Paris

Lima · 17 Jul 2014 at 11:39

BunnyKillBot said:
Yes, it makes no sense what so ever to stay right next to a significant train station with good metro links to every where in the whole city... Why would anybody want to get off the Eurostar, dump their bags next door to the station and immediately get on with their holiday

Mercure Paris Terminus Nord

Not really sure why you felt the need to sarcastically crap all over my input. What I said is correct. For those that are completely new to Paris, if the hotels were cheap, people might consider staying in that area.

Atlas23 · 17 Jul 2014 at 12:14

Lima said:
Not really sure why you felt the need to sarcastically crap all over my input. What I said is correct. For those that are completely new to Paris, if the hotels were cheap, people might consider staying in that area.

Don't worry, the :rolleyes:

emoti has been known to completely invalidate any post it is used in. Should be removed entirely, or replaced with

BunnyKillBot · 17 Jul 2014 at 15:56

Lima said:
Not really sure why you felt the need to sarcastically crap all over my input. What I said is correct. For those that are completely new to Paris, if the hotels were cheap, people might consider staying in that area.

Because my good sir, I am British, and we do sarcasm like we do our womens. Dry, often and with nary a smile

EddScott · 4 Aug 2014 at 12:24

I'm thinking of taking my GF to Paris in September but have had mixed opinions on the whole Paris - thing.

Some say its great with lots to see and do, others have said the Metro is a stinking mess full of tramps and above ground you are forever having Romanians trying to scam you or mug you.

Its our first little break together so I would like the trip to be special.

kaka4200 · 4 Aug 2014 at 12:30

Avoir th3 metros/subways during rush hour..... srsly avoid them at all cost lol

TrixiBuG · 4 Aug 2014 at 12:41

Try these 2 restaurants - AMAZING!

Really fun and quite cheap - although the wine is rough as

. Get the option of a set meal with either meat or cheese fondue...its a great little place, but get there before opening time as you will have to queue to get in. The locals love it too:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...e_Refuge_des_Fondues-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

Also amazing - one of the oldest restaurants in the city. The inertia is a typical Paris and the food is pretty good too

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...ws-Bouillon_Chartier-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

Also, try to visit the Art Quarter and the alternate modern art gallery - http://www.centrepompidou.fr/en. The streets and shops around it are great places and the square surrounding the gallery is very cool too

I personally would avoid going inside the Louvre (big waste of time and money) but the building itself is very impressive. Instead go to the Musee d'Orsy (which was Paris Central train station before D'Nord was built) to see another impressive building and some really really good art work and sculptures

Oh! Get yourself up the Arc de Triomphe - the views are stunning!!

JBuk · 4 Aug 2014 at 13:34

I stayed at a hotel on rue geoffroy Marie in the 9th arrondissement , it was nice enough round there and reasonably close to plenty of things

Mat · 4 Aug 2014 at 16:59

Just been reading up about the tourist scams that seems to be very prevalent around Paris.

Are they as numerous and as dangerous (someone claiming they were followed by someone trying to force the string scam on them, to the point of grabbing their arm) as some are claiming or is it a case of having your head screwed on and you'll be ok?

pacegod · 4 Aug 2014 at 18:26

EddScott said:
others have said the Metro is a stinking mess full of tramps and above ground you are forever having Romanians trying to scam you or mug you.

Lived here 8 years and both those things are a load BS. The metro is fine, yes occasionally you see homeless, but cause no problems what so ever, as for Romanians, not had one issue yet.

Like any major city, keeps your whits about you and use common sense and you'll be fine.

Paris is a lovely place to visit with lots to see and do, oh and a top tip, no you didn't annoy your waiter or what ever, they are all just like that, once you realise that restaurants become fine.

pacegod · 4 Aug 2014 at 18:29

Mat said:
Are they as numerous and as dangerous (someone claiming they were followed by someone trying to force the string scam on them, to the point of grabbing their arm) as some are claiming or is it a case of having your head screwed on and you'll be ok?

Have only seen the string trick at the bottom of the Sacre Coeur, just say no or ignore them and move on.

tres · 4 Aug 2014 at 18:47

We've booked in the Montmartre area as we got a great deal and it seemed a rather fun place to be. Will watch out for the main cons, but I've got round the world without a problem, hopefully Paris won't catch me out!

Can't wait to go now, very excited

geekman · 4 Aug 2014 at 18:55

EddScott said:
I'm thinking of taking my GF to Paris in September but have had mixed opinions on the whole Paris - thing.

Some say its great with lots to see and do, others have said the Metro is a stinking mess full of tramps and above ground you are forever having Romanians trying to scam you or mug you.

Its our first little break together so I would like the trip to be special.

I enjoy Paris, and will probably visit again next year on my way back from the south, but I'm not sure I'd choose it for a romantic city break, unless your GF is one of those people who has her heart set on it. Whilst the crime thing is overplayed IMO, there's definitely more of it in Paris than most other cities I've been to, and you don't even want to be thinking of stuff like that on a romantic break. If you're set on France, I'd probably go for Lyon or Limoges, otherwise Milan, Genoa or even Bruges, although I'm sure plenty of people will come along to tell me I'm an idiot and don't know the meaning of romance.

Mat said:
Just been reading up about the tourist scams that seems to be very prevalent around Paris.

Are they as numerous and as dangerous (someone claiming they were followed by someone trying to force the string scam on them, to the point of grabbing their arm) as some are claiming or is it a case of having your head screwed on and you'll be ok?

This happened to my friends in Paris, but not me, probably because I was wielding a substantial looking camera tripod....

You won't have many problems if you stay in central Paris, especially if you stay somewhere in a decent area. But it is something I'd be thinking of when walking around: perhaps more than I would in London.

EddScott · 5 Aug 2014 at 11:26

Its funny isn't it - you know the places you know.

Being from Oxford we used to go to London quite a bit. Got set upon by a gain of foreigners once but that was in Oxford. Never had an issue in London at all.

I just wanted to go to Paris because I like trains and wanted to go on the Eurostar

Not sure GF is too bothered where we go. My mum has a place in Spain we could go to but that feels a bit of a cop out

the easy option if you like!