Are we mad to book Paris for a holiday next week ?

See my post upthread. They have “sorted it out”

@Munichfam5

Have you actually checked on a map where Paris-Beauvais is?

It's a looong way from Paris if you are only going for a short break.

They do need to sort that out. Those guys who hang around outside the station selling dodgy cigarettes and offering to "help" you find the Eurostar terminal are a right pain in the arse.

We stayed at Yooma Urban Lodge Eiffel.
It was decent, we got a 6 bed room with nice bunks for 5 of us. Could walk to the Eiffel tower everyday.
It's not the nicest part of Paris to stay in - but we found it nice enough and was good being so close to Eiffel tower / hop on hop off bus / river cruise.

We didn't use the metro at all - just walked and had a 2-day hop-on/off bus ticket. Pure tourist area - but that was what we were going to do.

DH and I stayed near Gare du Nord and my French friend was horrified that’s where we were staying. We found out why - it’s really rough, absolutely hated it, although the hotel was quite nice.

Just go for it and enjoy. MN can be very strange and cautious about this stuff. This is a site where people express horror at the idea that you can raise kids in London! It will be just fine. You may need to make some compromises but you will still have a great time.

Not scared of the pickpockets at all. Just wear a cross body bad and keep it in front. That's it.

Loads of people worried about London in the Olympics and it was fine - I went in to work every day in Central London during London 2012 and there were no issues.

To answer your question ‘ yes’.

My uni child is going between the election and the olympics. They go with their friends every year at that time. It’s always been fine. They are not phased.

But they have done all the sights. If you go now I guess lower your expectations unless you are lucky with Louvre or Eiffel Tower tickets.

My area of choice is always St-Germain but it’s probably too late to get a bargain hotel or air BnB now.

Enjoy!

We recently came back from Paris. There is a lot of security at Gare Du Nord now. Felt very safe.

Have you checked the forecast?! No need to worry about heat.

I was in Paris for a week at the beginning of June and it was fine - but I don’t think I’d suggest a trip now. The roads are absolute chaos due to closures. Lots of construction. Most of the main sites are obstructed, lots of seatings in the way, transport is challenging. By all means it’ll be fine, but if you want to have an amazing time and see Paris at its best now probably isn’t the time!

Gare du Nord area is not the nicest but it isn't too bad, it is similar to busy station areas in London.

Wr are changing trains in Paris on Monday on our way down to the South. Not overly thrilled about the election and possible aggyness but there is nothing we can do now as we booked the holiday months ago.

That said we travelled across France (including Paris) the day after the riots last year and it was fine.

I was in Paris last week. I’m a very regular visitor and the city is cleaner than I’ve ever seen it, even the metro is clean and relatively pleasant to travel on.

Gare du Nord and the surrounding area is usually crawling with pickpockets etc but it’s been “cleaned up” too - turns out about 20,000 homeless people have been rounded up by the police and bussed to accommodation in the provinces.

I discovered this after looking into it - I was so confused by how quiet and safe Gare du Nord seemed (compared to the usual atmosphere). But the government’s solution seems rather sinister. (I know other cities have done similar things before big events)

I'd go later in the year - Paris, like many cities, is horrible in the heat.

Late September/ October is usually lovely and far quieter (especially with the Olympics raising year)

I wouldn't be staying near the station but nearer the river, probably south rather than north side.

Actually I like to stay near the Gard du Nord as it helps with transport. You go straight there from the airport. I stay at the Mercure hotel just across the road, so drop off bags and straight into Paris using the Art Nouveau metro station outside the hotel. On departure day If you are leaving later in the day, you just get your bags ready, leave at the hotel and pickup as you arrive back at the station to go to the airport. That works for CdG airport and saves loads of time. No idea about Beauvais. As others have said, not a good place to walk around at night, so best if the hotel on a major road.

Some of the big attractions may be harder to see, I think they are barricading off the Eiffel tower as the basketball is taking place there.

I m from Paris.

1. you have a lot more value for your money compare to london
2. the area around gare du nord is basolutely fine
3. in fact the restaurant called the terminus opposite is very very good and the wine list is amazing
4. if you havent booked the eiffel tower months ago you ll queue

Please please OP do not stay near Gare Du Nord it’s terrifying and full of muggers at night

I think you've already decided against this, but to reiterate, we had to stay near Gare du Nord because of a train strike and the hotel that we booked at short notice looked fine on booking.com but really wasn't in real life. It was the Hotel Mauberge. Don't stay there!

I believe metro prices are going up from 20 July so you should have missed that price hike. How exciting, have a great time!

I'd be more worried about violence linked to elections - we had thought about France in the next couple of weeks but have decided against https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cekk9n1je9yo

If you’re walking to the Tower go via the Palais de Chaillons if you can m. We were on a coach trip that dropped off near the Arc de Triomphe and were working out the quickest route when the French coach driver interrupted us and showed us this route - superb views.