Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest
Paris - Advice needed
-
14-01-2009 12:12pm#1
Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
-
themacdaddy wrote: »Oh another thing how expensive is it in Paris. Can't be much worse than Dublin can it? Haha
If you go to the hot spots then you are going to pay the big bucks.
Walk down any back street a couple of hundred yards and you'll pay much cheaper prices.
Have the odd picnic, last time I walked into a back street delicateseen it was fantastic.
Huge range of wonderful food and the man behind the counter was wonderful, very helpful and also recommended what wine should go with the food.
If you can speak french, I personally found the back street shop keepers to be exceptional. They can spend up to 5 or 10 minutes chatting you about their wares, seeing the sites etc...
I adore Paris, you can spend your whole time wandering the streets if you wish and still have a great time.
As has been suggested, walk to Montemarte and visit the Sacre Coeur.
Walk up the Champs- Élysées.
Go to Notre Dame early in the morning and go inside, if the sun is shining that stain glass window is not to be missed. You can almost see Quasimodo swing from the roof
For cheap food, go to the Latin Quarter across from Pont Neuf. There is a huge range of restaurants and so the prices are low. Don't go to the first one, walk right in towards the back, I found the restaurants even better there.
For the best view of Paris, don't waste your time going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, the queues will be huge. Go instead to the top of Tour Montparnasse. That way you get a view of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower in it!
The metro is fantastic for getting from A to B.
But, if you are there for 5 days, do a lot of walking. I think there is no better city in the world for walking in. You get a real feel for the place and there are so many beautiful buildings to see as you walk along.0 -
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
We have all heard of the arrogant Parisian gits havent we?
You just have to have the knack really
The waiters dressed in black and white are unionised staff and a lot of the time probably earn more than you do Most people have trouble with this bunch.
The job is a profession and to get it you need to pass exams in collage and be accepted to the union. Because of this they have a certain arrogance that Irish wouldn't be used to in waiting staff where in Ireland if you're not working for yourself, the job of waiting upon others doesn't hold a lot of value.
The thing to remember is that they're aren't treating you like crap because you're not French. They treat you like crap because you don't understand the correct etiquette and aren't behaving 'properly'
They do the exact same thing to all French people, even more so I'd say, who are from other parts of France.0 -
Un café et un croque-monsieur svp. (krock)
themacdaddy I insist you try one.
I swear I will and report back...I am really looking forward to it...Are Bus tours worth it or not in your opinion?
Well What i experienced for the most part, was courteous friendly people which was nice.
Ye I have been told by alot of Irish to expect rude French people but I am not going with that mindset. I think its only fair to judge them on your own experiences.I've met people who have paid €30 for 2 x coffee and toast just because it was the only place that they found where the waiter spoke English.
I can speak french...I am not fluent but know how to order food, ask for directions, ask all types of questions and even apply for a job (who said the Leaving Cert French was crap
) Basic understanding of French. I think the old B1 in the L. Cert could stand to me yet 
0 -
-
themacdaddy wrote: »I swear I will and report back...I am really looking forward to it
Good lad!Are Bus tours worth it or not in your opinion?
I've been to Paris 5 times and never taken one...Ye I have been told by alot of Irish to expect rude French people but I am not going with that mindset. I think its only fair to judge them on your own experiences.
Like any where, you will get good and bad.
Expect the rudeness more in the tourist places.
The rest of France tend to dislike anyone from Paris.
Use the french manners system (which I presume you know?) and smile.I can speak french...I am not fluent but know how to order food, ask for directions, ask all types of questions and even apply for a job
You're sorted then!
Bon Voyage 0 -
-
-
-
Croque Monsiur... *Insert Homer Simpson style drooling noises here* Problem with them is I could never stop at one! Also try crepe and Nutella, crepe with ham and cheese, crepe with cheese... just any kind of crepe really.
Ahhhh.. a true traveller
Most Irish people shy away from crepes thinking of pancakes and lemon juice.
Once you've handed over €5 for a two-handful crepe full of cheese/ham/eggs/mushrooms you can never go back to just ordering a bag of chips.
It's Fast Food but boy is it good!0 -
Advertisement
-
Croque Monsiur... just any kind of crepe really.
Paris is a place where a little bit of french goes a long way. I speak horrible french, but they appreciate you trying.
Excellent thanks...i have been to France twice....Lyon & Brittany but never Paris...I can't wait now....Ahhhh.. a true traveller
Once you've handed over €5 for a two-handful crepe full of cheese/ham/eggs/mushrooms you can never go back to just ordering a bag of chips.
No I love them and as ye say I can never have just one...they may be bad for you but they taste so good...
Cheers for the advice lads & ladies....good to get advice from people who have been there and bought the t-shirt 0 -
And I'm to be found on the line 6Me if it's 8:30 and line 2
Go to Notre Dame early in the morning and go inside, if the sun is shining that stain glass window is not to be missed. You can almost see Quasimodo swing from the roof
But, if you are there for 5 days, do a lot of walking. I think there is no better city in the world for walking in. You get a real feel for the place and there are so many beautiful buildings to see as you walk along.
If you're into your stained glass windows, the one in the Sainte-Chapelle is also beautiful and close by http://sainte-chapelle.monuments-nationaux.fr/
And +1 on walking - with so much to see, you'll never be bored. Maybe cold at this time of the year, but not bored!
Me too. Just today I had a slice of quiche, a mushroom risotto and a bowl of ice-cream for €9.90 :eek:I find Dublin to be much more expensive then Dublin as regards food and hotels.themacdaddy wrote: »Are Bus tours worth it or not in your opinion?
They're fine if you want to get a feel for the place, I suppose. I generally find that exploring a city independently is way more fun though!
Nutella and banana ftw!Also try crepe and Nutella, crepe with ham and cheese, crepe with cheese... just any kind of crepe really.
What else... I recommend climbing the Arc de Triomphe by night, the view is spectacular - and the Eiffel Tower is very close by.
There's an ice-rink in front of the Hotel de Ville (city hall) at the moment if you fancy that. As far as I know you just rent your skates - not sure of price, about a fiver I think - and off you go!
Go for a stroll in the Luxembourg Gardens, they really are beautiful.
The sales are on at the moment, grab yourselves a few bargains!0 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
The thing to remember is that they're aren't treating you like crap because you're not French. They treat you like crap because you don't understand the correct etiquette and aren't behaving 'properly'
They do the exact same thing to all French people, even more so I'd say, who are from other parts of France.
Tips, please, Ponster. What is correct etiquette in France? How do we avoid putting our feet in our mouths?0 -
-
Am i too late? Have you already gone? Hope not.Well 100 ish between the 2 without wine. Neither of us will be drinking most likely. Can be a bit higher.
You'll definitely find your culinary paradise in Paris for cheaper than that if you avoid "trendy sh*te" and go for TRADITIONAL and RUSTIC! A few adresses :
* La Maison de la Lozère (it's actually part of a 'House of the Lozère area' in Paris and they also have a room with expositions and a shop with regional products! Huge portions of delicious meals that would be 'fancy' in Dublin like 'fois gras poêlé'...for a maximum of 20 € per head (actually the menu is at 22, 26 if you take a cheese plate, formulas at 15 for lunch) and it's in the Saint-Michel / Odéon area just next to the lively Latin Quarter... => http://www.lozere-a-paris.com/
* The very unpretentious L'Estaminet, in the Enfants Rouges market in Le Marais : http://www.qype.co.uk/place/88485-Lestaminet-Paris/photos?trackpage=placepage&trackelement=gallery
* Typical & authentic Parisian café/bistro : Le Café du Commerce, off the beaten track as well but still in a cool area for shoppers (rue du Commerce isn't named like that for nothing...Impressive historical Art Déco settings as well, you wouln't believe how big the place was before entering) : http://www.lecafeducommerce.com/?page=photos
Formula at €26, à la carte starters from €5 to €12, meals around €14, deserts around €7, starting wine bottles at around €17
* Pain, Vins et fromages serving fondues, raclettes, pierrades... http://www.painvinfromage.com/uk/index.htm
*There are also the serie of Breton crêperies (much better than the ones made on stalls...) and proper 'galette' of black floor and gallons of Breton cider on the nicknamed 'rue des crêpes' : rue du Montparnasse, 14st district and surrounding litle streets, every two doors...
*The nicknamed 'rue de la soif' ('thirst street') a big rugby area but a gourmet destination when no match is on : corner made by the rue guisarde, rue princesse and rue des canettes near Mabillon tube station (Bastide de l'Opio is a good one)
Now you also have relatively affordable cool trendy stuff but then, don't forget to book...
* La Gare (named like that because it was a train station) in the fancy but lively 16ème around La Muette ("entréé - plat - dessert" formulas at €18 lunch, €31 evening : http://www.restaurantlagare.com/indexve.html
* Another cool romantic one is Le Châlet des Îles on the island of the Boulogne woods' lower lake (despite the description it's quite easy to reach lol). You cross the lake surrounded by ducks on a little boat, etc...
Despite what they say on this gourmet trips organiser's website : http://www.idealgourmet.fr/index.php?pg=fr/guide/pg1.php&pos=top&bd=vide&id=106&pr=77%B6=444&home=resa&lg=_en
You have formulas at €25 (lunch) and €30 (evening). http://www.lechaletdesiles.net/
* Or you can include it in the touristy stuff : then a new Parisians' fave is Les Ombres atop the new Quai Branly Museum (near the Eiffel tower, and it actually strike its shade on it at some point in the day hence the name) : http://www.lesombres-restaurant.com/carte_menu.html
Some other cool suggestions :
* Don't miss the BESTEST hot chocolate in the world : http://www.biteofthebest.com/angelinas-hot-chocolate/
* A true American diner for breakfast if you're tired of croissants : http://www.breakfast-in-america.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=35
Hope that helped.0 -
-
Advertisement
-
-
-
Advertisement