Paris

Paris is a big city like any other city. What makes it so special is the amount of amazing things to see and the French people themselves. Learn alittle French and try to speak it and they will usually let you off the hook and switch to English. It is important to try though. We stayed in two different hotels over the X-mas and New Years holiday. We switched hotels to be in a different part of the city and experience something different. Each arrondissement is unique in it’s own way and has a lot to offer. Even with 11 days we saw most of everything but not all. The best tip I could give is try to make reservations/buy tickets before you go places like Versailles, The Catacombs,and the Eifel Tower. I also recommend taking taxi’s over anything else if it’s in your budget. Most places seem pretty close by and will only cost about 10 euro to get there. Metro is cheaper (and easy) but not as quick. The Louvre will take a day, (technically any museum could be if you’re that into it) Versaille is a day, but most everything else could be combined with something else. Avoid touristy resteraunts for the best meals. The food is great. Every bottle of wine we had was great. Epernay makes a good side trip (to the Champagne Wineries) and is less touristy than Reims. If you go during X-mas like we did you’ll also have the added bonus of X-mas markets everywhere. They are a great place to eat and pick up little souveniers to bring home. Try the macroons!

Absolutely adored our time here. Everywhere we went everything was so nice, gorgeous buildings, good food, breathtaking sights and the people were just so nice.

I really, really enjoyed my time in Paris. It was even more beautiful than anything I’d seen in the movies or read about in a book… Truly, it was a fairlytale come true and I cannot wait to go back in the future! The entire look of Paris is just to die for.

I spent a year living in Paris and loved every minute of it. I met many tourists though who werent having a good time. Here are some of the rules I learnt:

1. If you know any French at all – use it. Dont be afraid of making mistakes or sounding stupid. You will get much better service simply for trying.

2. Even if you cant speak the language at least learn how to pronounce the words correctly. If you can do this then in restaurants you can open the menu, point to what you want and read it aloud in very convincing French – they will love you for this.

3. If you are American – be quiet. They hate loudmouths of any nationality but particularly American loudmouths.

4. Taxis are expensive and a ripoff – the metro is better. Find out about 1 day or 1 week passes that make travelling simpler and cheaper.

5. If it is in the touristy area then it is going to be expensive. If you have a choice then eat in the northern arondissements a bit out from the centre – things are a lot cheaper there. The restaurants are also more “French” – less touristy, friendlier and serve better food.

6. If you are going to spend any length of time there than aim for the northern arondissements. Here there is a large north african immigrant population – everything (hotels, apartments, food) is cheaper.

7. Spend a little bit of time observing how ordinary French people look, dress and behave – try to copy this if you want to avoid being ripped off, mugged or otherwise scammed.

I want to kiss someone precious to me here. Someday.

George queued for a day for a visa – in the rain. He had no idea it would take that long.

But we loved it and we loved it together. Paris in winter.

- Visit the Louvre

- Eat croissants and smoke cigarettes at an outdoor cafe

anytime! It’s been 23yrs since I’ve been there – a short break luxurious indulgence over the Xmas break. It was freezing (I’ll never forget that) and I’ll certainly never forget where we stayed – Hotel George V , went to the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, Moulin Rouge, a cruise on the Seine, Notre Dame and spent loads in the Galleria!! We crammed a lot into just 3 days.

Now, I’d love to go back….just to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, see a live concert and just soak up the buzz of everything french..sit sipping a Cafe au Lait & watch the french world go by.

Of all the places I’ve been to, Paris may very well be my all time favourite! It was amazing!

I had a short trip of 3 days to Paris and throughly enjoyed every moment of it. Walked a lot through the streets and gardens of Paris and had lovely lunches and romantic dinners @ the awesome eateries it has to offer. Loved this place. Of course, a little French goes a long way and usually appreciated by the Parisians.