Trip to London and Paris
I will be visiting London and Paris in a few months for the first time. While I have a list of sites to see, I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for things to eat or places to visit.
I have researched a lot of tourist ideas, but does anyone have a favorite local venue?
Also, are tennis shoes really an insult in London and will bad french get me laughed at in Paris?
Thanks for the help!
I have researched a lot of tourist ideas, but does anyone have a favorite local venue?
Also, are tennis shoes really an insult in London and will bad french get me laughed at in Paris?
Thanks for the help!
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Replies
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Avoid the tennis shoes. Get good walking shoes.
Paris - Make sure to visit Versailles and the French are just rude regardless of whatever you attempt.0 -
My husband and I were in France in June
and found the French people very nice.
We had a great time!0 -
A lot of places nicer in London do not allow "trainers" or jeans in their establishments. And you'll stick out like a sore thumb if you wear bright colors, they are all about black and/or darker colors. I personally didn't care and wore my red jacket proudly! :-) Have fun.0
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In Paris, go and find Saint Chapelle. It's near Notre Dame but is overlooked. It has this massive awesome stained glass window. Well worth a look!0
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No. Any attempt at French will be far better than no attempt at all.will bad french get me laughed at in Paris?0 -
Don't order pizza in London...it won't be what you think it is.
Aside from that, experiment with trying local foods and drinks...ASK, because people will be happy to recommend things from their country!!
Learn a few basic French phrases (please, thank you, etc). A LOT of people speak English there, but it goes a long way if you at least make an effort towards using some French. I found people to be pretty friendly as long as I was making that effort.
I also agree about tennis shoes. Nothing screams "American Tourist" like a pair of shiny white track shoes..LOL!
OH...and make sure you look BOTH WAYS before stepping out into the road in London. That "other side of the road thing" is very dangerous to pedestrians who look the wrong way, see it clear and step out in front of oncoming cars!)0 -
French people are only rude if you act like an arrogant American--in general. There are rude people in every country. I can go out on the street in NC and find 10 of them within 20 minutes I bet.
Bright white tennis shoes tend to be "american." But I doubt people will make fun of you. Since I have only been to Paris and not London, my advice is for Paris-
There are crepe stands everywhere on the streets. Eat at them!
There's also a TON of little deli-type places with fresh sandwiches on baguettes every day. They are delicious Enjoy the bread! you'll walk around so much that you won't even notice the food. Also if you're a reader--visit Shakespeare & Co. bookstore.
Just about any food you'll have there will be great. And people will generally appreciate if you try to speak french to them--especially to ask if they speak English! We had one waitress who didn't speak English, but between my butchered French and hand motions we got our meal out all right, with laughs the whole time. Reverse it--would you rather have a foreigner in the US ask if you speak English in English or their native tongue? 0 -
I know nothing about England, but I'm going to France in Sept, and was just there in February. The only place I can really recommend (because it's the only place I can kind of point out) is a corner cafe maybe a km from the South entrance of Le Louvre.I will be visiting London and Paris in a few months for the first time. While I have a list of sites to see, I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for things to eat or places to visit.
I have researched a lot of tourist ideas, but does anyone have a favorite local venue?
Also, are tennis shoes really an insult in London and will bad french get me laughed at in Paris?
Thanks for the help!
There was also a great restaurant we went to after work one evening. I'll see if I can find a picture (I think I got the sign) and tell you what it was. Somewhat small, but absolutely amazing atmosphere (had a guy playing a piano and a lady singing with a gorgeous voice).
As for the shoes...no clue. I was wearing a tweed jacket with elbow things (think 1970's professor), and a ridiculous looking wool hat.
Speaking French I found I was greeted with patience and some smirks (they probably got a kick out of my horrible attempts). If you go in there and refuse to try any kind of French you may get some bad looks. Keep in mind this is all from my own experiences. I don't know if it'll be the same for you, but...0 -
Hi I live and work in London. What do you mean about the tennis shoes? You can wear whatever in London but if you go to dinner or to a club it migth be best to wear regular shoes. The only thing that will make you stick out like a sore thumb is dressing like a tourist - bright clothes, bum bag (cringe!) and rucksack on your front etc.
It doesn't really matter though - I don't know why people are making an issue of this on the thread we are over run by tourists and everyone wears trainers. It won't matter.
The only thing that pisses Londoners off is tourists standing on the wrong side in the Tube escalators and just stopping in a busy street or blocking up the barriers in a station. Or not waiting till everyone has got off the tube train before getting on.
There are the usual tourist places in London that all the tourists go to and they can be expensive: Big Ben, Towers of London, London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Madame Tussards, London Dungeons etc.
There are also very touristy places like Covent Garden which has lots of street performers and restaurants and shopping, and Oxford Street which is the main big high street.
I would also recommend going to some less touristy places like Camden (lots of Markets and it has a grungy rock kind of vibe), vintage shops and markets in the East End - portobello road, shoreditch, brick lane, hoxton square.
Check out Time Out London for good restaurants and places to go its a really good website and locals use it too for things. It has everything.0 -
In Paris, go and find Saint Chapelle. It's near Notre Dame but is overlooked. It has this massive awesome stained glass window. Well worth a look!
Definitely find Saint Chapelle. It's beautiful, and a lot less crowded. They were still doing some work on it/around it when I was there in '07, but hopefully they're done now and you'll have an unobstructed view. They also have a nice gift shop. It's also right next to some government building, so we had to go through some heavier security (metal detectors etc).0 -
If anything while in France make a small trip to Ronchamp to the chapel of Notre Dame du Haut!
Ronchamp is a commune in the Haute-Saône department in the region of Franche-Comté in eastern France.
It is located between the Vosges and the Jura mountains. It was designed by Le Corbusier!0 -
Don't order pizza in London...it won't be what you think it is.
what the hell?0 -
Tennis shoes will not get you in to a lot of smarter places in both cities, and mark you out as a tourist in any case. You'd get away with Keds or similar, perhaps, but I'd advise a good pair of loafers or similar instead. With waterproofing spray! Colours are fine, but usually as an accent rather than an entire outfit. Bring an umbrella, and something water-resistant as an outer layer (it rains a lot in Autumn in both cities) and yes, jeans will be an issue in some places, more in Paris than in London, I'd say - again depends a little which end of the spectrum you're aiming for.
Bad french... depends on how bad. Most people I've encountered in France have appreciated the gesture of attempting to converse with them in their own language. A few have not.
In Paris, the Ile St Louis (just down from the Ile de la Cite) is charming, and I'd highly recommend a visit to the Rodin museum, the Orangerie and/or the Musee d'Orsay over the Louvre. Au lys d'argent is my favourite Creperie (on Ile St Louis). The left bank is also worth a diversion, if you're staying on the right - St Germain and surrounds are particularly delightful - very Old Europe. And 'hear hear' for Sainte Chapelle.
In London...much more variable. Depends on what you want and where you're staying. I'm a local, so send me a PM if you like with some idea of where you're planning to stay, and I'll give you any tips I can.0 -
In Paris, go and find Saint Chapelle. It's near Notre Dame but is overlooked. It has this massive awesome stained glass window. Well worth a look!
Definitely find Saint Chapelle. It's beautiful, and a lot less crowded. They were still doing some work on it/around it when I was there in '07, but hopefully they're done now and you'll have an unobstructed view. They also have a nice gift shop. It's also right next to some government building, so we had to go through some heavier security (metal detectors etc).
Haha yea - it's like airport security getting in!0 -
Don't order pizza in London...it won't be what you think it is.
what the hell?
yea I was going to ask about that as well - what do you get if not a pizza?0 -
Also make your way while in Paris to see Renzo Piano's Paris Pompidou. Excellent work.0
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OK...maybe I should retract that one...it might have just been the place I went to..but we got something that didn't resemble American style pizza in the slightest! A friend had a similar experience in IrelandDon't order pizza in London...it won't be what you think it is.
what the hell?
Besides...local traditional food will generally be better anyway!0 -
Don't order pizza in London...it won't be what you think it is.
what the hell?
I think Italian-style, thin-based Pizza instead of deep-dish Chicago style is probably what she meant...0 -
Check out the hotel de ville as well - at night...0
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OK...maybe I should retract that one...it might have just been the place I went to..but we got something that didn't resemble American style pizza in the slightest! A friend had a similar experience in IrelandDon't order pizza in London...it won't be what you think it is.
what the hell?
Besides...local traditional food will generally be better anyway!
What did you get? We have millions of pizza places here - there are american type of pizzas: like pizza hut and dominos which tend to be more take-away (less healthy), and then thousands of italian chain restaurants which make the pizzas a bit fresher and thinner - more restaurant style... is that what you mean?0 -
Don't order pizza in London...it won't be what you think it is.
what the hell?
I think Italian-style, thin-based Pizza instead of deep-dish Chicago style is probably what she meant...
Ohh - so in England you get an actual pizza as opposed to some pizza hut/goodfellas pizza piece of crap?0 -
I just got back from Europe (I did Paris, Prague, Munich, Rome, Venice, and Milan). Dont wear tennis shoes. Try to avoid tennis shoes. I didn't see much of them while over there. I have attached a link to the shoes that I wore over there. I did a lot of walking around and these were even more comfortable than my tennis shoes, but they had a lot of style. http://www.clarksusa.com/eng/product/haley_eagle/60624
My husband wore a pair of brown dress shoes (also from clarks - and he also found those more comfortable than his tennis shoes)
I didn't go to london so I am not sure what to see there, but in Paris - the Paris Opera House is breath taking and most often missed. It was our favorite building in Paris. Saint Chapelle is a beauty too. Versaille... well.... be prepared for a lot of people pushing you through narrow corridors and doorways.... it was 2 hours of having random people's bodies flat up against mine on all 4 sides of me shoving through the entire palace.... it was beautiful, but just overcrowded.0 -
Tennis shoes will not get you in to a lot of smarter places in both cities, and mark you out as a tourist in any case. You'd get away with Keds or similar, perhaps, but I'd advise a good pair of loafers or similar instead. With waterproofing spray! Colours are fine, but usually as an accent rather than an entire outfit. Bring an umbrella, and something water-resistant as an outer layer (it rains a lot in Autumn in both cities) and yes, jeans will be an issue in some places, more in Paris than in London, I'd say - again depends a little which end of the spectrum you're aiming for.
Bad french... depends on how bad. Most people I've encountered in France have appreciated the gesture of attempting to converse with them in their own language. A few have not.
In Paris, the Ile St Louis (just down from the Ile de la Cite) is charming, and I'd highly recommend a visit to the Rodin museum, the Orangerie and/or the Musee d'Orsay over the Louvre. Au lys d'argent is my favourite Creperie (on Ile St Louis). The left bank is also worth a diversion, if you're staying on the right - St Germain and surrounds are particularly delightful - very Old Europe. And 'hear hear' for Sainte Chapelle.
In London...much more variable. Depends on what you want and where you're staying. I'm a local, so send me a PM if you like with some idea of where you're planning to stay, and I'll give you any tips I can.
I second all of these. The Rodin Museum is awesome, as are the Musee d'Orsay. I was there for 11 days, so I spent 4 evenings in the Louvre and saw all of it, though admittedly some very fast. Though the Dutch Masters area was being renovated, so I missed it.
And this thread is making me want to go back so badly. Must move to Europe soon! Gah...0 -
fish n chips in canterbury
tea in piccadilly circus (check for the guy juggling flaming swords and chainsaws wearing nothing but a metallic gold diaper!)
take pictures in Trafalgar Sq and rouse allllllllll the pigeons!!!!!
drink lots of pints of dark beer, then wake up and pee and before you have any qater, strip naked and weigh yourself for an awesome dehydrated weigh in of like -5 pounds.
(temporary but hella fun)
walk along the Thames in front of Big Ben at night, its wildly beautiful.
London just takes your breath away really.
so beautiful, and even the plants and trees and squirrels look slightly alien.
Its hard to remember that its a foreign country is.
OH ALso !! Leeds Castle!!!!!
oh and dont touch any swans, every swan in England officially belongs to the Queen.0 -
IMHO Both London and Paris are both cities best seen by walking. The amount of miles you'll put on your shoes means you can eat anywhere you like
As for the type of shoes, round town sneakers will be fine unless you have more comfy walking shoes, but as some have pointed out, anywhere with a dress code will toss you out, just like here.
Bad French will get you helped, just English, especially loud English, will get you ignored. I've found that if I try to talk French, they try to talk English and we figure it out.0 -
oh and dont touch any swans, every swan in England officially belongs to the Queen.
also, because they'll snap your bloody arm off0 -
No one will sneer at running shoes in London, we all wear trainers. But as others have said, some posher establishments and night clubs won't allow them. Honestly the dress code isn't that different from any major city in the US and certainly not as strict as places like Rome or Paris. You'll find what people wear varies within just a mile or two - nothing but suits in the City to super-trendy in Hoxton, for example, but no-one will judge you. As well as the huge variety of locals, we're used to tourists from all over the world!
Don't restrict yourself to British cuisine (though it is wonderful and we've come on in leaps and bounds over the past new years). Try localised ethnic specialities, like a curry in Brick Lane. Spend an evening in a pub off the tourist track.
As far as what to do goes, most of our major museums and art galleries are free and superb. Visit the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Tate Gallery for starters. There are parks everywhere, bring a picnic and do some local-watching.
Have fun, and feel free to drop me a line if you have any specific questions about London.0 -
The Pantheon is also pretty cool. Get to see Foucault's pendulum, if you're into nerdy things.
also the Cluny Museum if you're into middle ages artifacts and relics. also the lady and the unicorn tapestry is there, which is amazing to see. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_and_the_Unicorn0 -
The best thing I saw in Paris was the catacombs. Utterly amazing.
And yeah, wear trainers in London and walk everywhere, it's worth it.0 -
No one will sneer at running shoes in London, we all wear trainers. But as others have said, some posher establishments and night clubs won't allow them. Honestly the dress code isn't that different from any major city in the US and certainly not as strict as places like Rome or Paris. You'll find what people wear varies within just a mile or two - nothing but suits in the City to super-trendy in Hoxton, for example, but no-one will judge you. As well as the huge variety of locals, we're used to tourists from all over the world!
Don't restrict yourself to British cuisine (though it is wonderful and we've come on in leaps and bounds over the past new years). Try localised ethnic specialities, like a curry in Brick Lane. Spend an evening in a pub off the tourist track.
As far as what to do goes, most of our major museums and art galleries are free and superb. Visit the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Tate Gallery for starters. There are parks everywhere, bring a picnic and do some local-watching.
Have fun, and feel free to drop me a line if you have any specific questions about London.
This ^0
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