Paris Anyone?

[Mandy]

FH and I will be spending 2 weeks in Paris for our honeymoon next November (we're going for our one year anniversarry). FH has been to Europe before, but I've never been out of the country. I'm very excited about Paris and am trying very hard to learn French!

So does anyone have any advice or tips for French/Parisian travel? Anything we should be aware of??

Thank you in advance!!

[Tanya]

Get a guide book (Frommer's)... will you be doing any other cities while you're there?

[curlgirl]

Hi there,

How romantic!!!! Honeymoon in Paris :) That's awesome! :laugh3:

I'm not sure how the weather is at that time of the year but when I was in Paris a couple of years ago (without my boyfriend), I saw so many couples having a picnic on the grass behind the Eiffel tower. SO ROMANTIC! If the weather is warm enough go to the boulagerie, buy some baugettes and cheese/meats and go have a picnic there.

I told my man all about this and we are sooooo gonna do this together when we finally get to Paris with each other - what a great memory to make!!!

Sam (Curlgirl)

[fideliaamora]

One thing that amazed me about paris, the waiters will leave you alone. DON'T flag them down and don't say "excuse me". simply make eye contact and they'll come to you!! they way it was explained to us was they find it rude to "bother" the guests (and it's rude to flag them down--they aren't our slaves) just as we see it rude for us to be ignored.

also--cokes were 4 bucks a can (that isn't quite 12 oz) and they look down on those that drink coke during lunch...

anyways, it was a fun experience... but it was definately different!! a

also, another thing i was told was the french HATE it when you don't talk to them in their language, they also find that as rude... so it's GREAT that you are trying to learn french!!

[Christa]

I haven't been to Paris but I have been to southern France and they did not like us because we didn't speak any French, so I'd think if you learned the basic phrases and at least tried, they'd be happier with you.

[Scarlett O]

Don't know if I am too late, but I loved Rick Steves' tour book. There were things in there that no other book had!

If you are going to be there for 2 weeks, I suggest getting a carte oranje for the metro. You have to bring/take a passport like picture and purchase it there, and then you just buy a little ticket stub to go inside of it. The ticket stub gets scanned everytime you hop on a bus or the metro. I really suggest getting one before you ride any bus - the people who we were there with on vacation didn't, and they got nailed by the metro police with a huge fine. Something like $200!

There is a city pass - I would suggest looking into that. You have to pay to use any public restroom (and they are nasty), so if you have a museum/city pass you can cut the line and sneak in to go to the bathroom. It was cool going into the Louvre just to go!

The thing about the waiters is correct... and you have to ask for the check at the end of the meal. They will not just bring it to you. And as for dining - they don't make a huge deal about breakfast the way we do. Many business shut down in the afternoon for a 2-hour lunch, and they close shop around 5pm or so. Cafe's are at their busiest right around then, and then restaurants open around 7-8pm for dinner (they eat much later than we do). Also, if you ask for water they will bring you the bubbly (ie expensive stuff), but if you want just regular water ask for a carafe d'eau. :)

Have a great time on your trip - DH and I are moving there next year and are looking start French sometime soon!

[Mandy]

Thank you ladies!! FH and I are super excited for this. We're actually thinking of asking a bunch of our friends to come along (we'll be taking a mini-moon to Disney as our official "honeymoon"). We're excited about learning everything we'll need!! Thank you for all the pointers! :)

[theAmericanNtheSwede]

u will have a blast!!

-i recommend www.virtualtourist.com (http://www.virtualtourist.com) it is a travel website where people put in the information. both locals and people who have visited. a great way to see good stuff.. often i find that the travel guides only list the most expensive places- or places that pay for placement. otherwise i love lonely planet guides.

-see the eiffel tower at night. the lights are amazing.

-if u order a double espresso, u will get 2 espressos.

- i know that people have mentioned it, but be prepared to spend a lot of time over meals. in europe the service is MUCH different. u will have to ask for everything. they don't come by the table often. and things take time. just enjoy. you are on vacation ;)

-make sure that u buy a streetcart crepe- but wait until the last day, or u will be addicted ;)

[Mandy]

Jen-thank you so much for that site!! Chad and I have been on it all morning :) I love it!! So much helpful information (and BEAUTIFUL pictures). Thank you!!!

[theAmericanNtheSwede]

glad to help. i love that site :)