My global vision of Paris
by Eilian
I once thought there was a lack of courtesy in all France...
I was wrong.
Paris is definetely, according to my three experiences, a city where most people I've met were rude and seem to be unhappy being there.
Impatient, Parisiens really never caught my heart.
Though, magically, the city did... A waiter obliging me to take the meal I did not want in a restaurant, another waiter condesending my accent, men flirting outloud on the streets like we were piece of meat, the crowd when you say you're from Québec's province, people who want you to say any word in french because that makes them amazed or hearing french-canadian french!, people on the streets ignore you when you need help - they are too busy?, the guy at the Help Desk in Montparnasse's train station suck big time.
But as soon as I walked through the city, saw its wonderful architectureand arts, walked through its villages in the little streets, visited some places, ate some other places, it seemed that I was surrounded by a live museum... everywhere I looked, there was something beautiful in front of me.
Maybe that's why Paris looks so romantic?
Paris for free
by GUYON
Visit the free Paris attractions. Paris is considered as an expensive city. It is almost true.
But I can prove it is possible to have fun in Paris paying only the Metro and maybe the 'Spectacles program'.
See my 'FREE PARIS TRAVELOGUE'. I take the commitment to update and complete it.
When feeling lonely or intimidated
by BeatChick
As a solo female traveler, I sometimes find I feel a bit lonely, intimidated, shy or uncomfortable. Whenever that happened I start writing and pasting stuff into my journal (at the Ritz, Place des Vosges café) or balance my travel budget; it's almost like a defense. I'd just write things down during those down times when I stop at a café. I eat, smoke, people-watch & write. Maybe that's why the waiters were so nice to me in Paris; it seems people in Paris respect the writing tradition even if one is just writing in journal! They tend to leave them alone & don't think it's odd. I find, too, as a single woman that a journal is a great way to keep me company, a great icebreaker with people around me, and a great memory collector (I paste receipts, tickets, business cards, passes, etc. in it), a great way to remember your trip. It makes the trip more tangible when musing through your journal later.
That's when I find the waiters or maître d’s will start to talk to me, make me feel more comfortable. I did feel a little uncomfortable at the first when I had tea at the Ritz but after conversing with Henri, maître d’, I felt comfortable enough to walk around the lovely garden & peek into the Espadon restaurant next door. Every year I buy a new journal for the trip; I don’t always fill it up. But last trip I brought along a very pretty spiral journal that has Monet print (Madame Monet with an umbrella) on the cover that inspired me to fill it up. And I did - over 90 pages full of musings, pasted receipts, tickets, napkins, menus, name cards, etc. What better thing to start off writing about than the Musée Marmottan, which was the very 1st place I went to.
Photo: Feb 06
Fête de la Musique
by alza
June 2009, there was a huge Music Fest all over Paris, at least one day (23rd I think.)
Friends and I walked around for hours, stopping at every corner to listen to a new band. The Jardins du Luxembourg had quite a programme and we enjoyed a Dixie Band and then a popular singing group.
Then I walked to the Panthéon and on to St-Etienne du Mont Church, where things got more rock n' roll. I had a good beer at Le Descartes, a great bar on rue Thouin (corner Mouffetard). The band there was wild.
All this made me hungry and I walked up and down rue Mouffetard at least twice, unable to decide in the profusion of restaurants and eateries... Made a great choice by going to Le Jardin d'Artémis, a bistrot serving traditional French food in a most pleasant ambiance and service was super cool.
Pack The Best You Have!
by lmkluque
We all have expectations of what to see and do in Paris, but we shouldn't forget ourselves.
Fashion and Style are more than mere words in Paris, they are a way of life. Even the most casual outfit seems to come straight out of a fashion magazine when worn by a resident of Paris.
Pack your best and most fashionable garments and feel the elegance. Of course, if it is in your budget, don't pack anything and buy it all in Paris! I would if I could.
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Carnavalet Museum
St Eustache, southern façade, Nov 2010
Sarla la Caneda
Looking back up from the opposite side.
