I'm off to Paris next week?

Question

monday (morning) til thursday (evening) with my mate. We're 16, obviously on a bit of a shoestring but no parents so y'know... woo

What would you recommend? What's the best way to get around, what are the cool things to do/see apart from the obvious? Decent night life?

And best way to get around? We were gonna get these Paris Pass things if you've heard of them but now i'm hearing that they're not necessarily good value for money coz a lot of the galleries are free for under 18s.

Anything you can tell me would be great, thanks

Answer 1

I studied abroad in Paris for four months, and know a lot of great places to hang out on a budget.  There's a really great park outside of the rodin museum (which is pretty boring itself).  The park costs 1 euro to enter, and has all of the famous sculptures hidden throughout it (the thinker, the burghers of calais, etc...).  It's not tourist-y at all, and is a great place to people-watch, as lots of french families go hang out there. It's located near Invalides and is a few minute walk from the metro stop Varenne.  

The nightlife around St. Michel is pretty fun.  (If you're looking to meet ladies, go to "s**y bar for crazy night."  It's near St. Michel, and while the drinks are expensive and the waiters are all male strippers, i guarentee you will never find as many young drunk girls in one room.  Also, there's a pretty cool australian bar near les halles where you shouldn't have a problem finding english speaking people.  

Definately use the metro to go everywhere, but be careful, the last metro stops, i believe, at 1, so you have to be at the station by midnight, to ensure you'll make it home.  Otherwise, plan on taking a cab.  As far as cheap meals go, there are tons of little bakeries everywhere, where you can find baguette sized sandwiches for super cheap or mini quiches.  For a "splurge" find places that have pre set 10 euro-ish menus, where you can get an appetizer (which, don't be fooled, they call entree), main course, dessert, and sometimes even a carafe of wine.

Answer 2

Take metro to Rue du Rivoli, all the shops needed for 16 yr olds are there Zara, Berksha, Barbara Bui, BHV, etc. Elysses Montmarte in the18e is a large club and the Rex near Metro Strasburg San Denis but drinks are expensive and not as "plentiful" in the US.

cool restos:

Le Dome du Marais

53 bis rue des Francs Bourgeois

75004

Les Petits Marseillais

72 rue Vieille du Temple

75003

Brasserie Flo

7 Cours des Petites Ecuries

75010

metro: Château d'Eau (Ligne 4)

Bars:

Le Zero Zero

89 rue Amelot

75011 metro: Saint-Sébastien Froissart

(Ligne 8)

The Auld Alliance

80 rue Frances Miron

75004 metro: Saint Paul (Ligne 1) (english-speaking)

Au Progrés

7 rue Trois Fréres

75018 metro: Abbesses (linge 12), metro: Anvers (linge 2)

La Perle

78 rue Vieille du Temple

75003 metro: Saint Paul (Ligne 1)

Answer 3

Yes

All of the above is good advice

I agree with the bit about the Eiffel Tower at night and if you're going on a boat trip then choose the Vedettes De Pont Neuf - smaller boats that depart from under Pont Neuf. Much more fun and cheaper than the Bateau Mouches.

Enjoy

Answer 4

Paris smells.

Answer 5

Use the Subway.  It is easy once you learn the color coded mappings.  Be very careful with you money.  Pickpockets are everywhere.  The food was not as we expected.  If you like your meat raw, you will be alright.  The people are split between liking tourist and not so don't be offended if you find some that do not like tourist.  See the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Palace of Versailles, The Invalids.  Lots of history.  You will like.  We liked it, but did not love it.  Paris wasn't what we thought it would be.  Guess you have to be a high roller.  Have fun.

Answer 6

It's very easy to get around the Metro in Paris. You can also do some walking. There are 20 districts, but a lot of the popular attractions are situated near each other.

My favorite places in Paris are off the beaten track. Place de Vosges has some great history and Victor Hugo's house is there - it's a real authentic French square. Ile St. Louis is really neat and has the best ice-cream in Paris at building #31.

Definitely go up the Eiffel Tower at night (when there is a lights show) and go on a boat cruise down Seine. I have lots more suggestions on my site - www. cafeyak.com. Look in Travel section. I also have some ideas on Rome - it's not too far...

Answer 7

Get a transit pass. The metro is good for quick trips that cover some distance, but I enjoyed using the buses because we got to see where we were going. And with the pass, it didn't matter if we accidentally got on the wrong bus - we just hopped off and got on another one. Have fun!