To go to Paris soon or not?
Nov 15, 2015, 2:56 am
#31
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I do between 50 and 100 trips/nights per year in Paris so no I won't change any plans. In fact I plan to celebrate the new year with family in Paris. Even though you could theorize that NYE is a perfect terrorist target, I'll not back down. I suspect this NYE will be a special and rather emotional one for Parisiens and I expect they will show their numbers on the streets.
Nov 15, 2015, 3:07 am
#32
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My wife and I are scheduled to arrive on 11/26. We realize the odds of being killed or harmed in a terrorist attack are extremely low. We wonder how much we will enjoy ourselves there? Will things be back to "normal", or at least as normal as they can be after such a tragedy. Will the major sites be open? I figure they will be by then, but we don't want to miss out on something like the Louvre.
It's a tough choice whether to go or not. We are leaning towards still going. That will depend on what happens this upcoming week.
It's a tough choice whether to go or not. We are leaning towards still going. That will depend on what happens this upcoming week.
Yes, I'm 99.9% sure everything will run normally.
Nov 15, 2015, 3:08 am
#33
Join Date: Sep 2015
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I don't criticize the French for holding to Schengen rules. I would have though if they didn't think to reinstate controls in response to the security fiasco they've suffered. EU rules have always allowed for these contingencies, and ultimately they do run their own borders. But maybe the regular rules need to be revised in light of current conditions.
Nov 15, 2015, 5:06 am
#34
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The parisian folks are resilient. Life will return to normal quickly, without forgetting the tragedy that happened.
I will go to France at Christmas to celebrate it with my family without hesitation. Not going would be admitting defeat.
Nov 15, 2015, 8:54 am
#36
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Travelwise, unfortunately I've got a fixed schedule until mid February. But seriously considering a trip to Dusseldorf/Cologne and with the Thalys HSR link to Paris then.
Not trying to be pretentious or anything, but I do love this city where I lived briefly 25 years ago, still have close friends and which I do find very pleasing on all senses.
Probably a couple of nights, visiting old familiar spots and paying my honors to those who met their fate recently in the City of Lights.
Not trying to be pretentious or anything, but I do love this city where I lived briefly 25 years ago, still have close friends and which I do find very pleasing on all senses.
Probably a couple of nights, visiting old familiar spots and paying my honors to those who met their fate recently in the City of Lights.
Nov 15, 2015, 9:43 am
#37
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These young people were in the wrong place at the wrong time through no fault of their own. All civilized minds share in the horror of the attacks on the defenseless. But that's what the barbarians want us to dwell in, so let's not give it to them. If we confront the implications with resolve and true understanding, we defend our cultural objectives better than they do theirs.
Nov 15, 2015, 12:53 pm
#38
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Nov 15, 2015, 1:46 pm
#39
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Happy to read you're coming for Christmas.
It's unfair but business is going to be incredibly hard for Parisian shops and hotels. When I checked in yesterday morning, 3/4 of my hotel was checking out early in order to depart days before; they were all heading to the airport to fly out.
Nov 15, 2015, 2:48 pm
#41
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There's a high-value climate junket in a week or two which will be religiously attended by world leaders. At least one of the recent attackers was a "refugee". Some of the rest were likely Frenchmen from the ungovernable Muslim zones surrounding Paris.
I highly suggest you avoid the city for now as its streets are under martial rule, and believe me there's not much fun in that. The French government has trouble controlling the borders and has already ceded hundreds of towns to the lawless populations hosting their homegrown Islamists. The security services are setting up local intel networks much like Israel's system, but they've been overwhelmed and you won't know where and when the next black raid will happen.
I highly suggest you avoid the city for now as its streets are under martial rule, and believe me there's not much fun in that. The French government has trouble controlling the borders and has already ceded hundreds of towns to the lawless populations hosting their homegrown Islamists. The security services are setting up local intel networks much like Israel's system, but they've been overwhelmed and you won't know where and when the next black raid will happen.
Can't believe what I just read. Everything is open and going.. people in cafes, movies shopping etc etc...
If you are scared then don't come... But I really haven't seen anything different..
By wednesday museums will be open, open air markets are back... I have only seen police next to Ecole Militaire... and Notre Dame... Parks were closed today, but people were out enjoying the beautiful weather.
Nov 15, 2015, 2:54 pm
#42
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Those have been going on for many years... and in the dept stores, since Jan...
Nov 15, 2015, 8:55 pm
#44
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Just like you Tamino, I was shaking my head reading the above... Martial rule??? Where?
Can't believe what I just read. Everything is open and going.. people in cafes, movies shopping etc etc...
If you are scared then don't come... But I really haven't seen anything different..
By wednesday museums will be open, open air markets are back... I have only seen police next to Ecole Militaire... and Notre Dame... Parks were closed today, but people were out enjoying the beautiful weather.
Can't believe what I just read. Everything is open and going.. people in cafes, movies shopping etc etc...
If you are scared then don't come... But I really haven't seen anything different..
By wednesday museums will be open, open air markets are back... I have only seen police next to Ecole Militaire... and Notre Dame... Parks were closed today, but people were out enjoying the beautiful weather.
The security lockdowns and sight closures and service disruptions are not making Paris less lovely. But they will be and are crimping the expectations of many who are wanting things to be normal when they aren't. Particularly as security planning for the conference will result in tighter measures.
This was my point, but fortunately it won't be for too long. Once all this has passed, Paris will be terrifically inviting again.
Nov 16, 2015, 3:03 am
#45
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As I said, don't mistake martial rule "state of emergency" for the far more severe situation where laws are suspended. I was merely pointing to the inconveniences and other issues which currently affects visitors and which those arriving soon should factor in their plans.
The security lockdowns and sight closures and service disruptions are not making Paris less lovely. But they will be and are crimping the expectations of many who are wanting things to be normal when they aren't. Particularly as security planning for the conference will result in tighter measures.
This was my point, but fortunately it won't be for too long. Once all this has passed, Paris will be terrifically inviting again.
The security lockdowns and sight closures and service disruptions are not making Paris less lovely. But they will be and are crimping the expectations of many who are wanting things to be normal when they aren't. Particularly as security planning for the conference will result in tighter measures.
This was my point, but fortunately it won't be for too long. Once all this has passed, Paris will be terrifically inviting again.
My sister arrived at dawn on Saturday... The only inconvenience to her at the airport was the long lines at the immigration, just long lines... That is all.
She left this morning.. immigration and security were normal.
When I say things aren't as bad as the news media is portraying it.
If people are hesitant to come... I would say do come and enjoy your trip...
If you are scared, then don't come. Come when you feel comfortable.
Me living here, walking around, going to restaurants and cafes have been very safe and comfortable, except for a stupid incident, everything is just fine. The sights will be open either tomorrow or wednesday... from what I understand. Tourist buses were going all over... And I am talking from knowledge... I live half a block away from the most well known in the world.
Please stop the scare mongering.