advice about Paris please

hollydays

Perhaps the OP could check out the location of the the hotel is in on tripadviser hotel guide reviews.And/or name it here.Surely the whole of the Marais isn't a red light district is it? There is a lovely square there called the Place de vosges (never knew how to pronounce that).A lot of the booking agencies allow you to cancel at no charge if needed.

39redrose

arggh! Thanks for the word of warning Warrington-Mike. W-M I wonder if you had the look of a startled rabbit and an easy target like my husband did years ago in Amsterdam?! I've booked the Prelude Hotel Gard du Nord, hope it'll be okay there, didn't see any really bad reviews regarding the area when I looked on some of the review sites (thanks hollydays for the tips). You've all been very helpful on here and given me lots of tips
x

pboae

Depending what sort of things your kids like, you might want to think about going to the catacombs http://www.catacombes-de-paris.fr/english.htm I went there with my sister and her kids (12 and 14 at the time) and that is the one place they still talk about it. It is pretty creepy but it's fascinating too.

It's open 10-4 and closed on Mondays.

hollydays

I am so jealous-it's not surprising Paris is one of the top cities for tourists-there is just such a lot to see.

Tescodealqueen

Hi we are going to Paris for the first time in July so thanks to everyone for their great suggestions.
We did go to Disneyland Paris the year it opened for our son's fourth birthday but are looking to spend our time sightseeing this time. Got 3 nights for the price of two on a hotel on the Champs Elyssee and cheap Eurostar tickets with £1 tickets for the trip to London, all thanks to information on MSE:j

tbs624

hollydays wrote: »

Perhaps the OP could check out the location of the the hotel is in on tripadviser hotel guide reviews.And/or name it here.Surely the whole of the Marais isn't a red light district is it?.

The Marais is in the 3rd/4th arondissement - is a fantastic area to stroll around - lots of restaurants,( & clubs if that's your thing) interesting buildings, small shops, art galleries/studios etc - quite a mixed area, has an orthodox Jewish community and also a gay community. The red light district is Pigalle , which along with Opera/ Garnier is in the 9th . Def. keep away from Ave de Clichy/Rue St Denis. Montmarte (20th) is fine during the day (but like any tourist place has pickpockets etc) & I wouldn't hang around there later on. I'd avoid Chatelet/ Les Halles/Gare du Nord areas late at night and any of the northern Paris suburbs.

Having said all this, it really is just a case of using common sense,as you would in any big city. I reckon parts of Manchester or Birmingham would give you more to worry about.;)

Sian_the_Green

I'm heading to Paris for the first time (and France for the first time!) at the end of July so thanks for the ideas. Though I am 26 and my mum is in her 50s we are young at heart so some of those ideas sound perfect
Any others would be appreciated, particularly what to do in the evening if you aren't into clubbing...

mrs_lds

can you visit the gardens in Versailles for free or do you have to pay. Also is it practical to park there?