France 2008 <IMG SRC="http://www.singaporebrides.com/forumboard/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=
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nicoletalyn
New Member
Hi Raymond,
Thank u for sharing. Managed to browse thru accorhotels, quite reasonably priced.
We'll be in Paris for additional 2 days. Where else shud we visit (besides : Arc De Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum)?
We like sightseeing, not so much of shopping though.
Where is Champagne region? Tried to do a search on it, but can't find any info? What is it known for? Sorry, first time.
Hi Fioon,
Where is the apartment situated and how much did u pay for it? Is it convenient to travel from ur apartment?
Thank u for sharing. Managed to browse thru accorhotels, quite reasonably priced.
We'll be in Paris for additional 2 days. Where else shud we visit (besides : Arc De Triomphe, Champs Elysees, Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum)?
We like sightseeing, not so much of shopping though.
Where is Champagne region? Tried to do a search on it, but can't find any info? What is it known for? Sorry, first time.
Hi Fioon,
Where is the apartment situated and how much did u pay for it? Is it convenient to travel from ur apartment?
Hi Lynne, the apartment just ard 6steps fr dupleix station. i paid euro340 for 6nights. their rental fee is depend on season and period of availablity. it is VERY convenient travel to my apartment, becox it is upstairs of shops not a whole building of apartment which we may think like singapore , got to walk 15mins to mrt. 1st day i walk fr my apartment to military museum, then walk to rodin museum and then walk to lourve and then walk back to eiffel at night. fr eiffel walk to the apartment is ard 20mins. 1 trip of train cost ard euro1.50 which i consider quite expensive.the wheeather is good, plus nice sceence to view hence walking is perfect there.i take train to far far distance only. fr dupleix to versailes is vry quick too. when r u goin? cox apartment/hotel i ever stay doesn hv aircon ..
Dear Lynne,
You should spend at least half to one day walking around randomly; Paris is best explored by foot and the real Paris is not in the tourist sites, but in the back streets. For example, you can walk around Bastille / Marais, or the Latin Quarter. I also strongly recommend that you visit a street market (try some cheeses and buy some truffle oil!) and also a cemetry (no it's not a morbid place, but very quiet and peaceful with many famous people buried there...)
Champagne region is famous for Champagne, no?
http://www.champagne.com/en_indx.html
You can also consider visiting Reims (which is also in the Champagne region).
You should spend at least half to one day walking around randomly; Paris is best explored by foot and the real Paris is not in the tourist sites, but in the back streets. For example, you can walk around Bastille / Marais, or the Latin Quarter. I also strongly recommend that you visit a street market (try some cheeses and buy some truffle oil!) and also a cemetry (no it's not a morbid place, but very quiet and peaceful with many famous people buried there...)
Champagne region is famous for Champagne, no?
http://www.champagne.com/en_indx.html
You can also consider visiting Reims (which is also in the Champagne region).
lovetotravel
New Member
Hi Lynne,
just want to add that Dupliex station is conveniently located and a good area to stay.
just want to add that Dupliex station is conveniently located and a good area to stay.
Dear threasher,
I am a seasoned navigator in Europe having grown up there, so I just use the whole IGN map for France. But for detailed navigation to the hotels, I print out maps from http://www.mapblast.com or http://maps.google.com and bring them along. I have documented my techniques here under "Getting Around":
http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~rtan/France/fne.html
I am a seasoned navigator in Europe having grown up there, so I just use the whole IGN map for France. But for detailed navigation to the hotels, I print out maps from http://www.mapblast.com or http://maps.google.com and bring them along. I have documented my techniques here under "Getting Around":
http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~rtan/France/fne.html
lynne (nicoletalyn)
Arc De Triomphe is on Champs Elysees itself. Don't bother going up. You won't see much.
Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum is all nice, but if you have time at night, go to the Tour Montparnasse. It provides a great view
Arc De Triomphe is on Champs Elysees itself. Don't bother going up. You won't see much.
Place de la Concorde, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum is all nice, but if you have time at night, go to the Tour Montparnasse. It provides a great view
Bonjour!
Wah....so many people visiting France. Great!
Hubs and I enjoyed Paris last year, even with its unusually blistering cold autumn and temp. partial transport strike. It was memorable especially when a "herd" of us walked all the way from the station to the stadium to watch the rugby finals.
We're planning to go back someday in late spring/early summer so that we don't need to huddle so much --> but gives you more of a reason to fall in love in the city of love, no?
Parisians are wonderful people and we're fortunate enough to mingle with the residents in building where we rented our apartment and chat up the sellers at the market every Tuesdays and Saturdays in front of our apartment.
Wah....so many people visiting France. Great!
Hubs and I enjoyed Paris last year, even with its unusually blistering cold autumn and temp. partial transport strike. It was memorable especially when a "herd" of us walked all the way from the station to the stadium to watch the rugby finals.
We're planning to go back someday in late spring/early summer so that we don't need to huddle so much --> but gives you more of a reason to fall in love in the city of love, no?
Parisians are wonderful people and we're fortunate enough to mingle with the residents in building where we rented our apartment and chat up the sellers at the market every Tuesdays and Saturdays in front of our apartment.
Paris... City of Love if you're with the right person. Haha.
But seriously... I think many people go for the first time with unrealistic and misconstrued expectations. They think that it's so romantic from the movies they've watched and what they've heard.
The reality is that as with all major European cities, there is the dirty and grimy side of Paris. And ultimately it's the company that makes it romantic. But indeed it is arguably the prettiest city in Europe.
Navigating the language and the people is another story... but the effort spent in doing so is well worth it.
But seriously... I think many people go for the first time with unrealistic and misconstrued expectations. They think that it's so romantic from the movies they've watched and what they've heard.
The reality is that as with all major European cities, there is the dirty and grimy side of Paris. And ultimately it's the company that makes it romantic. But indeed it is arguably the prettiest city in Europe.
Navigating the language and the people is another story... but the effort spent in doing so is well worth it.
lovetotravel
New Member
Hi can someone tell me how to pronounce "Champ elysees" in french. Is it the same as how we say it in english? thanks.
Dear Peng,
http://inogolo.com/pronunciation/d1156/Champs%20Elysees
Dear Threasher,
In general, we do not pronounce the letters s,t,x that come at the end of the word. The letter h is almost always silent. And btw, Hotel de ville is not a hotel, but it means "City Hall".
I'm no native French speaker but I'll try:
Chamonix: Sharmornee
Annecy: Ahncee
Tours: Tour
Caen: ?
Bayeux: Baiyou or Baiyo, not sure
Mont St-Michel: Mon Saint-Michelle
Versailles: Versaille
Louvre: Louvr
When pronouncing, try to accent the vowels and speak clearly. If you speak softly and without confidence, the French people cannot hear you or make out what you are trying to say.
http://inogolo.com/pronunciation/d1156/Champs%20Elysees
Dear Threasher,
In general, we do not pronounce the letters s,t,x that come at the end of the word. The letter h is almost always silent. And btw, Hotel de ville is not a hotel, but it means "City Hall".
I'm no native French speaker but I'll try:
Chamonix: Sharmornee
Annecy: Ahncee
Tours: Tour
Caen: ?
Bayeux: Baiyou or Baiyo, not sure
Mont St-Michel: Mon Saint-Michelle
Versailles: Versaille
Louvre: Louvr
When pronouncing, try to accent the vowels and speak clearly. If you speak softly and without confidence, the French people cannot hear you or make out what you are trying to say.
lovetotravel
New Member
Hi Raymond,
Thanks.
Louvre - Loof... (haha similar right?)
Thanks.
Louvre - Loof... (haha similar right?)
nicoletalyn
New Member
Thank you Raymond, Inix & Fioon.
Any suggestion on which part is good to stay? Haiz, so lost. Too much info also not so good.
Any suggestion on which part is good to stay? Haiz, so lost. Too much info also not so good.
Dear Threasher,
Yes. That's why I said you should go learn some French before going there, else the locals will have great difficulty in understanding you, and it would be quite frustrating for both parties. The pronunciation can be quite different even for words that are spelled the same.
English is more similar to German and Dutch, but quite different from French. French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, are quite similar to one another... but not to English. If you study a bit of language history, you'll know.
Yes. That's why I said you should go learn some French before going there, else the locals will have great difficulty in understanding you, and it would be quite frustrating for both parties. The pronunciation can be quite different even for words that are spelled the same.
English is more similar to German and Dutch, but quite different from French. French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, are quite similar to one another... but not to English. If you study a bit of language history, you'll know.
nicoletalyn
New Member
Hi Raymond,
Hmm..planning to cover mainly the centre part of Paris. Sightseeing, nice architecture are among our focus..not so much of shopping.
Hmm..planning to cover mainly the centre part of Paris. Sightseeing, nice architecture are among our focus..not so much of shopping.
Hi Threasher,
That's great. No worries, I'm sure you'll pick up quickly once you're in France.
Hi Lynne,
Basically as long as you stay somewhere that is near to a metro station, you'll be fine as the metro brings you everywhere. Generally the nearer you are to the center, the more expensive it is. The suburbs, especially the north and east, tend to be a bit dingy; but it's perfectly safe in the day.
That's great. No worries, I'm sure you'll pick up quickly once you're in France.
Hi Lynne,
Basically as long as you stay somewhere that is near to a metro station, you'll be fine as the metro brings you everywhere. Generally the nearer you are to the center, the more expensive it is. The suburbs, especially the north and east, tend to be a bit dingy; but it's perfectly safe in the day.
Hi Lynne, i agree to Raymond statement.
The hotel i can get cheapest is euro60. i would prefer an apartment. do let me know if u ned any help [email protected]
The hotel i can get cheapest is euro60. i would prefer an apartment. do let me know if u ned any help [email protected]
Hi Raymond,
From the TripAdvisor forum, I got this reply regarding driving in France:
"I just got back from an 8 day vacation which included 2 days in Caen, a day in Tours, 2 days in Paris and more. There are several gas stations in France that have maps available. One thing you should be aware of is I don't know how they get around over there. Most of the street signs they have at major intersections direct you to different towns or hotels. There are very few that have street names on them. When you're in different towns or cities, the street names that are on these signs are on the sides of buildings. Some times, they are made of bronze, which are tarnished and very hard to read. I think the best option is to get gps if it's available. It wasn't with my rental car (Alamo). I found the best way to get around was to get very familiar with the cities where I was going.
That way I new if I took a turn to the south over the second bridge in a certain bend in the river then that would get me in the general direction of where I was going. Most of the times, I had to stop to get final directions. I know the french have a certain reputation but I found 90% of the people very helpful. Google earth is a great site to find exact sites where you are going. If you need some help with this site, just let me know and I will help you out."
This got me a bit worried. Is it difficult to find road signs? A few years ago, I went to Paris from London with a friend. We arrived at the Gare Du Nord station, and after that we had a lot of difficulty finding our hotel, which was actually very near the train station. The problem is that their road names are on the buildings, and this proved to be a problem.
From the TripAdvisor forum, I got this reply regarding driving in France:
"I just got back from an 8 day vacation which included 2 days in Caen, a day in Tours, 2 days in Paris and more. There are several gas stations in France that have maps available. One thing you should be aware of is I don't know how they get around over there. Most of the street signs they have at major intersections direct you to different towns or hotels. There are very few that have street names on them. When you're in different towns or cities, the street names that are on these signs are on the sides of buildings. Some times, they are made of bronze, which are tarnished and very hard to read. I think the best option is to get gps if it's available. It wasn't with my rental car (Alamo). I found the best way to get around was to get very familiar with the cities where I was going.
That way I new if I took a turn to the south over the second bridge in a certain bend in the river then that would get me in the general direction of where I was going. Most of the times, I had to stop to get final directions. I know the french have a certain reputation but I found 90% of the people very helpful. Google earth is a great site to find exact sites where you are going. If you need some help with this site, just let me know and I will help you out."
This got me a bit worried. Is it difficult to find road signs? A few years ago, I went to Paris from London with a friend. We arrived at the Gare Du Nord station, and after that we had a lot of difficulty finding our hotel, which was actually very near the train station. The problem is that their road names are on the buildings, and this proved to be a problem.
Dear Threasher,
Well it's certainly different, and I don't think it's something that you cannot handle. The signposting is quite good in my opinion. You just have to be observant and streetwise. I never have any problems and I never get lost (ask my wife!
). But maybe it's just me.
Well it's certainly different, and I don't think it's something that you cannot handle. The signposting is quite good in my opinion. You just have to be observant and streetwise. I never have any problems and I never get lost (ask my wife!
It's quite obvious this person did not print out online maps like I do at the various zoom levels. That's why he/she requires final directions. NOT recommended and I would consider this person a newbie.
And of course, you should certainly print out a map that shows in great detail the area around your hotels, so that when you arrive there, you know exactly which way to turn.
I don't see what's so hard about road names being on buildings... I mean now that you know it, just look for the road names on the buildings right?
There's only so many places the road names can be... well it's certainly not on the road, so if it's not on a separate sign by itself, it must be on the buildings... where else could it be?
And of course, you should certainly print out a map that shows in great detail the area around your hotels, so that when you arrive there, you know exactly which way to turn.
I don't see what's so hard about road names being on buildings... I mean now that you know it, just look for the road names on the buildings right?
lovetotravel
New Member
Hi threasher,
It is our first time driving in france too and though not difficult, we get lost sometimes. We are not in a hurry so getting lost is not a problem at all. Just find some place to stop and reorientate again. If not, ask someone from petrol station.
I think the signs that are not clear is not on the main road but on those small road where signage are hided in a corner. There are also many roundabouts that u need to be cautious cos if u did not see properly u might turn the wrong way.
Driving from one town to another is quite easy but when u reach that town, traffic tends to be heavier and there are many houses etc blocking your view so u have to be observant and slow down.
It is our first time driving in france too and though not difficult, we get lost sometimes. We are not in a hurry so getting lost is not a problem at all. Just find some place to stop and reorientate again. If not, ask someone from petrol station.
I think the signs that are not clear is not on the main road but on those small road where signage are hided in a corner. There are also many roundabouts that u need to be cautious cos if u did not see properly u might turn the wrong way.
Driving from one town to another is quite easy but when u reach that town, traffic tends to be heavier and there are many houses etc blocking your view so u have to be observant and slow down.
lovetotravel
New Member
Hi lynne,
You can try Tim Hotel Tour Eiffel. I book Tim Hotel last year in Apr and cost me only 80 Eur (price has gone up now). It is Clean, small but great location, lots of cafe, seafood store, and supermarket nearby. It is at Dupliex Station and within walking distance to Eiffel Tower (15mins)
http://www.timhotel.com/hotels/us/eiffel.html
As for Lecourbe Hotel, tripadvisor has negative reviews for it and the pics from them are not updated. They have refurbish the hotel and now it is clean and good. I book from Asiarooms.com at a rate of S$530 for 3 nights (breakfast included).
It is located at neighbourhood area, very safe. also lots of food store, cafe and supermarket nearby. Sevre Lecourbe train station is 2 mins walk away.
http://www.hotel-lecourbe-eiffel.com/
You can try Tim Hotel Tour Eiffel. I book Tim Hotel last year in Apr and cost me only 80 Eur (price has gone up now). It is Clean, small but great location, lots of cafe, seafood store, and supermarket nearby. It is at Dupliex Station and within walking distance to Eiffel Tower (15mins)
http://www.timhotel.com/hotels/us/eiffel.html
As for Lecourbe Hotel, tripadvisor has negative reviews for it and the pics from them are not updated. They have refurbish the hotel and now it is clean and good. I book from Asiarooms.com at a rate of S$530 for 3 nights (breakfast included).
It is located at neighbourhood area, very safe. also lots of food store, cafe and supermarket nearby. Sevre Lecourbe train station is 2 mins walk away.
http://www.hotel-lecourbe-eiffel.com/
lovetotravel
New Member
sorry some typo error...should be...I book Tim hotel in year 06 and not last year.
Dear Threasher,
Ah but you have gone to Switzerland so you are not a complete Europe newbie; so it should be better.
You just print out detailed maps of the places that you are going... solve the problem, right?
Bonjour literally means "Good day"; so yes, the correct response is Bonjour. After 6pm, people usually greet each other with Bon Soir (good evening).
Ah but you have gone to Switzerland so you are not a complete Europe newbie; so it should be better.
You just print out detailed maps of the places that you are going... solve the problem, right?
Bonjour literally means "Good day"; so yes, the correct response is Bonjour. After 6pm, people usually greet each other with Bon Soir (good evening).
Hi Raymond,
I went to http://french.about.com/ but which is the link to the pronounciation of French words? I've been there before but I've forgotten where it is.
I went to http://french.about.com/ but which is the link to the pronounciation of French words? I've been there before but I've forgotten where it is.
nicoletalyn
New Member
Hi Raymond,
Remember Etap under accorhotels? Tried searching some hotels from there, but really have trouble searching for the location as it is in French..
:-l. When they state it is nearby such and such MEtro stn, can't find tht stn in their Metro map. Any advise?
Remember Etap under accorhotels? Tried searching some hotels from there, but really have trouble searching for the location as it is in French..
:-l. When they state it is nearby such and such MEtro stn, can't find tht stn in their Metro map. Any advise?
nicoletalyn
New Member
Peng, thanks thanks...will check those websites out.
lovetotravel
New Member
Hi lynne,
u going Europe for honeymoon?
u going Europe for honeymoon?
Dear Lynne,
I don't quite understand the problem you're facing, as it works fine for me. The website is in English right? Well the locations are in French, since it is Paris I presume you are searching... if you could be more specific about the hotels, location, or the metro station you are searching for, we could help.
I don't quite understand the problem you're facing, as it works fine for me. The website is in English right? Well the locations are in French, since it is Paris I presume you are searching... if you could be more specific about the hotels, location, or the metro station you are searching for, we could help.
Hi Raymond,
Thanks!
Currently I have exchanged to 930 Euros cash. Do you think it is enough for two of us? I am hoping to pay mostly by credit card, but maybe I should exchange for more.
Also, at petrol stations, are they usually self service? And for payment, is it by credit card or cash?
For parking at city/town areas, how is payment like? Are there meters which we have to slot in coins?
Thanks!
Currently I have exchanged to 930 Euros cash. Do you think it is enough for two of us? I am hoping to pay mostly by credit card, but maybe I should exchange for more.
Also, at petrol stations, are they usually self service? And for payment, is it by credit card or cash?
For parking at city/town areas, how is payment like? Are there meters which we have to slot in coins?
Dear Threasher,
I think the amount is more than enough. Bring your ATM card that allows you to withdraw cash directly from your bank account just in case you run out. But it should be more than enough since you will be paying mostly by credit card.
Petrol stations are almost always self-service (labour costs are high there!), and you can usually pay by credit card at the counter. Visa or Master is most widely accepted. Some pumps only allow a certain type of credit card with a PIN, which are not compatible with many Singapore Bank's credit card.
Parking in city / town areas are often by a meter which accept only coins. Useful to have lots of coins with you. You look for the machine, select the duration of parking, and it prints out a receipt which you display in your car. As in Singapore, the fines are heavy so don't risk it (you won't know where to pay the fine or it may take you a long time!).
I presume of course that you already know about the petty theft especially in Paris, so you should bring a neck pouch, not a wallet. Put all your money and credit cards in the neck pouch and hide it inside your shirt. That way even the most professional pickpocket cannot pick it off you. Don't talk to anyone, 99% of the people are up to no good especially in Paris.
Anything else (e.g. money belt, wallet in pocket with button / zip, etc.) is asking to lose money. They are PROFESSIONALS and you won't feel a thing.
I think the amount is more than enough. Bring your ATM card that allows you to withdraw cash directly from your bank account just in case you run out. But it should be more than enough since you will be paying mostly by credit card.
Petrol stations are almost always self-service (labour costs are high there!), and you can usually pay by credit card at the counter. Visa or Master is most widely accepted. Some pumps only allow a certain type of credit card with a PIN, which are not compatible with many Singapore Bank's credit card.
Parking in city / town areas are often by a meter which accept only coins. Useful to have lots of coins with you. You look for the machine, select the duration of parking, and it prints out a receipt which you display in your car. As in Singapore, the fines are heavy so don't risk it (you won't know where to pay the fine or it may take you a long time!).
I presume of course that you already know about the petty theft especially in Paris, so you should bring a neck pouch, not a wallet. Put all your money and credit cards in the neck pouch and hide it inside your shirt. That way even the most professional pickpocket cannot pick it off you. Don't talk to anyone, 99% of the people are up to no good especially in Paris.
Anything else (e.g. money belt, wallet in pocket with button / zip, etc.) is asking to lose money. They are PROFESSIONALS and you won't feel a thing.
Hi Raymond,
When we rent a car, we don't know if it will be diesel or petrol until we get the car. At the petrol station, is the name on each pump confusing? Someone on TripAdvisor forum said that the diesel names on the pump is confusing. It is petrogas or petrogaz, is it?
When we rent a car, we don't know if it will be diesel or petrol until we get the car. At the petrol station, is the name on each pump confusing? Someone on TripAdvisor forum said that the diesel names on the pump is confusing. It is petrogas or petrogaz, is it?
Dear Threasher,
It is true that the terminology is different, since English is not French, and French is not English, so surely we expect the terms to be different right?
So people find it confusing because they *expect* the terms to be the same, but it's not so they are confused... they cannot make it lah.
You just have to remember that Gasoil is Diesel.
Everything else was quite self-explanatory to me.
It is true that the terminology is different, since English is not French, and French is not English, so surely we expect the terms to be different right?
You just have to remember that Gasoil is Diesel.
Hi Raymond,
Thanks for that.
By the way, my wife wants to know about the manual transmission car over there. From what I have read, when the driver seat is on the left, the accelerator and brake position is still the same as here. That is, brake is on the left, and accelerator on the right, so you still use your right foot for the accelerator.
But what about the gear shift? Over here, 1 and 2 is on the left, and 3 & 4 is on the right. Is it the same over there? I hope it is. Otherwise, she will put to 4th gear when what she wants is 1st gear!
Thanks for that.
By the way, my wife wants to know about the manual transmission car over there. From what I have read, when the driver seat is on the left, the accelerator and brake position is still the same as here. That is, brake is on the left, and accelerator on the right, so you still use your right foot for the accelerator.
But what about the gear shift? Over here, 1 and 2 is on the left, and 3 & 4 is on the right. Is it the same over there? I hope it is. Otherwise, she will put to 4th gear when what she wants is 1st gear!