Is there a Paris expert on the boards?

[Part 2]

I'm going to Paris in July. Just started to look at my travel plans and begun to realise what a nightmare it could be.

I'm going with my son for the BMX Racing World Championships which are at Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy. We're Flying to Charles De Gaulle airport. Will have a bike bag and a few other bags to carry between us.

We are staying at a hotel about a mile from Bercy. Will we be best getting a cab from the airport or is it possible by train/metro. What would be the costs?

Any help much appreciated........loads more to sort out yet, I'm shitting it, need to make plans.

 

[wrysmile]

Ok, firstly, I'm no expert.

Secondly, don't be scared - Paris is totally easy to travel. Not sure if there's a metro stop at CDG but Paris metro system is very efficient (more so than London's tube for sure). To check out trains try www.sncf.fr (it has an english version) and you can see if trains run from CDG to where you're going. They have a little bike symbol for those services where bikes are ok. Or look at your hotel and see if it says which metro site is closest and then google for a paris metro map (coincidently, I had to do this this morning) - you'll then be able to see if it's a straight through journey or how many times you need to change. I've never caught a cab in France, so not sure if they're expensive.

Don't worry too much, the universe will provide. And have fun!

 

[rennie]

CDG is easily reached from the city and vice versa... just get on an RER to Les Halles/Chatelet. bingo, you're in the middle of the capital!

 

[mauvais]

I live here, and it's pretty much as above. Tell me where the hotel is, and if I can find it, I'll tell you the easiest way to get there.

 

[mauvais]

In fact, you probably want to take the 'RER B' (regional train) from the airport to Chatelet, as explained above. All fares from the airport to anywhere within Paris, no matter how many changes etc, are about 7€ per person. RER trains do have a bike compartment on them and though I don't know too much about them, I would have thought it'd be easy.

You'd struggle a bit more getting on the Metro with bikes, but you could change at Chatelet and take another RER, this time D (same ticket) to Gare de Lyon. This is pretty near Bercy so your hotel is probably about a twenty minute walk, depending what side it's on.

Enjoy Paris!

Edit: oh and the website is www.ratp.fr - SNCF is more for the bigger journeys like the TGV etc

 

[Part 2]

Okay thanks folks. I read you can't take bikes on the metro on quite few sites. It'll be in a bag coming from CDG though so should be okay and from the hotel to Bercy is about a mile or so, so that's fine.

mauvais mangue...the hotel is: Best Western Le St Maurice
12 rue du Marechal Leclerc
Saint-Maurice 94410

Much of my worries are about having the sole responsibility of my lad for 6 whole days but should be able to find some other kids for him to make friends with easy enough and I told him we'll do a bit of tourist stuff. Anything you can recommend?

 

[black dwarf]

Okay thanks folks. I read you can't take bikes on the metro on quite few sites. It'll be in a bag coming from CDG though so should be okay and from the hotel to Bercy is about a mile or so, so that's fine.

mauvais mangue...the hotel is: Best Western Le St Maurice
12 rue du Marechal Leclerc
Saint-Maurice 94410

Much of my worries are about having the sole responsibility of my lad for 6 whole days but should be able to find some other kids for him to make friends with easy enough and I told him we'll do a bit of tourist stuff. Anything you can recommend?

Cite des Sciences et de l'Industrie
( Parc de la Villette )
M: Porte de Pantin

Kids love it.

Its a huge fantastic Science Park - full of great interactive stuff for them to do - they can learn about global warming and talk to birds.

Otherwise the sewers down near Ponte de l'Alma ( he can see where Diana died too )

And then up Tour Montparnasse ( M.Montparnasse )

Volia

A happy kid

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

How old is your son?

 

[Part 2]

He'll be 11 by then.

Most of our days will be taken up racing but there are 3 hour breaks in the afternoon and finishes evening so should be able to fit some stuff in.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Go to the shopping area at La Defense. Lots of restaurants, game stores etc. Lots of people and energy; a kid would like it.

If it's warm, maybe swimming at Piscine Deligny or someplace like that.

There's an area with obscure stores selling weird used stuff; I went there to buy one of my kids a Wallace and Grommit glass. I'll try to find the name of the area. I think kids would like exploring there.

I think a kid would enjoy walking through the flea market at Clingancourt, but I think that's only on the weekends.

There are skateboarders and in line skaters doing tricks at the steps of the Chaillot Palace.

 

[mauvais]

Right, the hotel is outside the peripherique then so not accessible by Metro - I'd suggest going to Gare du Lyon and getting a taxi from there. Certainly don't get a taxi from the airport as it should be unnecessarily expensive.

JC2 has some very good ideas for what to do; I'll second Cite des Sciences, and Tour Montparnasse for the best view in Paris - also maybe the obvious Arc du Triomphe for that. There's also Les Catacombes (ancient underground tunnels full of skulls and bones, creepy!)

If it's on/after the 21st July, also check out the oddity that is Paris Plage; it's on the north bank of the Seine near the Louvre, and it's when the road gets turned into an impromptu beach - full of activities!

Edit: your hotel is somewhere near here and the nearest Metro, Charenton Ecoles, here

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

Right, the hotel is outside the peripherique then so not accessible by Metro - I'd suggest going to Gare du Lyon and getting a taxi from there. Certainly don't get a taxi from the airport as it should be unnecessarily expensive.

JC2 has some very good ideas for what to do; I'll second Cite des Sciences, and Tour Montparnasse for the best view in Paris - also maybe the obvious Arc du Triomphe for that. There's also Les Catacombes (ancient underground tunnels full of skulls and bones, creepy!)

If it's on/after the 21st July, also check out the oddity that is Paris Plage; it's on the north bank of the Seine near the Louvre, and it's when the road gets turned into an impromptu beach - full of activities!

Edit: your hotel is somewhere near here and the nearest Metro, Charenton Ecoles, here

I envy you, living in Paris!

 

[mauvais]

I envy you, living in Paris!

Only got three more weeks though

Hopefully I'll be back after my last year of uni - I'm a stagiaire at the mo, just finishing my industrial experience year. Think I've got a job for when I'm done, and if so, I'll definitely be making a return.

 

[Dirty Martini]

A ride up the Pompidou Centre escalator (is it still free?). And nothing can beat the first sight, close up, of the Eiffel Tower, especially on a sunny day. Take the lift to the first stage and have a drink in the cafe.

 

[black dwarf]

I live here.

Sorry to derail. What internet connection have you got? Have you got a good deal?

 

[mauvais]

Sorry to derail. What internet connection have you got? Have you got a good deal?

I use Noos, which was already installed in my apartment. I don't know exactly what speed it is because it's cable through a router, but I think it's about 1200K. That's part of a package with cable TV, and the whole thing costs, I think, 43€ a month. Check out www.noos.fr for a bit better idea.

 

[black dwarf]

I use Noos, which was already installed in my apartment. I don't know exactly what speed it is because it's cable through a router, but I think it's about 1200K. That's part of a package with cable TV, and the whole thing costs, I think, 43€ a month. Check out www.noos.fr for a bit better idea.

Yeah, I've got fucking Noos

They phone you up "Monseuir, I have a bon offer for you!!! 1 euro, yes, 1 euro more for a free phone line!"

They come round, install a new modem and volia, your internet speed drops from 1200K to a Dial Up 56k overnight.

French bastards.

 

[mauvais]

Yeah, I've got fucking Noos

They phone you up "Monseuir, I have a bon offer for you!!! 1 euro, yes, 1 euro more for a free phone line!"

They come round, install a new modem and volia, your internet speed drops from 1200K to a Dial Up 56k overnight.

French bastards.

I don't have a phone line, as I rely entirely on Skype. Better still, if they rung me up I wouldn't have a clue, as I don't actually speak any French.

 

[Part 2]

Thanks for all the help folks

All suggestions much appreciated

edited to add:

Is evrything as expensive as I'm led to believe. I have been once before and ate bread and cheese for 4 days. I remember going to a club and a mate got a galss of orange for £7 but that's all I recall

 

[black dwarf]

Thanks for all the help folks

All suggestions much appreciated

edited to add:

Is evrything as expensive as I'm led to believe. I have been once before and ate bread and cheese for 4 days. I remember going to a club and a mate got a galss of orange for £7 but that's all I recall

Yeah, its very expensive

And very cheap

You've got to pick yer arrondisement and avoid the tourist traps (not actually that easy because they are often bang next to each other )

Paris can be the best city in the world and extremely tacky, tread carefully.

 

[mauvais]

Is evrything as expensive as I'm led to believe. I have been once before and ate bread and cheese for 4 days. I remember going to a club and a mate got a galss of orange for £7 but that's all I recall

Beer is always expensive - typically £4 a pint minimum. I don't know much about clubbing as I never go but yes, probably expensive.

Everything else, i.e. from a supermarket, is cheaper than London - equivalent to Manchester, I reckon. Go out for meals at lunchtime if you can as they're about half price! It's about £10-£15 each for a three course meal and wine at lunch if you pick your restaurant carefully.

 

[tobyjug]

Beer is always expensive - typically £4 a pint minimum. I don't know much about clubbing as I never go but yes, probably expensive.

Everything else, i.e. from a supermarket, is cheaper than London - equivalent to Manchester, I reckon. Go out for meals at lunchtime if you can as they're about half price! It's about £10-£15 each for a three course meal and wine at lunch if you pick your restaurant carefully.

Vin ordinaire costs next to bugger all, and if you can find where all the builders and dustmen ect. eat at luchtime, (Menu Ouvrier) this will only be around 10 Euros.