If you were planning your first trip to Paris, what information would be helpful

1. 88

   mbwalzposted 5 years ago

   If you were planning your first trip to Paris, what information would be helpful to your planning?
   
   I run a web site to help people plan trips or even plan for them. I've been many times and sometimes I forget what steps aren't obvious to someone planning their first trip!

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2. 89

   Jon Greenposted 5 years ago

   Be prepared for being short-changed, and world-class sarcasm!

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   1. 88

      mbwalzposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Actually, I give advice about how not to experience that. I'm sure some people still do, but I haven't in years! But I'm pretty friendly and I find that's works pretty well no matter where you go! Hope you give it another go - well worth it!

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   2. 96

      promisemposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I can honestly say we were worried about being mistreated from so many stories about it, but we were well-treated and had only one small example of being short-changed.
      
      I think being polite helps most of the time.

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3. 77

   saitamposted 5 years ago

   Buy the Eiffel tower tickets online, it will save you time on the queue.
   Be careful about some of the suburbs areas.
   If you have enough time, catch a train to Versailles.
   Eat a Macaron, it is expensive, tasty and "typical" modern times cake.
   Be prepared to unfriendly people, even people working at tourist desks
   
   That's it for now, but Paris is an huge city with lots of places and landmarks to visit, so plan carefully.

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   1. 88

      mbwalzposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Versailles IS well worth it - but be aware of the long walk from the train station to the chateau. Buying online is a great idea.  With 70 million tourists in town each year, you can bet that patience runs thin sometimes. Smile a lot and be patient!

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4. 84

   lburmasterposted 5 years ago

   Everything to visit, what restaurants have delicious treats, the wait lines for all of the well-known visitors cites. The wait to go up the Eiffel Tower is about 2 hours. I don't even want to know how long it takes to get into the Louvre. The line goes up the stairs, down a long hall, and along one entire side of the building. Try to speak French as much as possible. It is a sign of being polite that they greatly appreciate. They dislike Americans because they think we are too fast, loud, and don't appreciate the little things. But if you tell them you're from Texas, they'll like you better.

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5. 96

   promisemposted 5 years ago

   Learn about the public transportation options and how far it takes to walk to each attraction if you stay in the city center.
   
   I also agree it's helpful to know a little French, even if it's just a few words. English is commonly spoken at hotels, but it's not as common elsewhere.

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   1. 88

      mbwalzposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      That's certainly great advice. I always say, never underestimate the time it takes to actually get some place! And English really isn't spoken everywhere, so smile a lot and butcher your French, but just make the effort - well worth it!

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6. 78

   dis-coverposted 5 years ago

   Site parispass.com and parisinfo.com was very useful to me.

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