Ideas on enjoying Paris ...

[ldanna]

Speaking of the Notre Dame area, visit the Isle St. Louis, which is one of the islands in the river Seine. It's only a few blocks long but it's basically frozen in the 17th century. Visit a very famous ice cream shop called Berthillion at 31, rue St Louis-en-l'Ile, where it was born. The lines may be long.

Near the St Louis Church you will find 2 great medival restaurants: Nos Ancetres les Gaulois ( http://www.nosancetreslesgaulois.com/UK/qui.html ) and Le Sergent Recrutaire ( http://www.lesergentrecruteur.com/ ), unique restaurants where you have the opportunity to prepare your own salad and so own. And the desert is always fruit and cheese.

BTW, don't ask here for restaurants, ask the locals, but remember to ask "where you eat around here, not the turists". You will be surprised what you will find!

 

[tompk]

There is complimentary coffee available in the lobby of the CE Marriott daily from 6 to 8 am if you're an early riser, we only made it down to the lobby early enough to get some on the day we went to Versailles.

 

[Latravel]

If you have time, put on comfortable walking shoes and go to the flee market. The flee markets in Paris are not your typical flee markets like here in the US. You will find real, true antiques from the 18th century, rolex watches and Cartier rings.

I will never forget missing an opportunity to purchase a tapestry from the 1700's that once was on the wall of a chateau. I passed on purchasing it and I think about it once in while.

The prices are surprisingly reasonable and you can bargain. Take cash and be prepared to look for the good stalls. You'll pass a lot of junk stalls till you get to the flee market. The two I know are Le Marché aux Puces and Les Puces de Saint-Ouen (my favorite).

 

[pwrshift]

There is complimentary coffee available in the lobby of the CE Marriott daily from 6 to 8 am if you're an early riser, we only made it down to the lobby early enough to get some on the day we went to Versailles.

That's why we went over to MonoPrix on the corner (downstairs) and bought a 15 euro coffee maker for the room. The coffee they serve after 8 am is 7 euro each and terrible.

For your own protection you might guard against pickpockets with this RickSteves product. It's light and very convenient - we even wore them on the plane.

http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=124&id=157

Brian

 

[happymum]

We enjoyed seeing this building. The view from the roof is spectacular and the building itself is fascinating .

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/L_Institut_du_Monde_Arabe.html

A quote describing the exterior:

"The huge south-facing garden courtyard wall has been described as a 60m 'Venetian blind', although its appearance is more patently Islamic in decorative terms. It is, however, an ocular device of striking originality, made up of numerous and variously dimensioned metallic diaphragms set in pierced metal borders. These diaphragms operate like a camera lens to control the sun's penetration into the interior of the building. The changes to the irises are dramatically revealed internally while externally a subtle density pattern can be observed. Thus the whole effect is like a giant Islamic pierced screen, giving significance and an audacious brilliance to this remarkable building."

— Dennis Sharp. Twentieth Century Architecture: a Visual History. p394.

 

[applegirl]

Wow, all these ideas are great! Makes me want to return to Paris sooner rather than later....

Janna

 

[Latravel]

The building you are mentioning is L'Institut du Monde Arabe which has some very interesting exhibits as well.

 

[winger]

Free WiFi at/near CE ?

I will piggy back a question on this post since enjoyment for alot of us when travelling includes ability to stay in touch via the internet. I have read in a few places Paris has implemented free WiFi throughout the city.

Given the paid internet at the Marriott CE is rather pricey, is there free WiFi at or very near the CE ?

 

[tompk]

We were there last month and there was free wi-fi that we were able to access at the Starbucks very close by and it was not the Starbucks wi-fi as that is not free in Paris. There is also a McDonalds very close by that supposedly offers free wi-fi, but we did not go there so I don't know about the wi-fi there.

 

[winger]

We were there last month and there was free wi-fi that we were able to access at the Starbucks very close by and it was not the Starbucks wi-fi as that is not free in Paris. There is also a McDonalds very close by that supposedly offers free wi-fi, but we did not go there so I don't know about the wi-fi there.

So I take it that you were unable to receive free WiFi from within the lobby your room at the CE ?

Thanks for the info.

 

[AwayWeGo]

Parisian Tourist Trap.

Skip the Moulin Rouge.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[tompk]

Yeah, could not pick up free wi-fi from room or lobby. The Starbuucks was only a couple hundred feet away, so not too inconvenient. We went a couple times late in the evening to make some Skype calls home.

 

[winger]

Skip the Moulin Rouge.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

... was NOT even on our list. The Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman movie bored the whoppers out of us. I don't think I even made it through the 1st 20 minutes of the movie LOL

 

[winger]

Yeah, could not pick up free wi-fi from room or lobby. The Starbuucks was only a couple hundred feet away, so not too inconvenient. We went a couple times late in the evening to make some Skype calls home.

GREAT! Now we have to prep the laptop for travel and show my 7 year old son how to use Skype to chat with us !

 

[tompk]

You can get a nice headset for those Skype calls at Walmart for about $15 if you don't already have one.

 

[lasvegasnewlist]

Forget the top Paris resturants and enjoy it more

Brian - you are beginning to scare me. At these prices, I think we may just eat two meals our entire 9 days there !!! Seriously, I know we live once, but we need to find something ALOT more affordable LOL

It is really hard to find a "bad" resturant in Paris, and NOT spending big bucks on the superstar resturants will not ruin your trip. The local bistro's and cafes are more fun, more French, and very satisfying food at fair prices. Remember, middle class families in Paris like to eat out also, and they go where they can afford to eat.

In our recent 2 week stay, we would ask the guides at the museums where they ate, and every suggestion worked out well. In fact one of the guides around lunch time said he was going to lunch and we could join him. He took us to a small cafe, that was happening, and we had a great affordable meal.

 

[pwrshift]

Hi there from the CE Marriott! We got a nice upgrade to a very large room with a little balcony facing the courtyard outside (not the CE view as it's being refaced). Beds are wonderful and room so dark (curtains) we find it hard to get up early. Time adjustment first day was terrible as we only got about 2 hours sleep before arrival at 10 am (4 am home time!). Business class seats on Air Canada were actually sleep flat pods .. lots of privacy but you don't sit together. Here's a demo. We had an outside seat and a 2nd across the aisle.

http://www.aircanada.com/demos/execfirst/execfirst.html

We seem to travel as if it's the last trip and overspend when it comes to dining, limos, etc., but that's not necessary. Tonite is our last night so we're blowing a lot at a top rated restaurant called Taillevent.

http://www.taillevent.com/English/accueil%20Taillevent.htm

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...8-Reviews-Taillevent-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

We also went to the Lido, just a block up from the Marriott CE ... quite a bit like the old tyme Las Vegas shows with dinner for 195 euros each all inclusive. Dinner at 7:30 and all over at 11:30 ... it was a full house, and when we left the lineup for the midnight show was way down the street. The in between acrobatic acts were worth the price of admission alone. There were kids in the audience too. Dinner was actually the best we've had so far! I was at Moulin Rouge last trip - Lido was better IMO.

Le Train Bleu was a wonderful restaurant .. the setting incredible and featured in many movies...dinner was good too. Apparently Tom Cruise chose the bar here to announce to the press he was getting married.

http://video.google.fr/videosearch?q=le+train+bleu+paris&hl=fr&emb=0&aq=f#

Buddha Bar was fun for an expensive drink, but the music CD's are what we really went for.

http://www.bestrestaurantsparis.com/fr/restaurant-paris/detail/buddha-bar.html

Fermette Marbeuf restaurant was pretty inside and intimate but not the best food IMO. There are a ton of restaurants on Marbeuf ... just a block away from the Marriott CE - easy walking distance. Ate in the Marriott CE - surprisingly empty at dinner time - they didn't have the first two wines I selected so asked them what they had. Meal not that great, but OK after a long tiring day at Musee D'Orsay. The Montecristo right next door to the CE is good for pasta...and if the weather good enough it's a fantastic place to eat outside right on the CE boulevard at very reasonable prices -- people watching supreme.

Museums we saw ... Louvre (open Mondays, closed Tuesdays), D'Orsay open Tuesdays, closed Mondays. We went Tues to D'Orsay and should have picked Wednesday as even the the lineups were terrible for those with tickets (get your ticked before going) probably because the Louvre was closed Tues. Live and learn. D'Orsay shouldn't be missed if you like Renoir, Monet and all the other impressionists ... just take the escalator to the 5th floor and enjoy. Much easier than navigating the Louvre - but it should be on the list as well if you haven't been. Museums are free, but packed, the first Sunday of every month. Musee de'l Orangerie is another good one for Monet. Rodin Museum has excellent scupture. At least a half day at Versailles is enjoyable in good weather...they pick you up at the hotel.

No free WIFI here ... with internet at 20E a night in room I left my laptop at home and bought a 20 hr internet card in the business centre for the week and will leave without using all of the hours. But at least you can keep in touch with TUG that way and print your boarding passes for the return trip. There's not much to choose from on English TV ... almost all are news channels, one cartoon, and the rest French or a variety of different languages. I miss my SlingBox but not at 20euros a day. Also bought a 7.6 euro international phone card in the store next to Sophira that nets you 400 minutes calling home for free from the room.

Brian

 

[Bill4728]

In our recent 2 week stay, we would ask the guides at the museums where they ate, and every suggestion worked out well. In fact one of the guides around lunch time said he was going to lunch and we could join him. He took us to a small cafe, that was happening, and we had a great affordable meal.

What a great idea!! I wish we had thought of that when we were there in April.

 

[saabman]

There is a great book, "Cheap Eats in Paris" that is probably still available. I think it was last updated in '98. I've used it extensively on previous trips.

Also, google "Cheap Eats in Paris". Lots of sites dedicated to this. Also, make use of the grocery stores. This is how I ate lunch usually. Deli sandwich, carton of milk, and some fruit. And, don't worry if you don't know french. They'll understand you in english.

Another way to save is to go prix fixe (fixed price meal). Most places offer it. Be sure to check out reviews at Trip Advisor. Start here at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g187147-Paris_Ile_de_France.html for info.

 

[pwrshift]

Here's the priced fixed meal we had at Taillevant. Surprisingly the place was full, even at these prices, and the dresses were all designer probably because there was some big fashion show on the week we were there. Actually, it was kinda nice to get dressed up for dinner again as we in North America have slipped away from that practice:

http://www.taillevent.com/English/Disco.html

Brian

 

[wa.mama]

BERTHILLON'S, Ile Saint Louis.

This is perhaps the world's best sorbet and ice cream. The family goes down to the markets each day, hand selects the best fruit, makes the ice creams. Unbelievable flavor. The cafe food is good also, classics like french onion soup, potatoes dauphenoise, coq au vin, etc. Good prices. Berthillons is the yardstick that we measure all ice cream with these days.

 

[nikitatolstoy]

Hi.....This time I planned trip to Paris. Your discussion is very useful to me. Thanks for sharing your ideas with us. Keep smiling.....

 

[winger]

Hotel questions...

Hey Brian (and anyone who has been to the CE recently).

We will be bringing a few electronic essentials (like a netbook, camera, etc) next month to the CE. The chargers for these devices all work on 220 volts (as well as the 120volts here in the United States). Question - does the hotel have offer complimentary adaptors for us to be able to plus these North American 'style' chargers into their wall sockets?

Is there hot water and or a microwave in the standard rooms?

Thanks !!!

 

[pwrshift]

They have strange two prong plugs in France that you'll have to buy an adapter for ... the hotel will probably have them but I bought one cheap before going and it worked fine. They have transformers too if you need one.

If your electronic is set up for both power levels it will charge just fine there with the adapter.

There's plenty of hot water in the shower/bathroom. Not sure what you mean by 'hot water' but I assume you mean a coffee maker and the answer is no. If you must have morning coffee it's free in the lobby before 8 am ... on 2 previous visits we bought a cheap coffee maker (15 euros) for the room at Monoprix on the corner (basement) and left it behind when we left.

No microwave either. No ice machines on the floor - you have to call room service (free). We had the mini bar emptied and put coke, etc. in it. We got free buffet breakfast each morning in the dining room (saves 29 euros a person) as PLT elite, but think it's for Gold too...ask when you check in. I also found they now charge a city tax - doesn't amount to much but you can ask for it to be deleted if they didn't make you aware of this charge when you booked. Internet in room is 20 euros a day. I didn't take my laptop because of this and bought a card in the business centre that gave me 20 hours use for the week on their computers for 20 euros and didn't use all the hours by the time I left.

Restaurant right next door (Montecristo) is good for first night's dinner and quite reasonable ... if the weather is nice you can sit outside on the CE and watch the world go by. The 'Quick' fast food on the corner is like a McDonalds with Paris prices and they charge extra to eat the food there. Hotel bar has club sandwiches for 21 euros...glass of wine 8 euros, same as coke. No refills on 7 euro coffee.

Museums are the best deal in the town ... you can get the passes but because we have been there before we just got the daily tickets next door for 8 euros each and enjoyed the Louvre and D'Orsay, and took a half day tour for Versailles. Yellow Bus hop on-hop off can be caught just in front of Monoprix on the corner and the best deal is two consecutive days for around 30 euros...good way for a family to see the city rather than cabs.

There are only 5 or so english channels with one cartoon channel and the others are news...strange being 6 hours earlier for the news. We bought a phone card near Monoprix at tabac store for 7 euros which permitted us to make LD calls from the room without charges for 400 minutes. Skype would have been more fun but the internet charge convinced me the card was better.

Brian

 

[pwrshift]

We were there last month and there was free wi-fi that we were able to access at the Starbucks very close by and it was not the Starbucks wi-fi as that is not free in Paris. .

I seem to remember that you booked this trip on MR points ... hope that it went all right for you. Maybe you could give us some details as to what you feel you saved with a trip like that?

Brian