Some more questions search answers.

Hi,again.

I think i have some more questions to ask.

1)Is it easy to find public phones in Paris?

2)What card should i buy in order to make a phone call?What about the price?

3)I will need to phone my family in Greece,so i think i will have to buy an international phone card in order to make these phone calls.

Do you know any card of this type?And its price?

4)I can imagine that in order to make a phone call to Greece from a public phone in Paris,i will need a typical phone card so that the phone functions and another for cheap international phone calls.Am i right?

5)And something totally irrelevant...Should i take the bus number 350 from a specific bus stop (only one)in CDG or this bus-it goes to the city of Paris-moves from one terminal to another -at certain gates-and it will be less difficult to find?I will be at terminal 2D,you know...I searched the map of the terminal 2 and i couldn%26#39;t find any hint of where the bus stop for this bus is.If someone knows which gate i have to find in order to locate the 350,i will be grateful.

ooo...and there is no problem i guess if i buy the regular,typical tickets(three in number)from the bus driver...I hope so...

So many questions.I hope the answers that you may give,help not only me but others too who will visit the city of lights.

Thank you in advance.

Antonis,

Athens,Greece.

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;5)Should i take the bus number 350 from a specific bus stop (only one)in CDG or this bus-it goes to the city of Paris-moves from one terminal to another -at certain gates-and it will be less difficult to find?I will be at terminal 2D,you know...I searched the map of the terminal 2 and i couldn%26#39;t find any hint of where the bus stop for this bus is.If someone knows which gate i have to find in order to locate the 350,i will be grateful.%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

The #350 and #351 buses are not really intended as a viable airport transfer alternative. The #350 has a stop out in front of CDG #2-B (next to #2-D) and makes somewhere between 20-30 stops between CDG and its terminus at GARE d%26#39;EST. If you are using individual tickets, this route would require four(4) tickets (@ 1,40 € eac=5,60 €). and would not include any onward travel from there. There are NO FREE TRANSFERS with public buses. So you would need another ticket to go onward from Gare d%26#39;Est via Metro or bus.

Perhaps the better, faster, more efficient modes of airport transfer for you will be the RER %26#39;B-3%26#39; ligne--ROISSYRAIL--train from the RER station attached to CDG #2 to GARE du NORD (fare 8 €--travel time approx 30 mins). Included within this fare is onward travel on the Metro (but not the bus) from Gare du Nord to anywhere else in Paris.

For specific RATP--public bus route map and individual route information--

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/bus.php

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Antonis,

You can buy a phone card for use in public phones in pretty much any Tabac in Paris. There are public phone booths all over Paris, and you can usually always find one either outside and/or INSIDE a Metro Station.

There are two different phone cards you can buy, with different denominations. The cost of the phone cards is is appox. 7.50 euros and (I think?) 16 euros. You can call internationally using these cards on the public phones, you just dial the country code and area code and numbers. The credits on the cards do get used up faster when calling outside of France but they do work. I%26#39;ve used them many times.

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KDKSAIL,you said that i have to insert four tickets into the machine in the bus so that i could go from the airport to central Paris with 350.I just thought that i shall need three tickets(=4,20 euros).Have i missed anything?If something has changed please tell me.

Thanks.

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt; i have to insert four tickets into the machine in the bus so that i could go from the airport to central Paris with 350.I just thought that i shall need three tickets(=4,20 euros).%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

By my count the trip covers five(5) transportation zones CDG-Zone 5...Gare d%26#39;Est-Zone 1), so that%26#39;s four(4) tickets....but it%26#39;s been so long since I%26#39;ve ridden a bus that far in Paris that I%26#39;m not really sure. But since you will be purchasing your tickets directly from the bus driver at CDG, he will certainly know how many tickets the trip requires and how to validate them.

In any event, once at Gare d%26#39;Est, unless you plan to walk from the bus stop to your final destination within Paris, you%26#39;re going to need another ticket. Waliking may be a fine and healthy idea in fair weather...but may not be quite so fine an idea in foul weather. So even at three tickets for the #350 bus plus a fourth for transportation within Paris onward from Gare d%26#39;Est, that%26#39;s still a loooong public bus ride and 5,60 € vs. 8 € for the RER %26#39;B%26#39;train --ROISSYRAIL--which includes onward Metro travel.

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I found out from the RATP site that i %26#39;ll need three tickets.Also from discoverfrance site that is...http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Transportation/Air/airports_Paris1.shtml

i found out the same things.

But i thank you so much about all the information you have given me.

Restaurant Suggestions, including by the Louvre

We will be staying on Rue Saint Honore for 5 nights in mid-May. I would love some restaurant and cafe suggestions in the area, if possible. Also, what would you suggest for a real %26quot;treat%26quot; dinner, without going broke?

thank you so much!

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Two good restaurants on the Rue du Mont-Thabor are L%26#39;Ardoise and Le Soufflé (which has dishes other than soufflés). For a café we like Le Pain Quotidien, on the Place du Marché St-Honoré, a bakery/café with great breads (breakfast there is a treat), sandwiches, soups, and desserts.

Right at the Louvre is the Café Marly, as well as two or three others situated in various parts of the museum.

For a real %26quot;treat%26quot; dinner, try either Au Petit Marguery, in the 13th, or the Bistro de Breteuil, in the 7th. Both have excellent three-course meals for prices under 40 Euros each. The one at the BdeB includes an appéritif, a bottle of wine per couple, and after-dinner coffee.

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Thank you, Underhill. I will write those down!

Special places to visit in Paris - other than the big...

Do anyone know where to go in Paris if you already have seen the most famous places? I%26#39;m for example interested in places like %26quot;the oldest pub/winebar/café%26quot;, a nice jazzrestaurant/place, a different kind of museum or a beautiful place where you can have a picnic... / Nina

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Hi Ninis

If you are there on a weekend I like the markets at Porte de Vanves - flea markets that are nice and relaxed - but get there in mid morning as they pack up around lunch time.

Have you been to the Parc des Buttes Chaumont in the 19th? Very beautiful.

Also consider exploring the Batignolles area - there is a lovely park in the square and it is an interesting area out of the common run in the less expensive part of the 17th,

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There are many special guides written on this subject.

Paris secret, Paris insolite...

One of the oldest cafes is le Procope and it is bound to be full of tourists.

My best advice would be to go to the less visited arrondissements. The 13th around Buttes aux Cailles or Cite des fleurs. The 9th around Place Saint Georges and then walk to Montmartre.

The 14th around Denfert Rochereau etc.

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Thank you very much! Now I have a few places to choose from. I%26#39;m going to Paris in may for 4 days. I%26#39;m really looking forward to it! Does anyone of you know about where you can get a nice cheese fondue? I have been to a place in Montmartre before, and i was very nice and cosy, but it%26#39;s nice to try something new!

/ Nina

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Go to the Latin Quarter, St Michel metro stop, for places selling cheese fondue, as well as another good dish, raclette.

I think the Art %26amp; Metiers Museum is very different as well as the Cluny, more intimate and not so over-whelming.

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Two of my favorites

Walk around the Canal St Martin

Congac-Jay Museum in the Marais

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Ninis,

See my post and Kasthor%26#39;s to you in your fondue thread. I believe the LUX bar on r Lepic in Montmartre is one of the oldest bars in Paris. Read the info in the fondue thread, as the restaurant we mention is very close to this bar. Both adjacent to the BLANCHE metro station.

The beach along the river in Paris

Hi all

Well my next Europe trip is the wonderful city of Paris. I have head that in the summer a stretch of the river is turned into a beach (much like the one in Rome).

Does anyone know when this is? I am visiting paris from the 17th to the 20th August and am hoping it is still there. Also is there an entracnce fee I am imagining there will be.

Many thanks

Jo x

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It%26#39;s free and it%26#39;s usually during the entire Month of August!

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It%26#39;s free, how fantastic

Thanks for your reply

Jo x

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Paris-Plage 2006 will run from July 20 to August 20.

Dates to be confirmed though.

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Entirely free, should be finishing around the 20th August so go there as soon as you arrive to take advantege of the last days

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I will do, I am planning to go on the 18th which is my birthday, should be a fun day. Am also hoping to take in a river cruise

thanks

Jo

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Hello Kookjet,

It is more like a promenade at the beach. For maybe a mile on the right bank of the Seine the city closes a two lane highway, moves in palm trees, grass, sand, beach chairs, hammocks, picnic tables etc., local cafes set up, bands play and the people show up! There are adult and childrens games, even a pool, but no swimming in the river!.....

You will love it.

We will just miss it if the opening date stays the same.......darn it! We have to leave on the 18th..........

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Hi kookie,

If you go to http://Parisdailyphoto.blogspot.com/

You can see pictures of the Paris Plage. It looks neat and fun!

You will have to go back once you get to the site as the pictures were a little while ago.

But, you will find them! Good luck.

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;Paris-Plage 2006 will run from July 20 to August 20.

Dates to be confirmed though.%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

I saw the official dates not too long ago...somewhere...but can%26#39;t find them again...but like you, I recall on or about July 20th-thru-August 20th.

One of the place that is often overlooked (perhaps because it is so dam obvious) for GREAT information and ideas on all sorts of on-going and up-coming events and activities in Paris is the official web site of the PARIS TOURISM OFFICE---

http://www.parisinfo.com/

This site always has interesting information on all sorts of events and activities going on in and around Paris...quite often with direct links to more specific and detailed information and descriptions. It%26#39;s well worth adding to your FAVORITES LIST and checking on a regular basis.

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We were there last summer and I agree with the dates. There was a bridge on which people were having picnic dinners or just wine and cheese spread on a blanket. Does anyone know the name of the bridge? Thanks, JA

Experience form our recent stay in Paris

Hi,

We’ve just returned from our 4-day stay in Paris and I thought to share my experience.

Our first night was in the Atel Relais Medicis Hotel,very close to Odeon..The choice of this hotel was based on tripadvisors reviews. Unfortunately our specific request for a quite room (my wife is almost hypochondriac) didn’t come through travelnow reservation system to the very friendly Hotel staff and we ended up with a room on the street side. However anyone liking romantic, floral stile, will enjoy staying at this hotel.

We could find a quite room in the Hotel Le Senat, which is a modern hotel providing fairly good standards (in a deluxe room).

Following suggestions from the tripadvisor forum we had diner in Le Temps Perdu, Rue de Seine. It’s a typical french bistro with good atmosphere friendly staff, good food in reasonable prices.

The other day we had diner in Bouillon de Racine, (Racinie Str.) The décor of this restaurant is amazing and the atmosphere excellent thanks to the friendly and amusing waiter. The food was rather poor and overpriced.

The next evening we were in Chez Paul, near Place d’Italie. It is an excellent restaurant with very good French traditional food. We had fois gras as a starter and then my wife onglet very nicely grilled and myself andouilletes. The dessert – choc pastry and a cirton sorbet were also good. I definitely recommend this restaurant.

The last evening we went to our favourite restaurant in Paris , Chez Andre, Rue Marbeuf 12 (every time we visit Paris we have dinner there). It is a very typical Parisian bistro with excellent atmosphere and food. And rather good prices for this neighborhood. The only minus this time is that is has become popular with tourists (from U.S. mainly) But we are tourists as well.

We had a wonderfull time, good weather, enjoyed walking in Marais, Notre Dame –Ils St. Louis and St Germain and visiting the Bonnard Exhibition (what a great painter) in the Museum of Modern Art. Can’t wait the time to visit again.

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Sounds like you had a good trip. Thanks for the restaurant tips...already pasted them in my Paris notes for trials on my next visit.

Short and sweet trip report. Thanks!

Altitude 95

I have a confirmed reservation for dinner at Altitude 95, but I can%26#39;t figure out the price they have written down. It says, %26quot;4,20%26quot; Euros pp. Does anyone know what that converts to in dollars? What does the coma mean? Thanks.

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mycody ~%26gt; You need a reliable exchange rate which changes daily. http://www.x-rates.com/

They put the coma where we put a decimal.

First Trip to Paris and am considering the 12e, bad choice?

Help! I think I%26#39;ve been reading too much! I was all set with a hotel for our family of four in the 6e for our first trip to Paris. THEN, I read a bad review, read a few other threads about other options and now I%26#39;m reconsidering. I love the idea of being in a nice little Parisian neighborhood, but we are coming in on the TGV from Annecy so maybe the 12e wouldn%26#39;t be such a bad choice. I%26#39;m looking at the Novotel which should be nice enough, although generic. It would be awfully convenient to the station. And, it should be easy to get to the airport 1 1/2 days later.

How difficult will it be to get to the major sites? Would I lose a lot of atmosphere by staying in the 12th? Are there nice places to eat nearby? What would you do for your first visit with two young children? All advice welcome!

Thanks in advance.

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Having lived in the 12th for more than 10 years, I cannot really recommend it as a great area to stay when visiting Paris for a few days.

Although it is a fairly nice area, it is a bit off the beaten tracks. Being near the train station is a convenience, but it also is a disturbance as far as street traffic, hustle and bustle and all.

I would rate the 6th much higher, even though it is much more touristy and hotel are more expensive too. I%26#39;d say that the 6th is more child friendly too as you have everything at your doorstep: restaurants, cafes, some little gardens and you will be able to walk to many monuments and museums.

The 12th has great connection to the center of Paris however and you can be at the Louvre in less than 15 minutes with the metro.

If you decide to stay in the 12th I very highly recommend A La Biche au Bois A La Biche Au Bois (address: 45 avenue Ledru Rollin 75012 PARIS; telephone: 01 43 43 34 38). Advance reservations are necessary.

About the hotel in the 6th: I would not necessarily change all my plans for one bad review. A lot of reviews are subjective and unless there is a strong trend for negative reviews on that hotel you were considering it might be worth trying it for yourself. You can also email the hotel and ask whether you should be concerned about the negatives you read in that review.

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Hi:

I have to agree with the previous poster - for such a short trip it would be best to be a bit more centrally located. Of course you can take the metro or bus, but with kids I%26#39;d say the less traveling, the better. Stick to the 6th if you can and try to walk everywhere. Bon voyage!

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Hello,

From the outside the Novotel at gare de Lyon looks as if it is a nice place to stay..........right in the gare neighborhood. If you walk just a short way, there are several nice restaurants, cafes etc., and some very near the hotel.

I second the suggestion for A La Biche des Bois, only they are closed Sat and Sunday. There are some other good ones on avenue Daumesnil, about a block away.......

While you are not on top of some big tourist attractions, you wont be on top of some in the 6th either. Tis a quick and easy bus (of which there are many) or metro to them from the gare area just over the Seine. You might even decide to walk across the bridge to the left bank....... Its not very far to Ile St.Louis and Notre Dame.

You can take the Air France bus to the airport from right there in front of the gare when you leave too...convenient.