much shorter. We are returning in December and will not buy them this time.

Our friends stayed at the Marriott Rive Gauche and loved it. If I recall, they negotiated club access on arrival and felt it was definitely worth it. Have a great time!

The Marriott Rive Gauche gets high marks from many in the Marriott forum.

Since the OP is a Marriott Gold, he should automatically get club access, no?

Thanks Stevens, we'll check online for the 2 days/more days options online. Is it a better idea to purchase them in advance online or should we just wait til we get there and work with the concierge ? Any chance that those might be sold out ?

One more question, since this is out first time and we most definitely wants to visit the Eiffel tower, any good tips and tricks in buying the best deal and view in going up ?

Thanks again.

Not sure about GLD, I know PLT will definitely get access to the lounge, it will be nice if they let us in. Which will save us a lot of trouble looking for breakfast and afternoon drinks. lol.

I purchased the PMP and it was one of the best things I did in Paris. We went in March when it was not tourist season and it was invaluable being able to hop to the front of the line since we only had a few days in Paris. We purchased ours at the Lourve.

If you want, PM your e-mail address, I can send you some Paris stuff I just sent to someone else to help plan your trip.

The hotel is not in the center of Paris but it will be just fine. It's a nice hotel with nice rooms and the metro and bus stops are almost across the street. The exec. Lounge is decent as well.

You can get the museum passes when you get there. There's no need to buy them on-line. As someone else said, you might not even need a pass in September.

Hope you have a wonderful time.

Bobette

If you need tips, info related to the Marriot area (such as restaurants, metro, bus or other shops) feel free to ask me: i used to live a few blocks away

Many find this a plus for the hotel (it's in Paris, just not by all the touristy stuff - it's very near Denfert-Rochereau, a major transportation connection point with lots of "more-local" shops and cafes on/near Ave du General Leclerc). There are lots of reviews on the Marriott forum and on TripAdvisor if you want to get a better feel of the place.

I've stayed there so I have a feel of the place.

Bobette

I was in Paris last year for the first time. I had a limited time there and didn't want to deal with transportation issues, getting lost, taking wrong metro and so on.
I found out the hope on, hope off bus tours were a very good way of seeing the town. Their ticket per person is about 35$ and it is good for 2 days. They hit all of the major sights, they have headphoness and a tape explaining what you are seeing and if you want to get off someplace, there will be another bus every 15 minute until around 7-8 PM, depending of seasonal schedules.
I spent one tour, about 2 hours seeing all of the sights and starting next time around got off at places that I had marked as interesting on my time around.
I was lucky in that one of the stop was walking distance to my hotel.
It may not work for all but it worked form me.
Enjoy the city, it is beautiful and i didn't have any of the issues with rude people you hear all the time. May be I was just lucky.

I've read all the reviews and decided to spend all my 120,000 points for 5 nights in this property, hopefully it's worth it.

SO how does you feel about it ??

I too have heard stories of friends being treated poorly in France. Both my wife and I don't speak a word of French, let's just hope that we will be as lucky as you're and be treated fairly during our trip.

I liked it and it is worth the 120K points. The staff was great. I would stay there again. Don't worry about not speaking French. Almost everyone speaks English. You'll have no trouble at all. I've been to Paris countless times and have not been treated rudely.....to the contrary. If you know bonjour, merci and s'il vous plait, you'll be just fine.

As I said in my first post, it is a bit out from the center of Paris but that is not a negative with this hotel.

Report back and let us know how your trip went.

Bobette

Most people I have dealt with in Paris have been welcoming; most people, even Parisians ;), appreciate the demonstrated attempt to learn a few basic words in the local language. The only people who are likely to treat one badly in Paris, IMO, are the con artists (dismiss out of hand anyone who "finds a ring" and tries to approach you, or the "deaf / mute" kids with their phony petitions), if you allow them to take advantage of you.

I think many of the stories are 1) urban legends, retold myriad times, and 2) stories told by people who themselves were rude or insensate. French do have higher standards of courtesy than the average American, just as occurs with Latin Americans, Middle Easterners, etc. More handshaking, greetings, etc. - just observe how others interact.

Etiquette Lesson from a Frenchman
 

The French are very conscious of certain niceties. It's important to say "Bonjour" upon entering a shop. Similarly, make sure you say, "Au revoir" upon leaving a shop. And definitely, say, "Bonjour" before blurting out your question.

Despite knowing all of the above, I got a bit flustered one day when trying to exit a French department store. I wanted to exit the same way I had entered (the main entrance), but couldn't find the way. I saw a security guard and asked where the main entrance was.

Instead of answering, the security guard leaned over to look me straight in the eye. With a huge grin, he said, "Bonjour!" I understood immediately and apologized for my lack of manners. He gave me the directions I needed and we parted amicably. I almost gave him a hug for his gentle reminder.

Enjoy France!

We learned it at the Metro station, twice asking for help without first saying, "bonjour." We finally figured it out!

I'm sure that somewhere in France is a French FT bulletin board with threads about teaching courtesy to Americans!

Bonjour, i am french i don't speak a good english but don't forget that many many french people don't speak english. And there are 3 magics words "bonjour" "merci" "aurevoir" and we will open our door to you and help you as possible

Bienvenue en France and enjoy your stay

Jud974

This is true. Just pick up a Rick Steves French Phrasebook (http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Fr.../dp/1598801864), memorize the basics on the flight/train over. All you need is bonjour, bonsoir, Parlez-vous anglais, Oui, non, Merci beaucoup, au reviour and I find desole (I'm sorry) works well. Such as:

Bonjour. Desole. Parlez-vous anglais ?
Good day. I'm sorry. Do you speak English ?

The French (and rightly so in my book) don't like it when you assume they speak English.

Have a great trip. Cheers.

I have seen many encounters take a bad turn because of this. Always ask first.

Enjoy your trip!

I'm just back from a vacation to Paris. I find this really a joke and misleading to say the Metro system in Paris is wonderful. The trains itself are also poorly maintained. It's positively primitive compare to the tube system in London or nicer subway systems in other big cities. Sure there are connections to get you to where you want but the actual metro station itself is always dark, dirty and crime infested and pickpockets everywhere. Every french person or regular tourist that I have come to speak to while in Paris can recall at least one or two experience of being robbed or pickpocketed in the metro station.

The people are not friendly. You can say Bonjour all you want but unless you personally know them, or perhaps speak fluent French, they are generally not helpful. Some are downright rude and go out of their way to treat tourist and foreigners with contempt. Sure sights like Effiel and Lourve are beautiful places to visit but the city itself is not a welcoming place, pretentious, dangerous, crime-infested city. The food and most of the restaurants are not what it is made out to be, with mediocre food quality at inflated rip-off prices. The shopping is not also not what it is made up to be. Everything they have in Paris including supposedly high end brands are available outside of Paris as well and with much better service. Once is enough I think. Been there done that and probably not coming back.

During the same trip, I also visited London and comparing these two cities, London is far better by miles. The people are way more friendly and helpful, the public places clean, the tube system efficient and actually more things to do and see.

This is a Paris forum and I think my opinion is not going to be popular but I am just saying what I feel from the perspective of a first time visitor. My apologies if I caused any offense.

Dear BENLEE

i am sorry you did not enjoy Paris and Parisians.
it is interesting to read your opinions and i of course respect this, so no offense here

Yes the metro system in Paris is efficient but yes it can look dirty, old and is infested with pick pockets...mais c'est la vie ;) however i never let them any chance to try robbing me

i hope one day you will consider to visit again Paris and the rest of France

regards

Mud

I tend to think that a lot of people who are treated rudely get what they ask for. I have seen some "ugly Americans" treat French, Spanish etc... RUDELY and then whine "people were rude to me" GEE... If your attitude is it's "crime infested" etc... it will be self fufilling. (And BenLee you have not talked to me. As a regular tourist I have been to Paris more then 10 times and NEVER been the victim of a crime. I have gone with friends, teen agers, coworkers etc.... no crime. As a matter of fact I have TWO crime stories over lots of Europe travel. One happened in the Tube you think was so much better. Traveling companion was a pickpocket victim. The other was in Spain same deal!)

And the "metro" is less advanced then the tube OMG that's so funny! The tube is pretty much admitted to be outdated and full of issues (by the British who are busy working on it because it breaks down all the time etc... they promised the Olympic committee it would be better and hopefully will make thier goal, but having been there this summer when several parts of it were closed for "repairs" I don't think they are there yet!)

If you go with a chip on your shoulder expecting "American" outgoing then you will be disappointed. It's a different culture where "reserve" is expected. They aren't your "friend" until they know you. That's not rude it's thier culture!

I have stayed at this hotel numerous times and really like it. You will see lots of AA flight crews.

Attitude is everything in life. If you go expecting "just like home" then probably the thing to do is stay home, you won't be happy! If you go with an open mind and realize "just because they don't slap you on the back" doesn't mean they are rude, it's just thier culture....you will have a good time.

(And get off the main tourist drags for food. It's great and affordable if you don't eat where they have 10,000 other tourists!)

Mrs jacknyoc and i have been to Paris...and other parts of the French countryside...on three somewhat extended trips over the past few years. We have done the tourist stuff...and have done a lot of non-tourist stuff. We have encountered a wide assortment of local residents...in shops, restaurants, in parks, on the streets, etc. We have nothing but fond memories of them and have no outstanding "Ugly French" stories that so many people seem to crave. We're always quite amazed when we hear about how rude the French are...and the surprised reaction when we tell our own stories. maybe it's one of those things that if spread around enough, people will believe it rather than experience it themselves. go to Paris...go the the French countryside...enjoy it all...and stop looking for excuses. it's different...it's supposed to be...that's why we travel. now, if you want to talk about rude people, our local grocery stores and roadways were pretty full of them over this past holiday weekend : )

I can only comment from what I experienced. And the impression is not good. By the way, I got my wallet stolen/rob at a Paris Metro and has aggravated me a lot and caused me a lot of trouble. The police wasn't helpful at all and even try to laugh off the incident. They are more interested in enjoying their morning coffee than to file the police report for me.

Those French people that are nice are only those in my hotel, and one or two exceptions. But the vast majority I encountered, the waiters, taxi drivers, museum attendants, common people on the street, airport officers are all very rude. I am a well traveled person and never experienced such in any other cities except Paris.

I maintained my views that Paris is a crime infested, unwelcoming city full of very arrogant shallow people that think too highly of themselves. For those that think I was having the wrong image to begin with, no, my views of Paris were not formed before I go there but after my trip. Perhaps if I had this view, I will be more careful and not let my wallet be stolen. And because that is what I experienced, I don't think I will come back again. For those who are defending this city, good for you and glad you can continue to enjoy your visits to Paris.

What makes you think I am American? I am from Asia by the way, not American. So this post is not another American tourist ranting about the misunderstood French. Based on what I saw, the metros in Paris are definitely filthy, dark places. Even the doors on the trains, you have to physically open it most of the time. The London tube is way more advance and pleasant. No contest. I took the tube everyday while in London. No breakdowns or delays. They only closed certain parts for upgrading.

The comparison between the tube and the parisian metro is either a joke or a big misfortune.
I really don't know where to start. I will not argue with you as you have your own opinion based on your experience.
I am sorry you have been robbed, but it is possible in all big cities, except in Japan and maybe some other countries. But your words say it is typical and I can assure you it is not. Friends have been robbed in Madrid, Rome, NYC.
Which lines did you use in Paris. Some lines are being upgraded with new trains and the RATP is finishing an important work in almost all metro stations in Paris. You cannot say it is dark places.

I will stop here as it would be too long otherwise.

I am really sorry you did not like your experience in Paris. But to be honnest, either you were unlucky, either you did not behave well.

True, every big city have criminals, but only in Paris do you see the Metros and popular tourist destination populated with hordes of scumbags and lowlife criminals out to pickpocket or scam people or cause a nuisance to the public. And worse, the police knows about these people and yet do nothing to clear them out, and so does the city government. So the problem fester and so does the crime rate that comes along. Do you deny this? I heard the government even provide welfare for these people. Perhaps in the name of Human Rights? Even the locals I've talked to knows about this situation and complain about it bitterly because it's their tax money that subsidies this.

I didn't behave badly, and to be honest also, I think it's presumptuous of you or anybody to say so without evidence. I was trying to be nice to everyone, including greeting in Bonjour. What I got was at best indifference and at worst, like I was intruding or bothering them with something when what I want to do is just to place my meal order or ask some questions about something I want to buy. It's just really not welcoming. I can go into details but it's pointless since I am not going to change opinions here. That said, there are some exceptions, but few and far between.

Perhaps I was really unlucky. In any way, this discussion is mot, I am not coming back. All of us are shaped by our experience and perhaps there are many nice friendly French people out there but I didnt encounter them. There are far better places for me to spend my $$$ without putting up with sour long faces everywhere and getting stress up at the risk of being a victim of crime.

BENLEE's rants about crime in Paris are not supported by either common knowledge or even details of his experience, which I imagine we'll now have to plow through since I've noted that shortcoming. Pickpockets in Metro? Sometimes but most cases are naive tourists who leave their valuables easily accessible. Robbery? I've never heard of a robbery in the Paris metro, at least not in any stations where a visitor is likely to go.

BENLEE had better also stay out of Italy as well as all the Mediterranean countries, as they make Paris seem like Disneyland. Disneylands, however, are quite safe, the people are polite and I believe the one in France has a patisserie on Main Street.

BENLEE, you seem to know a lot about French political situation for a tourist!

I am sorry if you understood I said you behave badly. I said "not well" and there is a difference, at least for me.
I am glad to help tourists in the street when they are lost. But not in all circumstances and especially not if I am "attacked" by them. I do not say you did that.
Moreover, you visited Paris during summer, so a lot of us are on vacation. Maybe, the people you met were resentful they were not somewhere else.
Next time (but I do not think that will happen), call me!

Dear GuillaumeD,

No problem. We are just having some exchange of opinions. So perhaps if I will to go to Paris again, however unlikely it seems now, I can hire you as my friendly French bodyguard and tour guide :D

So true, esp. if the visit was in August. Every time we visit France in August, we end up just spending a few days in Paris (where our favorite restaurants are all closed of course), then meeting up with French friends wherever they are vacationing. IMHO a nicer time to visit Paris would be spring or fall. That said, even with just basic high school French, I've always had a great time in Paris the 11-12 times I've been. A little effort with the language can go a long way.

Pretending that Parisian metro is "crime infested", that it is hard to find any good restaurant in Paris, that shopping experience is poor in Paris... seems slightly exaggerated ;)

I would advise you for your next trip to take some advice at this selection of city guides online (and of course to take your time to discover why Paris is a wonderful city):

Excellent tips to discover Paris like a vrai Parisien:
http://www.mylittle.fr/mylittleparis/en/

Gastronomy walks in Paris:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2013/04/21...pagewanted=all

Selection of restaurants:
http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/...is-restaurants
http://www.lefooding.com/restaurant/ (some articles are in English)
http://www.cntraveler.com/food/2012/...e-where-to-eat
http://www.cntraveler.com/food/2013/...nts-2013/paris

Affordable bistros:
http://www.cntraveler.com/daily-trav...-french-dining

Trendy places:
http://www.fabsearch.com/location/Paris

Contemporary architecture:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2013/03/31...anted=all&_r=0

Not for the tourists spots:
http://www.cntraveler.com/daily-trav...k-paris-france

10 things NOT to do in Paris:
http://www.cntraveler.com/cities/par...to-do-in-paris

Pickpokets:
http://www.cntraveler.com/perrin-pos...d-theft-041113

Enjoy!

Paris Metro
 

Thanks, nicolas75, for returning this thread to focus on information for 1st time visitors to Paris!
I like the Paris Metro and make extensive use of it. I must say, however, it has seen better days:
- both the trains & platforms are small, overcrowded & poorly maintained;
- the system has not kept pace with population growth.
Still, it sure beats the alternatives!

I don't find the Paris Metro any more dirty, unsafe, or overcrowded than the New York City subway. Actually, I think I'd rather be on the Metro.

Transportation and Museums
 

Museums can be free if you time your visit. We just returned from our European vacation (GE, IT, UK, and FR) last night. We had a blast! See the link below. My friend in Paris also told us to time our visit in the future.

http://www.timeout.com/paris/feature...y-of-the-month

Here are some of the lessons learned from our 3 nights/4 day stay in Paris:

1. Purchase train (metro) tickets. The ticket is good for trains and buses. We purchased tickets valid for 3 days. Get a map because the subway (metro) system can be quite challenging if you're not familiar. We live in NYC, so we have a good idea how the subway works but the problem was there are too many exits (better known as SORTIE) when you get off train. Try to find out which SORTIE to take, otherwise, you'll be going in circles. It appears that the closest metro to your hotel is on the 6 line. We stayed at the Hotel Concorde Montparnasse

2. I was warned of pick pockets upon our arrival into Paris. I had a monopod (almost like a tripod) mainly for my camera but also to keep pick pocketers away. The day before we left Paris, I changed pants with snap-ons to secure the pockets. On the subway, two guys got on the train and shortly thereafter, I felt a bump from behind. I checked my back pocket and surprisingly found my snap-on pocket unsnapped. I secured my snap-on pocket again and I felt a second bump from behind on the next stop. It was then that I decided to transfer my wallet to my front pocket. I turned around and was ready to pipe the two thieves when they suddenly left the train in a hurry. They knew that I know they were trying to steal my wallet. Lesson learned - do not wear pants/shorts that snap-on your pockets shuts. Instead, wear a pant/short that secure your pockets with at least two buttons.

3. Taxi or bus to CDG. There were buses that directly left our hotel to CDG or ORLY but the timing didn't work out. We thought about leaving at 4:00 AM on the metro but decided against because we had three bags. In addition, traveling at that early may or may not be safe in the metro. We asked the front desk and they recommended a taxi for a fixed price. I think this is best because we knew what we were paying. If you flag a taxi on the street, you may ended up paying a lot more. From our hotel in Montparnasse to CDG, the hotel contracted for a taxi the night before for 59 EUR for the two of us. We paid the taxi fare directly to the driver with a fare slip given to us by the hotel. The journey took about 45 minutes. From your hotel, the journey should take at least 60 minutes, depending on the departure time.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

RSonny2010, I'm glad you enjoyed your trip.

Just a few comments about your observations:

It sounds like you may have bought a Paris Visite pass; other options are a Navigo Découverte pass or carnets of 10 tickets. These options have been discussed extensively in the forum so I won't reiterate them here.

In smaller stations this is not much of a problem; in larger stations, it can be quite confusing. Normally on the wall by the platform and also on the wall in the entryway where you buy tickets, there is a close-up map of the streets surrounding the metro station. The exits are indicated with numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4) and certain street names. First, using the map, find the number & streets of the exit nearest your destination; then, look for the blue overhead signs with that number/street combination and follow those to your exit. For non-French-speakers, côté pair means the even-numbered side of the street; côté impair is the odd-numbered side.

Yes, certain museums are free on the first Sunday of the month, although for some of them the lines can be quite long. For people with lots of time and not much money, it's a good deal; however, others may prefer to get a museum pass to bypass lines and save time.

The real lesson here is to keep your wallet in your front pocket.

The metro doesn't start running until around 5:30 a.m. Your only real option before then is a taxi.


For anyone planning a trip to Paris, the sticky thread Paris Digest: all you need to know at the top of the France forum has a wealth of information in it.

Thanks for your feedback IFF