So I'll arrive in Paris on the morning of October 17, and I've just found out that Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler are playing at the Bercy venue that night. I have a couple of concerns. 1-That's not quite getting to bed early and seeing an early end to jetlag. I don't want to zombie out the rest of my trip. 2-I'll be alone-can I get there and back safely? I'm not concerned about all those rowdy Dylan fans, just about the general area and atmosphere. Anyone know how well the Metro works for crowds like this? And are there really that many aging French hippies?
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10633 posts
Why don't you book a hotel within walking distance, at least for that night. Yes, there are that many aging French hippies, and their kids, and grandkids.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1068 posts
My two cents' worth re: Concern #1: My personal motto, when traveling, is "I can sleep when I'm dead." Seriously - seeing Dylan and Knopfler? I'd be there in a shot. The next day I'd get up early, walk/tour/shop myself into the ground, get to bed early, and probably be fine the following day after a good 10 hours of sack time. (Others will vehemently disagree.) Concern #2: I've taken the Metro to see Paris St. Germain play, way out at the Parc des Princes in the 16th arrondissement, and the Metro works well for crowd situations like that one. It's actually quite cheerful and friendly! Also, there is safety in numbers, and you won't be all alone on a dark and scary street somewhere. The Bercy Metro stop is literally right across the street from the stadium. I suppose the only thing I might worry about is the time... since in the 12th arrondissement, the Metro stops earlier than in center city. More like 12:30am-ish, I believe. Still, I can't believe the concert would go that long. Dylan's 70, isn't he? He must have an early bedtime. ;o)
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
I think Bercy is close enough into the centre that the Metro won't stop any earlier.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
The metro runs through Bercy until after one. What I've had to do with things like that, however, is switch to the opposite platform, ride out a stop or two, swich over (all on the same ticket) and come back in, just to get room on the train. Check the crowd on the platform going each way and make the decision from there. I think the end of that line is only a couple of stops - - the Mitterand Library maybe. The intervening stop is also close to the concert site and might be full as well - -look out the window before you hop off. And, just to set the record straight, some of us who were never allowed to be hippies really like Dylan .... to the extent that we'd dive into the kaleidoscope with anti-war songs blaring in the headset.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Ack! In response to a chiding pm from my Minder, 'kaleidoscope' is a redneck figure of speech having nothing to do with drugs.