How crowded will it be?

[dep0515]

Hi all,
I was reading on another forum about the crowds in Paris in October due to the Rugby World Cup. Someone stated:

"Rugby World Cup! We changed our vacation dates to next Spring because of it! If you've ever been to Europe as a non-sporting fan during a world cup you may never want to go again! Change if possible. Expect an extra 300,000 people in the city fighting for all the restaurant spots, and decent lodging. "

Is this true??? I'm not worried about hotel because we've got that, but what about restos? Should I be making reservations everywhere? I had hoped not to have to do this since we are not trying to eat anywhere "ritzy", but rather places like Chez Denise, Cafe l'Homme, etc. Plus, I like having the option of deciding as we go.

However, now I'm wondering if I should be reserving ahead. And how packed all the sites and things will be. Obviously, there's nothing I can change (or want to change) at this point, but I'd like to be prepared. What do all of you experts think?

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

I wouldn't worry about it - we were in Paris during big playoffs for something, not sure what (and can't remember exactly when - I think maybe June 2004?), and had no real problem. Among other things, I don't know that the average fan is going to be heading to the same places you will want to go - also, if you seek out some of the really good "neighborhood" places, I would guess that they are likely not to have come to the attention of many of the people who went to Paris just for the rugby.

[dep0515]

Phew! Thank you, Becky. I started to panic when I read that post, but you've helped me feel better.

[Truffaut]

I'll offer a different perspective! We were in Paris during the quarter-, semi- and finals of the World Cup for football (granted, a much more popular sport in France), and I've never experienced anything like it. We took the metro home on the night that France beat Portugal in the semi-final. It was the first time I've ever really understood how it's possible for people to be crushed to death in a crowd. Amazing!! We were packed into the train, it took off, and then it came to a screeching halt. Apparently, someone thought the inside of the train was too crowded, so he decided to climb onto the roof of the train where it was a little roomier. It was--until he found out that the top half of his torso wouldn't clear the entrance from the station into the tunnel. Not a good idea--repeat, not a good idea, at all!

[grunblack]

I was very hesitant when I found out about the world cup, but the trip was already planned. I figure the atmosphere will be great and I'll just have to be a little more patient....

[Anne]

Dep - What you read is widely exagerated (300,000 people ), especially since quite a few countries will already have been eliminated by the end of September (end of the qualification matchs) . Also Becky is right, rugby supporters will head for the "obvious" places, both for eating and for tourism (Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysée, ....) .
Now what Truffaut describes is something different : if France is still in the race when you arrive, then Paris will be packed with people coming from all around France on the days when France will be playing, then the whole country will be dead quiet during the match, and then if France wins, people will go down on the streets and there will be celebrations everywhere (but that's a great experience too !)

[Happygoin]

It sounds like you have a good attitude about it. You'll be in PARIS, after all. Make sure to stay inside those metro cars tho....

[dep0515]

Thanks for all your responses!

Happy - you summed it up best....Who cares??? I'll be in PARIS!!! However, you can rest assured that I will be keeping all of my limbs inside moving vehicles!

ONLY 23 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D