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Post by barbahrooba on Jan 22, 2012 12:48:28 GMT -5
My husband and I are looking to visit France on our next vacation. (Hopefully this summer). We will be visiting from the U.S. and would like recommendations of where to go as tourists and where NOT to go. So far we only have some idea from this video we've seen on Travel Explosion travelexplosion.com/?page_id=177What is it really like there? How difficult of a time will we have if we are not French speakers? Our intention will be to visit for 2 weeks. Look forward to the responses!
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Post by holger on Jan 22, 2012 13:38:47 GMT -5
It is almost impossible to describe Paris as it is so many things and different people relate to it differently. As far as assisting you, it would be useful to have some sense of what you enjoy when you go to someplace new, whether you like to be in structured situations or just wander, what types of activities do you like to do together and apart. In term of restaurants, do you like to try new foods? With places to stay, would you consider renting an apartment for your two weeks or would you stay in an hotel? What might your budget range be? Do you intend to take day trips from Paris?
I know these are a lot of questions but we can all be more helpful if we have some answers. There are also some wonderful guidebooks to help you. As far as speaking French, if you learn a few phrases like Bonjour and Merci and when to use them you should be OK. The range here is from people who are fluent to those who stumble with using high school French from 50 years ago.
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Post by mossie on Jan 22, 2012 14:18:51 GMT -5
I would echo Holger, a good guide book is essential for the first timer. A knowledge of basic French is also most useful, once you open in French and devolve into Franglais most people will step in with some form of English. The Parisian is polite but reserved so it really smooths your path to open any conversation with "Bonjour monsieur or madame" as the case may be. "Je voudrais", "S'il vous plait" and "merci" are also essential, after that Franglais keeps me going. You will do a lot of walking, so comfortable footwear is a must, forget all about fashion because you will be outclassed anyway . Normal dress should be smart casual. Also of course a good street map. This forum will offer ideas, but be aware that subscribers adore the place. In my case I consider it to be an obsession To sum up, a guide book, a street map, and a phrase book with a pronunciation guide should get you started. When you first encounter the metro ask the clerk for a grand plan des lignes, this will also give the bus routes, and planning your transport will be easy
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Post by Belladonna on Jan 22, 2012 18:31:39 GMT -5
...and read as many of the trip reports posted here as you can. I found the trip reports so helpful with planning. I agree with Holger and Mossie - a good guide book is a must!! I just finished reading Stephen Clarke's book called Paris Revealed. It is a great introduction to Paris and is written in his usual humorous style. It offers information not typically found in traditional guide books such as overviews of each metro line with metro stations that he considers must sees. He also offers great advice on things like the art of standing in line and how to say "I'm next Madame" in case someone gets ahead of you. Love it - wish I had it 4 years ago ;D
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Post by PariS on Jan 22, 2012 18:46:39 GMT -5
He also offers great advice on things like the art of standing in line and how to say "I'm next Madame" in case someone gets ahead of you. Please share, Belladonna! That would be a handy phrase for my arsenal And Darryl would like to learn how to say "Madame, can you please stop pushing and give me some room?" LOL I agree with everyone here--find a guidebook that fits your style (browse a bookstore travel shelf and get one that suits you). There are hundreds and hundreds of things to see in Paris tho, so it can be hard to narrow things down. You might find this list helpful: www.ourparisforum.com/index.cgi?board=sites&action=display&thread=3695
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Post by Belladonna on Jan 23, 2012 8:57:59 GMT -5
Glad to share Annette Stephen says offer a firm but polite "En fait, Madame/Monsieur, c'est a moi." (there's an accent over the "a" if that helps - can't be bothered to spend an hour figuring out how to insert it on my computer : . The section titled How NOT to Annoy a Parisian has great tips and had me laughing out loud. He warns to not walk around smiling randomly at people because Parisians will think "either your mad, laughing at them or asking for sex." ;D
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Post by PariS on Jan 23, 2012 11:10:19 GMT -5
Thanks! I'm gonna have to find that book, sounds like a good read!
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