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Post by mez on Jul 19, 2007 7:04:22 GMT -5
Hi all. I only discovered today that Paris has a Greeter program similar to the NY Big Apple Greeter program. I've already signed up for the NY one, and am thinking about doing the same for Paris. I guess my main hesitation is that the NY one is well established while the Paris one only seems to have started recently. Has anyone taken advantage of Paris Greeter? What did you think? Check out www.parisgreeter.orgMez |
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Post by Anne on Jul 19, 2007 7:44:08 GMT -5
I had a look at the website, this looks really great !
I like the idea that people do that on a volunteer base, it means that they must really enjoy it . So even if the Paris program has only started recently, what is the risk in giving it a try ? Of course, your guide may be a little amateurish, but he is likely to be very enthusiastic too, and that can be so much nicer than a professional guide ... Go for it !
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Post by Truffaut on Jul 19, 2007 7:54:21 GMT -5
This sounds VERY interesting. I've gone on one of the Visites Conférences (to the Hôtel de Ville) and Lucky is a big fan.
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Post by luckyluc on Jul 19, 2007 8:18:41 GMT -5
Yes each time I am in Paris, I take some visites conférences from the Pariscope, the Officiel des spectacles or Le Figaro. They are offered by professional guide certified by the governement and often have acces to buildings that are not open to the general public. The cost is only 10Euros for a 2h30 visite and the group are usally between 8 to 12 persons.
Last week I took: Le Père Lachaise, Le canal St-Martin, Le faubourg St-Antoine (artisans furniture makers) and Danton et la révolution française.
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Post by mez on Jul 19, 2007 8:34:36 GMT -5
So even if the Paris program has only started recently, what is the risk in giving it a try ? Anne, the challenge is in prioritising eveything on my list! I have a list that will keep me happily occupied for at least a month but I'm only there for a week! Decisions, decisions... Mez |
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Post by annettecinca on Jul 19, 2007 9:05:29 GMT -5
Mez, thanks for this link. It sounds interesting (as do the Visites Conférences). We are generally not "tour people" and much prefer exploring on our own, but these do sound intriguing.
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Post by Truffaut on Jul 19, 2007 9:29:37 GMT -5
Annette, the only caveat about the visites conférences is that they're conducted only in French, and since primarily curious locals or French visitors who sign up for them, the language pace is generally not geared for non-native speakers. They can, however, be very rewarding if you get inside places like the reception rooms at the Hotel de Ville, private courtyards, etc. At least, there's something novel to look at even if you don't understand all the commentary.
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Post by Truffaut on Jul 19, 2007 9:31:12 GMT -5
I'm afraid that I caused a bit of international scandal when we (LuckyLuc, Phread, G and me) took the v-c of the Hotel de Ville. I said something privately to Phread in the middle of the tour that caused her to erupt in laughter so loud that the guide gave her a REALLY nasty look. Later, we had to tell him what we said and then he started laughing, too!
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Post by annettecinca on Jul 19, 2007 15:45:49 GMT -5
Annette, the only caveat about the visites conférences is that they're conducted only in French Darn, hadn't thought about that! (Silly me!) I would only catch every tenth word--IF I'm lucky! |
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Post by sandy on Jul 19, 2007 16:00:33 GMT -5
We took the guided tour in French at Chantilly. Though we understood half of it, it was the only chance of visiting the private apartments, which are closed to the public otherwise. So as Truffaut said, it could be worthwile just for the chance of entering into those "hidden" places.
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Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha