While in Paris, buy a "carnet" for the Metro (at Metro ticket boothes). A three day pass will pay for itself the first day... unless you walk everywhere. You will not need a taxi or car in Paris. Try to spend the hot afternoons in the museums. The Tulleries next to the Louve has a small kids' amusement area. A night cruise on the Seine is charming and the kids will like that. Brave the climb up to the top of the Notre Dame steeples, the kids will like that and you'll get a great view of the city, ditto for the Eifel Tower. Do not fear the public restrooms, they are spotlessly clean. Do keep several 10 FF coins in your pockets, they come in handy. Mid summer is high tourist season, beware of pickpockets (just like in any major metro area).

While driving through the Loire, absolutely do Chambourd, Chenonceau, Amboise, Langeais, Chinon, Vouvrey, Bourgueil, and any place that strikes your fancy. Some small villages have billboards listing the surrounding vinyards with open/closed to the public notes. If you make it to Saumar, go to the Saumar vinyard Cave. Great tour of a "methode Champenoise" cave. Chinon has some of the best (and under-rated) reds in the world; you can take six - twelve bottles of wine home with you, local vinyards will pack wine to ship home.

Do eat at cafes for a real taste of France. The chef's special for that day is always yummy. Drink beer or wine 'cause coke will cost you dearly (two or three times as much) and iced tea is a rarity. Water and bread are free, just ask (Vin d'eau si vous plait...) and don't feel obligated to rush off. Once yours, a cafe table is yours for as long as you like.

Open your heart and mind to the culture of a different world and you'll have a great time.

One last thing, pay no attention to the France bashers that have posted here; you'll have a great time. The French do think they are the "Center of the Universe" but then, so do Americans. Learn some basic French phrases (Good day, hello, please, thank you, excuse me, pardon, good bye) and use them constantly throughout your conversations and you'll enjoy your trip even more. The locals will appreciate your effort to speak their language.

Here are a few links you might find helpful:

http://www.franceguide.com/home.asp?m1=9 (Great tourist info)
http://www.museums-of-paris.com/museum-pass.php (Museum Pass...*****)
http://www.chateauxhotels.com (go to "Map Search")

Hope some of this helps.

posted by 67.35.250...

• Headed to France..any pointers?, Noel, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 06:31:21
  • Strike on in Paris...., Sieglo, Thu, 19 Jun 2003 14:24:49
  • Thought of something else, Allen K, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 14:47:58
    • Re:Diesels, Noel, Thu, 19 Jun 2003 10:54:58
  • Re: Headed to France..any pointers? (LONG), Faux Paws, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 16:13:37
    • WOW, such great info ++, Noel, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 06:58:39
    • what a wonderful post - agree 100% n/m, ChipJ, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 05:59:33
  • Some friends recently stayed in Paris...., Bill H., Tue, 17 Jun 2003 12:14:21
  • Tips, PGL, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 12:11:26
    • Re: Tips from PGL, Noel, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 14:12:04
  • Yea, Say your from Canada not America..., Wally Kniaz, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 11:47:17
    • they can tell the difference between Cdn & American's, Trev, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 12:06:59
      • Yeah but..., Ootpek, Wed, 18 Jun 2003 05:12:38
    • If you're gonna lie, say you're from France..., bRAD, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 11:49:56
  • Re: Headed to France..any pointers?, RobertT, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 11:30:37
  • Re: Headed to France..any pointers?, Mattias.se, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 10:08:38
  • Real tips for visiting Paris and the Loire (long), Allen K, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 09:24:27 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: Real tips for visiting Paris and the Loire (long), Tio Barry, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 11:18:00
    • Re: Real tips for visiting Paris and the Loire (long), ditto, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 09:33:41
  • Eat in a good restaurant on Sunday for lunch>, ChipJ, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 09:13:15
    • Ditto, Ditto, Ditto, Allen K, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 09:31:22
  • See the TOUR de FRANCE, ThaddeusV, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 08:36:39
    • Ditto on that recomendation!, Nervousaaber, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 09:20:15
  • Re: Headed to France..any pointers?, Roger, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 07:31:01
    • ohoho! got the the TATE! yes, you must! nm, Chris., Tue, 17 Jun 2003 07:34:27
      • Get some flan, nothing like a slice of flan.. *drools*, officeboy, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 08:41:30
  • Eiffel Tower is nice at night..., FrozenSaab, Tue, 17 Jun 2003 07:12:44

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