Travel Guide : Paris

[smartarse]

For the Guys: make sure you look carefully to where you're walking, sometimes the sidewalks have these crotch-level steal thingy. looks like small fire hydrants. lol

And you know how the saying goes, "When In Rome, Do As the Romans Do".... you won't be entertained if you don't try to speak French. So please don't act like Americans. Do us Americans proud! B)

 

[loveglow]

Oh, how I miss Paris. I wish I had an opportunity to just roam the streets all day and look at the beautiful architecture. I couldn't stay long, but when I saw some of the scenery, I simply fell in love with it.

 

[iluvfashion]

Cost of living in Paris

Hello. I have visited Paris before but never stayed longer than a few weeks. I will be there for definitely 2 months, maybe even 3 beginning in September.
The visit is not work related so my company will not be compensating me for my expenses.

What can I expect to spend for a studio around 9th arrondissement?
What can I expect to spend on food per month? I know these are relative questions since everybody has different spending habits but we're talking basics. (including transportations costs)

Also, what shall I pack for a september/october? I know what the weather is like..My question is more as to what items would I benefit most from? Day and evening

Any tips are welcomed and much appreciated

 

[iluvfashion]

Still nobody?

 

[miu_miu]

I just spent a few weeks "living" in Paris rather than just "visiting" so I hope I can offer you some useful advice.

I can't say how much rent would be, but I would say that buildings are very well maintained, rubbish removed daily etc. Paris doesn't seem to be as expensive a city as London for example, but you do get what you pay for it seems.

Secondly, regarding food, I didn't have a car, so I had to rely on local supermarkets, stores and markets to get my food. I was limited on what I could carry so food shopping tended to be little and often. It might be worthwhile doing one big shop when you arrive (with the help of a taxi) and then supplement as you need. Markets are great for your fresh fruit and vegetables, but shop around because there can be a great deal of difference in prices. For example, on some stalls at my local market, 1 kilo of cherries was 9 euros, but we managed to find them for 3 and they were the best I ever tasted!
Be sure to know what days the supermarkets are open, it's not 24/7 like in Uk or US. Generally, however, smaller local stores will provide you with what you need e.g bread, milk.
Also, because I generally walked to get my food, I had a shopping trolley (a big bag with wheels...if you know what I mean?). Everyone in Paris seems to have these, and you can get a great price on these too. I think going frequently and buying essentials is something you'll get used to.
In any case, Paris has great restaurants and cafes, so try as many as you can!

Transportation is very good in Paris, both metro and buses. You can buy a carnet of 10 metro/bus tickets for 10 euros. It's hard to say what it will cost you overall, but Paris is easy enough to walk around, so you may find you walk more than you do at home, particularly if you don't have a car. I also found that I spent a lot of time in my arrondisement...each has its own character and there's so much to explore that you will probably end up spending most of your time there.

As for clothing, definitely take some comfortable shoes. I walked a lot, and definitely needed them. Other than that, I noticed that the truly chic women of Paris tend to stick to neutral classics. Really, however, wear what you feel comfortable in and would wear at home. That way, you won't stick out. Obviously you'll need dressier clothes to go to more fashionable restaurants or high end stores. For day wear, I noticed that women tend to wear more skirts and dresses rather than trousers like here in London.

Obviously, this is all based on my own experiences, but I hope it helps you! If you want more information, let me know! I'd be interested to know more about this too, as I hope to live in Paris for a bit

 

[Miss Dalloway]

Oh this thread is awsome i hope to go to Paris and live there for 3 months too and i dont know anything about rent,food,transportation.etc,just like Iluvfashion said it would be great if people who lived or live in Paris would share info about it.It would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Miss Dalloway]

Wow its really hard to belive there is no one who lives in Paris at TFS!!

 

[miu_miu]

It's so funny, now that I can get (in theory) some insider information about living in Paris, it's all I can think about! I would love the opportunity to spend more time there!

 

[aquamarine]

*bumps*

The bf and I booked our 4-day holiday in Paris yesterday...

I have already been there four years ago, saw lots of historical stuff and art. I don't want to take it too hard on my dear guy, so I'm looking for things to do except sightseeing and shopping (he hates it ), to take a break between cultural things, so to speak.

I thought about going to Laduree, bc I think this would be lovley and he adores cakes and sweets.

Other than that, any café recommendations? Where to go out at night? What to see?

Oh, I'm German btw and speak French, so that's no problem

 

[travis_nw8]

^ for cakes and sweets try pierre herme - pastries so beautiful you regret eating them!

 

[Wafaya]

Maison du Chocolat for the best hot chocolate ever!!!!

 

[travis_nw8]

^ the perfect chocolate shop!! ( i had a standing weekly order within the first month of the london store opening...)

 

[Diorette]

^ for cakes and sweets try pierre herme - pastries so beautiful you regret eating them!

I agree.

Pierre Hermé is so much better than Ladurée. Once you've tasted PH pastries & macarons you never want to go back to Ladurée.
I think everyone coming to Paris should try his pâtisserie.

 

[dulcedeleche]

Help!

Does anyone have hotel and/or restaurant suggestions? Relatively cheap suggestions, haha.

 

[thefrancofille]

Does anyone have hotel and/or restaurant suggestions? Relatively cheap suggestions, haha.

There are a lot of boutique inexpensive hotels in Paris. I suggest going to tripadvisor and looking for one in one of the central arrondissements! I'm on the lookout for that perfect boutique hotel so I've been to a different one each time I go to Paris.

 

[thefrancofille]

In this month's Lucky there's a shopping guide for Paris. Looks like there are some good spots.

And Rue de Buci in the St. Germaine dist. is great for having a drink and people watching.

I love St. Germain! It's so chic and I love walking around and checking out all the stores. Even though it's touristy, I had a cafe creme at Les Deux Magots the last time I was there and it was perfect!

 

[dulcedeleche]

Thank you! I think we've decided to stay in the Latin Quarter. Although it's not 'hip' anymore, I want to stay there for the history.

 

[TeeKay]

Help! Paris Trip Planning.

Hi everyone,

Me and two of my friends are planning to go to Paris in about 4 weeks.
I am responsible for all the arrangements because I'm the only who has finished all my exams.

But I've run into some problems. Mostly in choosing which hotel to choose from. As I am not at all familiar with Paris apart from how it is divided into sections.

Would you guys be so kind to help me come up with a few suggestions?

Below is my plan:
- We are taking the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord.
- Places that we are planning to visit: the Louvre, Champs Elysee, possibly the Eiffel Tower, Rue de Rivoli.
- We would also like to be around an area that has some nice pubs for the night.

Preferably the hotel is near most of the above attractions. and of course the Gare du Nord

Budget is around £100 per night.

Thanks in advance!

(I didn't know where exactly to start this thread, so if it is in the wrong section, please help me move it )

 

[BlackBNovak]

Allez Les Bleus!
Paris! It's so much fun to read everyone's comments
www.virginandthecity.blogspot.com

 

[impossibleprincess]

Hi everyone,

Me and two of my friends are planning to go to Paris in about 4 weeks.
I am responsible for all the arrangements because I'm the only who has finished all my exams.

But I've run into some problems. Mostly in choosing which hotel to choose from. As I am not at all familiar with Paris apart from how it is divided into sections.

Would you guys be so kind to help me come up with a few suggestions?

Below is my plan:
- We are taking the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord.
- Places that we are planning to visit: the Louvre, Champs Elysee, possibly the Eiffel Tower, Rue de Rivoli.
- We would also like to be around an area that has some nice pubs for the night.

Preferably the hotel is near most of the above attractions. and of course the Gare du Nord

Budget is around £100 per night.

Thanks in advance!

(I didn't know where exactly to start this thread, so if it is in the wrong section, please help me move it )

We just booked the Hotel Du Roy for 3 nights, and we paid £320 each for the hotel, which is apparently in a good location, and the Eurostar return trip.