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Paris In Springtime...lalalala

Lilly Nowhere Late

19:36 / 27.04.03

Right, I am off to Paris for just a couple of nights/3 daze and I am
wondering if anyone would like to suggest anything out of the ordinary
that I will not want to miss. I've read the books and spoken to all
sorts, but still wonder if there isn't some very special thing which
shouldn't be overlooked.
I also need a book to read on the journey. I haven't read an entire
book since the birth of my 19month old, and I've only got 6 hours
reading time to spare so it must be quality!

Brigade du jour

20:51 / 27.04.03

Unless you're looking for funky youth-type stuff to do, I strongly recommend just sitting in the Jardins de Luxembourg and chilling. Especially as it is, as you say, printemps.

Avoid pedestrianism around l'Arc de Triomphe - you're taking your very life in your hands.

Have a great time, wish I was going too ...

sTe

21:09 / 27.04.03

Sleeping in the station is not reccomended as some uniformed types will keep waking you up to tell you that you're not allowed to be unconscoius on the platform.

There's an underground crypt area full of the bones of ancient Parisians, but can't remember what it's called - sure that some clever type on here will know, but it's worth a look.

Moulin Rouge is rubbish, but the whole Mon Matre(?) area is good for a wander round if you're on your toes for pick pockets etc...

I'm reliably informed that there's "some tower" worth seeing but you're on your own there.

The "Diana Tunnel" post 13 if you're into that sort of thing - one way or another, and the locals tend to congregate on the banks of the river in the evenings with manyof the usual tales of fun.

enjoy

Mourne Kransky

21:29 / 27.04.03

You been before, lilly? If not, the standard Parisian sights are pretty fabulous. Off the top of my head, though, I'd want to revisit the Musée d'Orsay and the Centre Pompidou (the Beaubourg), both of which are full of wonders (if you like looking at pictures, particularly some great Paul Klee).

There's also the Grande Arche de la Défense and Pei's Pyramid at the Louvre to fly the flag impressively for brave modern architecture.

So much to see!

Baz Auckland

23:39 / 27.04.03

The Catacombs! At stations Denfert-Rochereau in the south. (Don't look at the pictures online. Leave it a suprise! But you MUST go!

Walking up the St.Martin Canal (east end) from the Siene to the Place Stalingrad is a really nice walk. And from there, it's about 1/2 and hour walk to Montmarte and Pigalle.

The Eiffel Tower is worth the 5 Euros to walk up.

I second the Grande Arche de la Défense too.

Lilly Nowhere Late

04:53 / 28.04.03

Thanks for these! I've not been before which is somewhat criminal
given my love of gilded furniture. You know what they say, "only the
french should be allowed to paint wood..."
I will certainly visit the catacombs, I seem to love places of the
dead. I don't think they'd let me in to any "funky youth" things as I
am so old and turning even older whilst in Paris.
I still need to decide on the perfect book to read on Eurostar. (not
about eurostar, but while I travel)

Jub

10:03 / 28.04.03

Also - bit OT soz - be prepared for the chaos of Garde du Nord (sp?) on the other side. Okay Waterloo isn't exactly the most efficient station ever, but after gettingused to the smoothness and realtive calm of the eurostar, I for one got incredibly flustered by the seething masses at the French station.

Apart from that I'd say, like anywhere, don't be too eager to do touristy things, as just being there and soaking up the atmosphere especially around Mont Marte (?) is what counts.

Have a nice time!

The Return Of Rothkoid

15:10 / 28.04.03

Have raved about it before, but the memorial to the Disappeared at the back of Notre Dame (across the road on the end of the Ile De Cite) is SO worth your time. Go. Just go.

The Catacombs are well worth it. They say not to touch the skulls. But you will. Oho, you well. Near St-Denis station, I think? Get in early - there's a line and they WILL close it off.

D Terminator XXXIII

08:40 / 15.03.04

I am going in - what? 5 hours time. In the course of four or five days, all the usual Parisian suspects have been included - but I am looking for advise on where to go dancing for nights.

It could be a place for queers, though not necessarily so. But I'd want to find out if they can french kiss.

D Terminator XXXIII

16:37 / 20.03.04

Grand.

That's the immediate reaction. Packed. The second one.

Because our days was based on a hectic schedule, and extremistic pedestrian activity with too few hours worth of sleep, I hesitated from going out until Thursday night. I had printed something out from www.paris-gay.com/ and went with the three closest places: Le Nombril, L'elysée Montmartre and Follies Pigalle - turned out to be something of a mistake. The first had been transformed into a sex thing nookie live act place, which wasn't exactly it, and the second had held a Ninja Tune event of some sort, and by the time I was there, people left the place. The third, which the snobbish door lady ensured me of, was a mixed crowd, for which I only had to pay €20 to enter. And I wouldn't. Shame then, apart from the many, many nice men parading around our quarters, I'd have loved to explore a 'native', gay Parisian.

Nonetheless, 'twas Grand.

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