Travelling in and around Paris

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Kangol

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I will be in Paris in a fortnight or so and was wondering if anyone had some tips regarding PT, touristy things or any other suggestions?

I've booked a transfer from ORY to my hotel (Mercure Paris Ivry Quai de Seine - 13th arrondissement I think?). I will have a couple of days free when I'm not doing work-related activities.

Questions:
1. what is their public transport like?
2. I want to visit the Eiffel tower (corny I know), are there certain tourist tickets that have to be bought overseas (like the Paris version of US CityPass)? Tips for visiting (no doubt it will be busy)
3. Any suggestions for good views of the city or the Arc de Triomphe?
4. I am taking the Eurostar to London when I leave, any tips on what to do to "prepare" for it? ie should allow a certain amount of time (I am leaving on Sunday mid afternoon), avoid xx area?

I've been once before but that was 13 years ago...

Thanks!
 
The subway system is excellent and we purchased a three day pass which also gave discounts to attractions like the Arc de Triomphe.

Buy a quick pass to the Eiffel Tower. We used Viator. The line up was enormous all day but our group met at 5.30 PM and we walked straight to the front of the queue. To the glare of those who'd waited hours!

Make sure you climb the Arc at nighttime to catch views of the lights flashing of the Eiffel Tower. ImageUploadedByAustFreqFly1378391169.352755.jpg

Try getting to the very top of the Tower. ImageUploadedByAustFreqFly1378391136.994226.jpg

Just walk along the Seine from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre. Watch out for the gypsy wedding ring trick as you go.

Take a river Seine cruise.

Just enjoy!
 
There's so many beggers in Paris!

For Eurostar from Paris, all the immigration is done in Paris. The French side gives you the exit stamp to leave the EU. Then just behind is the English entry stampers.

So you're still in France but your passport has been stamped for entry into the UK already.

The Eurostar security is just like domestic airline security which was a little surprising to me.
 
Welcome to the City of Light and in my view the best city in the world! We've been in Paris each year for many years spending anywhere from 1 to 4 months here each time. We are currently in the middle of a six week stay. My additional answers to some of your questions:

1. The Metro is excellent. If you don't get a 3 day pass (which I think is pricey if you do not intend to see everything possible) a carnet of 10 tickets is currently 13.30 euros or about AUD2.00 a ride. One ticket takes you anywhere on the system. The carnet tickets can be shared amongst your party. Walking is also excellent with a decent map and it is a surprisingly small city. I am in Bastille and I can walk to the Eiffel Tower in under an hour. You also see a lot more above ground. I agree that a 3 day pass saves you time in queues.

2. All the tourist sites are busy though it will ease off marginally as kids are now going back to school. If you go to a museum such as the Louvre the first hour after opening is passably quiet then it becomes an endurance test.

4. For Eurostar if you have a good amount of luggage it is wise to be near the front of the line. They'll usually allow through Immigration into the waiting area a little over an hour before your train time. When through, as soon as I see a line forming at the gate to the platform, I get in it in order to be somewhere near first on to the carriage in order to store my luggage in the limited space available.

If you want any restaurant suggestions I am happy to give them though I am much more knowledgeable in the 11th and 12th rather than where you are.

I also want to comment on the beggar point above. I do not think beggars are more common here than any large European city. They are almost invariably not agressive when you encounter them. There are certainly a lot of people living on the streets however - there is a massive North African and Eastern European refugee issue here. You also need to be aware of the scams around and pickpockets are as common as anywhere else in Europe. They hone in on tourists.

Have a great time here.

PS. Just looking at the map you are outside the Peripherique Ring Road so officially outside the centre. The nearest Metro would be Liberte, across the Seine and about 1km away, but there is an RER station, Ivry-sur-Seine about 800 metres from the hotel the other way. For all intents and purposes the RER works the same as the Metro in the central area and you can interchange from one to the other. The RER will be easier to get to Gare du Nord when you are heading to Eurostar.
 
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It's the best city for walking however, the metro is fantastic and easy to work out. It would be a shame to see Paris from the underground.......

The lines at every tour site are impressive and things like internet ticket purchases, museum pass The Pass: Presentation and Advantages can save you money and a huge amount of time.

For a good view of Paris head to La Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre.

sacrecoeur1.jpg

The Basilique is impressive, good spot to walk around and have lunch.....for a different edge it's also the site of Paris only remaining vineyard Clos Montmartre: The Remaining Vineyard in Paris | Gourmantic strange thing to see in the middle of the city!
 
amaroo said:
For a good view of Paris head to La Basilique du Sacre Coeur de Montmartre.

View attachment 18707

The Basilique is impressive, good spot to walk around and have lunch.....for a different edge it's also the site of Paris only remaining vineyard Clos Montmartre: The Remaining Vineyard in Paris | Gourmantic strange thing to see in the middle of the city!
Click to expand...


I love sitting on the steps of Sacre Coeur, such a great spot and interestingly the place more marriage proposals happen than anywhere else in Paris (including the Tower).

TG
 
Are the African bracelet guys still causing problems (on the steps)?
I avoided going there when we visited.
We stayed in the hotel where Jim Morrison died (but it's rebuilt I think).
 
blu said:
Are the African bracelet guys still causing problems (on the steps)?
I avoided going there when we visited.
We stayed in the hotel where Jim Morrison died (but it's rebuilt I think).
Click to expand...

Yes. Still there.
 
Awesome, thanks everyone for their contribution.
Will definitely look at going to Sacre Coeur - what African bracelet issue are you guys referring to?
 
Kangol said:
Awesome, thanks everyone for their contribution.
Will definitely look at going to Sacre Coeur - what African bracelet issue are you guys referring to?
Click to expand...

A guy ties a wool bracelet around your wrist in an apparent gesture of peace and love but, you guessed it, he really wants money. The things are hard to get off quickly after tied on and the guy is working on the principle it is easier for you to hand over some money.

There are many other scams - someone finds a gold ring on the ground in front of you and gives it to you...., complete a tourism survey on a clip board so that your hands are not protecting whatever is in your pocket.... being caught in a pile up on an escalator and when you recover your pocket is empty . Just be aware and as I say, Paris has no monopoly on these.

And if you are into Jim Morrison you can visit his grave in Pere Lachaise Cemetery (if he really died of course :) ).
 
We've enjoyed Paris on many trips and haven't had any issues with rip off artist. Just keep your wits about you (as you would everywhere) and immerse yourself in this amazing city.

Walk, ride, eat, drink and enjoy.
 
I strongly recommend you go here:

Tour Montparnasse 56 - Home

No queues, better view than the Eiffel Tower, very efficient and well run.

Right on top of the metro. Off the tourist circuit so no gypsies etc. either.
 
amaroo said:
We've enjoyed Paris on many trips and haven't had any issues with rip off artist. Just keep your wits about you (as you would everywhere) and immerse yourself in this amazing city.

Walk, ride, eat, drink and enjoy.
Click to expand...
Could not agree more - was in Paris for 1st time in July - AMAZING - as amaroo said "Walk, ride, eat, drink and enjoy."

Buy a local SIM card with max data / limited calls - Google maps your best friend - walk everywhere - it is so simple and so beautiful - god I loved Paris!
 
Something different and not for everyone...

The other half and I hired a scooter last year with GPS, cruised everywhere...down the champs, up to sacre couer and even all the way to Versailles!

Amazing experience!
 
Travel Guru said:
I love sitting on the steps of Sacre Coeur, such a great spot and interestingly the place more marriage proposals happen than anywhere else in Paris (including the Tower).

TG
Click to expand...

Didn't know that, I proposed in Paris last year and we went up there however I felt it was far too busy for a proposal.

I ended up proposing on a walk along the seine after dinner one night, turns out it was within meters of the lock bridge!
 
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