So in eight days (!) or so, I'll be on my way to Paris. It's hard to believe.
I'll be going with a group of friends. We've traveled together before, but Paris will be nicer than the Redneck Riviera, right?
I'm ashamed to admit I've never been to Europe, barely out of the country. Mexico doesn't really seem to count, does it?
I've never been that far from home before either....or anywhere other than New Orleans in the winter. Amazing when I think about it. What's it like, this "cold" you people talk about?
The long flight will be a challenge for someone like me, who is more than a bit afraid to fly.
Carlos has graciously promised me a xanax, and I may have to take him up on that. Thank god for Marshall and all the planning he's done, because I'd be lost otherwise. They've been before, so that's a comfort.
I, however, have been planning to go to Paris since I was a child...a child, I swear.
It will be the fulfillment of one of my life long dreams. It sounds stupid, but it's true.
Still...eight days till and I have still not done the following I've been intending to do for the past year:
1. Brushed up on my French
2.Found anything suitable to wear
3.Lost weight
4.Begun packing
Anyway, I know all of you out there are much more cosmopolitan than I am. What do you advise for one's first trip to Gay Paree? Merci
20 comments:
I'm so jealous! Don't plan too much on at least one day- just walk from somewhere like Monmarte down to the river and look at the stuff you pass. Have a blast!
Paris is my most favouritest city in the world!
I might suggest:
-champagne at the Hotel Crillon (http://www.crillon.com)
-shopping for rare Madonna/Kylie stuff at Lucky Records (http://tinyurl.com/7nfdrzp)
-a humble, but gorgeous dinner at Chez Savvy (http://tinyurl.com/7cqvgt7)
-a picnic ANYWHERE along the Seine!
You're in for the trip of a lifetime!
Walk as much as you can.
Tour of Old Opera House in english.
Check out "walking tours" of Paris...cheap and great.
For museums list go to kiosk and get a 30/50 cent guide of the week, in french but easy to read..it called Official de spectcle..in french though...
Behind Notre Dame is a memorial to the Jews that is hard to see and everyone misses.
And a million other things...have fun. Be safe.
It depends. Do you want to live like a tourist, or do you want to live the everyday reality?
The one thing I can't recommend enough is to take the metro.
Have a great trip! Cant help you with
ideas for what to see/do in Paris. My only OS travel was to to China.
we did not wait in line at the louvre, but went to the d'orsay and it was fabulous. walked everywhere and i ate something from every bakery i passed. swoon. we avoided the metro because it was august and the body odor smell was not good. now should be fine.
you'll have a ball!
Don't forget to pack your poodle skirt! You deserve this trip, enjoy!
Well hon, one must have the fabulous couture suit with huge wide brim hat!!!! I hope you have a fabulous time. I love flying, don't worry, that what the airport bars are for- pre flight cock-a-tails! I always have one or 9 gins with a bromide! And while there try one of those long, thick french creme filled pastries!!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!
I have nothing to offer but my jealousy.
Oh wait there is one thing to remember, "Voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir"
Have a wonderful time.
*Wanders off to boudoir muttering something about Evening in Paris*
Thombeau's right, walk everywhere you can.
Pâtisserie St-Germain- l'Auxerrois, Pont-Neuf 104, behind the church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois near the Louvre is a fabulous pastry shop. Fabulous.
The walk from Napoleon's tomb to the Eiffel Tower is great.
The Marais is a gay-ish neighborhood by the Pompidou Centre that 's very cool. The Pompidou Centre is mildewy and better from the outside.
The Institut du Monde Arabe is amazing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_World_Institute
bon voyage
Oh how fab!
Wear comfortable but chic shoes...walk & walk & more walk!
but knowing you, perhaps 'sashay' is a better word?! BTW I'll be working in Paris again pretty soon too! Enjoy every sec, Jason!
@Peenee: Have you been guzzling absinthe again?
Thombeau isn't in the room, darling.
Go to the top of either the Eiffel Tower or the Arc du Triomphe--either is great. Le Samaritaine is great too--the views are incredible. The Champs Elysees is a very long street, a couple of miles--don't feel compelled to walk it all.
Sit and relax at a great cafe for a couple of hours, like Cafe Flore or Deux Magots in St Germaine. I like some of the cafes in Les Halles too. Order Champagne, the whole bottle, keep the cork and wire.
Buy notebooks at BHV, the department store on the Seine. Buy chocolates from Maison du Chocolat, macarons from Laduree or the Hermes guy. Buy an Eiffel Tower.
Try to catch the organ concert in La Chappelle near Notre Dame, and definitely go into Notre Dame--don't rush your time there. Walk up the stairs to Sacre Coeur.
Stay out later than you normally do, but not in a gay bar. The French are notoriously un-forward, it's a waste of time to try unless you're drop dead gorgeous or speak their language. Rather, go to a midnight movie (look for English movies, "versions originale") and then have a drink afterwards. Oh, a late night jazz club too--the door policy will be steep but it will be unlike anything else you've done, worth it. You usually only have to have one drink, at 30 Euro or something like that.
Christmas decorations are up, so see Karl Lagerfeld's at Printemps. My friend has a great blog, Out and About in Paris, she gives great insider info.
Bon chance et bon voyage! A bientot.
You lucky girl!
If you want to see the Louvre (and you ought to), you can walk right in if you use the underground metro entrance. Otherwise you'll be standing in the line outside for what looks like hours.
And wear chic, comfortable shoes.
We expect a full report.
Holy crap, I can't believe you're going to Paris! How fabulous!!! I'm so happy for/envious of you. My plan is to get there before I'm 60, so I expect you to blaze a trail for me!
Try to get your portrait done by Pierre et Gilles!
Don't be polite!
Demand their respect as a man (not as an American).
Go to the Galaries Lafayette on a sunny day. First look at the exquisite ceiling in the central hall. While there, look for Jean-Paul Hevin's chocolate shop and buy yourself a few (because they're VERY rich) "macaron" - these are delicate cooking sandwiches - choose 2/3 varieties. Now walk to the Tuileries Gardens - the macarons will have warmed a little on the way - find a chair for you and your friends under one of the trees, sit where Marie Antoinette used to stroll. Now, open the macaron box and the scent alone could make angels weep with delight. Avoid the "standard" macarons the tourists flock to - Hevin's sont roi. Touts les autres sont completment merde.
juts walk to discover the city, and not only in the "center", try to meet people there, try to be a guest.
and be carefull it's frozen here today !
bises
Pascal Paris
And give me your phone call ;)
pascal.pastural@laposte.net
ooo....thank you all!
I just knew you all would be a gold mine of knowledge.
I'm so excited!
(though nervous)
I have two great little restaurants you must go to. Great prices and food! Really great.
www.maree-verte.com
la maree verte in the 5th on 9 rue de pontoise
0143258941
au bon accueil on 14 rue de monttessuy in the 7th.
0147054611
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