For anyone going to Paris in the future, I just wanted to pass on some info. This was my 1st time there, and I found the French people to be extremely helpful and nice. I don't know where they got the bad rap from, but it is not true. I traveled to other countries as well and found the French to be the most helpful and nice. Paris I found was one of the most beautiful cities and one that I will come back to. I stayed in the Rue Cler area, which was perfect for us, good value, with many places to find just what you need just a few steps from our hotel. There is a small store in the area that has everything you need with low prices(my daugther forgot her toothbrush). I even bought a bottle of Champagne there that was surprisingly good for 5.30 euros. We used the hop on and off bus to get around, and also included the hop on and off boat. Since we stayed near the Eiffel tower this worked well because the bus and boat have stops there. If you are going enjoy it was a wonderful experience .
Posted by
San Luis Obispo, California, usa
33 posts
I completely agree. We returned 2 weeks ago from a week there--our family's first time, as well--and were astounded at how friendly the people were. We especially appreciated the waiters' respectful patience with my high school French, and even the people at the info and ticket windows in the Metro (with one exception) were helpful and patient.
Posted by
Charleston, SC, USA
174 posts
i'm going to paris on Monday - thank you for the report!
Any restaurants that were extremely memorable and not so memorable?
Posted by
San Luis Obispo, California, usa
33 posts
JB--Of the restaurants we went to, we most enjoyed Le Souffle, off the rue de Rivoli, near the Louvre. (We reserved in advance.) They have an all souffle 33E fixed price menu--3 courses plus a salad--that we thought was wonderful Also Au Port Salut near the Sourbonne at 163 rue St. Jacques, had a nice variety on their fixed price 3 course dinner (think it was 23E) of typical French specialties like boef bourguignon, duck confit, etc.
Posted by
Seattle
922 posts
It sounds like you had a really good time! Do you remember the name of the handy store? Also, what hotel did you stay in?
Posted by
Taylor, TX, USA
416 posts
Theresa,
You can't miss the supermarket. It is right as you come up out of the metro stop for that area. There is also a small "household goods" type of store on Rue Cler for purchasing things useful for picnics that you could not have in your carry-on (like a cheese knife). By the way, if you DO buy a cheese knife, be careful to declare it when you visit any sites with security. They may confiscate it or they may not. I got lucky the one time it came up (I had forgotten I had it in my bag) and they just laughed about it and let me keep it. The French know cheese and they know when someone truly is just carrying something for serving themselves cheese. :-)
Posted by
san juan capisgtrano, california, usa
4 posts
My daughter and in stayed at the St. Chritophe Hotel in Paris. It was a great hotel at a low price. The service people were helpful, the breakfast was wonderful, it is close to the Metro, small restaurants in the Latin Quarter, cleaners, self laundry, pharmacy, and a small flea market across the street several days a week. etc. We wallked to Notre Dame and took the metro every place!
T & K
Posted by
OP
Franklin, WI, USA
11 posts
Theresa
We stayed at the Hotel Leveque right on Rue Cler it was very reasonable. If you go, get a room in the front I got one in the back and it was a mistake no view. It also has air and a lift. The night desk guy is super. They didn't e-mail me back for confirmation so I had to call. I think they were having problems with their e-mail. I also used VIP shuttle service from the airport they were great!! They guy was there to meet us with a sign with my name on it. They were very nice and it cost 78euros for both ways. Enjoy, I can't wait to go back!
Cheryl
Posted by
Newcastle, WA, USA
643 posts
Thanks for your post Cheryl! My wife and I are staying for one night at the Hotel Leveque on Rue Cler and we can't wait. We booked a Superior Street Side room!
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
4 posts
I have always found the French to be the warmest people in the world! Someone mentioned that the waiter was patient with their high-school French. In my experience, knowing just a little bit of the language can get you lots of points with the French. I just returned from my latest trip to France, ending up in Paris. Several of the locals said that I was the first American they had ever met who even tried to speak French. (I'm not fluent, but I can get by without the phrase book. That hasn't always been the case though.) If nothing else, get someone who speaks French to teach you how to say (in French), that you don't speak the language well, and ask for patience. That is almost guaranteed to make you a hero with the locals!