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But here's a Few Tips!

“We booked our tickets and now what?”  This is my favorite message because I know that exciting and terrifying moment when you think…Now what? Instead of the overwhelming feeling that there is too much to know, learn and do, utilize our Concierge services to better plan your customized trip. We will work together to get the most out of your stay.

The second most important part of your planning is your accommodations and transportation. Rest assured, I have a number of well-situated properties and services to choose from and am always resourcing exciting new spots in other arrondissements that might appeal to you. Knowing the areas is key to properly situating you and setting you up for success.

After these two essential hurdles are crossed, we start the fun part. Before we start in on the planning, I’ll send you a questionnaire to get to know a bit more about you and your expectations for this dream trip. From there we will set off in creating the ideal itinerary maximizing all the time we can so you’re able to bring to reality all the drams you have treasured.

If you have been here before I think you’ll enjoy your time exploring the other sights you haven’t yet seen. Perhaps this is the time when you take a day trip outside of the city to see the surrounding treasures. Let’s share some great spots that will strengthen your love for this magical country.

Places to See

First visit to Paris

Tour Eiffel – of course

Arc de Triomphe – There are several underpasses do not run across the street!

Louvre or D’Orsay – Depending on your time they both are amazing. Louvre is all day, D’Orsay is 2-3 hours.

Notre Dame – On the original island of Paris, and the most visited spot in the city, even more since the fire.

Sacre Coeur & Montmartre – The artists’ quarter.  Lots of tourists, but still worth a visit, watch out for pick pockets and other scams as mentioned above.

Jardin du Luxembourg – the largest garden in Paris with the oldest carousel

Versaille – The RER/Train will take you there very easily and the tickets are inexpensive. You can save time purchasing your entry tickets online.

Second visit to Paris

D’Orsay or Louvre – depending on what you didn’t see on your first visit

Place des Vosges & Le Marais – Where Musketeers dueled, and now the Jewish/Gay area of town

Catacombs – Buy tickets ahead of time to avoid long lines

Versailles or Fontainebleau – Let them eat cake!  Amazing gardens, The Hall of Mirrors and summer concert and water shows, but very crowded. If you already did Versaille, Fontainbleu is a great chateau as well, smaller and less crowded, also take the RER then a short bus ride. This is far less crowded.

Les Invalides – Napoleon’s tomb and an amazing military museum, Perfect for the men in your life!

Canal St-Martin – where the locals go to drink, hangout, and have coffee they also have boat tours and in Summer a great spot for Paris Plages, the cities way of brining the beach closer

Pere Lachaise – famous cemetery where Oscar Wilde, Chopin, Jim Morrison among others, are buried.

Tips and Tricks

Paris by plane

CDG(Charles de Gaul) and ORY(Orly) both utilize the RER/train service that goes into the heart of Paris and other Metro lines.  You can also use Uber, Taxi, Limo or Shuttle. See me for private transfers.

Larger families may require other transportation in a van wich is also available at the airport or through my connections.. Beware uber can be costly in traffic and is not recommended from the airport, but very handy to go to it. Note that WiFi in the airport and all monuments is free.

If you are coming into Beauvais Airport, which is not in Paris (not even in Ile de France, actually), when you arrive you can take one of the shuttle buses.  They leave every 20 minutes and cost 17 euros each way (slightly less if you pre-book)

Paris by bus / train

There is no “main” train or bus station in Paris.  Everyone comes into one of the Gares(Train Stations) including: Le Halles, Massy, Maillot, Pereire, Lyon, Nord, Est, Saint-Lazare, Montparnasse, or Bercy. The earlier you book Train travel the less expensive it is.

Paris Uber / hired cars

Uber exists in Paris and is exceptional in quality, price, and service. G7 is good as a backup since Uber caan drop your ride if they have a hard time finding your location. I have a number of companies to pre book transportation at a reasonable price, including out of town adventures. Generally hired cars are on a fixed rate making them a better option than a metered vehicles, as the local traffic can be very bad

Paris taxi

Not terribly expensive, very clean, meter is displayed.  Best for when you are exhausted, too hot, too cold, or just don’t want to use public transportation anymore.  If you’re trying after 23h00 most nights it will be tough, even by established cabstands. There is an app to use, and I know there is a droid equivalent.

Paris metro

People overestimate how much they will use the Metro.  If you are going to be here for a week or more, then get the “Navigo Card.”  This is great if you come to Paris often, It will not expire, you just add tickets as needed.

They sell them at every station, including the airport. You can use them for zones(1-5).  A different ticket available at the window is needed to visit Versaille and the Airport.

As far as the Metro in general, the first train leaves each terminus (beginning and ending points of the line) at 05h30.  The last train arrives at each terminus around 01h15 except on Fridays, Saturdays, and on nights before a major holiday, when that time is moved to 02h15.

Otherwise, your best bet is to buy a book of 10 or 20 single day tickets at a reduced price. The Day Pass or 2-3 Day Passes are overpriced and, not the best deal, but very attractive for tourists who are not well-advised.

Paris free WiFi

There’s a lot of free wifi around Paris, especially at Starbucks or McDonalds. Every Park,Monument and airport offer free WIFI as well. If you didn’t secure an overseas plan with your provider you may want to consider a SIM card.

Should you need to store luggage before or after your checkout, You have two options, one being the Train Stations Gare Du Nord the other being the Airport CDG. WWW.BagagesDuMonde.com will pick up your bags at your hotel and keep them at the airport! Bagages Du Monde is open 24/7 and located in Terminal 2 across from the Sheraton.

There are a number of lockers in Paris that will store your bags if your hotel/Airbnb does not offer this service. Simply google “store my bags in Paris” for a number of websites. Most of the train stations also have baggage lockers.

The Gare Du Nord lockers are open 06:15 to 23:15 daily. The locker area is located downstairs under the main concourse opposite platform 3 – when you walk off the end of the Eurostar platforms, look for downward stairs just ahead and to the right of you.

Paris cell phones / internet

Getting a SIM card in Europe is not too hard. I recommend going to Orange(yes this is the name of the carrier). Bring your passport for a prepaid SIM card. Be sure your Cell Phone is unlocked before you leave the states. Just ask for a simple International plan before you leave. Remember that in Free WiFi areas, you can make calls using Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

https://agence.orange.fr/

Paris free

On the first Sunday of the month, many museums are free.  Go to the smaller ones to avoid the crowds. This link also gives you some museums that are free all the time!

http://en.parisinfo.com/discovering-paris/themed-guides/paris-for-free/free-cultural-outings-in-paris/free-admission-and-good-deals-in-museums-and-monuments-in-paris

Paris money

You should simply bring an ATM card and withdraw money as needed.  Changing money is almost always a ripoff, not just in Paris, but anywhere in Europe. Paris is relatively safe as long as you are aware of your surroundings. Plenty of ATM machines and the rate is usually better than offices and airports. You will not need to be liquid right away. Everyone takes credit cards as well. When a card machine asks if you want the transaction in USD or EUR, choose the Euro option and your bank will get you the best available rate of exchange.

Paris luggage issues

Should you need to store luggage before or after your checkout, You have two options, one being the Train Stations Gare Du Nord the other being the Airport CDG. WWW.BagagesDuMonde.com will pick up your bags at your hotel and keep them at the airport! Gare de Nord is less expensive and will be in a central location, though other train stations feature left luggage spots and lockers also.

The GDN lockers are open 06:15 to 23:15 daily. The locker area is located downstairs under the main concourse opposite platform 3 – when you walk off the end of the Eurostar platforms, look for downward stairs just ahead and to the right of you.  Bagages Du Monde is open 24/7 and located in the Terminal 2 across from the Sheraton.

Paris safety

Don’t believe the hype. Paris is very safe. You will see patrols of men and women with guns and they are not to be feared. They are good at their jobs, and when something on rare occasions happens, it is contained quickly with very little impact.

Lots of other great tips to share, never stop for young women with clipboards/paper and pen. It is a scam. They work in pairs and pick pockets all over the city. Sacre Coeur area: Never stop for men trying to sell or tie a bracelet on your wrist, also a scam, they surround you and intimidate you. To be safe, try to divide any cash you carry into different places on your body, even in your shoes.

Also look out for shell games(find the pea), The ring scam(ask me more) and of course Pickpockets. Trust me they are good at what they do, but being aware will give you the advantage.

Passport

Take a photo of passport and leave it in your room safe. Don’t carry it, shopkeepers rarely need to see it and will accept a photo of your ID on your phone. If you’re worried about the safe in your room, There is a safe at the front desk of your hotel as well. Better safe than sorry, you don’t want to waste time at The Embassy where they do not serve wine!