Paris (First time)

ancapailldorcha

Hi all,

I'm heading to Paris for about a week in mid-August. Was just wondering if it's safe enough or I need to be on my guard (with the usual common sense provisos).

Do the big museums and the Eiffel Tower need to be booked in advance? There's a Paris Museum Pass. Would that be worth buying?

Many thanks. It's my first time there.

Brian2208

Hi. No real advice but the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, wish someone told me that before I went!

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058257105/paris-first-time

About as safe as any European city. You get pickpockets and all the various junkies and wasters around certain stations especially Gare du Nord which you will be using if coming in on the Eurostar. Was also a lot of homeless refugees hanging round certain areas but I never felt threatened by them.

Queues for Paris tourist attractions can be mental so anything you can do to alleviate that is good. So ya if you can get a timed booking do.

Jequ0n

If you are going to do the big touristy things book a few days in advance to avoid insane queuing times.

Other than that it’s like any other big city and the same rules apply.

Wouldn’t recommend walking by the Seine after dark on your own, unless you know the area well.

Avoid groups of Africans (sorry, I know it sounds racist but it’s not meant that way).

Caranica

Be warned, Paris in August is HOT!

I've gone solo a few times and never had any issues but like anywhere you need to keep your wits about you, especially on the metro/RER.

The museum pass is unlikely to be worth it unless you're planning on spending an awful lot of time in museums and galleries. Check out the Paris forum on TripAdvisor for very knowledgeable advice on passes.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119417863#Comment_119417863

Yep. I went to Lisbon on a Sunday only to find out all the big tourist things are closed on Monday. I checked this time!

Spanish Eyes

The Louvre is huge, the Mona Lisa is the size of a postcard. Everyone is different and it depends on what you are into, but I tend to avoid actually going in to the major attractions (I don't do queues!), and prefer to just see them from the outside and look online at the same time for what's inside lol. A walk around the Champs de Mars is great with the Eiffel Tower beside and above you. Les Invalides is another. Bois de Boulogne, the Pompidou Centre, a train trip to Versailles (stunning), and of course you must go to the Pere Lachaise cemetery to see Oscar Wilde's grave and that of Jim Morrison amongst others.

Just get the metro to the various points and walk as much as you can. Everyone should see Paris once.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119417892#Comment_119417892

I live in London so should be safe enough then. Ta.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119417966#Comment_119417966

You can't just pop in and buy a ticket? I know the Tower is booked out which is a shame. I can still do the Louvre. If I could do that and Versailles, I'd be content enough.

Dial Hard

The Garnier Opera is absolutely stunning too. Highly recommend booking a visit.

Jequ0n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119418342#Comment_119418342

You can buy a ticket on the day but the queues will likely be longer. Don’t use the pyramid entrance but one of the lesser known entrances to the museum.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119418437#Comment_119418437

Cheers. I actually just pre-booked to be safe.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119418342#Comment_119418342

On first glance it looks rougher than central London but in reality I have never had much trouble.

In the tourist areas right by the exits of attractions you will get groups of African men selling those stupid wrist bands and are pretty aggressive about it. I'de have my hand on the phone and wallet going through them.

Queues are honestly mental even by London standards so do book ahead to save time. The Louvre and Versailles are both great and if not doing the tower just do Montmarte instead some night for the same views ( Pigalle/ Moulin Rouge are just below and very much cleaned up these days )

Where are you staying ?

fdevine

Queues for the Louvre can be mental, particularly via main entrance but there are actually several entrances.

We went in July before and used the Porte de Lions and only had a handful of people in front of us so should be no need to prebook.

There was a large queue to both buy tickets and access the Arc de Triomphe but wasn't off-putting.

Definitely consider pre-booking the Eiffel Tower and the catacombs if you've any intention of visiting either.

Former Former Former

I would say Paris is the safest major European city I've been to anyway.

Definitely pre-book Versailles if you plan to go (and if you have a week, definintely take a trip to Versailles)

The Louvre is brilliant but you'd need a full day to do it justice. Musee d'Orsay is just as good IMO and a bit more manageable in terms of scale.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119418583#Comment_119418583

d'Orsay is very good particularly if you are into the impressionists. Some of Van Gogh's most famous works are there for instance.

The catacombs are also a good visit but again packed in the summer.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119418514#Comment_119418514

Thanks. I'd be heartbroken if I missed Versailles so I think I'll book it. Annoyingly, it looks like chunks of it are inaccessible if there are events but there's not much info about said events.

I'm staying beside the Hotel des Invalides. Pricey but cheaper than Amsterdam which was my first choice. Tried to book flights today but the Easyjet website is acting the maggot. I've splurged on the Eurostar instead.

mrpdap

+1 on Pere Lachaise cemetery

also Isle de la Cité, Notre Dame etc

walk from the Louvre, jardins des Tuileries, Invalides, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, v touristy but worthwhile

walk as much as you can

Raven_k42

+1 on Musee d'Orsay.

I found the Louvre a bit overwhelming size-wise...and maybe I'm not educated enough to fully appreciate everything on show. Musee d'Orsay is way more practical...still really impressive...and possibility you will see something you recognise !.

K

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119418742#Comment_119418742

Maybe. It's the world's most visited museum apparently.

I've a wedding to go to in Mayo this week and between it and the stag do, I'm spending the same on this trip to Paris somehow.

I've the Louvre and Versailles booked. Might do the Catacombs as well.

Senature

Latin quarter is lovely for a meander, nice cafe's and the jardins du luxembourg are a nice break from the busyness of the city.

Batobus can be a fun way to get to a few sights along the seine. A 2 day ticket is about €20.

I haven't been to Musee D'orsay but would echo the suggestions to go. On my hitlist next time I go to Paris.

breezy1985

Double + 1 on the walking. Paris itself is the greatest attraction.

Pere Lachaise is a good shout and if you do go then head up Belleville (the less glamorous Montmartre). It's the working class area where Edith Piaf grew up and started her career. It's now your typical multi ethnic working class area with a mix of young French workers and students too. Reminds me a lot of Elephant & Castle or Lewisham but in a good way.

Also close to you and d'Orsay is bde. Saint Germain which is worth a stroll.

PowerToWait

Yeah, walk between spots. Though the walk can be long! I lived there for years but took the metro everywhere for a few years and missed out on so much. Gonna be hot though, and lots of places will be shut for holidays.

ancapailldorcha

How's the food? France is famous in this regard but is the capital just laden with places serving poor quality fare to the tourists? Just remembered that escargots are a thing. Worth a punt?

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119419122#Comment_119419122

I was in a lovely restaurant across from Notre Dame. I think it was the Voltaire looking at Google maps.

Plenty of good places to eat and i'de say you will be able to spot the tourist traps. Escargot is alright but it's the meat and 2 veg stuff that the French are really good at. Duck and root veg + jus kinda stuff.

Cheese shops are a sight to see and also just stop in a local baker for a baguette. The bread is so good you could eat it plain.

CaboRoig

Sacre Coeur is not to be missed. The views from the top of Montmartre are breathtaking. And it's free.

CaboRoig

+1 on the bread. Just grab a baguette (or two) and eat plain. A bad baker wouldn't last in Paris so it's all good.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119419214#Comment_119419214

I'll bear that in mind, thanks. Any advice for spotting the tourist traps? I'm guessing it's the places near the likes of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119419656#Comment_119419656

Someone at work mentioned that. Glad to have it in writing so I don't forget now!

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119419675#Comment_119419675

Anywhere on a street corner near an attraction tends to be a tourist trap. I usually stay and eat in the Latin Quarter

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119419675#Comment_119419675

No quick and easy answer but I think you will know when you see them. They usually look like a modern canteen or the type of chains you get round central London.

It's a bit like Barcelona where the tourist places seem to make it pretty obvious.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119419888#Comment_119419888

Thanks!!

Dale Parish

If you want to see Paris from up high but don't want to queue for the Eiffel Tower; the Tour Montparnasse is a good alternative

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119420084#Comment_119420084

What really put me off ever going up the Eiffel tower again wasnt the queue to get up it was the sweaty 25oC late night queue to go back down.

Definitely more impressive looking at it from Montmartre at night.

septictank

Well how did you get on?

Thinking of going around March/April for 3days.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120008396#Comment_120008396

I'd a terrific time. Highly recommend the city. I get why people are so fascinated by it. I hope to go again in a year or two once Notre Dame is restored. The Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe are a bit meh for what they are. The Musee de l'Armee is incredible as are Versailles, the Louvre and the Catacombs.

Pricey enough spot but not too bad. Locals aren't nearly as rude as they're made out to be.

septictank

Good to hear you enjoyed the trip. Was there years ago, 20+ so may as well say I haven't been before.

Only at the early stage of researching, want to stay where things are walking distance away, nice hotel without breaking the bank, but will pay extra if need to.

Any suggestions for hotels, restaurants, etc?

Hope to do the usual sights and try to be as Persian as possible lol.

Won't be doing museums or galleries, waste of time on short break.

endofrainbow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120008977#Comment_120008977

Why would you want to be 'Persian' in Paris? 🤣

septictank

"Vive la difference" lol.

ancapailldorcha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120008977#Comment_120008977

I just ate wherever. Food was good. Used an AirBnB so can't recommend accommodation.