Any advice on f&e in Paris?

[eclipse2]

Hi Raymond, Thanks for your info. I read the entire thread and your posts helped alot..

Do you know the way to the flea markets and supermarkets? by public transport of course.. I read the taxis are too expensive! I did try to google but afraid that some info are outdated and most just state the addy w/o info on how to reach there by metro or buses.. Thats the most impt becoz im not going to spend a bomb on taxis!

Thanks!!

 

[rtan]

Hi Eclipse2,

Getting around in Paris is much easier than many people think; sure, you won't be taking taxis unless you've struck the lottery, but the metro system is among the best in the world and is not that expensive, with 14 (?) lines criss-crossing the entire city, and every spot in Paris is at the most a few hundred metres away from a metro station.

You would get around Paris in the same way as you would in Singapore. Look at a map (e.g. maps.google.com), identify the metro station that is nearest to your destination, and voila, you have it. As usual, you need to take note of the metro line number, as well as the terminal station (e.g. Jurong East or Marina Bay on the NS line). It's easy once you get used to it.

The official metro maps can be obtained from http://www.ratp.info, look carefully and you'll find the English version.

You would probably wish to get the Carte Orange, a weekly / monthly pass that gets you around the public transportation system. Note that on the website, the English version may not mention it... so it would be very useful if you started learning French, even now.

I've started you off on the websites so you'd need to spend some time finding the info and doing your own research. We'll still be here to answer your further queries.

I hope you know about pickpockets since you say you've read some of my threads...

 

[adnl2002]

Hi,

My hubby & I have just returned back from our honeymoon and paris is one of the stops we stopped by for 2 nights.. I agreed with Raymond Tan that taking the metro in Paris is not as difficult as it's seems like and also you need to plan where you wanna go, that will save you precious time too..

We actually are in tour group but we have 1 free day on our own and we managed very well on our own and that's the most enjoyable time we had, neither did we get lost nor need to ask those local for directions and our hotel is in Porte d'Orleans...
however please do take note *IMPORTANT* of your belongings coz one of our tour member had been pickpocket (not only once but twice) and it's really very heartache to lost such a big amount just like that..

My hubby & I are looking forward to planning our F&E vacation in europe (if time permits)and we would want to concentrate only on 2 countries (eg paris & london) so that we could spend quality time in each country...

 

[eclipse2]

Hey Raymond, thanks a million! I saw their metro map and was surprised at the number of lines they had.. yup i read abt the pickpockets and abt not buying metro tixs from anybody.. going to be extra careful when Im there..

Your posts are so useful!

I will share my experiences when I get there.. Will be in Paris first week of June..

Im going to kinokuniya to grab a guide book today (20% off today).. If any kind folks here can tell me which guidebook is more useful.. I tried lonely planet before and dun really like it..

Oh i do not plan to learn French.. haha.. Im really bad in languages..

 

[rtan]

Hi Eclipse2,

We actually use and like Lonely Planet, and Frommers did not work for us. So, it's really up to the individual.

It's ok if you don't plan to learn French, but at least learn a few French phrases. It will help you a lot.

Paris is not a dangerous place, but the tourist who is not streetwise is just inviting pickpockets to have a go at his/her wallet; they only go for easy targets. Neck pouches tucked inside your clothes are the correct way to go; this is what the locals use; and with that, you won't have to worry about your pocket being picked. (BTW waist pouches are prone to petty theft too.)

We've been in Paris a few times, and on a few occasions, strangers have "accidentally" bumped into me and found nothing to steal; I guess they must have been disappointed because they only encountered tissue in my pants pocket.

Of course, what can happen to the wallet can happen to the handphone or camera too...

BTW, you'd need a photo (passport sized I think) for the Carte Orange, which is available for only Mon-Sun, or for the entire month (I think). In the meantime, you can just buy a carnet of 10 tickets, which is cheaper than buying the tickets individually.

 

[cirrus09]

hi raymond
i wonder is Jan a good time to travel to paris for my honeymoon?
How will the weather be?
I read from your entry that $3-4k for 2 person is just nice- how long will that be.
I am thinking to travel up to around 10-14 days. How much do you think I should estimate. thank you

 

[eclipse2]

Hi Raymond, thanks for your help. I brought a photo for the monthly pass and its really very useful and value-for-money..

Yea i met some weird fellows trying to grab my camera a couple of times.. cant believe they can try to do that in broad daylight.. and i do met some folks delibrately 'bumping' into me alot of times.. esp in the trains..

Btw, i bought insight guides and its not useful at all

Cirrus, how much to bring actually depends on what you want to buy.. i personally feel paris is a very expensive city to live in.. imagine making a call from the public phone to a mobile costs EUR1 = SGD2 for a minute.. mineral water from the vending machine cost EUR2.. when i venture out in Paris, i try to bring bottled water and pack a sandwich.. if you are here for a few days, maybe its not so bad.. long term, its gonna cost an arm and a leg..

 

[rtan]

Hi Cirrus,

For weather, check out http://www.worldweather.org

Take note that daylight hours would be quite short.

Are you doing only Paris for 10-14 days? 2k per person is a little tight; 3k is better.

Dear Eclipse2,

Glad that the Carte Orange was useful to you.

I hope you didn't lose anything to pickpockets. Anyway they are easy to thwart; locals can't be having their stuff pickpocketed on a periodic basis.

I do not like insight guides; Lonely Planet works for us. Frommers didn't work for us either.

In Paris, the best place to buy your mineral water is not from the vending machine, but from the Carrefours located at the outskirts of the city. The Evian and Vittel are cheaper than what you get in SG. So are the other local products like milk, yoghurt, etc.

Of course, the street markets are certainly worth checking out too.

 

[xiaofeimei]

To anyone going to Paris on your own:

I just came back from my own free and easy in Paris. Best Guidebook on Paris is Rick Steve's Paris. Its updated yearly and gives the most useful tips for a first timer to Paris. I should know as I've borrow every guidebook there is on Paris.

You can even borrow a copy from the library.

 

[meow5]

Thanks nb for sharing the info. Do you have itinerary of your own for your Paris tour? May i have a copy? please send to [email protected]. Thanks so much.

I still keep my Hokkaido one, free & easy. so, if you want it, i can send to you too. Or anyone else in this forum, just pm me. ( i only occasionally check this forum)

I also found a good way to get around Paris if not familiar. the Hop On and off bus.They have this service all over the world, i tried recently in July their Sydney service - it was really good especially i only have half a day to spare in the city! and you can hop on and off as many times you like within a day.

http://www.city-sightseeing.com/index.phtml?command=search&clear-search=true&destinations=Paris