D.E. Morris - PARIS TRAVEL GUIDE: 50 INSIDER TIPS TO THE CITY OF LIGHT

PARIS TRAVEL GUIDE 50 INSIDER TIPS TO THE CITY OF LIGHT

Copyright 2012 by D.E. Morris

All Rights Reserved

ISBN:0615750222

ISBN 13:978-0615750224

Published by Mitern International LLC

PARIS TRAVEL GUIDE

50 INSIDER TIPS TO THE CITY OF LIGHT

Written by D.E. Morris

Photography by Mireille

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRACTICAL

1. Adapter Plugs & Converters

2. Appropriate Attire

3. August

10. Cell Phones

16. Common Sense

20. Free Concerts

21. Getting Around

22. Going to the Bathroom

26. Manners

43. Service

44. Skip-the-line Tickets

45. Smiling

46. Speaking French

47. Starbucks

FOOD & DINING

4. Bakery

8. Cafe Gourmand

13. Chocolate

14. Chinatown

15. Chocolat Chaud

25. Japanese Restaurant

27. Markets-Food

49. Terraces

MUSEUMS & EXCURSIONS

5. Bassin de la Villette

6. (Former) Brothel

7. Les Buttes or Head for the Hills

9. Canal Saint-Martin

11. Cemeteries

12. Chemin du Montparnasse

17. Countryside in Paris

18. Covered Passageways

24. Hippodrome de Vincennes

28. Markets-Old Paper

29. Metro Line 12

30. Middle-Ages & the Marais

31. Movies

32. Museum of Fairground Art

33. Ninth Arrondissement

34. Parc Floral

35. Parc de la Villette

36. La Petite Ceinture

37. Picnics in the Parks

42. Salon de lAgriculture

SHOPPING & BEAUTY

19. Fabric

23. Hammam de Paris

41. Saint-Germain-des-Pres

SPORTS

38. Ping-Pong

39. Roller Skating

40. Running in Paris

48. Swimming Pools

50. Walk through the 16th

Introduction

Another guidebook? Really?? Well, not quite. This is more like the conversation my friends and I would have with people visiting Paris who ask: I have lots of guidebooks, but do you have any suggestions or advice on special things that I can do, and things that I should avoid doing? This is not a book about shopping although I do mention some ways to spend your hard-earned money after all, we are talking about Paris, culinary and fashion capital of the world. I would probably call it a book on an alternative tourist lifestyle, a Paris-lovers view from the inside, but that might be construed as too pretentious. Lets say that its a way to look at Paris differently.

So, here are fifty ideas that Id like to share with you. Some are mine; others come from long-time Paris expats or Parisian friends. I cannot guarantee that all fifty are unknown to you, but I am pretty certain that you will find a lot of fun and off-the radar excursions as well as ways to save money that will pay for this little book many times over.

1. Adapter plugs/Converters

While cell phones, smart phones, tablets, digital cameras, etc., laptops, digital cameras etc. are dual voltage (for US and Europe) you will still need an adapter to plug into French outlets. Its a good idea to bring several of these adapter plugs with you. And, make sure that you have all the cables for your electronic devices. The reason is pretty obvious: you can find replacements at any number of stores in Paris FNAC and Surcouf to name but two but why waste your time shopping for such uninteresting items? The same holds true for any electrical appliance you may need to bring make sure that youve got a transformer that works in France (it will work in most countries on the continent but not in the UK which, of course, requires different plugs....).

Appropriate attire

What I have to say here applies to any situation where you are traveling outside of your comfort zone. When we are at home, we know how to dress, we know the codes and we usually know these rules without giving them much thought. However, when we travel the same codes may not apply. We may not realize this, sometimes to our chagrin and at other times, at our peril. You may know this, however, please bear with me.

Short shorts, beach-style clothing and flip-flops are not appropriate attire in Paris unless you are at The Paris Plage (an artificial beach constructed each year along the right bank of the Seine during the months of July and August. If you want to visit, check your traditional guidebooks for details).

When you move around Paris it is best not to call attention to yourself unnecessarily. If you want to be treated the same as everyone else, you need to try to appear to be the same as everyone else. You need to blend in. Inappropriate attire makes one appear as someone who is not from here, as someone who is foreign, clueless and vulnerable. Why set yourself up for disrespectful treatment?

I have attended events in Paris where the majority of women were dressed in black. While this preference for black can give rise to varied commentary and analysis, we can conclude that this is a wise choice. Dress codes have become more casual; a pair of well-fitting jeans, ballet flats and a tailored jacket can be dressed up or down as required and you will fit in perfectly. This concept applies to both men and women, (women simply add a silk scarf to your ensemble, men, a linen one). The French admire fabric and cut.

August

It seems that some practices are unchangeable, immutable. Since the Front Populaire, in 1935, French workers have had the right to paid vacation, now up to a minimum of five weeks. And traditionally they take off at least some of that time during the month of August. In fact, factories, companies and many neighborhood shops may shut down partially or completely during the entire month of August. While this has no impact on the well-beaten path of tourism, traffic is much lighter and whole neighborhoods have a wonderful, empty and less claustrophobic feeling. Many Parisians prefer to spend August IN Paris, to take advantage of the almost lazy, suspended slower pace of life.

So, if you have plans to eat in a particular restaurant, make certain to check whether they will be open during your stay. Youll also find that many local shops are closed, meaning you may just have to walk a bit further to make your purchase, but isnt that part of the fun? Yes!

For things to do in August, see the suggestions under the heading: Movies (30) and Parc Floral (33).

Bakery

Are you thinking of paying a visit to Le Village Saint Paul, a courtyard in the Marais dating back to the Renaissance and now home to cafs and boutiques? If so, cross the street and stop in to sample the wares at a favorite bakery of my fashionista friends. This quaint shop is called Le Village Saint Paul and you cannot miss the quaint blue faade and windows full of scrumptious pastries. Try their Dlice Saint Paul, moist cake squares with lemon-poppy or pistachio flavoring. 26, rue Saint Paul, Paris 4. (Tel: +33 (0)1 42 71 02 99) Metro Saint Paul (Line 1) .

Bassin de la Villette

Take the metro to Jaures (Line 2, 5, 7bis), and walk to the Bassin de la Villette. On one side there is the Quai de la Seine and on the other, the Quai de la Loire. This is the largest artificial lake in Paris, with modern movie theatres on each of the banks, as well as shops and restaurants. Its an ideal place for a stroll, a picnic, and the starting point for a walk up to the Parc de la Villette (n34).

(Former) Brothel

Maisons closes (or closed houses) where prostitutes offered their services, were for centuries an institution in Paris, but have been banned since 1946. The interior design was frequently luxurious and erotic. Some of these venues have been transformed into cafes and restaurants, and here is an address that you might want to incorporate into a neighborhood visit: