Tips for Paris for Rwc games

50HX

Heading over for the opening game of the rwc.

Haven't been to Paris before, any advice on travel to the stadium & back as its a late kick off

Where to go for food &, drink after game, is it well set up outside stadium or mad queues

Any advice from previous travellers to games there appreciated

If I can piggyback, going to the SA game which kicks off in the middle of the night, any tips on things to do or see during the day?

CuriousCucumber

A lot depends on where you're staying, and what your interests are.

Do you want to see the sights? Wanna mingle with other rugby fans? Wanna get blind drunk and get a hooker? Wanna try the best food on offer?

Paris is huge, and caters for all tourist types.

I'm staying in the Montmart area, and wanna mix some drinking, with nice, local restaurants. I've done most of the main sites before.

I used trip advisor to find restaurant recommendations, and supposedly, up by Moulin Rouge is great for drinking with rugby fans.

Getting to the stadium seems straightforward from this area. Just take a single metro. Metro runs until 12:30 I think, so covered when it comes to the matches

You can buy alcohol in the stadium, but be ware of the fan zones outside, as previously, the only sold non alcoholic beer. Not sure of the situation this year

50HX

Thanks curious

Staying near that area as well, I would think good food & can do the beers on match day evening, in Thursday evenin back sat a.m

CuriousCucumber

If you find Corcorans Irish pub on Boulevard de Clichy, I think thats the general area where Irish fans congregate.

There's another district, that one of the English papers recommended for drinks. Search for Eden Park Pub. That seems to be in the middle of that area.

I would also look into getting a 2 or 3 day day metro pass. Think you can order them online, and collect from the main stations.

lawrencesummers

If your drinking up by the moulin rouge keep your wits about you, its a great area but there are some shady characters around.

lawrencesummers

There is a restaurant near the moulin rouge called Bouillon pigalle.

great value traditional french food full of locals. Always a queue but it moves quickly.

Podge_irl

I wouldn't bother getting to the stadium too early.

the_amazing_raisin

I can't give advice on the stadium, but here's my general advice on the city itself

First off, it's an amazing city, I'd highly recommend seeing the major landmarks even if they are a bit pricey. Going early can help with avoiding the queues

Also, if you're under 25 and hold an EU passport you can get a discount, or even free entry into some of the landmarks. We got into the L'Arc de Triomphe for free this way (about 14 years ago 😭)

Okay, now the slightly less good. It's a city and not some managed tourist resort, so it has the same safety concerns like any other big city. Stay in a group, don't go into any streets alone, watch out for scam artists and pickpockets

I don't know if Paris is any more dangerous than other cities, but pickpockets are everywhere. One might even say getting robbed on the RER is part of the experience. If anyone stops you to talk, then you should probably just keep moving

Don't keep any valuables in your bags, leave your important paperwork in the safe in the hotel (locked of course) and if carrying cash use a cash pouch or other secure storage

Okay, I hope I haven't put you off at this point. I've been to the city twice and never had trouble, but it's just important to take the precautions and you'll be fine

For getting around, use the metro wherever possible. It's an absolutely fantastic service and very reasonably priced.

One of the lines (the M3, I think) has these weird rubber wheels driving the train. If you get on it, brace yourself, the thing accelerates like an F1 car and I'm pretty sure the drivers have a game to see how many tourists they can throw off their feet

The metro can get pretty packed, so give yourself extra time to get to the stadium. You'll also want to be wary of the buskers who hop onto the trains to play some music and beg for cash. They range from full 3 piece bands who can be pretty good, to absolutely awful one man acts. Dunno if it's still a thing but luckily noise cancelling headphones are more available now

For food and drink, there's no end to excellent restaurants around the city, but be prepared to pay. If you're anywhere near the major landmarks then expect to spend a lot. Think Temple bar prices multiplied by two (or three, since the RWC is on)

You can usually find places away from the landmarks that are more reasonable in my experience

Anyway, I hope this helps a bit, and enjoy the trip!

OneLungDavy

Heading over to the SA game, gonna get pissed early and won't remember a thing, can't wait.

mikemac2

Montmarte is a good place for accommodation. Fairly central, two metro lines as I remember and prices are much more reasonable than the very centre

Lots of restaurants and bars up there too.

edit: I see the OP is staying there, good choice

Strumms

5th and 6th Arrondissements are my favourite… good bars, restaurants etc….very safe too. Lots of people about and well policed.

Pigalle, Clichy are areas traditionally less safe after dark, Montemarte is generally safe but a stones throw from Pigalle and Clichy…I’ve been around there during the day but I remember going to a gig at La Cigale near Place Pigalle…. It was ropey leaving…

finbarrk

The best way to get to the stadium from the Boulevard de Clichy area is the Metro from Place de Clichy to St Denis Porte de Paris. Its only about 7 stops. The stadium isn't far from that stop. Boulevard de Clichy is the spot to be drinking in. It's not unsafe, as others are suggesting. I have been there loads of times, day and night.

VinLieger

Ive heard theres a good station and a "bad" station to access Stade De France from, any truth to this?

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121038027#Comment_121038027

The RER station is a bit far away (15-20 min walk from recollection, but it's been a while) but whether you get that or the metro will just depend on where you are coming from.

Akrasia

My recommendation is to be a bit careful about which stations you stop at on the metro in the evening and night. It might be better to go a longer way and stick to the main stations as you can end up being the only people in the metro station for 10-15 mins while the next train comes, and in some areas, you might end up alone with some dodgy characters.

Geuze

I have been in this cafe-bar-restaurant in Les Halles, in the city centre, I think it is associated with rugby.

Three course meal = 20 euro, unreal value, but the seats are packed together.

L'Express Bar, rue du Rouge

https://goo.gl/maps/tpCwgbsXCXsyE2pA9

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d2722817-Reviews-L_Express_Bar-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

finbarrk

Would recommend Bugsy's. Was there last year. Steak & chips was €20.

https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d787215-Reviews-Bugsy_s-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

Sheep Shagger

Yikes...

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2023/0829/1402287-french-air-traffic-controllers-call-for-strike-at-rwc/

VinLieger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121044555#Comment_121044555

Sigh didnt they just finish striking?

Sheep Shagger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121045272#Comment_121045272

It's nearly a full time job (striking) over there.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121044555#Comment_121044555

It's one day before we take on Tonga, not two as in the article. i.e. the day everyone (including me) will be bloody well travelling.

VinLieger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121045861#Comment_121045861

And even if you were traveling on the saturday there would be knock on chaos from the prior day delays, because when the French controllers strike it means no over flights so its not just flights into France affected

The French Government will want no hiccups during this World Cup, especially after the champions league final debacle, it is fair to assume that a compromise will be reached and strike averted.

VinLieger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121046660#Comment_121046660

indeed thats what has me hopeful the situation around stade de france specifically is going to be managed pretty smoothly. That being said rugby world cup and club football crowds are wildly different and while the police and not fans were responsible for the champions league problems id expect them to have very different management systems in place.

kuang1

What will entice the French government even more is the fact that the Olympics are there next year.

How cringey would it be for them if the RWC was marred by travel chaos less than a year out from an even bigger event.

50HX

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121046660#Comment_121046660

The government maybe but the French workers couldn't give a fcuk about anyone else

finbarrk

I was in the Harp Bar on Thursday night in Boulevard de Clichy. Kronenberg was €7 and Guinness was €8. It was grand.

50HX

Was there food there?

Any word on the potential Air Traffic Control strikes? Supposed to be flying that day..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121069542#Comment_121069542

You wouldn't swing a cat in the Harp, not to mind your dinner.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121069649#Comment_121069649

Suspect you won't get a firm update for a while. For what it's worth I think they will try and avoid it but I've also moved my flight to Thursday cause I don't trust them...

50HX

Just checked the weather, holy sh1t it'll be hot there Friday, will scouring the place for a good air con spot for scoops on Thursday

Any recommendations

Staying in the Batignolles-Montmartre area

Sheep Shagger

Supposed to be Metro strikes in Paris on Friday.

irelandrover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121079200#Comment_121079200

Tomorrow? Or another Friday

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121079249#Comment_121079249

Neither, union hasn't announced anything yet.

Sheep Shagger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121079522#Comment_121079522

Fair enough, heard from a local they were talking about tomorrow for the metro. Hopefully not.

pickarooney

Minor impact. 10% of RATP workers on strike

https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/paris-ile-de-france/paris/coupe-du-monde-de-rugby-2023-des-agents-de-la-ratp-en-greve-ce-vendredi-2835827.html

crazyderk

Anyone know what security is like for entering stade de France?

one of the commentators yesterday talked about people being late for the game because of delays getting through security?

also what are the chances of getting a hip flask in?

50HX

Was there Friday night

All bags searched & you are patted down

It's tight enough security

When you buy water or coke etc they will not give you the cap with the bottle

Only one beer on sale & it's muck Asahi

It's a class stadium tho

Podge_irl

I like Asahi.

The real question is can you just buy 12 at once cause sod that queueing.

kuang1

Ah yeah I had seen Asahi listed as a main sponsor alright. Quite like it myself so that'll do fine.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121092281#Comment_121092281

What were the queues like a) getting in and B) for a beer?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121092281#Comment_121092281

It was the same in Japan, WC was sponsored by Heineken so that was all you could buy. For about 10 mins of the first match in Yokohama they restricted how much you could buy, after that it was a case of fill your boots. Heineken had the guys with the backpacks walking up and down the steps in the stadiums selling bottles, hope it’s the same in France.

Asahi is quite a nice beer, I’ve no problem downing a few during matches.

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121092465#Comment_121092465

It was mostly lovely ladies bringing us beer in Japan in my experience 😁

I've seen that before in the SdF in the 6N but nowhere to be seen this weekend I think. It makes a massive difference. I did see one guy selling beers from a backup up in the concourse. Ultimately it was understaffed and poorly prepped.

NIMAN

Don't hang around the Saint Denis District Post game, get back into town asap. Its not a nice area.

PaddyCar

Anyone know how much a beer is in the stadiums or the fan zones?

Dave_The_Sheep

Eight a pop in Marseille.

50HX

Stade de france is 9euro a beer, 10 if you don't reuse the plastic glass (it's hardened plastic)

Think you can get 6 at a time, mad lines for the beer& food, I ended up goin to ground level to speed things up& that's with the back pack guys goin around.

It mightnt have been as bad only for the fact that it was so warm everyone was looking for beer or water

Get metro ASAP afterwards as its a dodge area alrite

VinLieger

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121092500#Comment_121092500

They were delivering in Stade de France last night, though only half those I saw doing it managed to find whoever ordered it successfully.

zambrotta11

Is there earphones to buy for the ref radio?

CiboC

Was in Stade de France on Saturday an didn't see any ref link type thing for sale