What's Paris like?

[nervoustraveller1]

Never been. Want to go. I'm a Londoner and have explored a lot of central London.

Please tell me, what is Paris like?

No, they're around our train stations and main commuter routes.

I commute into Farringdon every day. There are beggars on the train (often the same one each time), and chuggers trying to stop you and get in your face when you're trying to get into the damn station.

It is really nice. It’s worth it for visiting Louvre Museum alone. And then Musee d orsay is a favourite of mine, that’s really special. I went to both last year when I was pregnant and I was thrilled they let me skip the long queues, so maybe show up with a pillow under your jumper (obviously I’m kidding!).

Palais de Tokyo is always fun.

The museum of the history Paris is really excellent I think. I don’t think that ever gets a mention. And go to the Balzac museum, it’s beautiful. The house where he used to live and write. It’s on the west side and in a fairly posh area.

But the one thing that always surprises me about Paris every time I go is this: why is it so dirty?! Never been able to get my head around it. I live in London now, I used to live in Berlin and my partner is from Rome so I spend a lot of time there and I can say with confidence that they are all much cleaner cities. It’s so strange, the French are so proud of it you’d think they’d maintain it a bit better.

Back in 1991, Bill Bryson wrote: "Paris spends £58 a year a head on street-cleaning compared with £17 a head in London, which explains why Paris gleams and London is a toilet."

London is much cleaner nowadays - I wouldn't say Paris is filthy but it definitely isn't as 'gleamy'.

OMG I can't believe Kiliwatch is still going!?! I used to spend my babysitting money there...

It's horrible don't go obviously you can see world famous sites, The Eiffel Tower and The Louvre but the place is a dump.
Don't go on the Metro my DH is a 5th Dan Black Belt and said it is the only place he felt uneasy, he actually said frightened as Knives were openly on display and he has been all over the world.
Try Prague, Budapest, Berlin or anywhere

@JemimaDuckFace agree about musee de orsay. Also balzac musuem.
. The park with fhe old carousel. And there is the most charming little theme park in Paris (not Disney)

Does anyone know where their taxi system works.

went with teen DCs recently: we’d been many years ago and still loved it and the teens were wowed.

So many independent shops. Amazing Boots-esque type places with skincare ranges for different ages/issues/budgets and great customer service.

we went when there were the strikes and IMO even at that time it was far cleaner than London (which I also love)

I love Paris and have been multiple times, but it is grimy and dirty and the metro is grim. I find it worse than London in that respect.

Lots of beggars, lots of scammers, lots of pickpockets. You do need your wits about you and they definitely fixate on tourists.

But the food is amazing, the sights are stunning and the atmosphere is magical.

Our kids love it now teens always their first choice place to go

Went six years ago, enjoyed it, saw everything, wouldn't go again, just like New York

Go and you can decide yourself. It’s a marmite place on mumsnet. You either like it or don’t. We are definitely in the don’t like it camp. Parts were lovely such as Notre Dame but generally, we really didn’t like the city. We wouldn’t go back.

I used to work regularly in Paris and Rome. I’ve probably been more than 20 - 30 times for business and leisure, and am still not a fan.

It is such a personal thing though. I adore London - I think I’ve come to expect the cosmopolitan nature of a capital city that London has in buckets that other cities just don’t.

I find it meh. If you adore French culture, I expect you’d love it.

I’ve been 3 times, I really like it. I did German at school so speak zero French and it was fine, no one was rude or shouted at me!

Also it had the hottest men so people watching is always fun 😉

As others have said, it depends where you go and what you do, just like London.

I went several times in my 20s. I wasn't keen the first time - stayed in Pigalle and rushed around the 'big' sights - but really enjoyed subsequent visits staying in the 5th and 6th arrondisements and taking things more slowly. Preferred the Musee D'Orsay to the Louvre and really enjoyed the Rodin Museum, Les Invalides and picnicing in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

This.

And every patisserie that looked like it would have been lovely was full of flies.

Paris is absolutely worth a visit but as a Londoner you'll need to set your expectations for how it feels to be there. There's very little open space so in comparison to London where there's a huge park every ten minutes' walk, Paris feels cramped.

In London I would happily walk around on my own for miles late into the night, but not so much in Paris.

I'd avoid the Metro altogether if you can just because it's a bit grim.

Having said all that, if you get about on foot or on the Batobus (cheaper hop on hop off Seine boat) and go with a list of places to visit rather than an aimless wander you'll see fabulous things.

My top places to visit:

Musee d'Orsay

Pete lachaise (huge cemetery with some famous people buried there but is also a beautiful calm place for a wander)

Musee des Arts et Metiers (especially for a child/teenager who may enjoy this more than yet another art gallery)

If you'll be there for a few days, Versailles makes a lovely half-day or full day trip

I'd go up the Tour Montparnasse just as it's getting dark to have a wonderful view of Paris. No queues unlike the Eiffel tower which is much more fun to look at than it is to go up.

Paris is lovely. Especially in spring.

I have been a few times and did not feel unsafe although I stay in a hotel near the Eiffel tower. When you're in the transfer taxis and people are being dropped off before in the outer areas the homelessness is shocking to see.

If you can speak school girl french (great term) the French are delighted. I've never had anyone being rude - think it's an outdated stereotype tbh.

I love Montmarte, go and get your picture drawn (yes it's expensive) and just wander around. Stay out of the tourist trap cafes and go to bakerys for croissants and coffees. I've never used the metro but the busses are fine. You get to see more on a bus anyway.

My daughter has lived in Paris for 5 years and I know it well. It's beautiful and if you enjoy architecture, you will be in heaven. Like any capital city, its primary purpose is to separate you from as much of your money in the shortest time possible. It can be expensive, especially if you do the tourist trap things. It can be dirty, but that's true of most places. Research the free/cheap activities and sites and go off the beaten track for food and accommodation. The flea markets and cemeteries are great and if you're a photographer it's superb.

I'm planning to go to Paris at the end of October for 4 days incl weekend and just started my research.

Is this expected to be super busy on weekend at that time? Do I need to book everything in advance? Ideally I'd like to remain flexible (and health wise it might be a bit unpredictable), but I'm really keen on Sainte-Chappelle - do I have a chance to be there at opening time and waltz in? or massive queues and sunlight won't be right at that time?

Totally random - is cash widely accepted? I just realised I can't buy train ticket from machine at my train station in SE for cash, can I buy Navigo pass with Euro notes?

It doesn't.
Your best bet is to take a taxi from a taxi rank, with the lights on the roof and with an actual counter inside that is at zero (+ there is a standard initial charge per passenger and luggage) and not running too crazily when you're on you're way.
Also better know how to get where you are going so you can help the driver when they're lost.
If from the airport make extra sure of all the above and agree the price before getting in.

Beautiful, interesting, lots of history, good food, good public transport. Nice to walk around.

Much like London.

If the time you’re going including All Saints on 1st November, then yes it will be busy as a public holiday. The Toussaint school hols are last 2 weeks of October, so you need to factor those in, too. Book stuff ahead of time. On the plus side, you might be there for prémier dimanche du mois, where many museums will be free that first Sunday, Versailles and Musée d’Orsay included, but you’ll need to book those way ahead (usually two months). Saint-Chapelle will be free that Sunday, but no reservations allowed so you’ll need to queue. Personally I’d pay the €13 and go at a time that suits you.

Things like the boats you can just turn up, or book your ticket online just before you plan to go. Some queuing needed though as you will want to sit on top for best views, and think POSH when choosing seat.

Cash is accepted, but most people pay with their phones or card. You might be able to pay at the guichet for your travel tickets; I think the machines are card only (I’ve never paid in cash). It’ll be cheaper to buy a Navigo Easy card and put your carnets of metro tickets on that. Paper tickets are being phased out.

Uber works fine, but I always travel by metro, even after a night out. The RER lines are quicker than the main metro lines, depending on where you’re travelling to. Taxis run from cab ranks near main boulevards.