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We’re heading to France for ten days on Sunday and I just had a few questions that have been on my mind. For reference, we’re in Paris for about 2 days, a day trip to Strasbourg, and then 6 days in the Provence region. My sister-in-law speaks decent French so she can help with certain things (traffic signage, for example). [more inside]
posted by rbf1138 around France at 12:06 PM - 28 answers

Paris is such a big city that I'm at a loss for picking a neighbourhood to stay in next month. Neighborhood descriptions tend to be things like "this place is full of tourists" or "this is where the 20 years olds go drinking" but not "hey 39 year old who's into craft beer and vintage video games, you should stay here." So where should we stay? [more inside]
posted by thecjm around Paris, France at 12:55 PM - 15 answers

My partner and I will be travelling to Nice, France in September. We tend to lay relatively low, are looking to avoid overly touristy activities, and need to stick to a budget. We'll be staying in an airbnb in Old Town but are comfy walking, taxi-ing, ubering, etc. Any activity, point of interest, restaurant (read: coffeeshop), etc. recommendations and travel tips welcome! Thank you!!!
posted by mrk021 around Nice, France at 9:24 AM - 9 answers

I would like to take my teenager to France for about a week in June. I think the ideal arrangement would be to fly into a major city, take a train to a smaller city, and make that our home base for low-key walking/biking excursions - I picture us looking at old buildings, reading magazines at cafes, and shopping at normal everyday French stores. She is 16, so the wine-growing regions aren't a particular attraction. I speak no French, she speaks a little. Suggestions for a tranquil trip?
posted by lakeroon around France at 7:57 PM - 8 answers

I'll be visiting Strasbourg (FR) for a few days toward the end of March, with two teens (girl 13 and boy 16). We currently have no particular plans. We'll check out the Cathedral, of course. We'll actually be staying in Obernai, but I'll have a car and can drive anywhere within a reasonable distance. I was thinking about renting bikes, but am not sure where best to ride. Any suggestions as to interesting and/or out of the ordinary sights to see or things to do would be much appreciated.
posted by lex mercatoria around Strasbourg, France at 6:40 PM - 6 answers

One of my goals for 2019 is to do a French intensive course in France. I am looking at the Alliance Française in Marseille for June and I am wondering if anyone here has experience of them, or of Marseille? I am a solo female traveler in her mid 30s, with an intermediate knowledge of French. [more inside]
posted by EatMyHat around Marseille, France at 3:23 PM - 6 answers

I moved recently to London from the US, and my mother is visiting me from Los Angeles for the next two weeks. We had planned a 3 day jaunt to Paris via Eurostar but now I'm wondering if we should skip it due to the political unrest. I can't tell if we're being overly cautious or if it makes sense to just duck out this time. [more inside]
posted by pazazygeek around Paris, France at 12:33 PM - 8 answers

I am traveling to France. I don't do a ton of traveling. What do I need to know/consider/do to prepare? My main concerns are wifi - being able to access e-mail, use apple maps, apple music and podcasts etc money what else do i need to know?
posted by kbbbo around Paris, France at 10:34 AM - 22 answers

I will be visiting Paris in early December for work. I'll be pretty busy during the days, but should have my evenings free. I've been to Paris before and have seen most of the major sights, but looking for recommendations for unique sights that may be best seen after dark. [more inside]
posted by quantum around Paris, France at 7:42 PM - 10 answers

My husband and I are going on a long-awaited trip to Paris, with a couple of nights in the Loire at the end. Our Paris planning is on track, but in the Loire, we're stymied by the chicken-and-egg of where to stay, how to get around, and where to go. We'd like to visit the Château de Chenonceau, and we'd like to take an easy, ~1-3 hour paddle in kayaks or a canoe. We'd rather not rent a car if we can avoid it. Can you help us figure this out? [more inside]
posted by daisyace around Loire Valley, France at 3:47 AM - 6 answers

I am a Canadian resident but plan to spend the first half of next year in France so I'm trying to figure out how to best handle money while I'm there. I already have all the money I will need in euros, but I'm not comfortable carrying/keeping so much cash on me for a prolonged period of time. What are my options in terms of banking? [more inside]
posted by piamater around France at 10:05 AM - 9 answers

Two friends and I are going to Paris! I'd love some specific recommendations on nightlife activities (for three gay men) as well as daytime activities meeting my interests (urbanism, food, immigration, history among others). [more inside]
posted by andrewesque around Paris, France at 11:12 AM - 7 answers

My dad (75ish years old) travels quite a bit for work and has enough miles for both of us to get tickets to Paris in September. He'd like to go to Provence or the south of France. He's been to Paris a few times, but neither of us has been to Provence before. [more inside]
posted by forkisbetter around France at 8:26 PM - 10 answers

We will be in Lyon for a weekend break this weekend - yay! Unfortunately it's a heatwave, the weather is set to be around 100°F and also many restaurants, shops etc are closed in August - boo. [more inside]
posted by hazyjane around Lyon, France at 11:21 AM - 5 answers

I’ve never been to Europe (or anywhere besides the US and Canada). Will I regret going alone the first time? [more inside]
posted by stoneandstar around Paris, France at 3:17 PM - 37 answers

We’re going to be in Paris in September, and my husband’s birthday falls in that time. I’d like to take him to a special event or dinner on that day (it’s a Sunday, if that matters). The only caveat is that we’re traveling with backpacks, and he understandably doesn’t want to bring any formal clothes, like a jacket. So what’s special but not with the requirement of a jacket? Money isn’t really an object. Thanks!
posted by TochterAusElysium around Paris, France at 11:42 AM - 8 answers

My recent-high-school-grad 17-year-old niece will be in Paris for a month, starting next week. She's been there a few times, and as before will stay with a family outside the city. Her grandmother and I wish to gift her with something that might goose her to venture outside her comfort zone in the 'burbs and check out cultural riches in the city. [more inside]
posted by goofyfoot around Paris, France at 8:34 PM - 7 answers

Mr. just_ducky and I are planning to go to France for 3 weeks in August; during that time I will be 22-25 weeks pregnant. Am I crazy for thinking this is doable? [more inside]
posted by just_ducky around France at 12:29 PM - 30 answers

I'm spending the first week of July en famille on this small island in the Gulf of Morbihan. If anyone happens to have been there, I would love recommendations and suggestions.
posted by Morpeth around France at 8:07 AM - 0 answers

I need to get from Villejuif to CDG in the morning, but I'm finding conflicting information about where (and how) I should transfer from the 7 line to RER B. Could use some advice from people familiar with the system. [more inside]
posted by Kutsuwamushi around Paris, France at 4:49 PM - 4 answers