OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

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• 19-Mar-2010 17:10

  OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  lambi Joined on 17-Feb-2008 United Kingdom Posts 9,576	Contact I'm going to Paris in June with a friend, nothing is booked yet though. We know nothing about the place really, where to stay, what to do there etc. I'd be grateful for any recommendations for hotels or places to visit. February 2009 - 36+0 - 6lb 12oz - Emergency CS August 2011 - 39+2 - 8lb 13oz - VBAC

• 19-Mar-2010 17:21

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  Katamari Joined on 11-Aug-2007 Lancashire Posts 6,677

  Contact We honeymooned in Paris and loved it! Can't remember where we stayed as we just used it for a base really, but the metro was fab for getting around. On our 'must see/do' list -  A day at Disneyland Paris. Eiffel Tower at night, but get there really early in the morning if you want to go up it as theres less crowds. Notre Dame - fantastic restaurants and we liked the Cafe du Pont which had rather yummy but lethal lemon vodka cocktails! The catacombs - very creepy! The Sacre Coeur - breathtaking views.  Arc de Triomphe The Skyscraper District We loved it there - I'd go back tomorrow!

• 19-Mar-2010 17:26

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  **Pip** Joined on 25-Feb-2006 United Kingdom Posts 17,696

  Contact I went with school and again with my H a few years ago. We just did a last minute weekend booking on the eurostar and stayed near Montmarte (sp?) - it's known a bit as near the red light district which we found funny but it was really near Sacre Coeur and my favourite bit of Paris around there, it's where all the artists are and all the little cafes that serve crepes. Mmmm. I think you can get a pass for the metro for a couple of days iirc and we used it to just jump around Paris and see a bit of everything. The Eiffel Tower is always going to be a must no matter how cliche and like Kat said, it looks lovely at night all lit up. Same with Notre Dame as it's beautiful inside, and probably Champs Elysees and the Arc, just to walk down it and get pics. We didnt go into the Louvre museum which we regretted a bit after but we walked around there. Theo Michael 01.12.08 Eleni Sofia 23.03.10 Jonah Theo 11.04.11 http://www.justgiving.com/theowilson blog here: http://www.simplesite.com/TheosStar

• 19-Mar-2010 17:33

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  Snowball Joined on 09-Apr-2004 United Kingdom Posts 5,810

  Contact What Katamari said. Ten years ago yesterday, Mr Snowball proposed to me on the drawerbridge of the castle at Disneyland Paris!  We adore Paris and have been a few time since but alas not since the boy arrived four years ago. We always stay by the Opera, it's quiet which suits us fine, we just buzz about on the underground. We have stayed here a few times ---> http://www.hotellouvremarsollier.com/ Enjoy Harvey born 7 October 2005 - 11 days late - 6lb 10oz Hugo born 25 April  2010 - 12 days late - 8lb 8oz Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. — Ferris Bueller

• 19-Mar-2010 17:36

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  macca Joined on 31-Jul-2005 Essex Posts 4,849

  Contact In June it will be hot, hot, hot! I love Paris - it's expensive though. Echo what the others said - especially about Montmartre and the Sacre Couer - breathtaking. The Louvre is really overrated I think - if you have an interest in art/art history I'd recommend teh Mussee D'Orsee and the Picasso museum. We also did a very touristy, but lovely, boat trip down the Seine which was gorgeous, and a really different way to see the city. IIRC we got on the boat at the Notre Dame - which ais a fabulous area in itself - lots of artists, street markets, street performers etc. Best views of the Eiffel Tower are from Place de la Conchord -its a voew straight across the city and is gorgeous (plus there is a grgous creperie there - ) Ummm, what else? For lunches we used to buy fresh bread/croissants, cheeses and meats and have a little picnic in one of the many little park areas - gorgeous and a good way to keep the costs down a bit. Ooh, try and see if there is a show on at the Moulin Rouge whilst your there - we went on our last night and it was amazing! Noah Gabriel  11.06.05  Elijah Cameron  28.04.06 Sebastian James  15.05.08 Nathaniel Joseph  04.06.10

• 19-Mar-2010 17:42

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  Madonna Joined on 30-Sep-2003 United Kingdom Posts 23,869

  Contact So jealous! I looove Paris. Agree with Macca though, it will be hot so I hope you have aircon! The tourist boat (Batobus) is a must IMO - it does pickup/dropoff at the major stops along the Seine, and you can ride up and down all day - it is the best way of seeing as many of the postcard sights as I can think of. I can't wait to take S, but the tiny cobbled pavements aren't conducive to a buggy just yet! Inspired by Sofie, Milo and all my angels, most recently Joe http://www.justgiving.com/JoeDonn/ Ideas and donations welcome x

• 19-Mar-2010 17:42

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  Katamari Joined on 11-Aug-2007 Lancashire Posts 6,677

  Contact Oh and be prepared for every man and his dog trying to sell you Eiffel Tower keyrings - they are really persistant! We also had a Lonely Planet guide book, which was really good - it had some fab recommendations and some of the more useful French phrases. The one day we forgot it I managed to convince myself that I was pregnant as I was over a week late and had to mime pregnancy to a French chemist - the shame! (I wasn't pregnant, just stress induced lateness!)

• 19-Mar-2010 17:54

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  lambi Joined on 17-Feb-2008 United Kingdom Posts 9,576

  Contact This is fab, thank you! That's great that it'll be hot, we're both sunworshipers! Can you remember any of the hotels you've stayed in? Is it right that its sort of set out in blocks, and is the metro is like a london underground sort of thing? Sorry if these are daft questions, I'm literally clueless. I think the most we both know about Paris is what we saw in Sex in the City but we've decided it would be a waste just to prance around in fancy outfits feeding cakes to random dogs... February 2009 - 36+0 - 6lb 12oz - Emergency CS August 2011 - 39+2 - 8lb 13oz - VBAC

• 19-Mar-2010 18:01

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  Madonna Joined on 30-Sep-2003 United Kingdom Posts 23,869

  Contact I've stayed at various hotels, but the Hotel Gare Du Nord used to be okay (many years since I've been) and v close on the Eurostar - I take it you are Eurostar-ing? Or Hotel du Louvre if you have the spends! Unless you're an art buff I think you can get away without the Louvre tbh - we just ended up queueing for ages then running to the Mona Lisa before catching our train home! Inspired by Sofie, Milo and all my angels, most recently Joe http://www.justgiving.com/JoeDonn/ Ideas and donations welcome x

• 19-Mar-2010 20:03

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  WOW Widow Joined on 03-Nov-2007 United Kingdom Posts 920

  Contact I lived in Paris and when we go back we always head for the area around Opera - it is a walk from the Louvre, a good walk to the Champs Elysees, near the department stores and near tuileries gardens.  I find that the best westerns are fine - we tend to spend all day pavement pouding - the last one we stayed at was near gare St Lazare.  It is also a good central location to get bascially anywhere on the metro. When I lived in Paris I lived in the 9th arrondisement (near Opera) and I walked everywhere -  les Halles, place de la concord, l'assemblee nationale, the marais and nothing was more than about 30 mins (bus and metro avaialble too).   If you fancy a boozy night out which is a giggle, i would recommend booking this restaurant - http://www.nosancetreslesgaulois.com/UK  It is very good fun and the food was good and the wine flows all night (I have struggled several times to get up and walk afterwards!)  My other must do is the Orangerie museum in the tuilleries hope you have a lovely time.

• 19-Mar-2010 20:22

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  lambi Joined on 17-Feb-2008 United Kingdom Posts 9,576	Contact Thank you. I'm am writing all this down and will be taking it with me! I've just been recommended this hotel: http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-1743-ibis-paris-bercy-village-12eme/index.shtml Does anyone know if its a good location etc? Apparently its on the metro line 14, which means nothing to me! February 2009 - 36+0 - 6lb 12oz - Emergency CS August 2011 - 39+2 - 8lb 13oz - VBAC

• 19-Mar-2010 20:29

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  WOW Widow Joined on 03-Nov-2007 United Kingdom Posts 920

  Contact handbag: Thank you. I'm am writing all this down and will be taking it with me! I've just been recommended this hotel: http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-1743-ibis-paris-bercy-village-12eme/index.shtml Does anyone know if its a good location etc? Apparently its on the metro line 14, which means nothing to me! For me it is a bit far out - if you look at the map the peripherique is the ring road, so you are quite a way from the centre of things.  Fine if you are happy to get the metro everywhere - personally I am a fan of being right in the thick of it, especially for city breaks

• 19-Mar-2010 20:33

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  lambi Joined on 17-Feb-2008 United Kingdom Posts 9,576

  Contact If thats the case I think we need to be further in. We're only going to be there for 3 nights so want to be central. Will look at the Best Westerns then. Does the one you mentioned have a particular name or do I just look for Best Westerns? We're going on the Eurostar as my friend is a rubbish flyer and by the time the meds wear off that she has to take to fly it'll be time to come home! February 2009 - 36+0 - 6lb 12oz - Emergency CS August 2011 - 39+2 - 8lb 13oz - VBAC

• 19-Mar-2010 20:36

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  lambi Joined on 17-Feb-2008 United Kingdom Posts 9,576	Contact Is this it? http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187147-d229625-Reviews-Best_Western_Opera_Saint_Lazare-Paris_Ile_de_France.html http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Best_Western_Opera_Saint_Lazare_Hotel_Paris.htm Thanks again for your help! February 2009 - 36+0 - 6lb 12oz - Emergency CS August 2011 - 39+2 - 8lb 13oz - VBAC

• 19-Mar-2010 20:39

  Re: OT - Anyone been, or know anything about Paris?

  WOW Widow Joined on 03-Nov-2007 United Kingdom Posts 920	Contact http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=93569 This is the one we stayed at most recently and it was perfectly decent - is on a side street so not too loud if you have to have the window open (some of the rooms have small balconies to the front too) and the breakfast was enough to set you up for the day ahead