Thread: Paris - hotels, to do...ideas?

As the title says, really. Mr CK and I are going to Paris for 4 days (over New Year) and as we've never been - or rather, I've never been, he's been there for about 2hrs - I was wondering if anyone had any hints or tips on where to stay (decent , nice hotels preferably central) and if things like the Moulin Rouge are worth going to.

So - anyone? Anything? Avoid/go to places and things are welcome

Obviously I know the Louvre, Notre Dame, etc.etc. but any street-knowledge would be fab Ta!

Go to Brussels or Lille instead Are you Eurostar-ing? That train has to be my favourite mode of transport.

No really, I can't abide Paris, it's only second to London in my most hated places! That said, I used to go there a lot, and the Montparnasse area is quite lovely. As is La Defense if you like big wierd cube buildings

We are Eurostarring it, yes. It's part of our Grand Plan to see in as many New Years in different world capitals that we can...thought we'd start with close-ish by as with looking like I've swallowed a bowling ball, and all

La Defense is on the list - it's mostly hotels etc. that I'm looking for recommendations for too...or nice places to eat nomity nom.

Thanks, WR!

The hotel choice is vast. Ibis do good deals, they are part of the Accor group who have sth for every budget, and you can select a hotel by location. Obviously the more central you are the more expensive it gets, but public transport is excellent here (I live in Paris) so easy to get around. If you are a serving/retired officer you can book into the French Officers' Club which is very smart and really central. There are also lots of lovely hidden away places.

Over New Year you have the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower which is spectacular. The French traditionally have a blow out dinner on New Year's Eve (le reveillon) so many restaurants offer special menus but these can be pricey. My favourite (I've been going for 30 years) is Chartier and they are open on New Year's Eve. Cheap and cheerful and fantastic setting. Le train bleu is expensive but again stunning. Le boeuf sur le toit another fave, and the Brasserie de l'Ile St Louis.

Le Moulin Rouge is worth it, it may seem expensive but the setting is amazing and the show itself just what you would imagine and more. Not just feathers and sequins but a fab floor show (last time I went a giant tank rose up from the floor and there was some woman swimming with sharks inside!).

I would also go on a bateau mouche, visit Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, Les Invalides (Napoleon's tomb) which also has the military museum, Rue Mouffetard the open air food market, Rue Montorgeuil (the Queen went there on her last state visit in 2004, you can get postcards of her!). The Christmas windows in the main dept stores are fun, go late at night when there are less crowds, and do visit Galeries Lafayette, the facade looks like a glittering Indian palace, and the ornate glass dome has a giant Christmas tree rising from several floors underneath.

There are nice central parks to wander around and most things are accessible on foot. The Latin Quarter is very touristy and noisy. Le Louvre is ok, I prefer some of the other museums, such as the two fashion museums. The Musée d'Orsay is popular, and the Centre Pompidou worth visiting, there is a fantastic view from the top.

You can also hire vélib, the cycles that London has recently copied. There are stands everywhere and it is a good way of getting around.

Regarding food, there is sth for everyone. In cafés there are different prices, cheapest is standing at the bar, then sitting down, outside more expensive, and prices go up again later at night! I avoid obvious tourist traps, I'm a dodgy backstreet worker's caff girl!

If you have any specific questions, please pm me.

sounds like fairmaid has you covered CK, we went a few weeks ago for a birthday treat, couple of pointers, take some sucky sweets for the train it made our ears pop, if you and the OH are meat eaters just of the champs elysee there is a resteurant called 'hippopotemous' fab steaks, cocktails, and this crepes dessert that was delish, we did the hop on hop off bus and boat (the boat was prettier, the bus more informative) have a great time,

Hippopotamus is a chain, they are all over the place! My kids love going there.

Fairmaid - you are a diamond! It all sounds fabulous and we are definitely the non-touristy restaurant kinds of places; we do like to find little hidden "Local" gems as we've done in Spain and other places we've visited. THank you SO much for your post - it's made us both at what we can get up to - in 4 days. I'm particularly looking forward to NYE dinner somewhere - might have to bug you by PM for some info ref needing to book but promise to not over-bother you ...honest

Fantastic - price of hotels really isn't a problem but I don't want to spend stupid money if we don't have to. It's a little blow-out pre-Mini CK's arrival and we intend on having a good time.

Excited now - sod Christmas- bring in the New Year

Extra votes from me for Montmarte, Sacre Coeur and Musee d'Orsay.

In the list of things not to do would be to ride Good CO's very smart VTR 1000 inside the Périphérique, knowing full well that he had already sold it on ebay, with a pillion passenger, and luggage, on wet cobbles, during the rush hour .......

Originally Posted by BadCO

Extra votes from me for Montmarte, Sacre Coeur and Musee d'Orsay.

In the list of things not to do would be to ride Good CO's very smart VTR 1000 inside the Périphérique, knowing full well that he had already sold it on ebay, with a pillion passenger, and luggage, on wet cobbles, during the rush hour .......

I shall definitely bear that last in mind, BadCO

I stayed right by the Notre Dame, Ile de la Cite or something it was called and it was nice as it was all full of flea markets, flower stalls, and had beautiful antique/collectible shops. Did a bit of sight seeing as it was a business trip so only had one day, it was OK - I don't think I would go back mind. Shame we did not have Paris after WWII as a colony as well as Hong Kong, its completely wasted on the French.

Île de la Cité - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

me
xx

Trying to update from a keyboard powered television in Paris in our (rather lovely) hotel room. FMOP - I thank you! We did manage to get to Chartier last night for New Year, were sat next to a lovely French couple who didn't speak English - and my French is appalling - but we still managed to have a laugh together (mostly over the desserts and wine...and our bill was less than theirs even though we appeared to have WAY more food than them).
Only downer is that yours truly is poorly sick so I couldn't smell or taste the lovely confit de canard that I had...or anything else (sob). I still ate it all as I'm sure it was lush!
Montmatre definitely turned out to be our favourite little district and today we're doing the sight seeing of the buildings such asSacre Coeur etc. as everything is understandably shut on NY Day. Tomorrow is early start (last day) to get to Rue de Mouffetard and Le Louvre & other museums as I'm in bits not being able to walk much (boring pregnancy-related pains...taxi! Metro!!) but loving just being away for a few days. Stupid barking cough and blocked face aside.

Paris really is just lovely - we won't have seen half of what we "should" have but it's just nice to be wandering and pottering around. I'd avoid the churros that they sell next to the Paris wheel...yak. Going to find me some crepes today I think.

I've just booked the Eurostar for a day trip to Paris, 29th February our 5th wedding anniversary

I want to go up the tower, eat lots and sit and watch the Parisians.

Originally Posted by bootifull

I've just booked the Eurostar for a day trip to Paris, 29th February our 5th wedding anniversary

I want to go up the tower, eat lots and sit and watch the Parisians.

5th????????????.....lot of moves in 5 years

My guess is she got wed on leap day so only 5 proper ones. 20 normal ones though :-)


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Sure did 29/2/92 at 1.30pm I said I do