Paris trip, DH nervous.

[MegCleary]

We have booked an Airbnb, two dds coming too and we go in two weeks. We were planning stuff and I linked DH to the apt and looking at the latest reviews there is a homeless encampment mentioned outside the kitchen window, the review mentioned being watched eating breakfast if you don’t close the blinds.
DH is VERY risk averse and now stressed about going.
Anyone had any issues like this? Advice appreciated.

Anyway people will still go to Paris.

It's just not for me. I've said why. And I'm not saying it again.

Let the thread move on.

You responded to me when I highlighted posters describing Paris as ‘a bit grim’. If you weren’t the only one who called it as such, then why did you became defensive and respond to my general comment..?

And they were the things you’ve listed, here? Those were ‘the worst things that have happened to you, by far’?

Okay, then.

I wouldn't say that crime and anti social behaviour happen everywhere.

This is getting a bit odd. Please tell me a place, big or small, that has no crime or anti social behaviour.

It really does.

I’ve stayed in a hotel by the gare du nord twice this year, on my own with a small child. Honestly it’s fine, it’s busy there are lots of people coming and going, it’s extremely well connected transport wise and whilst yes there are homeless people I never felt unsafe there and we would walk around in the dark coming back from trips out.

You will be fine. Ps Carton Paris on Bouldevard de Denain does the best pastries and cakes and is beloved my influencer’s judging by the number posing outside, it’s a 1 minute walk from gare du nord.

That's not my experience.

Okay 👍

Young people on Twitter / X and also on TikTok. Not MN. But I agree MN seems to be anxiety central sometimes.

Young people have worse anxiety than middle aged people (especially those who are permanently on Tiktok).

Looking on street view it looks like an okay street. You can see one person in a sleeping bag at the north end of the street beside the church steps.

I imagine it's grown. If so the homeless people will be on the other side of the street. It's not ideal but might end up being okay in reality- I can't see that people would be right at the window - that seems a dramatic review.

Ask for the honest details from your host and the exact location.

LOL really wouldn’t think so coming on here. I’m 25 and I certainly would answer the door even if I wasn’t expecting anyone 😉 and from what I’ve seen it’s not they’re anxious to go it’s what it’s like when they’re there. Last post I saw about Paris was a man literally pissing on a young woman waiting for her train.

When did you last go to Paris? I was there yesterday.

Where did I say this was my experience ? Oh yeah ! I didn’t 🙄

Not a nice area.

Wait, so your entire opinion is based on what some people said on Tiktok?

I never gave an opinion. I said it’s gotten bad rep over the past couple of years on social media. I’m neutral. I’m planning a trip there this year so get off your high horse. Do you own shares in the city of Paris or something why are you so defensive about it? Opinions from others are the same as reading reviews online - take them with a pinch of salt but take them onboard. If a pattern emerges there’s usually a reason.

I love Paris as well.

Dd went to Paris when she was 17yo with a friend and they stopped in an Airbnb near the gare du nord so they could walk with their suitcases there. Both were fine and Dd never said anything negative about the area. Must admit we didn’t do any research about how dodgy or not the area was but if two 17yo girls were ok then I’d guess you’ll be fine.

It was beautiful when we stayed on Île Saint-Louis last summer.

Not done a dinner cruise myself, but you could take a look at Bateaux Parisiens. https://www.bateauxparisiens.com/english.html

Are you going during half term? Schools break up here (I live here) this Friday and we’re off for 2 weeks. Paris will be busy, so book everything in advance. Definitely do Tour Montparnasse instead of Eiffel.

Book a table for lunch or dinner at Bouillon Pigalle; not fancy, but decent French food. Bouillon Julien is also bookable and the most stunning Art Nouveau restaurant. Le Trumilou is a very central, classic bistro close to Île Saint Louis, and I’ve been going for the last 40 years!

if you’re there on the Sunday 3rd, it’s the ‘premier dimanche du mois’ and lots of museums will be free (I’ve already got my tickets for the Orsay).

My top tip for a free museum is Le Petit Palais. Great art, nice courtyard garden and cafe/restaurant. Half way down Champs Élysées so a great place for loo and coffee break.

Best art museum IMHO is the Jacquemart-Andre. It’s just been refurbed and reopened, and has the most stunning art.

Paris is a bloody beautiful city.

Oh, and walking distance from GDN is the Canal St Martin. Very cool area at night, lovely to walk down and find a buzzing canal side restaurant. Paris is a walkable city, but there’s always a metro station close by.

Well the host got back to us, he’s spoken to the police and there’s nothing they can do. I think it’ll be grand any more tips on stuff appreciated. Have booked Musée Dorsy and Louvre. DD wants the catacombs and DH the boat trip, with or without food!

The catacombs are amazing.

We did the “Paris Seine” evening meal on the Seine. Food was excellent and you could add on a drinks package which was reasonable. I found ordering the tickets via the French website slightly cheaper than if you changed the language to English.