[Travel] Paris for the uninitiated.

Green Cross Code Man · Jul 27, 2024

I am hoping for some advice regarding a trip Mrs GCCM wants to make for our 30th wedding anniversary next year. Now full disclaimer, I haven't travelled abroad since the mid 90's when I had some less than agreeable experiences in Morocco. For whatever reason, I haven't wanted to travel from dear old Blighty since, even though I particularly love Germany as I have many family members who live there. When I was younger I visited lots of European countries and pretty much loved all of them and enjoyed learning the culture and interacting with the locals.

Due to my mindset, which I find hard to shake off, I am a bit worried about the prospect although I know in all honesty that this should be relatively straightforward but again, I realise this is likely a mental health problem.

I have a couple of questions. I would prefer to travel by train as I dislike air travel, it seems I can do this for a similar price and the times involved are also similar. Is this correct or are there pitfalls that mean flying is much more preferable? Also, are there any 'reasonably' priced hotels in the main tourist centre or do they all charge a huge premium? We would need to travel in the summer holidays as we are bound by school times so it will be more costly.

I can imagine I would love to see the Louvre and other arty and touristy sights, which is a great help to me, and of course I want to make my long-suffering wife happy! Any advice would be gratefully received.

Terry Butcher Tribute Act · Jul 27, 2024

Good luck. Sounds an awful experience to leave you traumatised but well done on feeling like giving it a go again.

I can't do Paris recommendations but I would say that Eurostar feels very similar to a long distance train journey in the UK if that helps normalise the situation at all.

Good luck

Clive Walker · Jul 27, 2024

I’m unclear other than from the title and ref to the Louvre but it sounds like you are committed to Paris.

Anazing city. The train is ideal. You’ll feel like you’re doing a staycation break in the uk. It’s a very expensive city. Not like London. Much much more. I was there 18 months ago and paid £30 for a pizza in an Italian restaurant.

My advice. Don’t think about it and go with it. I’m not sure of your pre-existing anxiety. But the old classics of not to worry about the future is well worth a mention.

Embrace it and go with the flow. Life is tres tres short

Xxx

Green Cross Code Man · Jul 27, 2024

Clive Walker said:
I’m unclear other than from the title and ref to the Louvre but it sounds like you are committed to Paris.

Yes, she's wanted to go there a long time. I am not bothered personally but the history, architecture and arts do interest me.

Clive Walker · Jul 27, 2024

Green Cross Code Man said:
Yes, she's wanted to go there a long time. I am not bothered personally but the history, architecture and arts do interest me.

You’ll love it yourself. You’ll love it even more if she does too. Focus on that part alone

birthofanorange · Jul 27, 2024

Père Lachaise Cemetery: Amazing place.

drew · Jul 27, 2024

Book up things in advance online, eg Louvre, Eiffel tower. You'll probably need to go to the Sacre Coeur.

As for travel, if you don't like flying then don't. Haven't used Eurostar but it will take you into the heart of Paris rather than an airport way outside!!

Thunder Bolt · Jul 27, 2024

The Eurostar is a good way to travel.
Look on Trip Advisor for hotels or B&Bs because Paris has a great Metro system so you don’t need to stay in the touristy area, nor pay through the nose for it.
French restaurants have their menus and prices on display so study them before you choose to go in, as prices will vary.

Greg Bobkin · Jul 27, 2024

Paris is an amazing place and going by train is a great option - drops you pretty much into the city centre, which is miles better than having to deal with the ballache that can be Charles de Gaulle.

There is loads to do - really depends what you and Mrs GCCM want to do. Personally, I quite like just wandering about because you can stumble across places or landmarks that you might not think of. Very pedestrian-friendly, too.

Pevenseagull · Jul 27, 2024

Green Cross Code Man said:
I am hoping for some advice regarding a trip Mrs GCCM wants to make for our 30th wedding anniversary next year. Now full disclaimer, I haven't travelled abroad since the mid 90's when I had some less than agreeable experiences in Morocco. For whatever reason, I haven't wanted to travel from dear old Blighty since, even though I particularly love Germany as I have many family members who live there. When I was younger I visited lots of European countries and pretty much loved all of them and enjoyed learning the culture and interacting with the locals.

Due to my mindset, which I find hard to shake off, I am a bit worried about the prospect although I know in all honesty that this should be relatively straightforward but again, I realise this is likely a mental health problem.

I have a couple of questions. I would prefer to travel by train as I dislike air travel, it seems I can do this for a similar price and the times involved are also similar. Is this correct or are there pitfalls that mean flying is much more preferable? Also, are there any 'reasonably' priced hotels in the main tourist centre or do they all charge a huge premium? We would need to travel in the summer holidays as we are bound by school times so it will be more costly.

I can imagine I would love to see the Louvre and other arty and touristy sights, which is a great help to me, and of course I want to make my long-suffering wife happy! Any advice would be gratefully received.

I have a friend who's lived in central Paris for ages pops over to Sussex a couple of times a year. He used to always take flights but tried the train a few years ago and hasn't flown for these trips since. Finds it more comfortable and convenient.

I haven't got a clue about accommodation but I'm sure someone will be along with a recommendation in due course.

Dorset Seagull · Jul 27, 2024

Many years ago we stayed in a cheaply priced hotel near the Champs Elysee which was great. Metro is brilliant and visits to the Louvre, Tour Eiffel, Notre Dame and Versailles were all easy to do. We also stayed in a place near Gard du Nord which had really easy access into Paris on the metro. Eurostar is a great way to travel across as well.

Quebec Seagull · Jul 28, 2024

I was an habitué of Paris and France in the 80s and 90s, and returned for the first time in 25 years in July 2022 with my 3 youngest children, who had never travelled abroad. As someone who had studied and worked overseas for many years, I insisted that we spend the week like locals; so I rented a cozy, inexpensive appart'hôtel in the 10e arrondissement -- an area about 4.5 km from Notre-Dame and practically devoid of tourists, but teeming with life and just oozing with ambiance and the bustle of a multicultural metropolis. We walked dozens of kilometers, took the bus and metro when we were tired, prepared breakfast and dinner every day in our accommodation's kitchenette ...

I took the kids to the must-see sites, but like a Parisian family would -- no group tours, especially not with my background and familiarity with the city. We did other things short-term tourists likely wouldn't do, like go to an original play and a musical (Lion King in French, e.g.), soak in the communal atmosphere of smaller neighbourhood parks and chat with other parents and children, have lunch in far-off bistros and brasseries, discovering arrondissements far from the city centre, etc.

Paris is much less expensive when explored in this way. You'll also have a greater appreciation of French culture if you live it -- even if just for a few days -- rather than simply observe it as an outsider. and/or in the company (and bubble) of fellow tourists. Of course, it goes without saying that this philosophy should be applied to every travel destination whenever possible. (Sometimes it's not, I know -- I'm not a purist, lol)

I'll be travelling to the UK for the 4th time in 2 years in December, and have enjoyed criss-crossing Wales, England and Scotland using nothing but local transport and staying in B&Bs, where I get to chat with the owners, enjoy the local cuisine, explore the neighbourhood, and strike interesting -- even fascinating -- conversations with other well-travelled boarders from every corner of the globe. Honestly, if I couldn't travel, expand my horizons and sate my intellectual curiosity and love of new experiences, I don't know what I'd do. I derive as much pleasure and satisfaction from dépaysement (change of scenery, cultural dislocation) as I do from raising my 4 children.

.

Zeberdi · Jul 28, 2024

Certainly use Eurostar - I would then get the metro to Pigalle (in Quartier Pigalle) or Rue des Abbesses. I know the area well because a longterm partner many years ago’s parents (one of which was a famous artist) lived in one of the apartments in the Le Bateau Lavoir (the site of Picasso’s art studios and various artisans/poets of the early C20th) which is a few minutes walk away from Pigalle/Monmartre. It is a great area, very interesting culturally, (as long as you don’t mind a few trannies in some of the red-light small side streets!), a very old Quartier of Paris with cobble streets and old shuttered buildings off the main drag. 5-10 mins walking distances to the Moulin Rouge, Montmartre and the Place de Tertre (with wonderful cafes, street art etc) and the Sacré-Cœur du Montmartre which will give you fantastic views over all of Paris - beautiful early in the morning to watch the sun rise over Paris. There are plenty of cheap hotels, great shops, nightclubs and bars/restaurants. Imo, it is one of the most interesting areas of ‘old’ Paris but of course, being on the Metro, also within reach of every tourist spot you’d want to visit.

If you are interested in staying in the Pigalle/Montmartre area of Paris, this is a good guide

A Paris Guide: A Walk Through Montmartre

Montmartre is talked about by Parisians the way New Yorkers talk about the village, It's not what it used to be, It's like Disneyland, the artists can't afford to live here anymore,too many tourists and there is some truth these opinions, but there are ways of approaching this incredibly unique...

www.aparisguide.com

Green Cross Code Man · Jul 28, 2024

Well thanks everyone! Honestly I really appreciate your responses, they are starting to awaken a glimmer of anticipation which is a good sign and something I didn't expect. I will talk about your recommendations with Mrs GCCM, thanks for the advice, recommendations and above all encouragement!

Sid and the Sharknados · Jul 28, 2024

If for whatever reason you don't want or can't do the Eurostar (e.g. my Dad for example isn't keen on tunnels), I've done the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry then train through Rouen to Paris a couple of times.

While I'm sure it takes longer it's also pretty cheap as a foot passenger and is a really nice journey. The only issue I'd mention is that local French trains suffer from similar issues to trains in Britain.

Otherwise, I really liked Paris on the occasions I've been there and highly recommend visiting the place.

redoubtable seagull · Jul 28, 2024

Knowing where you live (!) I’d fly from Gatwick. A bit easier than travelling up to London and cheaper than Eurostar.
We went last Nov and looked for a hotel that was close to the metro line from the airport and then into the centre.
Booking.com is good for checking places to stay in too.
If you have some anxiety why not have a cheeky weekend to Brugge first. Easier to get to, smaller city and a lovely place. Doable by Eurostar or drive over through the tunnel.

Grizz · Jul 28, 2024

Definitely do it by train, you have to go through similar style airport security at King's Cross and coming back in Paris, but it's easy, never had an issue. It's fast and you'll be nigh in the centre of Paris in no time. The great thing about such a short trip is that, if it helps you ease your mental health concerns, then the whole of Europe is your oyster. From Paris you can catch high speed, comfortable, clean, efficient and most importantly cheap trains to nigh on anywhere, especially Germany to see your other family.

Just don't put pressure on yourself this first time, don't over plan your trip. Pick out maybe two or three main sights you wish to see and then just enjoy the cafés, the ambience, watching the world go by. It's not cheap, but better than rushing around trying to do everything.

Good luck and hope you have an amazing time.

Green Cross Code Man · Jul 28, 2024

redoubtable seagull said:
Knowing where you live (!) I’d fly from Gatwick. A bit easier than travelling up to London and cheaper than Eurostar.
We went last Nov and looked for a hotel that was close to the metro line from the airport and then into the centre.
Booking.com is good for checking places to stay in too.
If you have some anxiety why not have a cheeky weekend to Brugge first. Easier to get to, smaller city and a lovely place. Doable by Eurostar or drive over through the tunnel.

To be fair, my hometown location is on my profile for all to see!

Tom Hark Preston Park · Jul 28, 2024

Grizz said:
Definitely do it by train, you have to go through similar style airport security at King's Cross and coming back in Paris, but it's easy, never had an issue. It's fast and you'll be nigh in the centre of Paris in no time. The great thing about such a short trip is that, if it helps you ease your mental health concerns, then the whole of Europe is your oyster. From Paris you can catch high speed, comfortable, clean, efficient and most importantly cheap trains to nigh on anywhere, especially Germany to see your other family.

Just don't put pressure on yourself this first time, don't over plan your trip. Pick out maybe two or three main sights you wish to see and then just enjoy the cafés, the ambience, watching the world go by. It's not cheap, but better than rushing around trying to do everything.

Good luck and hope you have an amazing time.

This is great advice. Spend time wandering along the banks of the Seine, losing yourself in local markets, generally savour soaking up the considerable ambience of Paris. Oh, and don't try to walk to the Eiffel Tower just because you can see it in the distance. It'll be bloody miles away!

Westdene Seagull · Jul 28, 2024

If you really want to get some brownie points, book an evening cruise on the Seinne. Very romantic and great views. Choice of party boats or dining boats - all bookable online.

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[Travel] Paris for the uninitiated.

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