Paris... for T Illusion and others

[rebness]

First, a few pointers:

Never, ever, ever call a waiter 'garcon'. The National Geographic guide recommends calling the waiter over with this (presumably with a snap of the fingers, too.) Fine, do it... if you want the staff to spit in your food. It's rude, it translates to "boy" and it's silly. Always go with s'il vous plait or a simple monsieur.

Buy a carnet (Car-ney) for the Metro. A book of ten tickets will be cheaper than buying a ticket every time. Don't bother with taxis. They're expensive, and Parisian drivers are nuts.

If you're on the underground and someone pleads to know if you speak English, you may have to be a little hard-hearted and just pass by. The same occurs at Notre-Dame, where you will be accosted by people trying to fleece tourists by begging or tying string round your finger and then demaning five Euros to remove it. I kid you not.

Eating out

If you're on a budget, eat in Montmartre or Republique. The Latin Quarter and the islands can be hideously expensive.

Must-See Paris:

I tend to focus on the darker side of Paris, because it rocks. I'd recommend:

The Louvre

Inevitably. Beautiful works of art that you can get lost in. However, the crowds can be annoying, so if you can, try and go late on a Wednesday (it's open until 9:45pm then.) The Louvre is also free on the first Sunday of every month.

The Conciergerie

Oh ho ho. One of the most lurid and fascinating buildings in Paris. This ancient prison was where Marie Antoinette spent the last couple of months of her life. It is also where Robespierre, bleeding from a gunshot wound to his face, was prepared for execution. The Marquise de Brinvilliers, who murdered her entire family, was incarcerated here. A man killed himself with a stilleto heel (yes, really) rather than face the death carts the next morning.

The prison is located on the Ile-de-la-cite, not too far from Notre-Dame. There is a reduced tarif for under-25s and you can get a combined ticket if you go to see the amazing stained glass St. Chapelle.

The Catacombs

Subterranean Paris, with thousands of skulls and bones lining the darkened corridors. Macabre, but interesting.

Versailles

If you can, take the train to Versailles Rive Gauche (only about two Euros) and see the old palace there. Amazing, and worth the visit. However, the audio guide is rubbish. It only focuses on the bloody paintings.

Amelie's cafe

If you liked the film Amelie, head towards the Moulin Rouge and walk a little up the street at the side. You'll come across Le Deux Moulins, the cafe in the film.

Pere-Lachaise and Montmartre cemetry

Definitely worth a visit. Take Line 3 from Republique to Pere-Lachaise, where you can pay homage to Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Colette, Heloise and Abelard, Chopin et al. You need a map to find your way around (there are over a million graves.) However, don't get a map from the rude and horrible woman in the flower shop next to it. There is usually a Russian guy selling maps outside the cemetery. They're cheaper and actually list the names of the people in there.

The more eerie and atmospheric Montmartre cemetry is the final resting place for Nijinsky, Emile Zola, Alexandre Dumas and a host of literary and philosophical greats. It's a short walk from the Moulin Rouge. Turn right at Avenue Rachel.

Any more info needed, let me know!

Comments

rude women and strings around your finger..

[t-illusion.livejournal.com]

Makes Paris seem wondorous... lol

Thank you a plenty. If it was me alone, I would propably live in the cemetaries and catacombs, but my friend propably wants to see other stuff as well. ;)

Taman.

Re: rude women and strings around your finger..

[rebness.livejournal.com]

I don't blame you... the darker side of Paris is spectacular.

Oh, and if you go to pay homage to the Lizard King, the gits have fenced his grave off because the fans were "defacing" the grave. The best time to visit Pere Lachaise is early morning, before all the fans get there.