If you need a suggestion when...
by leostarico
If you need a suggestion when going to Paris just: Walk, walk, walk! You are sourrounded everywhere of the most incredible arquitecture and art. From the most wonderful buildings to the Art nuveau subway entrances! Just do it!
Another Breathtaking View
by ExGuyParis
The stunning vista from the Palais de Chaillot. Note the lovely fountains, and the road beyond. In the summer these fountains put on quite a show, with water cannons shooting huge jets a great distance.
How many photographs of this view do you think exist in drawers and photo albums around the world?
Don't forget your camera.
Everything you want to know...
by GUYON
Have a look at the historical signs.
They are placed here and there in Paris to tell the history of a building or of the area. Unfortunatly, they are only written in French. But the texts are generally short.
The signs are also indicated by shields on the maps which are by the streets in order to allow the pedestrians to do their own historical tour. The maps are written in French and in English.
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Click on the photograph to see the entire picture. If you understand French, you can participate at historical guided walks. Each visit has a topic : a district, the ancient houses, the storical events occured in an area.
Each 'promenade' lasts 1:30 and costs 8/10€ with few people (10/12).
To know the program, look at the OFFICIEL DES SPECTACLES (see the tip on my Paris page). The program provides the topic, the appointment place and the schedule, the price.
I attended some of them and they were a help to discover a historical view of Paris.
Les Bouchons
by ExGuyParis
Literally, this means "the corks"-- figuratively, it is the word for "traffic jam." A local Parisian custom is sitting in hideous traffic.
This is a view from my morning commute. Cars to the right of me want to cross and turn left-- and cars to the left of me want to cross and go straight. Forget any manners and politeness. Pretend that no one else exists. Continually play "chicken."
A note to Americans: forget just about everything you learned about driving laws. On the circles, the cars entering the circle have the right of way-- not the cars already on the circle (unless there is a sign advising you to the contrary). The same holds true on many major highways-- the car entering on the entrance ramp has priority over the cars already on the highway. Because many tourists drive and do not realize this, things can get a bit hairy at times.
There is also a law "priorite a droite"-- if there are no stop or yield signs at an intersection, the car to your right has priority. This is relatively rare in Paris, but there are still a few surprise intersections where this is the case. Don't be surprised when a car shoots out in front of you from your right.
I guess the best advice is "Don't be surprised by anything."
Even better advice: Take public transportation.
Riverboat on the Seine and Ouise
by starzoe
A most memorable trip on a riverboat for six days on the Seine and connecting rivers. Outstanding food and service on one of the smaller boats, travelling through locks, side trips by bus to various locations (Monet's Garden, for one) and entering Paris at dusk just at the moment when the Eiffel Tower and surrounding monuments lit up.