Advantages: ...
Disadvantages: ...

...I was born in Paris 20 years ago and I have always lived there since then. Consequently I decided to write several opinions about one of the subjects I know the best: Paris. For my first opinion of this set I will talk about Paris in general. I will try to make an opinion as exhaustive as possible. But I will talk more about some places I usually go to instead of talking of well-known places that are described in every tour guide. First let’s begin with a few words to present Paris historically and geographically. Paris has been found at the intersection of two rivers the Seine and the Bievre this place was covered with wood and bogs. The first signs of living have been dated of 1000 BC on islands but Paris actually developed with the Roman invasion. The banks of the seine were then fitted out but the right bank was full... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: So much to do and see, great restaurants etc - if you know where to look...
Disadvantages: Unless you know the city and metro system, you end up wasting valuable time

...occasionally, but of course most people there could speak perfectly good English too. Since we didn't know the layout of Paris we spent a lot of time wandering around wondering where we were, and also made the mistake of getting the 175F (£17.50) travel card - it's generally much cheaper to buy a pack of ten general purpose tickets instead. We flew in from Heathrow to Orly (not too far from the city centre) on a British Midland flight (breakfast included - an edible breakfast! I was seriously impressed…) for £80 from Lastminute.com - pretty good. We got a hotel in St Paul's for about £60 per night B&B - though finding a hotel with reasonable prices took a while. The first thing we went to see was the Eiffel Tower, which impressed me immensely (and continues to do so!). We met up with a friend who lives in Paris and went for a meal (she suggested... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great sightseeing, excellent transport links, bargains to take advantage of
Disadvantages: Generally expensive

...into a slightly mouldy bed with nylon covers, which we had heaved against the wall to gain another inch of valuable floorspace. The bathroom was no bigger than a portaloo, with a shower so tiny you basically had to wear the curtain as a dress and stick one leg on the toilet. Breakfast consisted of a unvarying bread roll and hot beverage, doled out with some menace by sizeable African ladies. I wouldn't stay there again, as it was in no way value for money, but it was cheaper than other central places and served it's purpose as a handy base for sightseeing. The Top Places to go: The main sights of Paris are probably some of the best known in the world, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, La Madeleine, the Latin Quarter etc, which are all obviously worth seeing, but I'm going to list my 5 top general area and alternative sight recommendations... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: cheap and efficient
Disadvantages: don't forgetthe joys of walking

...back over Tour Eiffel). RER This is the system of above ground trains which serve Paris and its suburbs. They will be of less use to most tourists, except for travelling to the ubiquitos Disneyland, or the airports. It can be good for getting from one side of town to the other, and is fairly clean and efficient by GB standards. Prices compare well with those throughout Europe. BUS Bus services in Paris operate along the same lines as the metro, although a good map is more important when using them. The big plus is that you travel along many of the routes used by tourist bus tours, but at a fraction on the price. While the metro generally closes at about 1am, bus routes vary and you should check before you travel. Prices are very good, and bus route serve most large RER and metro stations, as well as covering popular tourist... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beautiful city, and not too far away!
Disadvantages: Not near enough!

...’t seen many of the others, she has. It is clean, not once did I see any stray litter making a break for it, come to that I didn’t actually see very many litter bins, the French are obviously tidier than us then and perhaps they take more of a pride in their city/environment? It is beautiful. Nuff said. The people are so relaxed, laid back, calm, peaceful, unperturbed. So, are their dogs! Don’t worry if you can’t speak very much French, they can speak extremely good English, shame on us. And they are more than happy to practice, in fact they want to. It’s safe. Now I know that is a very general term and to be fair that might not always apply to a big city such as Paris. But as you will have read and seen by my op, to be able to feel as safe as we did on that auspicious evening/night/morning by La Tour D’Eiffel was just... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beautiful, easy to get around, loads to see
Disadvantages: None

...We recently enjoyed a 2 night break to Paris. I've written a separate review about the hotel, this one is about Paris in general. Introduction I'm one of those people who never finds a bargain flight. I have friends who say they have been to Rome for 5p. But back in March I spotted an offer to fly to Paris for 9p - return. Wow what a bargain. But it soon added up. Airport tax, airport car parking, (what a rip off) hotel, insurance, cattery, spends. But we needed a break. I am now 6 month pregnant, so this was our last chance to get away before we become parents. Before we travelled we bought The AA Essential Guide to Paris. Just to give us an idea of what we wanted to see, since we were only there for two days. It's a handy little book and lists the must see attractions, many of which I'll discuss below. Travel We flew from... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beautiful
Disadvantages: Smelly

...There's a place in my head that I go to whenever I'm feeling down, stressed of bored. It's called Paris, the steps of Sacre Coeur on a quiet, clear-skied Sunday to be precise. Now, I know that it's one of Paris' major attractions and that it might sound cheesy - but when you see that amazing view you will understand. Don't take the steps, take the Funiculaire at the base of Montmartre hill - or else you'll be knackered. I would have gone for the amazing view from the top of the Ferris Wheel in the Tuileries Gardens, if I didn't have the memory of nausea and an overwhelming need to pee myself to go with it! Oh, another. What about the Rodin Museum at 77 rue de Varenne, 75007 ? It's not exactly a magnificent view, but it's amazingly peaceful to sit in the gardens there and take in the quiet atmosphere. To see my view, you go inside... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Lots to see and do, the metro,
Disadvantages: Eating out can be expensive, everyone else is there too (everyone loves Paris)

...A short summary This trip report will focus on the trip that my wife Nikki and I took to Paris in the period from April 8th - 15th 2006. Please get in touch with me on gardkarlsen@hotmail.com if you have any questions or comments. You can also see the trip report with pictures and links on my homepage gardkarlsen.com . So is this trip report the ultimate Paris guide? The answer is of course "no". But I hope that this guide together with guidebooks, other trip reports on the net and internet forums can help you to prepare so that you can have an ultimate Paris experience. Prelude I went to Paris for the first time in 1994 and it was my first visit to a major European city. I was completely blown away but the monuments, buildings, bridges, the history etc. In 1999 my wife Nikki and I went there together as our first get away after... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: n/a
Disadvantages: n/a

...I have now visited Paris twice as a tourist, both in the February half term, visiting many of the city's attractions. I feel it would be helpful for people visiting Paris to have a guide of practicalities regarding their stay. TRANSPORT ********** If you live close to London, by far the easiest method of travel to Paris is by the Eurostar. Direct from Waterloo, it travels in 2 hours to the centre of Paris, to the Gare du Nord station. It may be pricey, but it is cheaper than flying, and a lot faster than driving and having to get a ferry. However, for the sake of convenience, if you live a long way from London, it may be faster to fly, although I have heard that an extension is being built so that it is possible to join the Eurostar at York (this may just be a rumour though). It can sometimes be cheaper to get tickets... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Museums, architecture, churches, city with a long history
Disadvantages: hmmmm...let me think about it

...you have a good view towards La defense. We decided to go out there one day and the grande arche is quite a sight also up close. It was possible to go to the top of it but we decided to just walk around in the area. On the big place in front of the arche there were lots of people on roller blades. In general there were lots of people on roller blades wherever we went in Paris. We even saw a parade of skaters when we were going back to our hotel one night. It made it even harder to cross the street. Compared to Norway the sports equipment were pretty cheap and I bought a pair of roller blades too. When we went on the bus tour that one day we got of at the Jardin de Luxambourg. It was nice to get something good to eat and walk into the park, away from the noisy streets and into this “quiet” park. There were lots of people here but guards... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful