clothing sizes

Is there a website to look up european dress and shoe sizes? I think I have the shoe, but not the clothing.

Thanks

Chris (although I think I may be too BIG for anything French :)

|||

Do not have a chart but this is what I know from living in both places:

Size 6 is 38

size 8 is 40

size 10 is 42

size 12 is 44

size 14 is 46

After that you have to go into Marina Rinaldi or other big and tall store. Printemps and Galeries Lafayette aussi sell the larger sizes in homeopathic doses.

Rue Tronchet and rue Vignon have a few of the larger sizes stores.

|||

If by %26quot;big%26quot; you mean %26quot;plus sizes,%26quot; I think there was a thread a few weeks ago about that subject - you could try a search to see what it turns up.

|||

Try this:

www.brightonarea.co.uk/ebay/conversion.html

|||

There is a %26#39;clothes calculator%26#39; on www.cntraveller.com/Toolkit/clothes_sizes.asp

It%26#39;s a useful reminder that American and English sizes aren%26#39;t identical, even if they use the same range of numbers. (I%26#39;ve just gone down 2 dress sizes just by sitting at the computer!)

|||

Sizes can be a real hit %26amp; miss thing. This summer I bought 2 gorgeous linen dresses in size 46. I%26#39;m a US 8 or 10 usually.

(and indeed they were French Design! Every year, I bring in several sizes to try on ~ you never know ~ and it%26#39;s so depressing, LOL, when the numbers go %26quot;up%26quot;!

|||

Thanks. I am a US 12, which in Paris may be too BIG :) I have heard the cutting/fitting is %26quot;leaner%26quot;.

May have to stick with shoes again....

Chris

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 10:17 am, September 07, 2009

Train from CDG to Elysees Union

Hi..we are arriving on Sunday morning, August 20 at CDG....

The hotel we are staying at, Elysees Union, 44 Rue Hamelin, Paris 75016, said it could arrange transportation for 67Euros....is that high or reasonable.....or should we just take a train or taxi?

Any ideas...there are three of us arriving from Newark.... Merci!

|||

Hi!

I would take the Air France bus to the Arc De Triomphe and walk from there. You would cross over a few streets to the other side of the arch and walk down Avenue Kleber until Rue Hamelin and then make a left. If you look on www.airfrance.com they have a 25% discount coupon you can print and bring with you. Have fun!

|||

Thanks! It looks to be about E13 pp! JB

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 3:17 pm, September 06, 2009

Nice to Barcelona

Can anyone help me with suggestions on how to get from Nice to Barcelona?

Preferably to fly and not extremely expensive!?

THanks,

|||

I had this exact same question several months ago. Here is what we did. We rented a car in Nice from Auto Europe. We drove to Les Baux de Provence and spent one night in this amazing medieval city. Then we drove to Perpignan, France and dropped the car there. Since it was still France, there was no drop fee. Then we took the direct train to Barcelona. (check the train schedule, some trains are not direct). The train ticket was about $25 per person. I tried every airline and they were outrageous. Another option would be to fly to Paris and then to Barcelona.

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 6:20 pm, September 06, 2009

Strousbourg & Alcase Region

My wife and I are planning a trip to the Strousbourg %26amp; Alcase Region in the fall and wanted to know. Is it better to look for a hotel in Strousbourg or Alcase region. Whic area provides better access to the region?

Thanks,

|||

Bit confused about your question - it was posted in the Paris forum but you are talking about eastern France . Also - you ask which is better - well Strasbourg is in Alsace - capital city of the region if you like so it would be bettre to stay there than in any of the villages or amaller towns - unless of course you dont like big towns . If you mean which part of Paris would give you best access to Alsace - It would be the eastern side - you dont say if you were going to go by car or train - there is a high speed TGV link

|||

Thaks you for the response. Sorry for the confusion, it wsa my first time using TripAdvisor. Your advice is helpful. We found a hotel in Strousbourg. We are thinking about doing day trips into Germany as well.

|||

Hello! We are currently in Paris and just came from Strasbourg. We did a house exchange in Bavaria and then drove to Paris via Strasbourg. It%26#39;s an incredibly quaint, beautiful city. We were driving and I can%26#39;t imagine how we made it to our hotel (Regent Petite France). Somehow we made it, although we were flipped off at least once by French drivers. We ate at a particularly good alsatian restaurant near the Cathedral, Chez Yvonne. Highly recommended if you like food that is more German in character. The Riesling was very good.

|||

avoid strasbourg as a base

a day to strasbourg is fine-if you drive,head for the cathedral sign and park and walk

i always favour COLMAR which is central for access to the villages south and north,even if you are not wine orientated

do not miss riquewihr and ribeauville as well as chateau of koenigsberg

all the best

pierre,

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 3:18 pm, September 07, 2009

One Thing You Wished You'd Brought...and wished you didn't..

What%26#39;s the one thing you%26#39;d wished you%26#39;d packed, but didn%26#39;t. And the one thing you did pack, but didn%26#39;t need to?

I%26#39;m making a rough packing list and want to see if there%26#39;s anything I%26#39;m missing......or anything I should absolutely leave at home.

Cheers!

|||

When I went to Paris last June, there were several days of unbearable heat, and I was sorry that the tops I had brought for evening wear were not sleeveless. I had assumed that the evenings would be a bit cool or at least there would be a/c in the restaurants, but that was not the case. None of the restaurants I went to had a/c, and I felt rather uncomfortable wearing tops with short sleeves.

|||

This past june, my winter coat. It was downright COLD...

I always bring too many shoes, wherever I go...

Les

|||

We%26#39;ve visited Paris in May, June and September. We are going again this September.

You just never know about the weather! A 10 or 15 day forecast on weather.com or accuweather.com is useful - but you should still plan for warmer or cooler.

Anyway, I always pack a wool blazer (for dressy) and a polartec jacket with hood (bring it on the plane as they%26#39;re often chilly). It can be very chilly in Paris and you want to be comfortable while out and about. And, it%26#39;s chilly on those Seine cruises.

And, I always pack my sandals, even if the forecast does not include warmer temps. Every trip it%26#39;s been warm enough for them, at least a few days, and they are so comfortable for walking all over!

|||

I keep on forgetting to pack Equal or Splenda for coffee (cafe au lait).

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 2:18 pm, September 07, 2009

need help re lawyer

I am trying to help a friend who is in need of a lawyer in the Nice /Cannes area. I will elaborate in the off topic forum and would really appreciate the general advice that anybody familiar with the system may be able to offer.

|||

It depends on why your friend wants a lawyer for :

If it is for a property deal, a will, etc.... your friend will need a %26quot;notaire%26quot;.

If it is for pleading in Court, a divorce case, it is an %26quot;avocat%26quot;.

You will find both in the phone directory. See www.PagesJaunes.fr

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 12:23 am, September 07, 2009

Vedettes du Pont-Neuf Night Cruise

We are planning to take a night cruise in early Septermber, is this hop on and hop off cruise? If not, does the boat return to the Pont Neuf?

Thanks

|||

It isn%26#39;t a hop on and hop off cruise. It takes one hour, and it returns to the point of departure. It%26#39;s a lovely experience and very magical when you see the Eiffel Tower twinkling. Make sure you go to the website and print out a discount coupon.

|||

If you want a hop on, hop off cruise you%26#39;re after the Batobus:

http://www.batobus.com/

We went on the Vedettes cruise on our first trip to Paris and it was very good and seeing la Tour and Notre Dame at night is always spectacular :-)

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 2:18 am, September 07, 2009

help plan our itinerary

We will be flying into Paris mid-day next May, and will be returning to CDG 9 days later. We%26#39;re interested in spending sometime in Normandy, some time in Brittany, and a couple of days in Paris. I assume we%26#39;ll rent a car. How would you divide the days? What are the must-sees? I know this is an ambitious trip, but is it doable? Thanks for any help.

|||

Very ambitious trip in the time allocated! there is such a variety of things to see and do it all depends on your interests.

I suggest you look at paris first. do a bit of online research into the major tourist attractions.

there are %26#39;hop-on-hop-off%26#39; tour buses that go from one beautiful site to another! you pay per day /per3 days/per week etc.

tour the city first and then decide which of the main attractions you want to see.

the queue to get up to the top of the eiffel tower can be as long as that for the Empire State building!

the museums are stunning and well worth visiting.

a trip on the %26#39;Bateau Mouche%26#39; -do this in the evening and include a romantic meal if you can. Wonderful!

If you live in New York, the small ancient towns and chateaux will be a novelle experience. the beaches will virtually empty in may - unless the weather is exceptional, as it was this year, the sea will be much too cold for swimming, but worth a %26#39;look-see%26#39;

In Normandy - the Bayeu tapestry in Bayeu! the %26#39;D-DAY%26#39; landing sights and museaums, but only if you have a special interest.

in brittany - the ancient towns of St malo, Dinan, the Mont Saint Michelle (all near each other) follow the coast!

further west on the north coast, the Cotes du Granite Rose, roscoff, Brest, Point du raz and the south coast Quimper, Quiberon and on and on!!!

happy planning!

Oons

|||

Mont St. Michele is the #1 %26quot;must-do%26quot; on my list. In Brittany, Cancale, St. Malo, Concarneau, Pont-Aven and Dinan are all wonderful.

Unless you have already been to and done Paris, two days won%26#39;t give you much time to even scratch the surface. My favorite place in Paris is the Sainte-Chapelle, right across from Notre Dame.

We went to Brittany a couple of years ago and stayed in family-run hotel/restaurants that were part of the Logis de France network. The accommodations were fine, but the friendly service and quality of food were outstanding. In northern Brittany we stayed at Les Quatres Salines, run by a husband and wife who did nearly all their own work. In Southern Brittany we stayed at Hotel Du Port in Port Manech. Both places, the hosts were wonderfully helpful with tips on sights to see. And the value was incredible! It is SO much cheaper outside of Paris.

We were also there in May, and found the weather to be much chillier than expected.

Well, I ramble. Have a great trip!

|||

In an attempt to diffuse an argument that has been going on for hundreds of years.....

Mont St. Michel is in NORMANDY. The Bretons and Normans fought many times over it as it was a sacred site.

Also in Brittany, near Quiberon, are the Carnac Alignments - approximately 4,000 standing stones. Fascinating and a definate must see.

The Quiberon Peninsula, IMHO, has become very urban. Stick to the Cote Sauvage side. This is beautiful and still relatively unspoiled. You can follow the Cote Sauvage almost as far up as L%26#39;Orient.

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 3:23 am, September 07, 2009

Bus from Airport to Nice Garden Hotel

Going to Nice next week and it looks like we can get the No. 98 bus. Could anyone tell me how I know when to get off the bus and how far it will be to the Hotel when we get off the bus? Thanks

|||

You get off at the stop called Congres,(the names are written on the little bus shelters) it is just past The Negresco, the big pink and green hotel. If you cant see the stop get off near La Palais Mediterrannee, Hotel and Casino.

Rue Congres is nearby, only about a 2 minute walk.

By the way get the bus from platform 5, (centre ville)

|||

Thanks very much for this/

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 1:16 pm, September 07, 2009

Just one more question on the 11th

OK, I am thinking the 11th Addrosment- however I have seen some people really bag this area. This will be our first time in France, I have no pre-conceived ideas what to expect in Paris (so don%26#39;t have the 4th to compare to the 11th etc) and like the idea of living amongst the locals. I have seen the 11th on Television on one of those English- Relocation Relocation programmes where they were looking for an apartment for two guys and I thought it looked very nice. Not really in to the nightlife i.e nightclubs etc- more in to the history and culture of Paris (even though Disneyland won%26#39;t count in this part). Want somewhere that has supermarkets and corner shops. Also, Want to be able to get to places easy, so would want to be near the Metro which from these boards I assume is easy to use. Do you think the 11th is a good place then or is there a better area for similiar prices.

Thanks for taking your time to answer

|||

I would say you are spot on, if those are your criteria. We stayed there recently and there are good transport links from Bastille to most areas of Paris - see other postings.

|||

Jacks24, my husband and I just spent 10 days in Paris and we stayed in a great studio in the 11th. It was on a small side street just off Menilmontant. We loved the neighborhood. It was a quick stroll up to Park Belleville. Also within a block were two metro lines and two bus lines making it easy to get anywhere in Paris in just minutes. Many many little shops, grocery store and cafes. I%26#39;ll be glad to refer you to the owner of the apartment if you would like.

|||

The 11th is the new %26quot;it%26quot; arrondissement, especially for nightlife around the Oberkampf area. People are buying flats there left and right (or have been) because the real estate there is less expensive and getting hotter by the minute. It is where a lot of people live so there aren%26#39;t as many tourist areas there, but you get to live like a real Parisian.

No worries about the 11th!

Les

|||

Thankyou Les, AllonsEU and Kansan24. I sort of thought that it definitely looks nice but you have put my mind at ease.

Would love to know who u used Kansan where they expensive? and was it easy to arrange everything?

|||

Here is the website for the studio.

http://www.marneweb.com/bnb/apt_desc.htm

It%26#39;s also listed at www.slowtrav.com

It was incredibly easy to do. Bill, the owner, is the nicest guy and answered my many emails so promptly. I seriously sent so many emails in the months preceding our visit, that I was afraid he%26#39;d tire of me before we even arrived. You can see at the website he also owns a B%26amp;B in the Champagne region.

The apartment is very affordable. Here%26#39;s what the website says: %26quot;60 euros a night by the week for one or two persons. For stays longer than a week you save 1 night%26#39;s fee for a stay of 10 days, 2 nights fee for a stay of two weeks.%26quot;

Next door to the studio, he also rents a one bedroom apartment, if you are needing more space. Also the studio has a nice-sized patio which was perfect for sitting in the evening, sipping our wine, making plans for the next day. One feature that was appreciated was free international calls. A family member was taken ill during our trip so we needed to make many calls. I%26#39;m glad we didn%26#39;t have to worry about a phone card. We just picked up the phone and rang.

I%26#39;d stay at %26quot;rue des Bluets%26quot; again in a heartbeat. I haven%26#39;t had a chance to upload my pics yet. I%26#39;ll post again when I do.

Have a great trip Jacks24.

|||

Thankyou for that info Kansan, Brilliant. Will have a look at it all. Its good when you hear from people who have had good experiences, especially with apartments. Saw one post that nearly put me off apartments because their experience was so bad. Be good to see your pictures when you can get them uploaded. Thanks

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 1:18 pm, September 07, 2009

Charles de Gaulle airport to Explorers Hotel Help !!

Hi

I will be travelling with my 2 yr old to charles de gaille Airport and will need to get to Explorers Hotel , can anyone help me as to what is the best way to get there arriving 15 Sept

Normally would always book transfers with holiday but transfers through a Keith Prowse travel is no longer available and as i had already booked my flight and hotel I am in a bit of a dilama

|||

Transport options here

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g226865-i2224-k102… - there are also other posts on the train if you enter it in the search above

Busses stop running early evening so your options are dependant upon your arrival time.

|||

Thank you for the information , very useful

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 9:19 am, September 07, 2009

Bus fromGare du nord to Grande ecoles hotel/cardinal lemoine

Arriving at Gare du Nord by Eurostar about 10.30am. Instead of taking the train, I always enjoy the view from a bus.

Is there any easy bus route or is it better just to use the train this time as we have luggage?

Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks

Marnie G

|||

My trusty Paris bus map shows that the number 47 bus goes from Gare de l%26#39;Est to Cardinal Lemoine. Gare de l%26#39;Est is only a block or 2 from Gare du Nord, but it could be tricky to find if you%26#39;re not familiar with the area. Alternatively, you could take the 38 from Gare du Nord to St. Michel and walk from there, but it would be a longer walk.

|||

Hi Marnie

I have stayed in the 5th near Notre Dame last October and February 2005 and both times I took a cab from Gare du Nord and it was 12 -15 Euros (AUD 20-25) and above ground etc. More expensive than a bus or metro but so much simpler.

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 10:19 am, September 07, 2009

beaches in monaco?

when i was in monaco last year, i used to stay in a hotel there. this time i will have to stay in a hotel in nice, but would like to go to a less crowded beach in monaco. Unfortunately i don%26#39;t know if theres a public beach (last time we had a shuttle bus from the hotel, they brought us to a beach club). Is it possible to walk from the trainstation to a public beach?

thanks a lot

|||

15 min by walk from the train station to the public beach

public beach are just after the congress center %26quot;Grimaldi Forum%26quot;

and just before the beach club where you were

|||

I%26#39;m not sure what the beach is called, but we found a nice public beach just after the casino tunnel with nice fine gravel for sand [after the rocks of Nice, it passes for sand!]

There are some good reasonably priced shops and cafes here and, although small, we found it not too busy.

Great swimming here too.

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 11:16 am, September 07, 2009

Is a week too long in Carcassonne?

We are planning to rent some lodgings in Carcassonne for a week next April/May. We will not be renting a car. The plan is to spend a few days in Carcassonne and then use public transport to visit nearby towns about one hour away. I have read reports that you will see Carcassonne in one day and that a week would be too long. What do others think and recommend?

|||

It probably depends on what sort of holiday you like - if you have a list of %26#39;sights%26#39; to tick off, then I think even a day in Carcassonne would be too much. We%26#39;ve just been there for a week , but we potter, have lunch, potter some more, read a bit more about the place we just visited, so go back and have another look ..... and we also had a car and used that on 3 days. That said, we had a couple of days %26#39;doing%26#39; the Cité and its surroundings and another day in the bastide, with a trip on a canal boat (Lou Gabaret). We%26#39;d intended to have a walk along the river, but that didn%26#39;t happen, and we didn%26#39;t go to the museum or one of the churches, or see particular private mansions - or either of the wild-life parks. And we%26#39;d wondered about hiring bikes for a day, but didn%26#39;t do that either.

Have a look at the Carcassonne website www.carcassonne-tourisme.com/ to identify the main tourist sights. Beyond Carcassonne, I know there are trains to Toulouse and Narbonne, but we didn%26#39;t actually go into either place, so can%26#39;t recommend anything. We *did* go to Collioure on the coast (I assume you%26#39;d need to change trains in Narbonne?) which was well worth a day trip.

We found lodgings in the Cité, overlooking the square, and that was nice, as we could watch the world go by :-)

|||

There is a lot more to the Aude than Carcassonne although I would reccomened a car to really take advantage of all it has to offer. Check out www.frenchentree-aude-po.com for more info. The diversity of landscape within one hour of Carcassonne alone is worth the trip.

Enjoy,

Jimjams

|||

I too think you would be much better off with a car. It would be a pity to spend a week in the area and not be able to explore the many delightful places nearby that you would have a hard time reaching any other way. There are not many interesting places you can get to easily within an hour by train.

With a car you could explore much of the eastern Pyrenees, including the splendid Cathar strongholds such as Peyrepertuse. Fontfroide and Perpigan are also worth the trip as is Collioure and the other seaside places along the Côte Vermeille. The coast would be especially delightful in April/May before the summer tourist crowds arrive.

|||

I don%26#39;t disagree with what everyone says about having a car to explore further, especially as it looks like the day trips advertised by the tourist information centre only run in peak season. However - just another thought here - it%26#39;s quite a long drive (well over an hour each way) from Carcassonne to see major Cathar castles like Peyrepertuise or Queribus and it%26#39;s similar to Collioure on the Cote Vermeille. They are all easier to reach from Perpignan, and I%26#39;d guess it%26#39;s probably cheaper to fly to Perpignan with Ryanair than drive from Carcassonne!

|||

I could happily spend a week in carcassonne(and have) Like the others say a car would be helpful, but I dont think nessecessary.

The canal in nice weather makes a great days walking , so thats 2 days one oneway the next the other. You need 2 days to explore the old cite one to explore the shops one to take the tour explaning the history. A day or 2 exploring the new town which is loverly. The train station is easy to walk to so you will have opputunities from there. recommend exploring the pyerenees by train. spend saturday in old town as that is market day, and just sit in the square have coffee and watch the world go by. If you contact a local taxi person you can haggel with him to take you where you want for a day out . (If your french is good) I have been to carcassonne many times and we have just brought a holiday home nearby, You will find that the time goes to quickly.I dont think I will ever get tired of it its a beutiful place and I hope you have a wonderful time.

|||

Well it%26#39;s booked...but for September. Can anyone give us their opinion on visiting the towns of Mazamet and Castres? Are they worth a day trip?

|||

Not a lot in Mazamet , but saying that still worth going to see for a morning especially if you pick a market day, have lunch there and then spend your afternoon slowly driving back via the pic de nor (take your camera) from there down to Pradelles and sit by the lake,

vakantiewereld.nl/languedoc/english/uitstapj…

then on to Cabrespine where there are some amazing undergroud caves

frenchentree.com/languedoc-roussillon-holida…

The scenery on this route is some of the best in the area .

and your be back in carcassonne for your evening meal.

hope you enjoy your stay

|||

Mirepoix is les than one hour drive from Carcassonne - this is a charming town (Market day Monday), have a look on the internet. We based ourselves there for 2 weeks, and did many lovely trips from Mirepoix. There is a beautiful market square and 12th century cathedral. In the other direction - climbing to the top of Queribus Cathar stronghold is one of the most wonderful things I have ever done!! Magnificent views. I also agree with the suggestions of CFollioure - reallyt worth visiting, especially if you are interested in art - this is where Matisse and others %26quot;began%26quot; the Fauvre movement. A very pretty town, lovely situation. You could also consider Albi - we loved this town - stunning cathedral, and the Toulouse Lautrec museum in the former Bisphops Palace - a beautiful town, beautiful location on the river.

|||

Thanks for the suggestions. We will not have a car but will be relying on public transport. Just wondering can I get a bus to the places mentioned from Carcassonne?

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 2:16 pm, September 07, 2009

best location for family holiday

Hi.

Does anyone have advice re. chosing between a villa (El Balcon)near Porto Vecchio versus a villa (A Leccia) on the outskirts of Calvi. The former appeals as is quietly located on a hill top but requires at least 10-15 mins drive to nearest beach/shops etc. The latter also as a %26#39;5-10 min walk%26#39; to the centre of Calvi - does that mean its in a built up area? We are a family of 6 adults inc grandparents, a 3yr old and 2 18month olds.

Also, we%26#39;re going for 2 weeks in mid Sept, what should we not miss? These properties are on opposite sides of the island so where are we better placed for sightseeing?

Thanks for any advice.

|||

5-10 minutes walk from the centre of Calvi does indeed mean it will be a built up area - but not very. The back of Calvi is quite leafy.

I%26#39;d have thought it would be much better for small children to be able to walk to the beach (very suitable for children) than to have to pile into the car each time.

But not if you really want to get away from it all.

I leave it to others to advise on which is better for sightseeing since I don%26#39;t know the Porto Vecchio area very well.

|||

Sounds as though Calvi is your better option for the beach. The backstreets are not heavily built-up but neither are they open-country BUT be aware that the walk back from the beach is likely to be (quite steeply) uphill; that 5-10 minutes always means 10+ and that Calvi beach is (wonderful, child-friendly, well-serviced and) long, which means that even when you reach it, you may want to/face a 5 minute+ walk to find a spot you really like and which is clear, though Sept. should be quite quiet. If you have a car you may choose to use it in any case to drive to one of the behind-the-beach car parks.

If you%26#39;re going to have a car wherever you go, you might favour Porto-Vecchio, if you like your beaches to look like those in a Caribbean brochure (Palombaggia in particular); more isolated and classically beautiful - though the views of the Citadel and the mountains make Calvi beach very special too - but with fewer facilities; you can park pretty close-up to them.

Sightseeing; in Porto-Vecchio, you;%26#39;ve got the town itself (not much); Bonifacio town and grotto/island boat trips (worth a long day or two short ones); the high mountain villages and the oriuu at Cena and Can (not everyone%26#39;s cup of tea and one is a rough scramble to reach). Plus a day trip to lunch in Sartene. Filitosa is a LONG drive. I wouldn%26#39;t do it with two 18 month olds.

At Calvi you have the town and Citadel; boat trips to the Scandola marine nature reserve and Galeria (very lovely); the villages of the Balagne; Ile Rousse; river swimming in the Fango Valley and (a day trip) the Calanques en route to Porto. Filitosa is not practical.

For me - Calvi every time - its more of a proper town than P-V and the quayside is lovely - and I%26#39;ve holidayed in the Porto-Vecchio, St-Florent, Erbalunga, Calvi and Ajaccio areas.

Hope this helps.

Hope this helps.

|||

Thanks to both balanina and fraisse10 for your advice. We have now booked the 2 weeks in Calvi and am looking forward to it very much. Hope the weather is still good at the end of September...

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 2:17 pm, September 07, 2009

What kind of bag?

Ok......I%26#39;ve been driving myself crazy trying to figure out what kind of bag to carry while I%26#39;m in Paris (3 days) and I need your help!

My dilemma is that I do not want something that is so heavy that I feel like I have to lug it around, yet I need something to fit the essentials, plus a small umbrella, map, and more than likely, a few of my boyfriend%26#39;s items. I would also like the option of sharing the responsibility of carrying said bag, in which case I don%26#39;t think a traditional lady%26#39;s handbag will work......but that%26#39;s not a dealbreaker for me. Additionally, I%26#39;d like to possibly have enough room to for a bottle of water and stow away small purchases so that I can consolidate the number of bags that I will carry.

I typically carry a backback, even in LA and NYC, and did so while in Vienna and Ireland with no issue. However, I see many posts which say that backbacks are carried by mostly students or tourists(we are both in our 30%26#39;s....so we will fall into the 2nd category!.

I was thinking I could take my backpack as my carry-on and take purse-type bag as well (can%26#39;t take my backpack to dinner and eat with it on my lap, as suggested). This was I could have the option of using either.

Am I making myself crazy for nothing?? Should I just carry my purse (like any other Parisian woman) and just be extra mindful?

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

|||

Hi I went thru the same thing as you what kind of bag to use.

I see you are from New Jersey so you might know about QVC. I ordered a nice mirco fiber bag with a zip top that is very light weight and will hold my small camcorder, umbrella, water, digital camera all the little things I might need, and its black which goes with every thing.So go on QVC.com and look at Kathy VanZeeland handbags the item number is A10819 . I am very happy with this bag because of the size and lightness of it. I wouldn%26#39;t wear a backpack style purse, as a friend of mine did, we were on a metro in Madrid and this man had his hand in my friends bag. So its best to have a bag that you can carry close to your body. Good luck in finding that right bag.

|||

The women walking around NYC right now with their day packs on their chests are definitely European tourists. I am dying to know if they do that at home, or assume its more dangerous here??? I%26#39;ve never seen such a thing in Europe - and it certainly marks them as tourists here!

I usually carry a small Diesel or Manhattan Portage bag that goes over my shoulder for more dangerous places. For Paris, I will have my Crumpler camera bag that looks like a messenger bag all day, and a nylon black shoulder bag that packs well for night. In Peru, I just had a water bottle in one of those Build NY nalgene cases that attached to the camera bag - I wont be walking around with that look in Paris!

|||

If your normal handbag will hold the stuff you want it to, then just bring that. Just be careful with it like you would anywhere else. There are pickpockets in Paris, but they tend to be in crowded tourist areas and target people who aren%26#39;t really paying attention to their stuff. I think your idea of bringing the backpack as a carry on is fine as well. Take a deep breath. It isn%26#39;t rocket science! (But I can sympathize because I%26#39;ve done it too!)

|||

I%26#39;ve just purchased a Lesportsac Deluxe Everyday Bag, and I love it because it weighs almost nothing and it has many zipper compartments. It will definitely accompany me on my next trip to Paris.

|||

When I read this review in a motorcycle magazine I thought of the thread about backpacks and the concern about theft. This company, Mobile Edge, makes various backpacks and bags which zip open and closed but which all have hidden zippers. Here are some examples...

http://www.cdw.com/shop/search/results.aspx?grp=ST%26amp;key=MOBILE+edge%26amp;cm_ven=RKG%26amp;cm_cat=adwords%26amp;cm_pla=Accessories%26amp;cm_ite=mobile_edge_backpack

Pjk

|||

We are going to bring a messenger bag in a basic color, so we can both carry it. They come in all sort of sizes and styles.

Cheers,

|||

Longchamp...available at bloomingdales and other department stores...lightweight...fits waterbottles, cameras, etc...and it%26#39;s FRENCH! You can purchase accessories and other sizes while you are in Paris...a bit cheaper.

|||

%26gt;%26gt;Am I making myself crazy for nothing?? %26lt;%26lt;

Yes, you are. :-)

I really wouldn%26#39;t bother with a seprate bag just for a few days in Paris - remember you need to lug this from home in your luggage.

If anything, I would use Paris as a reason to buy a new bag there - lol.

Mez.

|||

Recommend the smallest shoulder bag (with a strap long enough to wear it on one shoulder and under the other arm) that will hold your small essentials. Best are those that are light when empty (leather is very heavy) such as microfiber, have double zipper pulls (or at least a recessed zipper), an inside zipper pocket, and an outside slip pocket (for map, notes). Leave your wallet at home.

Then, bring a foldup nylon or microfiber tote for the other %26quot;stuff%26quot; - the water, the tour guides, the umbrellas...for your boyfriend to carry - that%26#39;s his job!

|||

djk is right - this is what has worked well for me, and I carry all my own bags these days. I purchased the organized microfibre bag from QVC (brand TravelSmith). They do come in both microfibre and leather, several colors, and different sizes, long adjustable strap to wear cross body, and they work like a gem both getting through airports and feeling secure walking around. Mine has a zipper on the back side by the body.

Hope this helps. Happy travels!

where should I stay in paris for new years?

My boyfriend and I are going to Paris for new years and are stuck as to where to stay, we dont want to spend more than £200 per person for 3 nights but dont want a crap hotel either. Any recomendations as to a clean comfortable hotel in a nice area with easy access to attractions. We dont expect a great deal for our budget but i would like to be in a nice area and to have a clean room.

|||

My favourite hotel in Paris (and within your budget) is Les Degres de Notre-Dame ( www.lesdegreshotel.com ), just around the corner from the famous bookshop Shakespeare (featured in the movie Before Sunset with Ethan Hawk and Julie Delpy) . But they have a minimum nights booking nowadays, so you%26#39;d have to ask if they accept your reservation.

Otherwise select at www.booking.com . For the fireworks you%26#39;d be near, as I think they take place from Place de la Concorde to Eiffel Tower

|||

Whatever you are going to do, you need to make reservations as soon as possible for such a popular holiday. One possibility is to do a search on this site (in the hotel section), giving your budget, etc., and then read the reviews (or post here again) for your top two or three choices to see what people think who have stayed there.

|||

Thanks very much for your help.

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 3:19 pm, September 07, 2009

post for ruthiebabie cost of taxi

Price of taxi (should have given you more info)

taxi cost from CDG termimal 3 to Santa Fe Hotel for a one way trip?

Also are there plenty of taxi%26#39;s outside the terminal.

many thanks

|||

Sorry, not Ruthiebabe but this might help

http://www.tt-prestige.com/disneyland.html

KRx

|||

Hi - I saw someone recently quote around the 80 euros mark - I think we paid over 90 when we got our last one to Newport Bay. There are lots of taxis outside Terminal 3 BUT make sure you go to the rank. If someone says %26quot;are you waiting for a taxi%26quot; don%26#39;t go with them. The licensed cabs are sat at the rank waiting for passengers.

|||

I have booked with rstransport.com. It is 55 euro for the private transfer. Used them before and had no problems. Hope that helps!

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 5:16 pm, September 07, 2009

Resturants, Cafes and Boulangeries in the 7th

We have booked the Hotel Muguet on Rue Chevert in the 7th, I am looking to get you input on your favorite Resturants, Cafes and Boulangeries in this area. For the evenings and mornings we would like to stay close to the hotel when to tired to venture out.

Cheers,

|||

Directly above the Ecole Militaire Metro station there%26#39;s a restaurant that serves great steaks and a reliably good plat du jour and it%26#39;s just around the block from your hotel.

Le Comptoir du 7ème

39 av de la Motte Picquet, 7th Arr.

Metro: Ecole Militaire

|||

A restaurant close by and very good is Le Florimond just around the corner on ave de la Motte-Piquet. Another is on your right as you come out of the Muguet on the same street one block down called Pasco. Still very close is Maupertu; go left as you leave the hotel, take the 1st street on your left until it deadends into Le Tourville and you will find it on your right. There are more Bibb Gourmand restaurants in this arrondissement than the previous 4 combined. My favorite Patisserie is Jean Millet on rue St. Dominique which has a few tables where you can enjoy a café au lait or hot chocolate with your pastry selection. Other restaurants a little further from the hotel but still in walking distance are Le P%26#39;tit Troquet, Fables de la Fontaine and Fontaine de Mars all grouped within 100 yds. of each other. There are several cafés on the Place de l%26#39;Ecole Militaire, all of which are better than the popular trap on rue Cler called Café du Marché. Have fun.

|||

I%26#39;ve always been quite fond of Le P%26#39;tit Troquet myself, a very sweet little family-run place, good food, reasonable prices, delightful hostess, very rustic romantic setting.

|||

We had a very nice meal at Tribeca which is located on Rue Cler which is very close to the hotel. Also we had breakfast at Hotel Muguet (9.50 euros) and it was delicious. Freshly baked pastries and lots of other things to choose from (no hot items). I know we could have gone out and eaten for less but we really enjoyed having our breakfast at the hotel. If you haven%26#39;t stayed at Hotel Muguet before you will be pleased with your choice. It is a lovely, clean hotel and the staff are very helpful.

|||

Don%26#39;t forget Cafe Constant on rue St-Dominique

|||

There are a lot in that area!

Some of my favorites have already been mentioned, so forgive the repeats:

-Le Ptit Troquet

-Le Florimond

-Maupertu

-La Ferme St. Simon

-Le Violon d%26#39;Ingres, Cafe Constant and Les Fables de la Fontaine (all owned by Christian Constant)

-L%26#39;Ami Jean

There%26#39;s a Le Notre boulangerie/patisserie right there on La Motte Piquet also.

Lots of good eating in that neighborhood!

Les

|||

Thank you all these are just the suggestions I was looking for. This will make us more at ease on our couple of evenings I know we will be spending around the hotel.

Cheers,

|||

Curious to know what the price range is for these recommended establishments and what your favorite meal was?

|||

Le Petit Tonneau is a nice change. Very small and very nice menu. Just one cook/owner and one waiter. The owner is a lady and makes a nice Tart Tatin. Florimond and Pasco are good. La Terrase is good for sandwiches late at night.

|||

We tried LEI on the corner of Motte Picquette and Bouganville - the meal wasn%26#39;t very good. The pasta with limencello sauce was way to sweet and the veal chops way overcooded. It%26#39;s a nice looking restaurant, but too many others restaurants in Paris to try.

Tour Company for Paris, France

Looking to plan a trip to Paris, France for the first time with my partner. Trying to find some recommend tour companies to be sure we cover all the main attractions while we are there.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks :)

|||

lawnboy246: While we were there, we used a tour company called %26quot;France Tourisme%26quot;. You can visit them at http://www.francetourisme.fr/

They are substantially less expensive than the other companies like Paris Vision, which we used on a previous trip, and France Tourisme provided as good, if not better, service.

Hope this helps.

|||

I was actually thinking of making the reservations through a tour company that would including accommodations and all; suggestions?

|||

Suggestions?

|||

There are quite a few tour companies that cover Paris (as judged by the amount of buses one sees passing by) but is it really the way to see one of the worlds greatest cities?

I know, to each their own, but it is so easy (especially thanks to TA) to plan your OWN trip. That means you get to do things on your time, pick the perfect accomodations for you, eat where and when you want etc. I see these buses pass by the Concorde, with camera flashes shining through the window, and I wonder what Paris they are seeing vs. those of us who chose to hit the pavement and walk.

|||

Franco,

I went to the website you provided. I didn%26#39;t see a way to translate to English and I cannot read French. It looks like a fantastic site!

|||

Had the same problem :(

|||

Click on the icon of the British flag in the upper left hand corner.

|||

Thank you Sanddoc...didn%26#39;t notice the flag the first time.

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 6:26 am, September 03, 2009

Boulogne-Billancourt

Interested in anything to do/see/restaurants in this area of Paris.

|||

We do like a challenge on this forum, but in years gone by the southern banks of the Seine used to a grim industrial area, the giant Renault factory. This was heavily bombed in the war.

A lot of the old factories have gone to be replaced by offices and high tech companies. The local municipality struggles to find anything of interest to post under tourism on its web site, just some links to other areas and transport out of the district.

St Cloud park to the West is good if you want somewhere green to walk, or if you like sport, there is the Paris St Germain football stadium (Parc des Princes) or the French Tennis Federation courts.

There is also a museum dedicated to the 1930%26#39;s I haven%26#39;t tried ...

http://www.annees30.com/

... but is is closed for most of August.

However, as you would expect in any heavily populated area of France, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from:

boulognebillancourt.fr/pdf/…resto.pdf

|||

Thanks for the info - it sounds rather grim! Or these days - all shiny and new??

So it seems better to get on the Metro and go into central Paris?

As for living (we may be relocating there), are there any nice neighborhoods for a large family to reside in?

Thanks for your help!

|||

If you are going to be working and maybe living here with your family, then I suggest you check out the transport and some of the surrounding areas while you are on your visit.

The Metro runs from Pont de Sevres / Porte de St Cloud and stations in between (Line 9), but also look at using RATP buses 72 (for the Eiffel Tour - Louvre) and 22 (for the Arc de Triomphe - Opera). See the bus route plans here, by typing in the digits at the end of the web address, e.g. 72:

www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan.php…

You will see more of Paris on the bus and get a feel for the arrondissements as you pass through them.

If you don%26#39;t like the idea of an appartment in Boulogne-Billancourt or Paris itself, look at Sevres and St Cloud, just across the river, then further afield in the direction of Versailles or St Germain en Laye. Google maps has some good resolution satellite imaging of these areas.

I%26#39;m assuming from your Member name you have English or German-speaking children to educate, in which case the Section Internationale of the Lycee de Sevres could be of interest and might help narrow down your choice of location. See: http://www.sis-sevres.net for more information.

I can%26#39;t be more specific as I don%26#39;t live there any more, but I would hope your company could give you some local knowledge and assistance in finding somewhere to live.

|||

Thanks for the details as this will give me something to work with for the short time we are in Paris.

|||

Boulogne Billancourt is not at all grim. It%26#39;s a rather pricey suburb in fact. A very wealthy friend of mine lived there for a few years. It is residential so there isn%26#39;t a lot to see, but the Rolland Garros tennis courts are there at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne.

Les

|||

Yes, I have been told that it is one of the nicer, outer parts of Paris. Looking forward to checking it out.

Thanks!

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 2:20 am, September 04, 2009

Any information on thr Hotel Raphael?

I am staying at the Hotel Raphael in Sept. There are very few reviews for this Hotel although it is a 4-5 Star Property. Does anyoe have any experience with this property- good or bad?

Thank you

|||

All I know is that they have a rooftop bar/restaurant that is supposed to be divine!

Looks very nice from the outside!

|||

Hello,

Went to it in June, although not on the caliber of the Ritz/Crillon hotels, it still is one of the best hotels that I have been to. It has a very cozy feeling, not one of pomposity, and all the staff seem to be happy at what they are doing, and the concierges do a great job calling for restaurant reservations as soon as they can, trying everything they can do to make you have the best stay possible. The rooftop bar, is spectacular in the day (views of eiffel tower, arc d%26#39;triomphe, and Sacre-Coeur), but it really is worth seeing at night (turns into a restaurant, not worth eating) but go up to see the view that really brings meaning to %26quot;the city of light%26quot;.

The hotel is just off the Arc d%26#39;Triomphe in a very expensive residential area frequented by rich little ladies with their poodles and men in their suits who live just steps away from their financial companies. Compared to the rest of Paris which can become boisterous at night, this area is very residential and quiet which helps for a nice stroll at night.

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 5:19 pm, September 07, 2009

Paris: Football on Rugby World Cup Final Day

We will be in Paris to watch the Rugby World Cup Final (...no tickets... sigh). However, this is the day of the Merseyside Derby which kicks off at 13:45. Anyone know of anywhere central in Paris which is likely to show the football on such a rugby-mad day?

|||

Hi

I noticed your question yesterday and was just checking on a website for myself as I go to paris soon and happened across this info on a bar which may have what you looking for!- its in the Latin quarter somewhere this is what it says (hope its useful!)

5th Bar

62 rue Mouffetard, 5th

The 5th is perhaps the cosiest of the city’s many expat pubs. Small, dark and squeezed into two floors, it boasts Sky Sports, a pool table at the back and pub-type bonhomie and banquettes downstairs. Staff and punters here are residents from over the Channel or the Atlantic, happy to pay a little extra for the convenience of discussing familiar topics with their own kind.

|||

This may help you also it is a list of 7 different sports pubs in Paris.

eatinparis.com/EatinParis.woa/…

Cheers,

|||

Thank-you for your suggestions! I guess that I will find it somewhere - but its nice to have reassurance amongst all this egg-chasing!

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 6:16 pm, September 07, 2009

Perfect Paris souvenir - what do you wish you'd brought home

Just trying to think ahead as time will be so limited (day trip from London). I love antiques - nearest shops to the Champs de Elysses? I would prefer something I can display as I have many shelves for such purposes. I do need a (perhaps brass) pen and ink well set for an antique desk. But also, would like something that announces %26quot;Paris%26quot; when visitors see it. Suggestions?

Also need souvenirs for 6 and 9 year old granddaughters - prefer something lasting, not t-shirts.

Many thanks!

|||

Don%26#39;t know about the souvenir for you but for your granddaughters I recommend collectible dolls. My husband travels extensively internationally. When he visits a new country he purchases a beautiful doll for each of our girls. They both love them. My oldest daughter is now 13 and still loves to receive a doll from Dad (Grandparents have now started as well, the dolls from China and Russia from my mother in law are real treasures). We recently updated my 13 year old%26#39;s room. I thought the dolls would be put away but NO, they still play a prominent role in her decor. Hope that helps. Moms

|||

When I did a post for gourmet gifts, here are some of the suggestions given to me. This may give you some suggetions.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k12833…

Cheers,

|||

What I like to do is bring some menus home from some authentic Parisian restaurants. They are easy to carry back and when I get home, I frame them. I keep them for myself or I give them as gifts. They look smart and we always have a lot of fun trying to figure out what exactly is on the menu.

I also do pretty much the same thing with posters that I buy from the many bookstores near the Latin Qtr.

|||

I like to bring back the information leaflets of any where we may visit, such as a museum or even a shopping mall - they look good framed too.

KRx

|||

Santons?

Figurines pertaining to nativity.

However, you wouldn%26#39;t have to stick to a nativity theme, as they are modeled after all sorts of townspeople. Some may be antique.

Rue Bac.

|||

For the girls, you might think about a necklace or bracelet with the Eiffel Tower or some other landmark. Check out any souvenir shop or go to Galleries Lafayette.

For you, what about a piece of art? I see you only have one day but you may want to check out the artists at Place du Tertre for a painting of a Paris landmark or have your portrait done. There%26#39;s also the little Eiffel Tower replicas. They come in various sizes. The price can also vary from shop to shop!

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 3:20 pm, September 07, 2009

Gay Paris

So... I%26#39;m going to be in Paris the 2nd week of July and I was wondering where a 25yo gay American would hang out at night? What kind of gay nightlife is there in Paris?

|||

Most of the action takes place in the Marais. You might want to start with this website ... and follow the links to get more information.

slowtrav.com/france/paris/py_gay_paris.htm

|||

hey surfer bro -- i%26#39;m gonna be in Paris in late August....it%26#39;s my first time there...i hope you post your thoughts/experiences in Paris and about the gay nightlife. thanks.

|||

Wrangler, I can at least recommend a gay AND gourmet restaurant, http://www.auxtroispetitscochons.fr/

(even in English, you are lucky)

One of my best places in Paris in terms of price for value, not even considering it is gay and has a nice atmosphere, by the way.

Don%26#39;t go without booking.

As for nightlife, clubs, places, the link previously mentionned is a good starting base, then it really depends on your style, taste, so I won%26#39;t recommend anything!

|||

The Marais the marais the marais! Lots of bars and clubs, restaurants, shops, etc., many of them (most?) gay friendly. (That%26#39;s the 4th arrondissement)

Les

|||

While the Marais area has most gay bars, from what I%26#39;ve gathered the younger, clubbier set go to the various clubs dotted about the city, leaving the more staid (often a little older, but not necessarily so) people in the Marais.

I know that many English visitors to the Marais have been a little surprised that that it%26#39;s not quite on the scale, nor does it have quite the zip, of Soho. Having been brought up on the notion that the French are not as inhibited as the British, it seems odd that the gay areas in the two capitals seem to suggest the opposite. The Marais has some fairly good bars to be sure, but it%26#39;s somewhat quiet compared to Manchester, let alone London.

|||

Hi Surfer and Wrangler

This site is quite a good one for the Marais (which is in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements - don%26#39;t forget to look for options in the 3rd as it is a great area just to the north - the 4th is close to the Seine)

http://www.parismarais.com/

This is also useful for the Marais

http://marais.evous.fr/

|||

Get this

parismarais.com/parismarais-newsletter.htm

|||

I was in the Marais with a gay friend of mine just two weeks ago and it was teeming with 20 and 30 something men...

Les

|||

Pick any bar you want from lists you can find all over the web, and once you%26#39;re in Paris, pick up a copy of MB (Males A Bars), an almost pocket-sized weekly that lists every single gay bar (and more), what%26#39;s going on any given night of the week, what the %26quot;scene%26quot; is, etc., etc., etc.

Their website, should you want to take a look before you leave, is http://www.males-a-bars.com

It really, IMHO, is the essential guide to have once you%26#39;re there. You really don%26#39;t need much else.

|||

Any good hotels in this area? or perhaps some chain establishments?

Driving in France- international drivers license?

We are renting a car in Paris and driving to Lourdes, Carcassone and Aix en Provence. Does anyone know if you need an international driver%26#39;s license to drive a car in France. The auto club charges $l5.00. Anyone know where it may be issued cheaper?

|||

hy Fruff, go to

ambafrance-us.org/visitingfrance/driving.asp

|||

My advice is, don%26#39;t bother. We did that, and the rental car agency had no idea what it even was! We%26#39;ve never had any use for it - just use your NY license and you%26#39;ll be fine.

|||

I agree with the previous poster: you don%26#39;t really need it. I never bothered with an international drivers license until I went to Greece, where according to some people you can have some problems with the police if you are driving only with your home license. After investing the $15, I did take it with me to France in July, and the rental car guy did know what it was.

AAA is the only outfit that issues the license. Beware of others trying to sell you a bogus %26quot;international driving permit.%26quot; It%26#39;s apparently a scam.

|||

well you know, first of all check the regulation in application when visiting a country because if you have any problem requiring the police intervention or a control (gendarmerie or customs services in France) ,better stay in line with the regulations They won%26#39;t be impressed about what the rental agency say or don%26#39;t say. Law is law. But in your case effectively your american driving license is ok as per the law. I have been arrested when driving in Georgia (speed limit regulation) and i was happy to have a driving license traduction, believe me .....

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 8:18 am, September 05, 2009

please help with itinerary

Hi everyone- my trip quickly approaches (without passports, but that%26#39;s another post). I am traveling with my husband and my three kids , 7, 9, and 11. We are staying at Henri IV Rive Gauche in the Latin Quarter

I need some help trying to figure out what order to do the things we want to see, and how long it really takes to get from place to place. We really have only 1.5 days in Paris because we are taking the kids to Disney on the second day.

We arrive via eurostar at 2 PM on a Tuesday. I thought we could take the kids to a park (not sure which one) and Notre Dame then to the catacombs ( my husbands idea) then eat somewhere and take the Pont Neuf cruise in the evening.

The next day is Disney (a surprise!).

The third day (my 40th birthday!) is open except for 12:30 reservations at Altitude 95 for lunch. We want to see:

Louvre (short trip, just the highlights)

Arch de Triomphe (maybe in the evening?0

Place du Tertre and Sacre Coeur ( we must have a portrait done of my youngest, she is the only one who doesn%26#39;t have one)

National History museum

We would like to eat dinner somewhere low key with a view of the Eiffel tower if possible.

I realize that we are trying to fit alot into a little time but we have all day and into the evening . The kids are troopers and if they are having fun, will go all day.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated. The only thing we can%26#39;t change is our lunch reservations on Thursday.

Thank you!

|||

Hi Gibby

IMO, while the Luxembourg Gardens are great, the best park in Paris for kids (or others) is the Parc des Buttes Chaumont in the 19th as it is huge and hilly and full of locals and their dogs - just magical.

|||

Forget the catacombes. Gruesome and dark - not sure that the kids will appreciate it. Visit Notre Dame, walk around the Isles, have icecream, drink coffee and take the boat tour - and dinner somewhere along the way.

On your birthday (WHAT a way to celebrate!!) make sure you%26#39;re at the Louvre , 99 rue de Rivoli entrance (not the regular entrance throught the pyramid) at 8.45 am and you%26#39;ll get in quickly.....you can spend a couple of hours viewing the major pieces...

then walk along through the gardens, Place du Concorde, etc, up the Champs to the Arch de Triomphe, (metro Charles de Gaule Etoile - Line 6 in the direction of %26#39;Nation%26#39; ) to Eiffel tower (metro Bir-hakeim - exit champ du mars, Tour Eiffel) for lunch. You%26#39;ll be hungry, have sore feet and tired legs and will doubly enjoy your lunch.

Afternoon - train back to the hotel for a snooze or rest, the up to Montmartre for the obligatory portrait, dinner and a visit to Sacre Coeur...gasp at the view of Paris in the night, walk down those steps to the street where you will find every tourist trinket imaginable, back down to Bvd Clichey, walk up past Moulin Rouge (kids eyes are averted) and train back to the hotel.

What a wonderful day and a half!

|||

Absolutely agree with Faux -- Buttes Chaumont is a wonder and great for kids!

|||

Thank you all! I appreciate your thoughts! I am afraid I am stuck with the catacombs (it was either that or the sewers. Guess which one I picked!).

Any other ideas?

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 3:17 pm, September 07, 2009

train reservations to Dijon

My husband and I land at CDG at 8:15 am on Oct 12. We plan to take the Air France bus to Gare de Lyon, and catch 11:44 am train to Dijon. first question - have I allowed enough time to get from airport to Gare de Lyon. Second question - can I book the train ahead, and if so, will I still have to stand in line at GAre de Lyon to get the actual ticket from our e-mail reservation confirmation? That is how it seems from the postings on the Forums I have read. When we went to italy and travelled by train, we just showed our internet booking on the train, didn%26#39;t have to have an actual ticket.

Are there any other suggestions about getting to Dijon same day as we arrive? Since we will be sleep deprived, we need something simple. Can we just show up at the Gare de Lyon and hope to get a ticket?

I thought I had it all figured out - now I%26#39;m not sure if booking train ahead is a good idea - or if I have left enough time from travel from CDG to Gare de Lyon to catch the 11:44.

Thanks so much - these Forums are so helpful.

|||

well it%26#39;s time to hurry up, go to www.voyages.sncf.com

then enter the departure town, Paris, the date oct 12, the time from 11am and how many people in the party and 1st or second class and the final destination Dijon .....

(by the way do you plan a return ? )

Choose your seats ....then buy your PREMS TICKETS AND PRINT THEM, that%26#39;s all, it%26#39;s will allow you the time to go from the airport to Gare de Lyon with the RER ... no stress ... if your flight is at the right time of course .... enjoy it

|||

If you have a problem with arrival such as the plane is late getting in and you are nervous about the time, you might want to have a backup plan like taking a taxi to the train station (you will want to have enough euros with you to cover it if that occurs).

I agree you must make your reservation now to be sure of getting a seat, and you should actually print your ticket and take it with you (what you are referring to is the process where one makes the reservation and pays for it, then picks up the ticket at a station prior to travel).

|||

I%26#39;d seriously suggest you book a later train. Depending on how many planes land around the same time as you, you could be stuck in a baggage-jam and have to shuffle very slowly through the terminal. I last landed at 6.30am, but I didn%26#39;t arrive in the centre til 12 noon - and that was with no delays by customs, etc...

The later train at 2.54pm will get you to Dijon at 4.30 pm...bit of a pity that there%26#39;s no train in between the 11.14 and this one...

Voyages sncf advise that reservations are required - so just buying tickets on the day could be risky..

|||

Hello!

My husband and I are traveling to France in late September, arriving on a Monday at CDG around 10a. We%26#39;re heading to Dijon that day, and are booked on the 14:54 TGV train. We probably allowed waaay too much time, but want to be better safe than sorry in case our flight from the states is delayed. Plus, we plan to have a nice lunch at Le Train Bleu there in the station.

I completely agree that you should book your tickets NOW! We were able to get a great price in 1st class by going thru the sncf website. Check out one of the stickies at the top of the forum for the booking instructions. It was super-easy and we were able to print our tickets here at home.

|||

I should mention, Midlifetravellers, that you can take a TGV directly from the CDG station to Dijon. No need to travel all the way into Paris. Check the SNCF website, and enter Roissey in the departure box.

:-)

|||

If you can get the train from CDG do so by all means. It will save you an hour or so depending on traffic over going into the center.

If you have to go into town, I would suggest getting the later train. You just cannot know whether the plane will be on time, the luggage will arrive as planned. You need a margin for error. The person having a nice lunch at the station is wise.

We took the TGV last year in ist class and it was fine and quite comfortable. But definitely reserve your train and your seats. That will save you time whichever station you go out from.

|||

I checked into trains directly from CDG to Dijon, and the only one that came up was at 19:25. Then again, this was for my specific date (9/23), so who knows if they offer an earlier one on the day midlife is travelling?

|||

Just checked voyages sncf for the 12 Oct - the only train directly from Roissy to Dijon is that same train...

AEROPORT CDG 2 TGV 19h25 5130 Période de pointe

Valider cet aller

DIJON VILLE 21h20

Best price 20 euros per ticket.

The 14.55 seems to be the safest bet....

|||

I should add...that if you were travelling by train to Gare de Lyon, it would take you at least 45 mins, and that%26#39;s without lining up to buy your tix. (that%26#39;s an entirely different story! - allow at least 30 mins)

Airbus would be a bit quicker - probably no queueing for tix, but would still have to take at least 45 mins...taxi would be quicker again...

I%26#39;d sincerely recommend you purchase your 14.55 tix now, to get the best price. If you have some spare time before the train leaves, there%26#39;s always shops, cafes etc to prowl around in the station, easy to spend an hour or two relaxing and people watching.....

|||

Thanks so much for your help and suggestions. Tried to book seats last night and had a big ;problem with the SNCF website - no tickets, but did take my visa #. Finally got that sorted out this am (after a fretful night) and got our tickets booked (and printed). I did look at train from Roissey, but it is too late, unfortunately. We have to be in Dijon by 6 pm to pick up car.

Took advice and got later train to Dijon - we%26#39;ll be somewhat exhausted from overnight flight, but at least we%26#39;ll be in Dijon. That still leaves us 2 hr to pick up car.

Thanks again. Excellent advice and help.

What is your favorite street in Paris? Which street/cafe ex

What is your favorite street in Paris? Which street exudes Parisian charm to inspire a first time visitor to shout, %26quot;I%26#39;m in Paris!%26quot;?

Same question for sidewalk cafe?

Thanks to each of you!

|||

I take the train...then the metro.... then the escalator.... then, as the steps carry me up, up, up, the trees, then the street in front of my hotel begins to come into view... THEN, I say %26quot;I%26#39;m in Paris!!!!%26quot;. It%26#39;s not a special street, but it%26#39;s %26quot;mine%26quot;.

|||

Boy oh boy, this is a tough one, because I love so many streets. But, I will give you one of my favorites. It is Rue St. Andre des Arts. That runs parallel to Blvd. St. Germain in the St. Germain des pres district (6th). I love the whole street, but where it intersects with Rue Mazarine is great because there are a couple cafes on the corners, and I love to sit outside at cafe Buci. This also begins the market street on Buci, which is a continuation of Rue St. Andre. My apartment last year was on Rue St. Mazarine and I have to say it was my favorite parisian atmosphere that I experienced in all my 6 trips to Paris. Great restaurants, cafes, shops and art galleries everywhere. Also, the narrow streets make it the picture perfect Paris you dream of.

|||

Rue Saint Andre des Arts... hmmm...

Definitely for a younger crowd with the poster shops, the creperies and the Moroccan and Indian stores. Lively ? YES. Parisian (like in the %26quot;Paris%26quot; stereotype?) NO. But then it can be the new Paris...

At any rate, I prefer rue Jacob near by.

We can discuss this subject to death!

|||

I like walking up rue Frederic Sauton and seeing Place Maubert in the background. I enjoyed having a coffee or a glass of wine in the early evening at the outdoor tables at the Village Ronsard cafe on the corner of Place Maubert and rue des Carmes, from which you can see the Pantheon up the hill. It is a very ordinary cafe and the people passing by were mainly locals stopping to shop at one of the Place Maubert food shops on their way home from work.

|||

This is easy...the rue Jacob. We staed at a hotel on the rue Jaboc the first two trips to Paris and it was perfect. A half block over was the rue Bonaparte with the Cafe Bonaparte. Two blocks from this intersection in one direction is the river not too far from the Ile de la Cite, and two blocks in the other direction is the Blvd St Germain and Les Deux Magots. We stayed on this street last April, at another hotel, and wil stay there next April.

This is easy...the Blvd St Germain. It seems that wherever you go on the Blvd there is a great cafe to sit, sip, and watch. Read. Write postcards. The Relais Odeon, Les Deux Magots, La Taverne. It would be hard to pick a favorite cafe on the Blvd but we visit those three more than once every visit.

Of course there is is the rue Pot de Fer with all of those restaurants. Rue Moufftard. Place Contrascarpe.

Yup. Easy.

Pjk

|||

Not necessarily stereotypical Paris but very Parisian; rue Montorgueil/rue petits Carreaux or the cafés in the Jardin du Palais Royal in the 2nd, Place Saint Sulpice in the 6th, Place du Marché Saint-Catherine in the Marais, Place Victor Hugo in the 16th.

|||

Difficult question, but 2 of my favs. are rue St. Dominique between Av. de la Bourdonnais and La Tour Maubourg with the Café Constant; another is rue des Martyrs, particularly on Sunday when it is closed to vehicles with the Cafe Select on the corner of Navarin.

|||

%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;It%26#39;s not a special street, but it%26#39;s %26quot;mine%26quot;.%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

BINGO !!...got it in one.....and you%26#39;ll most certainly find %26#39;..yours..%26#39; as well. But perhaps the most frequently cited %26#39;...street..%26#39; in Paris for this will be rue de N%26#39; importe......when you turn the corner and spot the Eiffel Tower looming into view for the first time. That%26#39;s usually the first...followed by any number of others. It could also be the street out in front of your hotel, the first time you step out onto the pavement and a random passer-by offers a casual, %26quot;..Bon jour..%26quot; as you brush by each other on the pavement.

|||

Some of mine.. all very parisian streets?

Rue Montorgueil

Rue Lebon

Rue Guisarde

|||

I love Rue des Rosiers in the Marais, as well as Rue du Bourg Tibourg...

Les

Eurostar vs. Flying to London

I%26#39;m certain that this topic has been discussed many times before, but the most recent post I found was about 2 yrs old.

Anyway, I%26#39;m trying to decide on taking the Eurostar to London vs. flying. We depart Europe for home via Heathrow (had to do it this way to use miles). So we%26#39;re looking for one-way transport from Paris to London.

In pricing out our options, it looks like there%26#39;s only a $30 difference between the two. Two one-way tixs via British Airways (CDG-LHR) is $179. Two roundtrip tixs via Eurostar is $209 (have to book rt to get best fare) So what would you do?

More info: in Paris, we%26#39;re staying in the Latin Quarter, near the St. Michel Metro. And note that although we wouldn%26#39;t have to deal with the xfer to %26amp; hassles of traveling out of CDG, we%26#39;d have to tackle getting to our hotel hear Heathrow once we got into London. Flying via BA would put us right into Heathrow, and just minutes from our hotel.

Wonder which is more challenging- xfer to and traveling out of CDG in Paris, or having to make our way to the Heathrow area upon arrival at Waterloo station in London.

So that%26#39;s the dilemma. Any advice?

|||

oops- forgot to say THANKS in advance for your help!

|||

If the question were just city center to city center, I would always opt for the train (speed, and comfort, etc.).

What you may need to do is find out (sorry, it%26#39;s been quite some time I don%26#39;t recall) how easy it is to get from Waterloo station to the underground line that goes directly to Heathrow. I took it several years ago, and it was great - it literally went right into the terminal and I just got off and walked to the check in counter. I would suggest asking that question on the London forum - i.e., how easy or difficult to get from Waterloo station to Heathrow, and see what advice you get.

|||

I can%26#39;t comment on flying from Paris to London, but we did take the Eurostar from Paris to London a couple of years ago. Taxi from the Latin Quarter to Gare du Nord is probably 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. We travelled at the end of October and I don%26#39;t recall having any particular difficulty going through security checkpoints and checking in at the train station. You will no doubt have to alot for some time to check in at CDG. Disembarking at Waterloo was relatively easy. There is a taxi stand out front that moves pretty fluidly. Taxi from Waterloo to Heathrow will probably take 45-50 minutes. Time estimates are based on our personal experiences.

Here%26#39;s a plus I just thought of. If you take ES, you can keep all of your luggage with you. You do not need to check anything in, so there%26#39;s no waiting around the carousel.

|||

I think you will find eurostar easier.

As has been said you can keep all your luggage with you(and keep an eye on it). Check in is at least 30mins before departure and usually starts about 50/55 mins before departure.

They will not let you on if you go beyond the 30mins.

It is a very easy and relaxing journey and the transfer to Heathrow on the upgraded underground line is around 35mins and takes you right into the airport terminal.

Hope this helps

Neal

|||

Went on the Eurostar 3 weeks ago and prefer it to flying. We walked straight in to the Eursostar area 40 minutes nefore departure, got our tickets printed out at the collection point, zipped straight through security and customs and were in the depature area within 5 minutes. Seating area was adequate and comfy onboard, stretched the legs and went to the buffet area for tea and biscuits and was in Paris before I could read my magazine. My luggage was safe and secure though I was able to peer round and check it from time to time and upon arrival we collected it with no fuss (maybe a little crowding near the luggage and doors) and we outside the station within minutes and right there in the centre of Paris.

I will go this way again, quick, no fuss and competitive prices.

|||

Having had my 6 pm-ish BA flight to London to Paris cancelled a few years ago and having to wait 3 hours for the next flight available, I have sworn off flights London-Paris and since taking the Eurostar have never questioned that decision.

|||

Many THANKS for all your advice!

It looks like the way to go is via Eurostar! The price difference is really a wash. I mean, i%26#39;m not going to sweat it for $30. But saving time and angst is worth it to us.

A followup question. In order to get this fare on Eurostar, i had to book a rt trip. Is there any concern that I%26#39;ll only be using the outbound ticket? Will they %26quot;know%26quot; that I didn%26#39;t use the return trip and therefore charge my credit card an additional fee? Note that the type of tixs I would buy are: Standard non Flexi Compulsory return. Ticket non-exchangeable, non-refundable (copied %26amp; pasted from the itinerary page on sncf). Didn%26#39;t see any other info about terms.

THANKS again!

|||

I would not worry about it - everyone routinely books %26quot;return%26quot; tickets and uses only the first segment. I seriously doubt they even track whether the return part is used, since on most trains your ticket is merely punched, not scanned or collected.

|||

People have many reasons for not being able to use a return.

Don%26#39;t worry about that.

Neal

|||

Many THANKS!

I checked out the other Eurostar thread, and found out some good info there (going thru Eurostar US), that now allows me to book a one-way ticket for roughly the same price as the BA ticket. no need for a RT ticket to get a good price.