Metro Stations
by mutlucan
Me and my two friend went to Midest in 2006"fair in Paris Nord - Parc of the exposition.
We had to use Gard du Nord metro station for going to exhibition centre for 4 days.Going to exhibition centre was ok but while we turning from there we had to find the same door for the shortest way to our hotel the trouble starts.We leaved the station from different 4 doors in 4 days but none of them was the true door.
Telecartes
by CALSF
Examples of what telecartes avec code (with PIN code) look like on the reverse:
1) www.iradium.fr
2) Maxicall
For both telecartes you dial a toll-free number. For Maxicall dial the orange toll-free number if dialing from a public phone; dial the second toll-free number shown (in blue) if dialing from a private phone like your hotel's. Listen to the recording, follow the instructions (English is a selection for most telecarte brands, some are French only), dial the number you want to dial.
It's very frustrating when your telecarte has recorded instructions in French only. It took me almost one hour by trial and error to figure out how to place my call.
visit The Louvre, one of the...
by steventilly
visit The Louvre, one of the worlds greatest and most famous art gallieries, home of The Mona Lisa, maybe the worlds most famous painting. I've got to own up and say I've never been in, it's just not my thing! It's a fantastic building from the outside, though, and I even like that Pyramid thing that forms the entrance these days.
Don't expect a smile
by smschley
As an American, I think we expect a certain level of cordiality when meeting people, Either in the workplace or just going down the street we pretty much feel offended if a smile is not given or returned. For many countries in Europe this is just not done and France is one of these. On my first trip to Paris I misunderstood this to be rudeness. Of all the people in Paris I’ve met on our three trips there, I can honestly say I only met one person who was truly rude. That’s probably not much different then in the US. On out last trip it was around midnight and we were having a big problem finding our hotel. A lady saw our distress, asked us what the problem was and proceeded to walk us to out hotel even though it was out of her way.
Comfortable Shoes
by slogdog
Keep it simple. European cars are small and large american bags are hard to fit in the taxis. You will be charged for extra large or heavy bags. You don't need nearly the amount of stuff you think you do. Don't worry about what you wear, anything goes in Paris, except some small details. No baggy jeans worn by any of the youth, American women wear far too much makeup and jewelry and spend too much time on their hair.
Make sure you wear confortable shoes, not white sneakers, but if that is all you have better to be confortable, perhaps shorts if it is really hot. I am 46 and wore shorts and nice shirts and felt at ease. Band Aids for foot blisters, epson salts to soak your feet at night. Lots of Walking in Paris. Go to the pharmacies in Paris, they are very helpful and knowledgeable, most have english speaking staff members, but you can find all you need, also go to the markets if you need tooth paste or other sundry needs.