Sunday, August 21, 2011

Branded Outlets Shops in Paris?

Q: What are the average of prices and what brands are there?

You'll find the best brands at La Vallée Village http://www.lavalleevillage.com/ it's in The outskirts of Paris, train RER A (you can take it at La Defense), articles are cheaper than if you buy them in Paris but not really given.

The cheapest is not in Paris but in the city of Troyes, 1:25' from Paris by train from Gare de l'Est. Good brands and great prices.
http://www.mcarthurglentroyes.fr/fr

There's also Usines Center in the outskirts of Paris at Velizy but they don't sell the best brands.
http://www.usines-center.fr/

What is the weather like in Paris at Christmas?

Q:Weather in paris at christmas?

A-1: Paris is north of all the major USA cities. It is almost at the 49th parallel. However the climate is almost always much milder and probably closer to cities like Washington DC. Last December,
there was a 4in snowfall and closed the airport and attraction like the Eiffel Tower. The snowfall was the biggest in 23 years. If you are coming from a tropical area, Paris and all northern European cities appear very dark and dreary. So, Christmas is generally a lovely time to visit. Great just shopping and taking in the sites. Not that cold, but for some visitors the darkness can be depressing.

A-2: Often a bit cold but not crazily like 10°C ( 50°F ), could be rainy, rarely snowing.
Weather is a bit hard to predict in France generally

A-3: its like new york

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

What are some really great things that shouldn't be missed in Paris?

A1:
Go to the Louvre, see the famous Mona Lisa, just cause it's Paris.
The cafes are really nice, you can find a lot of nice ones.
RESTAURANTS- need to visit and experience. Plenty of ones to go to and brag to your friends about.
SHOPPING/browsing the original big name stores that you can't find in America.
I'll add more when I remember what else.(:
EDIT: I didn't really go to the shadier parts I went to the really highclass shopping amazing restaurants part
AND check out the Flea Markets and Jazz club thingys-AMAZING to go to

A2:
for nightlife you must pass a night at Lido nightclub.
Take a ferry-tour on the Seine River
Visit euro Disney
Walking in Champ-elisee and enjoy time in its cafes
Paris is fantastic City, you will enjoy each minutes there

A3:
the place du tertre is a square where artists paint outside all day. it's right behind the sacre coeur cathedral on top on montmartre. at the bottom of that hill is pigalle and the moulin rouge. also the catacombes, the jardin du luxembourg, there is a cafe on the bastille roundabout called cafe des phares and every sunday morning at 11 they have philosophy debates. the centre pompidou is the cool modern art museum, and some of the cathedrals not as famous as notre dame but still very pretty are the madelaine, and st germain. try to make it to versaille too.
shady sections are mostly the suburbs, the ritzy sections are the champs elysee, most of the center, and the 16th...

Which zones pass to take to travel to eiffel tower?

Q: I am staying at Adagio aparthotel XV Paris. I would like to know which zone pass to buy. Is it Zone 1-3 or Zone 1-6. I cannot see the Metro station- Porte de Versailles on the Metro Map available on line. Please help!

A: Adagio to Eiffel Tower is a 15 minutes walk - no need for metro. Paris center is covered by zones1 and 2 and if you need to use it for other attractions get a carnet of 10 tickets - Your nearest metro is Bir-Hakeim (walk 10min).

Thursday, August 4, 2011

How far is the Eiffel Tower from Charles de Gaulle airport?

Q:
I have an overnight layover in Paris arriving at 8pm and leaving at 9:30am the next day. I would like to visit the Eiffel Tower and any other attraction that would be open during these hours. Is this possible? Can you suggest best form of transportation and approximate costs?

A-1:
The Eiffel Tower is about 26 miles (42 kms) from the CDG airport There is a metro (rer) from the airport but you will have to make some connections. Best way would be a taxi. Taxis are on meters and should run round trip about 100 --140 euros, The eiffel tower has a nightly light show. You probably will miss it. At the time you will be in Paris all the attractions will be closed. You can stroll down Champs Elysee and people watch or go to one of the club areas like Montmartre or if you have time just stop in one of the late night bistros. Paris is not that large a city and most areas can be reached by taxi or metro in a short time.

A-2:
From the moment you step off the airplane, it will take you about 2 hours to get thru "stuff"; (baggage/customs/ make train/metro transfers) to finally sit down at one of the benches at the base of the tower. The night show is good and the place is barren of most people..it is a good time to watch without having to beat the crowd (check out how the top rotating light is actually 4 lights which turn on and off in sequence). I got off at the Berkhim(?) stop and walked along the river until I came to the Eiffel..then I walked the Champ de Mars (there are several bathrooms there) and saw only 2 couples. You won't be able to hit the place during the day because of your early departure.
You will probably want to check into your hotel first. The train and metro are good..where are you staying? If you study the metro map, it is probably faster than a taxi. There is less traffic at night, but I still think the metro is best.
If you only have a backpack..maybe it's best to to do the Eiffel first, possibly hit the Arch of Triumph and then walk all the way down to the Louvre and maybe cross a couple of bridges. You might find a street vendor selling roasted chestnuts. You can reverse your direction using the metro and go see the Grand Arch at La Defense (you need a metro ticket each way; buy a carnet of 10 tickets before the windows close..maybe buy them at CDG). Montmarte is lively until 1am-ish..use the Anvers stop for the Sacre Coeur (very high spot..sit on the steps and see the city). The metro stops about 1am so plan to do most of your far searches first and then do the areas around your hotel..unless you get a taxi from a late night bar. There are some clubs which stay open till 6am. Stay away from the Barbes-Rouchechoart area!
Next morning: going back via metro and train, it will take 1-1/2 to 2 hours to find yourself sitting at your gate with time to take a breather before almost immediately boarding...take the 2 hours and you will be sure to catch your flight.
Bring Euros from your home bank to save time.

A-3:
The absolute earliest you will be able to get into Paris is around 10pm and it might be tough to get tickets to go to the top.
As Nars said, Sacre Coeur in Montmartre is a great place to visit at night. The Basilica may be closed by the time you get there, but the view of the city at night is well worth the trip to the top.
BTW - the metro doesn't go to CdG. You can take the RER B line and then hop onto the metro...

A-4:
We had seven hours to spare at Charles de Gaulle between flights, so took the metro into Paris, €9.10 each way. It took an hour and a half, including a short walk from the station (Gare du Nord/Tour Eiffel) to the Eiffel Tower itself. It was daytime, and there were long queues. By the time you have collected your luggage and got to your hotel, it will be at least 10 pm. The Tower is open until midnight June - September.
If you are taking the metro back to the airport, watch the screen showing the next destination. The line forks and not every train goes to the airport.
The train we were on was heading for terminus B5, and Charles de Gaulle is at B3, but we were lucky to spot this at an earlier station (before it diverted) so got off and waited for the next train. If we hadn't noticed, we might have missed our flight.

Train-Tram route in Paris from CDG Airport?

Q: Hi, I have the following directions:
RER B from CDG to Cluny Sorbonne
Cluny Sorbonne: Line 10 metro to Michel Angel Molitor
Michel Angel Molitor: line 9 to Point De Sevres
Could someone kindly tell me what tickets should I buy at the CDG so that it is cheapest for me. I have to go to zone3. A "t" ticket allow transfer only between trams, or tram-RER, so am not sure that would work.

A: I've been to Paris twice and both times I used my train ticket to my final destination..which was in zone 1 (Anvers stop). I think your train ticket will be good to your last stop, but I think it would be easiest to ask the ticket agent at CDG to be sure. I also bought a Navigo pass at the same time. I did get a good street map and metro map as it is sometimes hard to figure out where you will pop out of the ground.

Is the Paris metro safe at 6 AM?

Q:I have a morning flight out of Charles De Gaulle airport, and I'd like to be to the airport by 7 AM at the latest. I am a single female traveling alone, with luggage. Would I likely encounter any problems taking métro line 3 to Opera to catch the Roissybus at 6 AM?
Merci beaucoup!

A-1: ive got a friend living there she travels by train since last year and she told me its ok she has no bad experiences

A-2: It's safe, don't worry.

A-3: Have you checked the metro schedules? I am not absolutely sure but I believe first train on line 3 leaves the terminal at 5:30AM

A-4: Like Reinaldo I believe it is too early for a metro. Better take a taxi. At that time you will have no problem reaching the Roissybus on time and quickly.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Where are the Air France busses at CDG airport?

Q:Where are the Air France busses at CDG airport?
I'm flying into GDG airport in Paris in September and from there, I need to get to Paris montparnasse in order to take a train to La Rochelle. I hear that the Air France busses are the easiest way to go. Could someone tell me where in the airport they are situated and whether or not I have to buy a ticket beforehand? Thank you in advance!

A-1:There is an Air France bus stop outside each Terminal at CDG, so it doesn't matter which Terminal your plane arrives at, the bus stop will be there. Just exit the building and look around. There are often signs in the Terminal directing you to the different bus stops but, if you're not sure where to go, just ask at the Information Desk.
You buy a ticket at the bus stop.

A-2:The information booths at CDG are the best of any major airport anywhere. They give assistance in many different languages. Very easy to use and are accurate