Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with paris

Eating well in Europe -- England, France, and Italy edition

Concolora — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:33:33 -0800

It's happening!! Mr. Concolora and I are flying out to London tomorrow to start our three week tenth wedding anniversary European extravanganza and I'm about to pop with excitement. We're going to be in London, Paris, Dijon, Verona, Vicenza, Venice, and Rome and we'd love some recommendations on where to eat. Snowflakes inside! We have two 'event' dinners planned, one in London and one in Paris. For those we're looking to spend somewhere in the thirty Euro per person range.

For everything else, we'd like to stay reasonably inexpensive while staying away from American style fast food. We love street food, we are incredibly adventurous eaters (offal is totally cool with us), and we actively want to eat local food. We have a small amount of French and Italian in our travelling party, and we're confident that we can pull off ordering , etc in restaurants where little or no English is spoken.

Help us eat well in Europe, AskMeFi!

Where to get a dress shirt for a tall guy in Paris?

VeritableSaintOfBrevity — Sun, 19 May 2013 08:50:10 -0800

I'm a tall (6'2", or 188cm) and skinny (155 lbs, or 68 kg) guy who can't find dress shirts that fit in the States. This week I'm in Paris, where I assume I'll have better luck finding something with a much closer fit; where do I go? I speak the smallest amount of French that isn't none. I'm in le Marais, and am willing to walk quite far; I'm a little less willing to trek via Metro, so the burbs are probably not a great spot for me. My budget tops out at about 200 euros, but all else being equal I'd prefer to keep it below 150 if possible.

Tips and advice for a trip to London and Paris

xtine — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:16:05 -0800

I finally saved up enough flyer miles for a flight to Europe and I am super excited since I've never been. I'm planning on a week in London and then a week in Paris, advice for things to do while I'm there would be much appreciated. So I'm probably going to stay at an airbnb or hostel in London, and then take the Chunnel to meet my friend in the suburbs of Paris. I LOVE walking and wandering cities and taking various modes of public transport everywhere.

I have no idea what there is in London other than like... Big Ben? Buckingham Palace? (I am totally ignorant about England and would like to fix that.) I love cities but I also don't mind a day trip to the seaside or countryside if that is doable. But I'm pretty sure there may be well more than enough to fill my week stay in London with city stuff. Open to suggestions and things I should not miss in a week. Don't mind being a little bit of a tourist but I am most interested in local type things. I'll probably nom on all sorts of meat pies and street foods but will probably save most of my food coin for Paris.

As for Paris... I will be in the suburbs for a bit but then I plan on hitting up the Louvre for a few days and obviously see the Eiffel Tower. Other than that I don't know other things I should do. I love food, where are good places to eat that is not outrageously expensive and good for a potentially solo traveler? Not totally sure if my French friend will be joining me in Paris or not yet. I am also not picky in food and would like to try something authentic/local to the area. Oh and will probably go to the catacombs, so neat things like that too. I like museums but I like more of a balance of all things rather than spending most of my times indoors.

Oh and last question... I have an unlocked iPhone 4... what is the best SIM card I can get for a weeks data plan in England and France?

Planning a Ruby Wedding anniversary

ellieBOA — Wed, 01 May 2013 07:49:12 -0800

Looking for recommendations for an upmarket hotel and a restaurant in Paris. Asking on behalf of my uncle, who is planning a weekend in Paris for his and my aunt's ruby wedding anniversary in July. He didn't specify a budget unfortunately, a French restaurant is preferred, maybe in the Marais?

Sorry this is all so vague!!

Best shops near République in Paris?

Calicatt — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:11:26 -0800

Bonjour! I am heading to Paris tomorrow, and would like to spend a little of my time there shopping. I am not a fashonista but like to look really sharp for my job. Know of any secret gems? For once in my life, I actually have some money to spend and am going to a place which is known for being a good shopping location. I'd like to find shops with clothes that will look good and last, not necessarily brand names or "high end," but clothes of really good quality materials and well-made. I'm on the higher end of the size scale (12-14 US), but have a fairly standard shoe size. I tend to buy petite if I can.

Obviously, one of the pleasures is just wandering around and looking, but I don't want to miss a gem of a store just because I didn't like their window display at the time.

Merci!

Can you help me plan my trip to Germany, France and Italy?

BitterYouth — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:29:22 -0800

I will be in Berlin, Prague, Venice, Florence, Rome, Marseilles and Paris this summer. I've never been to any of these places before. I will be spending about 2 days per city apart from Prague which is only 1 day. I realize it is a hectic trip and hard to see so much in such a short time, but that's the way the budget and time worked out. I will be traveling with two other students.

Advice I could use: where to stay (good hostels that you've stayed at?), tips/tricks to make things cheaper or easier to see (for example in Rome, I'm told that getting the bus tour package allows me to skip lines at the main tourist spots). We’re students and on a small budget and limited time in each city, so any ideas for making things efficient/cheaper would be awesome. Also things to see that I definitely don’t wanna miss in any of these places?

I have been using lonelyisland, ricksteves and seat61 but I was looking for more personalized advice.

THANK YOU!

Transportation - I'm traveling by train between most cities (already booked). So EuroRail pass is a nonissue at this point.

I have read some previous relevant threads, particularly this one about staying in Rome.

PS - I've never asked a Q before so I might be doing this all wrong....have mercy.

Where to shop for bras in Paris, France

matildaben — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:05:50 -0800

What are some of the best stores for bra shopping in Paris, France? They must have awesome bras for ladies with DD+ cup sizes. Où sont les meilleurs magasins et boutiques à Paris pour acheter des soutiens-gorge pour une femme de grande taille?

Why make a building like this?

zingzangzung — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:10:21 -0800

Looking at a blog of early colour photos from Paris I found myself wondering why the building in the right foreground of this building appears to expand outward from its base. The blog. I just found this on Reddit and was fascinated. I have a few theories (more upper floor space, closer access to the doorway from high vehicles) but it somehow seems unexpected given its date and location.

Vacationing in the Scottish highlands w/o car - madness?

UniversityNomad — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:08:38 -0800

My family and I are considering a vacation in the Scottish highlands this summer, but aren't sure whether it would be worthwhile, given our lack of car. If it does make sense, we'd love specific advice about places to see and/or tour companies to patronize. Could any Mefites familiar with Scotland weigh in? My family has been considering a vacation in Scotland this summer, since we have reason to be in Europe anyway. By "we", if it matters, I mean parents with children in their twenties, all Americans, who have varying degrees of experience with England/Europe. Unfortunately, due to previous negative experiences on British roads, certain members of our family refuse to rent a car while there. We were hoping to spend the 1-2 weeks in the Scottish highlands, but have been trying to figure out exactly how best to do this while carless. We had thought about going with a tour company, but after looking into it, our concerns are kitschiness, too young of an environment (sleeping in bunk beds at youth hostels and being on a week-long bus trip with drunk college students), and generally not having an experience as good as that which we could plan ourselves if we had a car. Unfortunately, we are also trying to be frugal, which probably rules out many better options. My questions are:

1. Is it worthwhile to try to see the Scottish highlands without renting a car, or would this be like trying to see the American West without renting a car? (Along with this, how bad is driving in the Scottish highlands, versus, say, on very narrow hedged Welsh roads, or in London traffic?)
2. If the answer is yes:
a) Is there any good public transportation around the Scottish highlands which takes you to some key areas without changing buses four different times, etc.
b) OR can anyone recommend any reasonably-priced Scottish tour companies that cater to adults (i.e. no partying and a focus on more serious aspects on the tour - this is at the particular request of my parents).
3. What in the Scottish highlands is most worth seeing?

N.B. The alternative to all of this is simply to spend the time elsewhere in Europe. We were thinking about a city break (see: carlessness) - probably Paris, which half of us have not been to, and which the other half have not spent extensive time in.

Decode This German Shorthand Mystery Letter From 1939!

The Whelk — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 12:56:03 -0800

This envelope with a letter inside was found inside a large decaying bound edition of Shakespeare auf Deutsch in a junk shop in Bushwick that was only apparently open for a few months before disappearing. The letter, postmarked 15 March, 1939 - was sent to Paris by a Mr. Henri Wolf. The contents of the letter appear to be German shorthand. Included was small piece of what looks like code, there's nothing else on the back.The letter, envelope, postcard, etc in question are at this imgur album. Hivemind: What the hell is this?

Finding summer accommodation in Paris

pikeandshield — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:47:04 -0800

I'm going to Paris in July and August this summer to take a language course at the Sorbonne. Yay! However, my original plan to stay at a friend's flat has fallen through, and I'm going to have to search for my own accommodation. I don't know where to start... and my French isn't great. Help! My priority is location (near a metro station and safe), access to a kitchen, cost (cheap as possible, absolute maximum €1000/month) and security. Size/comfort/decour is unimportant. I've never flathunted before, not even in my own country, and it all seems overwhelming. From searching there seems to be a few options:

a) Go to Paris and look for an apartment on foot. I've heard that this is the fastest and easiest method, but I'd feel very uncomfortable turning up to a new place without a guarantee of a roof over my head unless this is the only way.

b) Rent a short-term apartment on sites like Parisstay. I've never done this before though, and I don't know how trustworthy such agencies/websites are?

c) Find a hostel/dormitory-style arrangement - however these seem to be geared for actual French college students who rent it out long-term (6 months~1 year), or for short-term tourists (~2 weeks).

d) Find a homestay. I've never done this and have no idea how to go about finding one.

Other info: I'm female, 20s, from the UK, could find a French guarantor if needed, and can theoretically go to Paris to flat-hunt later this month or in June if necessary.

Do you have any advice on how to look for a short-term place in Paris? Would it be better value for money if I rent an apartment, or is 2 months too short? Many websites I come across are solely in French and with my only rudimentary grasp of the language it's proving to be a bit of a headache.

Many thanks.

Help me go on vacation this fall!

Night_owl — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:31:09 -0800

In November, I will be flying to Paris, then going to Barcelona and taking a cruise from there to New Orleans with my husband and our 12 month old girl and possibly two other adults. What are your tips for a successful vacation with a young child? Should i bring her car seat and stroller? If so, should i buy a plane ticket for her or hold her during the flight? How do i keep her happy on the plane?

We are planning to visit Disneyland Paris, but what else should we see in or near Paris to Barcelona?

How should we get from Paris to Barcelona?

How do we pack and prepare for a two week cruise?

Any other advice you have is welcomed!

Shopping for used and/or new engagement ring in Paris

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:22:02 -0800

Looking to propose to my girlfriend imminently(!!!) Part of the proposal is an adventure overseas in order to find the perfect engagement ring (and have a good time). I'm looking for tips on which shops to visit. I'm hoping we'll find a nice antique ring that suits her perfectly, but am open to new rings as well. The primary destination is Paris, but if that turns up nothing, it would be just as fun to jump a train to Ghent or Amsterdam and look around there for a day. However, I would mainly like to focus on shops in and around Paris. Particularly those specializing in antique or estate rings. Regarding the ring, pretty much set on a solitary diamond but the final ring will be whatever is perfect for her. Also, to complicate matters, we're limited in how long we can spend there due to work obligations and our main search will likely take place over a weekend and a few days. Many thanks hive mind!

Where can I run Paris?

rybreadmed — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 18:51:18 -0800

We're staying near the Hotel Le Littre from next Thursday through Sunday. Where I can I go for a nice run? The wifey and I are heading out for some excitement across the Atlantic in Paris, and then in London. We are going to be in Paris from next Thursday through Sunday (after which, we're continuing on to London).

We will be staying at Hotel Le Littre, and I want to run--between 5 and 8 miles would be ideal. All I know about the area is what I see on Google Maps and in the tour books. It doesn't really tell me where there are good places to run, or if the streets and/or sidewalks are too narrow or crowded. I wouldn't mind crossing a couple of busy streets, but don't want to do this repeatedly. And I don't know French, which I hope won't be too much of a problem. Unless I get lost--in which case I may have difficulty asking for directions (more so from stubbornness than the language barrier).

I'd love to hear your thoughts if you have ideas for multiple routes, or if there's something a short metro ride away. Bonus points for amazing sites and flat stretches. You'll lose points if I trip on cobblestones or get stabbed.

And is there anything major I should know about running in Paris? Any odd laws or rules that I should know? Do they take jaywalking seriously over there? Is it advisable to run at a certain time of day versus another (ie. morning versus evening)?

English speaking person in Paris (France)

gunners — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 08:03:11 -0800

Things to do as an international living in Paris. I am a 30 year old guy who has just moved to Paris for my postdoctoral research work. Since I don't yet know anyone in Paris I am quite at a loss to find some new friends and activities. Also since I am just coming out of a breakup from a long term relationship, I am looking for activities to take my mind off the constant thinking about would've could've etc.

I don't (yet) speak French. I would love to hear from both the locals and the internationals living in Paris for fun activities to do ( especially during the weekends). Also any info in international clubs would be great!

Desperately seeking transcendent Montmartre hard candy

Duffington — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:53:26 -0800

14 months ago, I bought a bag of pink hard candies at this lovely boulangerie in the Montmartre. The flavor seems to be burnt sugar-like. They taste like the fanciest cotton candy imaginable. I tend to seek out the unknown, so I know the flavor wasn't any french word I am familiar with, which includes most fruit and nut names. The boulangerie does not do mail order, so I am searching for the name of the flavor and hopefully somewhere I can mail order some candies in that flavor.

Thanks!

Pareeeeeee

lunasol — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 18:45:02 -0800

What short things can I watch/read to get in the mood for my upcoming trip to Paris? I'm going to Paris on Wednesday for the first time. Yay! Normally before a big trip, I'd spend a lot of time reading and watching things about the place I'm going, but I haven't been able to do that this time.

However, I will have 15 hours of travel on Wednesday, and I can't sleep on planes. I'd like to load up my kindle and laptop with things I can watch/read to get into the proper Paris spirit.

Things to watch can be anything. I recently watched the No Reservations episode about Paris, which was perfect. Planning to watch Midnight in Paris while I pack tomorrow. I think I've seen most of the classic "Paris movies." Something in French with subtitles would be perfect.

For things to read, I would rather short things than novels/full-length books, since I don't have a lot of time. Longform articles/essays about culture/politics/arts in Paris (or, more generally, France) would be great, as would short stories or travel accounts.

I'll also be going to Ales (in the south, near Nimes) and would welcome any recs dealing with that area as well!

Tips for Walking in Paris?

sudasana — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 07:21:21 -0800

Visiting Paris for a one-day workshop, a few questions. I arrive in the late morning at Beauvais (RyanAir), there's a shuttle into the city.

1) Am I crazy to plan on walking from the shuttle bus stop at Palais des Congrès to Rue Caroline? Google says it's 48 minutes, which is fine since I am used to walking and will be bringing only a light backpack. I'm used to living in NYC so big cities are not a problem, but I'm worried about standing out in an unfamiliar city, since I'll probably be wearing a suit and I'll have my backpack. I've traveled a bit in China and Vietnam so I know not to stand in the middle of the sidewalk with a map in my hand. Should I just grab a taxi?

2) The next day I need to head to the workshop location near Pont-Cardinet. Again, should I be alright walking around early on a weekday morning in this area in a suit with a backpack on?

Otherwise I won't have any time for sightseeing, but any suggestions for cafes in this neighbourhood would be great!

Infinite possibilities - Paris

numberstation — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 06:12:47 -0800

Any special must sees for a whistle stop 48 hour tour of Paris with a 5 year old and 3 year old? I am taking my kids to Paris this weekend as consider travel is good for them at this age. Other than the obvious (Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame etcetera) are there any good places to take them? I am a little worried about the weather at the moment. Also unsure of eating out with them and art galleries? Any child-friendly recomendations? We are staying near Place d'Italie. Finally, my daughter is a huge Madeline fan and although I have found a DIY walking tour suggestion - if anyone knows of any shops that sell merchandise I would be forever in your debt.

Where to stop in between Paris and Barcelona?

stp123 — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 10:16:18 -0800

If you were driving from Paris to Barcelona next spring and had two nights to stay along the way, where would you stay and why? Indirect routes are ok but you also want to break up the trip so you aren't doing more than six hours of driving in one day. Kids are involved so wine touring is out, but they like museums and climbing church towers, so pretty much everything else is in.

Google Maps House hunting in Paris

rom1 — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 01:14:06 -0800

There's an amazing timberframe house on sale in the heart of Paris-7ème arrondissement. I've been spending half-an-hour trying to locate it in Google Maps without success... so there's your challenge!

Help me plan my trip to France!

huxham — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 09:18:55 -0800

I’m currently based in Andalucía, Spain, teaching English for the school year, and am planning to visit neighboring France during Christmas vacation. France fascinates me and will be the first country I visit outside of Spain during my time in Europe, but to be honest: I know nothing. I have approximately 13 days to spend in the country, I would like to see Paris and a few other sites in the northwest, and I will probably enter the country on the Mediterranean coast (from Spain) and leave via the Basque Country (to return to Spain). What should I see? So, this year I’m teaching English in the town of Úbeda, east of Córdoba and north of Granada. Buses run from here to Valencia & Barcelona and the nearby Linares-Baeza train station goes north to Madrid on the “slow” Talgo train and northeast to Barcelona on the overnight Trenhotel.

Christmas vacation starts (for me, at least) on Friday, December 21st (or the night of Thursday the 20th), and I have to be back in town by Tuesday, January 8th. However, I’d like to return no later than Saturday the 5th so I can crash, unwind, sleep, do laundry, etc. before going back to work. Budgeting a good day on both sides just to get out of Spain, that leaves me with 13 days around France.

I’m probably going to take the Trenhotel to Barcelona, but I’m at a loss of what to do next, mainly because I have no idea what to see in France, or how to get there from Spain.

Ok, ok, I do know that I want to see Paris (& Versailles) for ~4 days, the Bayeux tapestry, Mont-St-Michel, and Fontevraud Abbey (where Eleanor of Aquitaine & Henry II were *once* buried). Maybe Pau in the Pyrenees. Don’t care about the WWII beaches of Normandy (nothing against veterans…I’m just not interested). I just don’t want to take the overnight train to Paris from Barcelona if something in Provence or Burgundy stands out. I don’t have any preference about staying in Paris over Christmas or New Year’s Day (and would probably rather not be there then ha!).

TL;DR — help me plan a 13-day trip in France, entering the country in the south from Barcelona, making a circuit up to Paris and back down again, leaving through the Basque Country (or thereabouts). Budget travel style, four days in Paris, Rick Steves’ guidebook in tow, beginner’s level of French.

Thank you all so much for your help!!! I can’t wait to finally set foot in this beautiful country.

School me on French universities!

UniversityNomad — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:19:41 -0800

Explain to me the structure and reputation of the Paris universities. And, while we're at it, how about explaining the French tertiary educational system as well? Embarrassing as it is to admit it, today the full weight of the realization hit me that I frankly have no idea whatsoever how the French tertiary educational system works. I hear all about Paris X, or Paris IV (the Sorbonne?), or whatever, but I have no idea how all of it fits together, or which universities are known for what. I have some vague suspicion that there are some sort of competitive institutes that are separate, like Sciences Po, but I could be totally misguided here. I'd love the more Continentally-suave MeFites to tell me about how the French university system functions, especially:

1. Do you go to French university straight from what Americans could consider high school? Is entrance decided on a test? Essay or multiple-choice? Is it all academic, or are there extra-curricular factors in the admissions calculus? Do most people go to university, or would most people leave after secondary school to get a job or go into the trades? Are all universities state rather than private? What range is the tuition cost?

2. Do you just study one subject at undergrad, like the English or the Germans, or is a broader distribution of subjects? How is the grading done? Is it exam-based, or do homework and participation count? Are there grad TAs? How hands-on are the professors? How does the undergrad/grad experience differ from other Western countries?

3. Which universities are the most prestigious? Or does it not really work like that, and people mostly go to their local one? Do students generally live at home during undergrad? Are the universities' grad reputations different from undergrad?

4. What's the deal with things like Science Po? Are these primarily undergraduate, or graduate? How do they compare in structure, funding, and reputation with the others?

5. And describe to me the Paris universities in particular. Why are there so many? Are they for different academic specialties? Is it from the original university splitting, or is it from new branches founding? What is each known for? Which (if any) is a descendent of the famous medieval University of Paris? Is the structure comparable to a US state university system (say, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, ec.), or would this be a misunderstanding? Are there universities in Paris that aren't part of the University of Paris system? Are the Paris universities similar to those in other French cities? Are the universities in other French cities split in a similar way, or is there mainly only one?

5. What else is missing from my questions above? Correct my ignorance, MeFites, please!

How bad is the smoking in Paris?

BrooksCooper — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:05:28 -0800

So, SuperAwesomeGirl and I want to got France for a short vaca. I HATE cigarette smoke and she is incapacitatingly allergic to it - like - walk through a cloud of cig smoke and cough so bad she can't walk for a few minutes. Will we hate our time in Paris? We were recently (yeah us!) in Italy and the smoking was bad, but tolerable. I understand that French folk, especially city folk smoke much more.

If you have recent experience - assume that any smoke you can smell would be enough to affect her to some extent. Can we enjoy Paris at all?

Madrid and Paris events late October 2012

jeffburdges — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:59:47 -0800

I'm visiting Madrid from 25 October till 1 November and Paris from 1 till 5 November. Any suggestions for evening entertainment such as raves or halloween parties? I'd welcome suggestions for interesting clubs or trance-ish DJ sets too, partially just looking for excuses to go out illuminated with local burner friends.