First Trip to Paris! (crime rate, hotel, neighborhoods)

[Moonbeamie]

My mom and I are going to Paris in March for the first time, and I was wondering if people had any comments about what Paris will be like, and what we need to look out for (crime, landmarks, restaurants,etc...).

We are going with a group of others through a local community education program, so we have an itinerary, but we can also go off on our own if we'd like.

And, do I need to learn French before we go...will that make the trip much better?

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by Moonbeamie

My mom and I are going to Paris in March for the first time, and I was wondering if people had any comments about what Paris will be like, and what we need to look out for (crime, landmarks, restaurants,etc...).

We are going with a group of others through a local community education program, so we have an itinerary, but we can also go off on our own if we'd like.

And, do I need to learn French before we go...will that make the trip much better?

Paris is a beautiful city and it exceeded my expectations. The museums can be a little overwhelming and I'd strongly advise to hit up the Lourve and Musee d' Orsay right around opening time to beat the crowds. I really liked the Musee d' Armee too. The Eiffel Tower seems like something that would be kind of hokey, like it's just a big stupid tower but it actually is kind of cool to go see it. Notre Dame was really cool as well.

There are all kinds of cool old buildings. I'd suggest to factor in a lot of walking and gawking at everything. Make sure your hotel is close to the Metro line, which will get you anywhere in the area fast and cheap. Get a map of the different Metro lines if you can.

As far as restaurants, I didn't have a single bad meal when I was there. Many restaurants offer a prix-fixe menu, which I'd suggest looking for that way you can try more things than you normally would. Most places offer an entree, beverage and dessert for around 10-15EU, sometimes even an appetizer. I really liked the duck ("canard" in French) dishes I had. Eat dessert. You will find no better desserts anywhere in the world. Do not skimp on this in Paris. For quick and less expensive dining, there are a ton of Greek/Middle Eastern Gyro joints.

As far as learning French, knowing a little would be good. You'll use "Pardon" and "J'voudrais" (I would like..) a lot. Learn your pleasantries ("merci", "si vous plais", etc) and I'd strongly advise learning some food-related words. A lot of places have menus in English, but most do not and it's good to know what you're ordering. If you POLITELY ask someone if they speak English, usually they will help you. I found most people there to be very friendly, despite the stereotypes.

As far as crime goes, I guess there's a lot of pick-pockets on the train and around the touristy locations. Just play it smart. I didn't have any problems, but then again I'm probably a little more menacing looking than your average tourist. Watch your items like a hawk though. I hear Paris has a similar crime rate as NYC now and there are neighborhoods of Paris you will not want to find yourself in. These areas are away from the touristy areas. Just look for the same sort of indicators as you would in the United States.

You'll love it. I went there pretty much on a whim and wasn't expecting much, but was completely blown away by the city. I'd love to go back and I'd like to learn more French. I definitely came back with an appreciation for the French.

Good luck and Bon Voyage!

[RH1]

I agree with everything El Rhino has said. I just came back from Paris on Saturday and we had a great time. I skipped the Louvre though as it's so big we didn't want to get tired looking at art that we weren't so into - I've been there before several years ago and I got a bit bored to be honest (I went as an art student!!)

We spent a very long time in the Centre Pompidou, which has modern art and loads of it. It's also got great views from the top and the escalators, which are outside the building in a perspex tube. The Musee D'Orsay is great if you like impressionism and post impressionism.

On the language, people are very good with English there (in fact better than some people from abroad you'll speak to in London!) but you tend to get a better reception if you have a go. Most conversations I had consisted of me starting off in French, them replying in English and me eventually giving up and switching to English because they'd think I was more fluent than I am and I wouldn't catch anything of what they said back!

They're very polite there so it's nice to show willing. If you're not confident with the language though, just saying Merci instead of thank you is nice, and at the end of the day most people in customer-facing jobs have very good English.

The Metro is great for getting around and there are ticket machines if you have language worries. We got a carnet (10 single journeys) which was about right for 2 of us for 3 days.

[BlueWillowPlate]

What helpful, informative posts!

I'll add:
Maybe you already have the Louvre figured out in your itinerary, but here are a couple pointers:
There are certain benefits for students--under 18's are free--check out the Louvre's website below. Friday evenings after 6 are free,first Sunday of every month is free (and probably crowded).
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Louvre's website:Louvre
Tickets get you out of long lines.
If you don't have tickets, avoid the long lines at the Pyramid entrance in the main courtyard by going in through the Porte des Lions, at the far south-eastern wing of the Museum near the river. (This entrance, I believe, is closed on Fridays.)
The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.

The Eiffel Tower is especially fun at night after a good dinner.
We ate at this place: Le Florimond 19, ave de La Motte Picquet, and it was excellent. I think it is more "discovered" now, but if you make reservations you'd be okay. It is not far from the Eiffel Tower.

I also recommend the Musee D'Orsay.
Another place I really enjoyed was the Cluny, with its Unicorn Tapestries.

[RH1]

Originally Posted by BlueWillowPlate

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.

OMG - this isn't helpful OR informative, just slightly entertaining, but for some obscure reason a security guy at our airport in the UK told us that! This was Wednesday morning!! Very odd.

[RH1]

Originally Posted by BlueWillowPlate

The Eiffel Tower is especially fun at night after a good dinner.

I'd go with that, and you can take some great photos of the panorama. Trocadero looks like a lit-up robot, which is quite strange but one to look out for!

When we went last Wednesday you couldn't get to the top stage but the 2nd is quite high enough for spectacular views without so much vertigo. Also there's an ice bar on the 2nd stage and a snow-covered walkway at the moment!

One thing I forgot to mention - take warm clothes if you're going in the near future, it was pretty cold (although it depends what you're used to!)

[glxyman21]

I spent quite a bit of time in France and Paris. Foreign countries are a great experience. You won't need to learn French, but it is nice to know some words and phrases to get you by and be polite. I cannot speak French fluently, but more conversational and I am able to read it so I might of had an edge that way. I would say buy a map which will show you all the landmarks.

There is also a tour of Paris bus that sells tickets for I think around €20 which will bring you to all the landmarks. The good thing is that you can get off and walk around the area, you don't have to stay on the bus. A bus comes around every 10 or so minutes so when you're ready to go you can hop on and go somewhere else. I believe it was good for 2 days.

Restaurants, well there are many and I haven't had a bad meal there. You can try French cuisine or even Chinese cuisine (which i found to be quite good, fresh ingredients and all) The set menus are popular and are not that expensive at all. Not all menus are in English though. There are sandwich places where you can buy a fresh baguette with fillings for around 2 euros which are good for lunch and while walking about. Make sure to visit pastry shops as they are amazing. With all the walking you will be doing it will all be forgiven.

The metro is fast and not that expensive (cheaper than the London Tube) Buy the pack of 10 tickets. It is cheaper that way and you will use them. The Metro is very easy to use. Easier than the Subway in NYC or the London Tube.

Crime, well just use common sense. You will have a lot of beggars come up to you, Usually women from places near the middle east and sometimes they send their children after you. They go for the tourists always, but they don't look poor as they are dressed in clean clothes and everything so just walk away, you wouldn't want to get something stolen off you. For night time walk on main roads or roads that see more pedestrian/vehicle traffic and avoid the little side streets. There is a lot of traffic in Paris so watch out for cars, sometimes if the pedestrian light is green cars still come around.

[RH1]

Originally Posted by glxyman21

There is a lot of traffic in Paris so watch out for cars, sometimes if the pedestrian light is green cars still come around.

Gosh yes! I believe the general rule is that they're not meant to run you over on crossings when it's green, but you do end up taking rather a leap of faith a lot of the time don't you? We spent a lot of time following other people's lead on the basis that people are less likely to want to dent their car on multiple tourists.

[lovelongboatkey]

Great posts so far. I would add a visit to Sacre Coeur, what views, and Versailles. We did not use the metro much we walked a lot. Every afternoon the concierge at our hotel would meet us in the lobby to find out how far we had walked that day! We did not have a set schedule so we could stop and enjoy a coffee and people watch.

Rick Steves Paris guide is great and I found it very useful.

If you go to Galleries Lafayette, go up to the rooftop. You can see all of Paris from there. BTW, Monoprix is a great place to buy souvenirs and foodstuff. We had one near the hotel so we could stop by and buy water and snacks at very good prices.

There's no such thing as a bad meal in Paris. We ate in very upscale restaurants and tiny bistros, loved them all.

[Mooseketeer]

The main thing about Paris is that it is an immensely "walkable" city. One of the great joys of it is just what French people call "flaner" ( to wander around aimlessly enjoying the sights in the process).

Basically take your feet with you and just take in all the sights. Le Louvre is an amazing museum but is so huge that it might be better to just choose one particular area ( or 2) and just enjoy that slowly rather than spending a whole day and getting Museum Fatigue.

The Musee d'Orsay is my favourite with some of the best 19th Century art in the world and the building itself is superb ( and Old Train station).

Another must would be the Sainte Chapelle which is one of the most beautiful Gothic and Neo Gothic Church in the world IMO.
The stained glass windows are just out of this world.

Also walk from Notre Dame ( exploring the area) to the Ile St Louis, which is this very chic and quaint area with lovely shops, restaurants tea-rooms and cafes. The best ice-cream in the city possibly France is to be found there "Berthillon" ( other outlets now dot the city but this was the first I think).

It is worth the walk alone and hopefully you will have burnt a few calories on the walk to have earned their frozen delights ( hazelnut and pistachio are my faves).

I would also recommend walking along the river Seine , taking in all the book-stalls ( bouquinistes) and maybe even a Bateau-Mouche ( river boat).


The Musee du Quai Branly opened last year and is one of the best museum of indigenous ethnology in the world and is really worth it.

The Eiffel Tower was never my favourite I have to admit but it is spectacular by night and the restaurant "Le Jules Verne" at the top used to be one of the best in the city ( surprisingly so as it is such a tourist attraction almost anything could make money there) .I haven't been for years but I have been told it is still great. It is HUGELY expensive so maybe not if you are on a budget. Do look out for lunch menus ( pretty much all restaurants in France do have them).

Remember Paris is an expensive city but an immensely rewarding one. Get a good guide book such as the "rough guide to ..." .

Crime is no worse than other big cities and violent crime in the centre is not that common. There will be pickpockets especially in the subway but as long as you are sensible you should be fine.

If you are under 18 or a student a lot of places will have discounts so always ask for it. Get a carte orange for the subway ( much cheaper than single tickets ) if you intend to use public transport a lot. There are different zones so be sure to check which one will suit you. You'll need a passport photo for most transport passes.

If you do get a chance to travel outside Paris, the obvious places are Versailles, Chantilly and Vaux le vicomte ( all amazing Chateaux) and maybe a day trip to Chartres , lovely medieval city with a fantastic Cathedral.


For the poshest "Deli" on the planet , try Fauchon, their goddies are out of this world.

You will find Parisians a lot friendlier if you do learn a bit of French and remember not everyone speaks english .

Best bread is found at Poilane.

Enjoy having "pains au chocolat" and "croissants" ( ask for "au beurre") in the many boulangeries and enjoy !

Maison Berthillon : la qualité est notre passion
Le Jules Verne
musée du quai Branly
Restaurant Paris : Guide of the best restaurants in Paris
Fauchon
Poilane, le pain
Paris - Time Out Travel
Carte Orange - Paris Transportation Pass