Anonymous
04/07/2025 07:42
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
We were in Paris for just one night last fall (we just wanted a place to stay the first night after our flight before heading to Normandy.)
We stayed in Montparnasse and it was lovely. We took public transportation and I didn't notice any pee smell--and it seemed just as clean as the subways in any US city.
Your use of the word "club" surprises me--is that your term, or the terms your friends used? I just never heard Americans use it like that so I was wondering if maybe there was a cultural difference.
We stayed in Montparnasse and it was lovely. We took public transportation and I didn't notice any pee smell--and it seemed just as clean as the subways in any US city.
Your use of the word "club" surprises me--is that your term, or the terms your friends used? I just never heard Americans use it like that so I was wondering if maybe there was a cultural difference.
Anonymous
04/07/2025 07:05
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
Paris is practically my favorite city. I've been there a few times. The most recent was exactly a year ago for spring break.
The food there is amazing - the basics like sandwiches, pastries, crepes, coffees - all just fresh and next level. We stayed in the Saint Germain area and it was charming and safe, and you could walk into any little restaurant and have a nice meal. The shopping was fantastic. We could walk to most of the places we visited and never felt unsafe.
Here are the things I would recommend seeing:
St. Chappelle is magical
Walk along the Seine
Shop in La Marais
Musee D'Orsay is great (we skipped the Louve - too overwheming)
Musee Rodin was interesting
Day trip to Versaille is fun (we took uber)
Check out the Eiffel tower - not necessary to climb it
Take a boat ride along the Seine for context
Do the Catacombs tour if you have teens
Sit at a cafe and take in the charm of this great city
Don't sweat it if the locals are a little rude
Make a list of the stores you want to shop at ahead of time. A year ago the dollar was strong and I bought some fun spring clothes
Stop listening to your Debbie Downer friends and enjoy your trip to Paris!
The food there is amazing - the basics like sandwiches, pastries, crepes, coffees - all just fresh and next level. We stayed in the Saint Germain area and it was charming and safe, and you could walk into any little restaurant and have a nice meal. The shopping was fantastic. We could walk to most of the places we visited and never felt unsafe.
Here are the things I would recommend seeing:
St. Chappelle is magical
Walk along the Seine
Shop in La Marais
Musee D'Orsay is great (we skipped the Louve - too overwheming)
Musee Rodin was interesting
Day trip to Versaille is fun (we took uber)
Check out the Eiffel tower - not necessary to climb it
Take a boat ride along the Seine for context
Do the Catacombs tour if you have teens
Sit at a cafe and take in the charm of this great city
Don't sweat it if the locals are a little rude
Make a list of the stores you want to shop at ahead of time. A year ago the dollar was strong and I bought some fun spring clothes
Stop listening to your Debbie Downer friends and enjoy your trip to Paris!
Anonymous
Anonymous
04/07/2025 06:25
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
Anonymous wrote:What did you wish you knew about Paris that caught you off guard while you were there, and what would you do differently if going a second time?
From talking to a few people, this is what I noted down:
The subways smell of pee.
Lots of trash everywhere so be prepared for the sticker shock when going from US. Its not the oh so romantic vibe when you get on the subway.
Beware of pickpockets, train ticket scams, bracelet and flower scams in touristy areas and druggies, gangs near metro and avoid groups of men.
Gare du Nord is not a safe area to stay but inter city trains go from there including Eurostar.
Avoid arrondissement 10,18,19 and 20 - I think 19 was Montmartre and 10 is Gare du Nord
You need a metro pass just for sections 1 and 2 to cover the major city highlights.
Eiffel tower climb is not all that great. Better to climb Arc de Triomphe at night.
Or better yet the best view is from Montparnasse since you won't see the eye sore when you are on top of it.
You will need half a day for Louvre and half a day for Petit palais and grand palais.
Do Notre dame, Sistine Chapel together and club with River seine cruise.
Batobus is a scam with wait times so long you're better of on your own on the subway.
1 day for Versailles and book tickets in advance.
Club Layafayette galeries with Le Marais
Skip the Luxembourg gardens - its just a park
Skip Sacra Couer unless you absolutely need to feel old Paris - too touristy and unsafe neighborhoods now.
Anything else?
Well, the Sistine Chapel is in Rome, so it might be hard to do in the same day as Nortre Dame
did you mean Sté. Chappelle? That’s my favorite sight seeing thing to do in Paris.
And the view from Montmatre is from Sacre Coeur so you have to go to the church to get the view. And the neighborhood and view are very much worth it.
Anonymous
04/07/2025 06:11
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
I would love a few rainy day tips because I was trying to not overplan/overbook attractions so that we could have more time for wandering and visitng parks. But we are going next week and the forecast is RAIN and I'm wondering what on earth I'm going to do with my kids if they can't blow off steam at parks/playgorunds.
Anonymous
04/07/2025 05:23
Subject: Re:Paris - tips for a first timer
Eat a lot of croissants from bakeries. Go in the morning when they open.
You have to use the stairs on the subway so backpack luggage is easier to navigate.
Convenience stores and supermarkets sell sliced cheese and deli meats packaged for 1 or 2 people so you can buy them on the go and have it with your baguette for an easy sandwich or snack.
Next time I’d try to see a performance at the Paris Opera House.
You have to use the stairs on the subway so backpack luggage is easier to navigate.
Convenience stores and supermarkets sell sliced cheese and deli meats packaged for 1 or 2 people so you can buy them on the go and have it with your baguette for an easy sandwich or snack.
Next time I’d try to see a performance at the Paris Opera House.
Anonymous
04/06/2025 23:11
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
Anonymous wrote:Most of your post is negative, OP. Are you sure you want to go to Paris??
My main tip for a first timer is to make sure to build in a lot of downtime for sauntering, eating, having a leisurely coffee or glass of wine, etc. Know that you will be back in Paris because it’s an amazing city, so don’t feel like you have to do it all. Eat well. Give yourself a lot of time for the Louvre.
Reading it back, I agree I sound like a Debbie Downer lol.
Anonymous
04/06/2025 23:10
Subject: Re:Paris - tips for a first timer
Anonymous wrote:Geez OP you are going into this trip very fearful and down. Paris is great and safer than any major American city.
Have fun. My advice. Walk as much as possible. That is big part of the charm of the city. Book tix for Sainte Chapelle in advance. Go to whatever museums you will love. (I am a musee dOrsay fan.
Agree on Batobus. Subway is good. You can also combine a cab or uber with lots and f walking and cover the major sights depending on where you are staying.
Eat well. Food is largely good but you will eat better if you do a little research and reserve for some meals.
Enjoy the trip (and try to relax)
A
I was so excited and then spoke with 2 friends and this was what they had to say. I guess I prepped myself for the worst and keeping expectations low so I won't be disappointed when I go.
Are taxis expensive there? Is it a fixed cost between two places or do they charge by the time it takes to get you to a place or by km?
Anonymous
04/06/2025 22:53
Subject: Re:Paris - tips for a first timer
Geez OP you are going into this trip very fearful and down. Paris is great and safer than any major American city.
Have fun. My advice. Walk as much as possible. That is big part of the charm of the city. Book tix for Sainte Chapelle in advance. Go to whatever museums you will love. (I am a musee dOrsay fan.
Agree on Batobus. Subway is good. You can also combine a cab or uber with lots and f walking and cover the major sights depending on where you are staying.
Eat well. Food is largely good but you will eat better if you do a little research and reserve for some meals.
Enjoy the trip (and try to relax)
A
Have fun. My advice. Walk as much as possible. That is big part of the charm of the city. Book tix for Sainte Chapelle in advance. Go to whatever museums you will love. (I am a musee dOrsay fan.
Agree on Batobus. Subway is good. You can also combine a cab or uber with lots and f walking and cover the major sights depending on where you are staying.
Eat well. Food is largely good but you will eat better if you do a little research and reserve for some meals.
Enjoy the trip (and try to relax)
A
Anonymous
04/06/2025 22:35
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
Anonymous wrote:Most of your post is negative, OP. Are you sure you want to go to Paris??
My main tip for a first timer is to make sure to build in a lot of downtime for sauntering, eating, having a leisurely coffee or glass of wine, etc. Know that you will be back in Paris because it’s an amazing city, so don’t feel like you have to do it all. Eat well. Give yourself a lot of time for the Louvre.
Exactly right. Embrace it, don’t repel it.
The first time you stand at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, something you have seen in pictures your entire life, and look at it, and feel it, massive and powerful above you, is an incredibly emotional moment.
Anonymous
04/06/2025 22:33
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
The place is a dump. Sure it was gorgeous 30 years ago but those days are behind us. What’s your plan B?
Anonymous
04/06/2025 22:30
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
Most of your post is negative, OP. Are you sure you want to go to Paris??
My main tip for a first timer is to make sure to build in a lot of downtime for sauntering, eating, having a leisurely coffee or glass of wine, etc. Know that you will be back in Paris because it’s an amazing city, so don’t feel like you have to do it all. Eat well. Give yourself a lot of time for the Louvre.
My main tip for a first timer is to make sure to build in a lot of downtime for sauntering, eating, having a leisurely coffee or glass of wine, etc. Know that you will be back in Paris because it’s an amazing city, so don’t feel like you have to do it all. Eat well. Give yourself a lot of time for the Louvre.
Anonymous
04/06/2025 22:10
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
Anonymous wrote:Stay home
Buzz off
Anonymous
04/06/2025 22:04
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
Stay home
Anonymous
04/06/2025 22:01
Subject: Paris - tips for a first timer
What did you wish you knew about Paris that caught you off guard while you were there, and what would you do differently if going a second time?
From talking to a few people, this is what I noted down:
The subways smell of pee.
Lots of trash everywhere so be prepared for the sticker shock when going from US. Its not the oh so romantic vibe when you get on the subway.
Beware of pickpockets, train ticket scams, bracelet and flower scams in touristy areas and druggies, gangs near metro and avoid groups of men.
Gare du Nord is not a safe area to stay but inter city trains go from there including Eurostar.
Avoid arrondissement 10,18,19 and 20 - I think 19 was Montmartre and 10 is Gare du Nord
You need a metro pass just for sections 1 and 2 to cover the major city highlights.
Eiffel tower climb is not all that great. Better to climb Arc de Triomphe at night.
Or better yet the best view is from Montparnasse since you won't see the eye sore when you are on top of it.
You will need half a day for Louvre and half a day for Petit palais and grand palais.
Do Notre dame, Sistine Chapel together and club with River seine cruise.
Batobus is a scam with wait times so long you're better of on your own on the subway.
1 day for Versailles and book tickets in advance.
Club Layafayette galeries with Le Marais
Skip the Luxembourg gardens - its just a park
Skip Sacra Couer unless you absolutely need to feel old Paris - too touristy and unsafe neighborhoods now.
Anything else?
From talking to a few people, this is what I noted down:
The subways smell of pee.
Lots of trash everywhere so be prepared for the sticker shock when going from US. Its not the oh so romantic vibe when you get on the subway.
Beware of pickpockets, train ticket scams, bracelet and flower scams in touristy areas and druggies, gangs near metro and avoid groups of men.
Gare du Nord is not a safe area to stay but inter city trains go from there including Eurostar.
Avoid arrondissement 10,18,19 and 20 - I think 19 was Montmartre and 10 is Gare du Nord
You need a metro pass just for sections 1 and 2 to cover the major city highlights.
Eiffel tower climb is not all that great. Better to climb Arc de Triomphe at night.
Or better yet the best view is from Montparnasse since you won't see the eye sore when you are on top of it.
You will need half a day for Louvre and half a day for Petit palais and grand palais.
Do Notre dame, Sistine Chapel together and club with River seine cruise.
Batobus is a scam with wait times so long you're better of on your own on the subway.
1 day for Versailles and book tickets in advance.
Club Layafayette galeries with Le Marais
Skip the Luxembourg gardens - its just a park
Skip Sacra Couer unless you absolutely need to feel old Paris - too touristy and unsafe neighborhoods now.
Anything else?