Paris

merc1

Hi All, I'm off to Paris with my wife next weekend for our 2nd yr anniversary. Dose anyone have any helpful tips for us while we are out there. For Example, things to do and see on the cheap, places to avoid. Plus any romantic suggestions would be much appreciated.

NB:I've already booked the Eurostar and hotel.;)

74jax

I took my boyfriend as surprise treat a couple of years ago. I booked 99p flights and a fab hotel with a direct view of the eiffel tower for only #60.00 a night with 3 nights for the price of 2!! As a thankyou when we were out there, he paid for us to go to the Lido on the Champs Elyees - I've attached a link. You can choose what level of price to go for, but whatever level you get your own table and own table waiter who lurks descreatly and is there the moment you look up for him. We had the Champagne meal package and it was so romantic and fantastic. I think that night cost him more than the full weekend cost me - but if you're wanting to surprise and delight - this is what to do.

http://www.lido.fr/us/cabaret-paris.html

merc1

Thanks for that idea, sounds great.

One thing i did forget to say is that i am on a budget. I want maximum impact for as less £££££'s as possible. I don't want to sound cheap but i'm trying to save up for her 30th birthday present. At the same time i want her to have a fantastic 2nd year anniversary experience. Thanks again.:p

knightstyle

View from Tour Montparnasse; Pantheon, Musee D'orsay is free 1st sunday in month; Place Denfert catacombes; Musee Bourdelle, free sculpture exhibition; musee de la magic,Rue St Paul; Eiffel tower at night. These are some sights often missed by tours etc. but worth seeking out. Have fun.

74jax

hey you don't get cheaper than 99p flights :beer:

If you're going to the Eiffel Tower, don't go all the way, it's more to the top, you queue for ages (nearly an hour for us) and it's so not worth it - having said that - someone told me not to go all the way up and I did - more fool me!

Take a bottle of wine and 2 glasses and sit under the tower on the grass for a picnic, we did and so did loads of others, if you have room take a blanket, we didn't take one and so used our coats but other people were more prepared!

A lot of the museums are free, I'd plan where/waht you want to do before you go, so you can work out the best deals first, but you don't have to spend a lot.

One tip I'd have is we were going to do the river cruise during the day, but we decided to do the last one of the day so it was going dusk and was lovely, it was so much cheaper than doing the night-time cruise, but just as good as the sun was going down anyway!

kb36

Oh you lucky things.... I used to live there and it's always autumn when I feel a bit nostalgic. I would strongly recommend getting off the metro at Pont Marie and walking across the bridge to the Ile St Louis. The atmosphere is villagey and you'll get the best ice cream in Paris (Berthillon) and lots of little boutiquey shops. Link below for further details. When you've had a cheapish beer in the brasserie on the corner you can head over the bridge to the other island where Notre Dame is!

http://gofrance.about.com/od/paris/a/ilesaintlouis.htm

merc1

Thx kb36 & 74jax your suggestions sound great. I like the idea of sitting under the tower with a bottle of wine. I have got one sort of foolish idea. Which is to take with me a ring and when we reach the top of the tower to propose. Something silly i know, but it will be our firt time in paris and you can't visit the Eiffel tower with your better half and not propose. Even though were already married.

BillTrac

Merc1,

if you plan on using the metro/rer/funicular etc don't buy your tickets at the Eurostar terminal.

A Carnet is £11.50 for ten tickets at Eurostar, and only the equivelant of £9 in Paris. Not much but every saving counts.

Lots of places to eat in the Latin Quarter opposite Notre Dame.

Another excellent restaurant I can definetely recommend is on the street next to the Abbesses metro in Monmatre. Sorry I can't remember the name. Small and looks like someone's front room!! Just along on the right. Several set menus from 15/21/29 euros. Freshly cooked and friendly people.

Wife had the 29euro set menu and it was 4 courses and included a Kir Royale!

Have a great time as Paris is a superb city just for looking

Bill

Voyager2002

Check carefully all the things like Metro tickets, passes or whatever, where it is possible to pay in advance in sterling or pay there in Euro. As post #8 explains, usually for all these things it is better to pay when you are there, but we do not live in "usual" times. The fall in the pound means that you have to pay so much for your Euro in order to buy things there, that paying in sterling might often work out cheaper.

In any case, I would suggest not changing any money just now! Get your Euro last month if possible!

merc1

Tell me about it. Its a shame about the exchange rate. Well I have just over a week to go, fingers crossed that the pound strengthens.
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GIRLPOWER_2

How did you get on?