Paris

rachel_green

Hello

Heading to Paris in a few weeks for 5 days :j and need any help that you can offer.

Hotel has not been booked yet so any suggestions would be welcome. Want a decent hotel (clean and relatively modern) at least 3 star in a central area, obviously it would advantageous if it was money saving!!

Trying to check tripadvisor but there are approx 1800 hotels in Paris have seen the 4* oceania paris porte de Versailles at £400 and the Hotel auteuil tour Eiffel 3* at £250, any comments on either of these two or any suggestions of other hotels

What is an easy way to travel from the airport into the city. Don’t mind paying a few euros more for convenience / comfort but don’t want to be out a small fortune taking a taxi.
Usually would take the train / tube but is there a coach transfer that is perhaps cheaper or just easier with luggage?

What is the easiest way to get around? Can all tourist sites be reached on foot (I can’t cycle) or should we get a pass for the metro, if the latter what is the cheapest option.

Are French cosmetics cheaper there e.g. Clinique, Lancôme, Estee lauder L’Oreal, Yves Saint Laurent etc
Should I be thinking about stocking up (and getting supplies of pressies in for birthdays etc)

Any decent Irish bars especially those that serve food – this request I definitely must explain!!!
I basically have a yeast intolerance yet I love bread etc so after a few days away I usually get mad cravings for wheaten or soda with proper butter. Imagine going to France and not being able to pick up a baguette for lunch from the local boulangerie (bakery) and you will feel my pain.

So far wherever I have travelled there has been an Irish (or Scots) bar that either gets bread imported from home or makes their own.

Thank you in advance

Merci

Rachelle

hbloomers

Its been a while since I went to Paris. I'm assuming you're flying into Charles De Gaulle? If so, get the RER B into the city centre (Gare du nord) and you can use the metro from there. You can get a 5 day tourist pass for a pretty decent price at the station at CDG.

For make up, look out for Sephora! They sell all the normal lines, and their own range is great. I can't remember if it was much cheaper though.

I only went to one Irish pub when I was there - Coolin. Its in St Germain area... can't remember the station name, but I think it was l'Odeon.

Check lastminute.com for hotels, I've got some really good deals from there. I'd also really recommend getting a guide book for when you go. The metro system is quite confusing for new users, and guide books will have a map, a list of attractions and their stations.

I recommend the Louvre, Notre Dame, and Les Galleries LaFayette (amazing dept. store).

Paris, je t'aime!

rachel_green

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Yip I'm flying into Charles de Gaulle.
I had googled the paris tourist pass but there seems to be several varations of this.
Would probably only need one for 2 or 3 days shopping has to be done!!
I saw Coolin mentioned in a guide book Lonely planet i think?

the Lourve and norte dame are also on my to do list not sure about going up the Eiffel tower though

Paddy2eyes

Rachel, you will probably get a better response if you post in the Overseas Travel board

Rebby

rachel

i've been to paris a few times now and have stayed in villa st martin. i book it through travel republic and have always got a good deal. it's quiet hotel, near to gare de l'est station and to where the tour bus goes from. if you head towards the canal from the hotel you get a few nice bars and small shops.
i've taken a few walking tours while in paris too, one group i really enjoy going with - fattirebiketours - they do walking, boat and segway tours. the segway is brilliant and i think well worth the money!

Choco

Rachel,

dont do what we done. We were staying in caravan pk abt 8 yrs ago bought tickets for metro was merrily enjoyed our journey awaiting for inspector to come and punch our tickets which didn't happen! So next day I said to my OH I'm going to use same tickets as they are still valid. We didn't realise until our 3rd day (using same tickets + there was 5 of us) when we seen someone putting their tickets through machine you were supposed to put them through machine and cancel yourself. Luckily we weren't caught but certainly next time if I go back I'll be putting them through machine. Imagine the embarassement if I had been caught and fined!!!!!!!!