Practical Paris Excerpt

Author’s Forward .......................................................................................3 Paris In A Nutshell ....................................................................................3 Top Myths About Paris .............................................................................4 Top ‘Get Over It’ Things About Paris ......................................................5 Best Times Of The Year To Visit .............................................................6 Free and/or Cheap ...................................................................................7 How To Choose A Hotel ..........................................................................9 Alternative Accommodation .....................................................................9 Getting From/To the Airport ...................................................................9 Before You Come To Paris ......................................................................13 How To Pack ...........................................................................................15 When You First Get To Paris ..................................................................17 Metro/Buses/RER .................................................................................19 Paris Museums In A Nutshell ..................................................................10 About Food & Wine ................................................................................12 Shopping/Customs/Mail Issues .............................................................14 Computers, Internet Access, Calling Home ...........................................20 Finding Public Washrooms in Paris .........................................................23 Having A Local Experience ......................................................................9 Some Of Our Favorite Places/Things ....................................................10 Useful Links (In Alphabetical Order) ......................................................14

Paris In A Nutshell Central Paris, with a population of 2.1 million people (2005 statistics), has a very small area of just under 100 square kilometers. No corner is farther than six miles from the square in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Therefore, it is possible to cover Paris completely by foot, if desired. The most visited city in the world has a fascinating, romantic 2,000 year history; no wonder every visitor finds something that resonates deeply within them.

Paris has an excellent, reliable, inexpensive, user-friendly and safe public transportation system. Driving a car or motorbike or scooter for tourists is definitely not recommended, unless you have an unfulfilled desire to be a NASCAR racer and are willing to take on all the risks that come with that. In Paris, drivers zip crazily around the city, motorcycles and scooters weave at top speed between cars, driving rules are sketchy and parking is extremely difficult. Visitors usually never have the need to venture outside of Central Paris to the banlieue (suburbs), with a population of over 10 million, however, transportation is plentiful should the need arise.

Many visitors walk around Paris, following the big white direction signs that are posted all throughout by the city, and get hopelessly lost in the process. Don’t follow these signs that point in vague directions! Paris is full of thousands of twisting, curving streets so the smartest approach is to buy a complete Paris Plan (comprehensive map that details each arrondissement). A Paris Plan will cost you less than 10 euros and save you frustration and lost time! Tourist maps provided by hotels and the visitor office only detail the main streets and not every street in Paris. For serious explorers, having a complete plan is a must.

Some visitors comment that they are surprised that French is spoken by everyone, and that all the signs and menus are in French. That’s right. France’s language is French and while many people speak English, especially in the service industry, many don’t.

The currency in France is the Euro, indicated by the € symbol (for example, 10 €), and all prices on goods, services and at restaurants include taxes. What you see for anything is what you pay. Tips at cafés and restaurants are almost Copyright © 2011 Karen Henrich | Published by TapBooks, an imprint of Chicwalks Media Inc. | Page 3

Top Myths About Paris MYTH #1: Paris is really, really expensive. Explanation: In any city of the world, the sky is the limit when it comes to what you can pay for things. Compared to most other major tourist destinations in the world, in fact it is very possible to get by quite cheaply in Paris. Admission costs for museums and attractions are extremely reasonable, public transportation is a downright bargain and many restaurants feature attractively priced set menus. The main staples of life in Paris are plentiful and cheap: baguettes, wine, cheese, fruit and patisserie desserts. Where expenses can add up is having lots of drinks in cafés and bars. But since the café culture is one of the great pleasures of being in Paris, our advice is to once in awhile pay the price, sit back and watch the world go by. MYTH #2: Paris is not safe. Explanation: In general, European cities are safer than North American ones, since guns, gangs, personal property/bank robberies and drugs are not as common. The most common hazard in Paris, particularly for tourists, is pickpockets, who mainly operate in highly populated tourist areas. Parisian pickpocketers are very skilled and usually you would never even know if you were ripped off until much later. They search for easy opportunities to snatch a purse, wallet or cell phone. Simply don't provide these opportunities or make it easy to be a target, and you will be fine. MYTH #3: You can’t wear jeans in Paris. Explanation: We’re puzzled by where this myth originates, possibly because Paris is considered the fashion capital of the world. In fact, jeans are worn everywhere in Paris, by everyone, even Galeries Lafayette sales staff ! While there are frequent sightings of funky and high fashion, Paris on the whole, is a casual city. However, Parisians are usually never sloppy and look put together no matter what they wear. Parisians are not known for wearing exercise-type wear out on the street, baggy, floppy shorts or short shorts, unless the latter are worn as a fashion item. These clothing choices will flag you as a tourist, especially if non-stylish, exercise-type white running shoes are worn with them.

Top ‘Get Over It’ Things About Paris Yes, these ‘myths’ are true; prepare yourself to ‘get over it’ before you get here!

GET OVER IT #1 There is very little to no air-conditioning in France. The age of the buildings often prevents modern conveniences like these to be installed. GET OVER IT #2 There is dog merde (poop) all over the streets of Paris. Currently, no laws exist to force people to pick up after their pets. GET OVER IT #3 If an elevator exists in a building, it is likely to be small as in ‘can’t turn around in it,’ or barely able to fit two people comfortably in it. Hotel rooms generally are much smaller than you would expect. Walls may be two-feet thick or paperthin and even the floors and ceiling may not match and may be crooked! GET OVER IT #4 There are very few free public washrooms in Paris in the style that we are used to. In Paris, each washroom will be different and many public washrooms, including those in cafés, can range from really good to crappy. There still exist many ‘Turkish-style’ squatters in Parisian cafés and restaurants. GET OVER IT #5 Second-hand smoke will still be a part of your culinary/bar/café-sitting experience when sitting outdoors and on patios. Anti-smoking laws introduced in January 2008 ban smoking indoors in public places. As a result of this new law, pedestrians are plagued with large numbers of Parisians clustering around doorways smoking and throwing their butts on the ground.

Best Times Of The Year To Visit While Paris is a spectacularly magnificent, romantic and beautiful city to be in any time of the year, certain times of the year are better than others to visit, as cited below. To help you plan your holiday, we’ve included a list of events that take place in Paris weekly throughout the year followed by a detailed list of popular events for every season. Best Times (Fall): September, October, November Next Best Times (Winter): December, January, February Next Best Times (Spring): March, April, May Least Best (or Worst) Times (Summer): June, July, August

Paris In Fall Fall is a particularly great season to visit, for several reasons. September bursts forth with energy as Parisians return to the city from their extensive summer vacations for the rentrée, after the ghost-town feeling of August when many Parisians retreat to their country vacation homes. The weather, particularly in September, October and November, is usually great; pleasantly warm during the day and cooler in the night, without being burning hot like it can be in summer. Also, the number of tourists has thinned out and prices on hotels, flights etc. are usually reduced. Finally, Paris provides a veritable feast of activities during this time of year, many of which involve food, wine, fashion and culture; read on for the exciting list: ·

Autumn Festival: A number of venues all over Paris host a fourmonth-long arts festival (the largest festival of its kind in the world) which includes dramatic, dance and opera live performances, movies and concerts such as the month-long outdoor jazz festival in the Parc de la Villette. Held throughout the fall, visit http://www.festivalautomne.com/en/programme-liste.php for more information.

Free and/or Cheap Galeries Lafayette Fashion Show: Held every Friday afternoon at 3 PM on the 7th floor, reservations are required, call 01.48.74.02.30. This is a fullfledged, runway-style fashion show with models and music. Please note that Printemps department store no longer offers a fashion show, therefore the Galeries Lafayette show is usually filled to capacity. It is necessary to book as far in advance as possible. Window-Shopping: Who can be blamed for stopping frequently to gawk slack-jawed at the numerous window displays that show off style, beauty and creativity extraordinaire? The French gawk too and have a fun name for this pleasant past-time, lèche-vitrine, literally ‘licking the windows.’ Metro Ride: Ride Metro Line 6 (which is largely above ground), from beginning to end for a great glimpse of several residential districts of Paris that takes you through parts of the chic 16th (below ground), 15th, 6th, 13th and ends in the 12th. Don’t forget to look out the window between stations Passy and BirHakeim for one of the most spectacular views of the Eiffel Tower and Seine. Also make sure you glimpse the Seine activity from Quai de la Gare to Bercy, a rapidly developing and upcoming area of Paris. Start either at Nation or Charles de Gaulle Etoile stations. Also fun is to peer into the windows of the apartments going by; best to view this at dusk/night when Parisians are home with the lights on and you can catch glimpses of how the apartments are decorated inside. Monthly Events Listing: Bookmark this URL called ‘Bill of the Month’ which lists current events for each month, http://en.parisinfo.com/showsexhibitions-paris/the-bill-of-the-month/. PariRoller: Every week free skating trips are organized in Paris. Friday night, thousands of roller-bladers zip through the streets of Paris with the PariRoller. The throng departs at Montparnasse, starting at 10 PM and ending at 1 AM, with full cooperation from the police and volunteers. Fast and fun to watch, come out and cheer on the skaters, and if you dare, join in! Visit the site for more information, http://www.pari-roller.com/index.php?p=101.

How To Pick A Hotel ·

Choose a price range and a few arrondissements that seem appealing to you. Decide whether you prefer a hotel with charm (in French style) or a modern one (designed more like N. American hotels). You can go as low as ‘no stars’ which will get you a shared and/or private room with a sink, toilet and shower in the hall to a luxury, all equipped ‘5 star.’

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Search online for choices. Two to three star hotels are usually reasonably-priced and comfortable enough for most travelers.

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Check the hotels’ own website which often provide pictures of the lobby, breakfast room and hotel rooms.

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Email the hotel with specific questions: i.e., do they have hair dryers in the rooms, what does the breakfast consist of, are double beds two twins put together, does it have an elevator etc. You may or may not receive an answer; this depends largely on the clerk’s English-writing abilities that day.

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Before booking, check unbiased user hotel reviews on sites such as TripAdvisor.com. It is doubtful that a hotel can provide satisfaction 100% of the time, so take negative comments in context.

Breakfast In Paris To eat the breakfast provided at your hotel or not? Breakfast as we know it (eggs, bacon, toast, potatoes/hashbrowns, omelettes, pancakes etc.) doesn’t exist in Paris except for at trendy brunch spots, and restaurants and cafés offering such fare are far and few between. Parisians have coffee for breakfast, and perhaps a pastry or yogurt. Our recommendation is to take the breakfast your hotel offers, which is usually continental (coffee, tea or hot chocolate with croissants or baguettes and jams). Yogurt, cereal, juice and milk may be offered, and even eggs. You can waste a lot of time searching for breakfast in Paris, so have it at your hotel. There are few things more divine in life than indulging in an excellent French coffee and a freshly baked pain au chocolat to start the day!

Having A Local Experience Tourists are often surprised to discover that the vast majority of Parisians are kind, friendly, funny and helpful, going against a common misconception to the contrary that is perpetuated. The truth is, often when visitors think Parisians are being rude, it is because certain cultural nuances are not being observed. Upon first meeting, the French are not as puppy-dog friendly as North Americans are, however, that does not translate to unfriendliness. The French can be a bit more reserved in the beginning and they don’t really do anything to excess (except in some cases apply copious amounts of hair gel!), so loud, raucous, demanding and obnoxious behavior is frowned upon.

How to Not Come Across as an ‘Ugly Tourist’ (Translation: get better service and have more fun)

First of all, forget everything you know about customer service. It is different in Paris and the customer is not worshipped and catered to as they are in other parts of the world. In other words, ‘the customer rules and is always right’ does not necessarily hold true in Paris. For this reason, it is important when encountering a waiter in a café, a museum attendant, store clerk or owner to first greet that person with a friendly bonjour madame/monsieur/mademoiselle. Also, it is expected to say au revoir (good-bye) at the end of the transaction. These very simple, basic greetings are considered polite by the French and to not say them is considered rude.

By attempting to speak at least a word or two of the language, your chances of better service broaden considerably. Having a handful of phrases also helps and is appreciated so be sure to pack your favorite phrase book. Barging into stores demanding if they have a certain item in blue or similar tactic will not gain any points in Paris. The worst offence a visitor can commit is to enter a store or café and immediately start with, “Do you speak English?” This really irks Parisians and if you think about it, how would you like it if every visitor coming to your country immediately demanded if you speak another language? Also, don’t assume that everyone speaks English in Paris. Many people do, but many don’t either.

Some Of Our Favorite Places/Things Cafés Les Philosophes: Try the delectable Tarte Tatin a la Tomate, the house speciality. Creative washrooms (a must-see); fantastic people-watching street. 28 Rue Vieille du Temple, 4th, Metro: Hotel de Ville. Café Hugo: Soak up the inspiration of Victor Hugo in this historic and very reasonably priced café in the enchanting Place des Vosges. Metro: St-Paul or Bastille. Café DADA: Pick a prime outdoor seat or a spot at the bar and join the wellhealed, beautiful people of the chic 17th. This friendly, welcoming café is situated at the entrance of the lively Marché Poncolet-Bayen on Avenue des Ternes (Metro: Ternes) and also has great food. Chez Prune: Meet and talk to locals at this super popular café near Canal StMartin. 71, Quai de Valmy, 10th arrondissement, Telephone: 01 42 41 30 47. Metro: République. Café Carlu: Enjoy very reasonably-priced salads and light fare, wines and drinks while staring at an excellent view of the Eiffel Tower, then walk around the square to the Place Trocadero for an even better view. Inside the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine (an excellent museum) at 1, place du Trocadéro, 16th. Metro: Trocadéro, Tel: 01 53 70 96 65.

Clubs/Bars Buddha Bar: Check out where the world-famous Buddha Bar music CDs originated. Stare at the giant Buddha for inspiration. Go here just for drinks as there are better places to eat dinner. Metro: Concorde.

Copyright ÂŠ 2011 Karen Henrich Author Site: http://www.tapbookspublishing.com/products/PracticalParis.html Cover Photo: Diane Read Photography Cover Design: Brooke Klassen All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-9867375-0-3 No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

Published by TapBooks, an imprint of Chicwalks Media Inc.

Copyright ÂŠ 2011 Karen Henrich | Published by TapBooks, an imprint of Chicwalks Media Inc. | Page 11

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