MTG Salvation

What should I go see? I've been there before, but my gf hasn't so we are visiting "for" her. Essentially, pretend I've never been there.

Quote from TheEndIsNear

What should I go see? I've been there before, but my gf hasn't so we are visiting "for" her. Essentially, pretend I've never been there.

What do you/she like? Historical, touristy, shopping, food? Where are you planning to stay? Are you religious?

Consider getting a paris pass (http://www.parispass.com/things-to-do-in-paris/?aid=39&gclid=CKvl5OLKwLgCFWo3pgoddiIAMQ) although it's best to get one at one of the venues, in my experience, although double check before you go.

Historical/arty things:
(some of these are also good tourist attractions)

Go to the Louvre. If possible, go for multiple part days.
The Musee D'Orsay is also good if you like impressionist art
La Conciergerie is on the same island as Notre Dame, and is not bad - it is the place where those to be executed were kept.

The museum of the middle ages is excellent, and not to too far out of the way of these places


Religious (although also historical) places

Notre Dame is pretty amazing - if you're in the area it is well worth a look even if you aren't at all religious. Equally, if you go to it and/or the conciergerie, consider a side trip to sainte chappelle. (and make sure you go upstairs. Several people I've heard of have missed the stairs, which makes it kind of **** - you miss this .

The historical site below ND is also pretty good.

Touristy -

The eifel tower is ok, but pretty touristy and kind of out of the way (depending on modes of transport). It's a good half hour walk from anywhere else you want to see, and has a high incidents of gypsy//other scammers. Still, it's iconic, and if you can find a way to get there and see it and back in under two hours, probably worth it.

The arc de triomphe is ok but also IMO not worth the time to go to. That said, if you or she want to go to expensive-ass shops, you might be up on Champs-Elysees anyway, so YMMV.

I may come back. Provide more info on what sorts of things you might want to see.

Oh, and food:

All the food in paris that isn't sold in a museum shop is amazing. Especially the bready foods.

We aren't religious, but a nice view is a nice view. We will be staying at relatives about an hour away by train, and we planned to go to young hostels during our visits (train to Paris, stay there a few days, come back, maybe twice.) She likes shopping but isn't a big spender. i don't see her buying overpriced Paris stuff. Food might be a thing, but shes 100% against alcohol, so the Paris wine places are out. She seems into museums but I don't know if she'd be into going to museums a lot there.

I need to warn you about two things in advance:

1.) Paris smells like pee.
2.) Watch your wallet if you are paying attention to street performers.

The Eiffel Tower is most definitely worth it. My Wife and I went to Paris for a day during our Honeymoon, and we loved it. Be warned that the first floor may still be under construction. Also, set aside up to three hours for it as the line can go really long. Yes it's 'touristy', but when you are a tourist, that's what you want to do.

I'd also recommend finding a street market or two. It's an inexpensive way to go 'shopping', and there is a lot of local culture and fun to be had. Rue Cler was nice, although we had just missed the 'street market' time. It's only a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, through a very nice park with lots of good photo ops.

At the corner of Rue Amelie and Rue de Grenelle there is a toy store that sells Magic the Gathering, and there were a few people playing when we stopped in. We wandered in on it while walking to the underground on our way back to the international rail terminal.

Tour boats can be a good way to get around the city to the major sights, as many of them are right off the water.

Quote from Jay13x

I need to warn you about two things in advance:

1.) Paris smells like pee.
2.) Watch your wallet if you are paying attention to street performers.

The Eiffel Tower is most definitely worth it. My Wife and I went to Paris for a day during our Honeymoon, and we loved it. Be warned that the first floor may still be under construction. Also, set aside up to three hours for it as the line can go really long. Yes it's 'touristy', but when you are a tourist, that's what you want to do.

I'd also recommend finding a street market or two. It's an inexpensive way to go 'shopping', and there is a lot of local culture and fun to be had. Rue Cler was nice, although we had just missed the 'street market' time. It's only a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, through a very nice park with lots of good photo ops.

At the corner of Rue Amelie and Rue de Grenelle there is a toy store that sells Magic the Gathering, and there were a few people playing when we stopped in. We wandered in on it while walking to the underground on our way back to the international rail terminal.

Tour boats can be a good way to get around the city to the major sights, as many of them are right off the water.

I can understand the desire to see the Eiffel tower, I just think it is badly overrated. You are, as noted, exchanging 2 or 3 hours for 10 or 15 minutes of a nice view. And it's a very nice view, but paris has no shortage.

Also I've heard from a lot of people that paris smells - I don't see it. (Well, smell it). I mean, ok, it has a slight smell but no more than any other big city. Of course, I've never been there in spring or summer, and it might be much worse then.

Venice, on the other hand, is a malodorous cesspit. But that is another story.

Yeah, I've been to they Eiffel tower and was not Wowed. But I'm bringing her anyways cause well yeah, it's expected. I didn't notice a smell my last few times in Paris though, maybe she will. I've heard to the pickpockets, we'll be careful.

Quote from Verbal

Also I've heard from a lot of people that paris smells - I don't see it. (Well, smell it). I mean, ok, it has a slight smell but no more than any other big city. Of course, I've never been there in spring or summer, and it might be much worse then.

We were there in April, and it would seem every time we rounded a corner is smelled like a urinal. It was bizarre, and it made a bad initial impression. Once we got away from the subway it was a lot better.

And yes, the Eiffel Tower is overrated, but it's still an experience and worth doing, I think.

Quote from TheEndIsNear

What should I go see? I've been there before, but my gf hasn't so we are visiting "for" her. Essentially, pretend I've never been there.

First off, make sure the ****ing Louvre and Rodan aren't on strike like they were when I was there.... How utterly disappointing.

Quote from Jay13x

We were there in April, and it would seem every time we rounded a corner is smelled like a urinal. It was bizarre, and it made a bad initial impression. Once we got away from the subway it was a lot better.

And yes, the Eiffel Tower is overrated, but it's still an experience and worth doing, I think.

A bit late to the thread, I was also in Paris in April. The people were friendly, though I almost had my wallet stolen in the subway station. So be very careful of pickpockets.

In Paris, aside from the places already mentioned, the Palace of Versailles is definitely a neat place to check out for it's artistic beauty. If you're going to the Eiffel Tower, be prepared to wait in line for at least 90 minutes to buy tickets and additional waiting to get in the elevators. You can equally see a nice view of the city on top of the Arc de Triumph.

If you have spare time to travel outside of Paris, check out Mont Saint-Michele. It was an island fortress and is a stunning piece of architecture. There are also a ton of castles. I really liked Chenoneau and Chambord.

Have fun!

I think I'd like to see a "chocolatrie" (whats the english term for those? Where they make chocolate) my gf loves chococo and I'd want to bring her to one.

I've been to France 4 times now, doing Paris 3 of those times.

What you SHOULD do:
Latin Quarter Drinking / Drunk Food
Notre Dame
Musée d'Orsay
L'orangerie
Champs de Elysee
Jardin de Tuileries

What to avoid:
Arc de Triomphe
Eiffel Tower
Louvre

What I have no opinion on:
Catacombs

What you Must do:
The cemetery I don't remember the name of. Has Oscar Wilde's grave.
Sacré Coeur
Pont des Arts

If you have a girlfriend, take her especially to the last two. Super romantic and Sacré Coeur had the best views of the city. If things are serious, bring a lock to Pont des Arts and write your names on it. Lock it into the bridge and throw the keys into the river. My ex and I still have a lock there, ha.

I hope you love Paris. It's an amazing city, absolutely gorgeous. If you drink wine, see if you can get some Jurancon Sec while there. The sweet one. Amazing dessert wine. And côtés du Rhône as well. It's my favorite red, dry and fruity. Both come from the Pyrénées region, near Pau.

I went to Paris back in '06 or '07.

I went up on the Eiffel Tower. The view was cool but otherwise it was moderately unimpressive.

We stayed at a bed and breakfast (in the sense that it was someone's personal residence and they gave us a room to stay in and made us breakfast every morning) that was right down the block from the tower. It was a good location and the lady was nice.

We walked around and saw the historical buildings and stuff, which was nice. The cafes and restaurants are pretty good, too.

We went on a boat cruise on the river. The food was ****ty but the cruise was nice, and we got to see the tower light up from the river. The street vendor food was pretty great, to my recollection.

Hmm...didn't get to go to the Louvre or Disney, but maybe next time. My girlfriend went to Disney in Paris and said it was a good time.

Anyway, that was my experience in Paris - hope your visit is just as nice if not more so!

Oh, and a Muslim woman who was part of a group of women that gathered with this one dude walked up to us with a small card that was in English but made little sense. When asked what it was supposed to mean, her reply was, "Bosnia!"

Obvious scam was obvious.

Quote from Oldaughd

First off, make sure the ****ing Louvre and Rodan aren't on strike like they were when I was there.... How utterly disappointing.

Its France expect there to be a strike going on some where in the country.

Quote from Iso

Oh, and a Muslim woman who was part of a group of women that gathered with this one dude walked up to us with a small card that was in English but made little sense. When asked what it was supposed to mean, her reply was, "Bosnia!"

Obvious scam was obvious.

This happens a lot at Sacre Coeur and in that entire arrondissement. They'll try to tie a bracelet on your arm and then force you to pay for it or draw you a picture and guilt you into giving them money.

Also, use the metro on the day you're going to Sacre Coeur. Taking the lift up the steps instead of walking is fantabulous and you can reuse a day-long metro ticket.

Quote from Truesight

This happens a lot at Sacre Coeur and in that entire arrondissement. They'll try to tie a bracelet on your arm and then force you to pay for it or draw you a picture and guilt you into giving them money.

Also, use the metro on the day you're going to Sacre Coeur. Taking the lift up the steps instead of walking is fantabulous and you can reuse a day-long metro ticket.

Yeah, there was one guy who walked up to me, pointing down at a ring, and tried to put it on my finger. I was like, "Uh, no."

Quote from Truesight

I've been to France 4 times now, doing Paris 3 of those times.

What to avoid:
Arc de Triomphe
Eiffel Tower
Louvre

If you have a girlfriend, take her especially to the last two. Super romantic and Sacré Coeur had the best views of the city. If things are serious, bring a lock to Pont des Arts and write your names on it. Lock it into the bridge and throw the keys into the river. My ex and I still have a lock there, ha.

I'm fascinated why you think someone should avoid what is likely the best museum and art gallery in the world.

That aside, for gods sake don't lock a lock on a bridge. It is damaging a historic site and costs the city a pil of money to bolt-cut the crappy locks selfish tourists have snapped on to things. Just say no to fads.

The Louvre is fine only if you have several days to spend in it. Like 3 at least. And considering most tourists don't, my vote always goes to skipping it in favor of the smaller but just-as-entertaining art galleries nearby. That being said, still definitely worth walking around the grounds and seeing Palais du Louvre.

As for the locks, it's an incredibly sweet and romantic gesture. And it would seem they don't remove the locks quite as frequently as you think. I was there in July and our lock has been there since 2010 so there's that. Besides, the intelligent thing to do would be to remove the chain-link barriers instead of cutting off each lock individually.

That aside, Paris is a tourist town, like it or not. You'll run into a LOT of Americans, especially during the Summer. If you want an authentic French experience, make your way to Pau, Lyon, or something. Paris has a lot of tourist attractions, thus a lot of tourists, and yes, tourist fads.

Quote from Truesight

The Louvre is fine only if you have several days to spend in it. Like 3 at least. And considering most tourists don't, my vote always goes to skipping it in favor of the smaller but just-as-entertaining art galleries nearby. That being said, still definitely worth walking around the grounds and seeing Palais du Louvre.

There are no art galleries near the Louvre which are just as good as it because there are virtually* no art galleries in the world as good as it (for the periods of art it contains. Obviously D'Orsey is better for impressionist art as the Louvre contains none-ish)

Yes, you have to plan your trip, and no, you can't see everything. But if you want to see, say, 7 Da Vinci's and several dozen other amazing paintings nearby, you can do it in not much over an hour (depending on crowds). If you add an hour or two you can see several amazing pieces of sculpture nearby. I know this because I have done it. If you, on the other hand, want to see a pile of egyptian stuff, you can do that in a couple of hours.

The moral of my story is: Don't be defeatist about the best museum in the world.




*I'd argue the Uffizi has better renaissance art, but that is a minority opinion

Paris is awesome! The tourist sites are bound to overcrowded, but I just love walking the streets and taking in the ambience. The people are warm and friendly if you make an effort (contrarty to popular belief). The food is delicious and the city is gorgeous.

However, petty theft is RIFE and could ruin your holiday. I don't know why they don't police this better, Rome has managed to resolve this problem a lot better.

Some tips:

- Familiarize yourself with the petty theft scams. The string, the ring and the paper are seriously abundant and in my stay there for a week I saw all of them. Google them for more information so that you don't get caught out. The string is the scam with intimidating men tying a string around your wrist and extorting money from you (at Mont Matre usually). The ring is a woman dropping a ring subtely and picking it up then presenting it to you and asking if you've lost it and demanding money from you because she fabricates a reason she can't keep it. The paper is a horde of teenagers asking you to sign petitions for various causes and then fiddling in your pockets while you're distracted. As silly and transparent as all of these seem they do catch you if you're unprepared and these people are skilled at picking out distracted tourists.

-They stole an apple laptop adapter from my backpack in the subway, so make sure that you carry your backpack in your hand or have your travel mates always be able to see it. LOCK your bag with a padlock but honestly the best way to do it is to just secure all your things in various pockets and avoid the tourist bullseye backpack. Do not wear a moon bag, aside from being a terrible fashion accessory they are actually counterproductive. Thieves know exactly where your money sits and they obscure vision of your pants pockets - the same goes for wearing your backpack on your front instead of back.

- Avoid the subway in general, but especially late at night. The Paris subway is filthy, probably the worst I've experienced in the world depending on some lines. It's full of urine and homeless people and the prowling grounds of thieves. Take the opportunity to exercise by walking above ground and see sights and cute shops you might not normally see. Only reserve the subway for when you are bone tired from walking or have a long journey.

- Buy all museum tickets online to skip queues. I can't stress how important this is! With the Louvre you can actually buy tickets from the FNAC store in the mall nearby in Chatelet which will save you a huge amount of time. Do all the touristy stuff because afterall that's what you're there for. Some you will love, and some will underbowl you. It's part of the experience!

Other than these points Paris is amazing and you will love it! (Rome still beats it though!)

France and Paris was pretty great, we came back like 4 days ago. My gf was surprised by the way I grabbed her and pulled her away at Mont Matre from the string guys, and we sat around there a bit and talked. I managed to make a guy there hate me and stare me down as he left as I took a victim away from him.

We didn't get anything stolen, but I had two easily accessible pockets on my backpack. I put socks and Klennex is both. When we got home one night, we realized both were open. My gf tells me I probably forgot to close them, but I like to think someone else got to them, nothing was taking out obviously. I was super cautious with my stuff, like I kept my wallet in the bottom of the 2nd pocket (out of 3) of my backpack, besides all my clothes. I did have to reach in my back every time to find it, but I doubt anything would happen to it.

We did metro late at night, but nothing weird happened.

Quote from TheEndIsNear

What should I go see? I've been there before, but my gf hasn't so we are visiting "for" her. Essentially, pretend I've never been there.

- The quality of the advice will increase significantly if you can indicate how long you'll be staying, whether you'll do other stuff in Europe too, what your budget is and what you like to do/see.

- I disagree that you should avoid the Eiffel tower. It is pretty, impressive and has a relation with America too. You can always go over there and then decide if you want to queue and go to the top.

- I also disagree that you should avoid the metro. It should be 100% safe if you apply street smarts and avoid the banlieus (closest thing the French have to ghetto'/projects).

- Buy museum tickets online. Buy museum tickets online. Buy museum tickets online. You saved half a day.

- Try to go for experiences. Maybe you want to go cycling. Or attend a soccer game. Or go to the opera.

- You are going with your girlfriend. I found the Musée Rodin pretty romantic.

- Outside of Paris is Versailles.

- If you know long beforehand that you are going, you can try to wait for a misprice or a good deal on a luxury hotel. It will still cost you an arm or a leg, but not all your limbs.