4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Ain't Nobody Here]

My best friend and I have decided to have a weekend away. She has had the most horrific year and really needs a break (she has never been away without her family and her OH isn't keen on holidays or even taking annual leave so she's not had many holidays).

 

We've decided on Paris as she's never been there and it's easy to get to from Edinburgh. I've been but quite happy to go back.

 

So, I've love some Omlet advice or recommendations on a nice reasonable place to stay and the best way to get a good deal? Are you best booking your own flights/hotel seperately or to get an internet deal?

[Geoid]

When I went last year, we stayed in a really really nice youth hostel, just a short metro ride from the centre of Paris, I will see if I can find the name of it.

[Olly]

You'll have a lovely time! I went a couple of years ago and I think I booked the whole thing through Expedia, I'll try and find details of the hotel I stayed in which was on the Left Bank opposite Notre Dame and very convenient.

 

My 'must do' in Paris doesn't include the Eiffel Tower, I don't like heights! Someone who's never been before should definitely visit Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur and the Louvre although it's so huge, you shouldn't try and do more than a few bits. (Personally, I'd pass on the Mona Lisa, but your friend will need to see it for herself to see just how small and dull a picture it is!)

 

Extras that people often don't do but I think are well worth a visit are: Pere Lachaise cemetery, it's a fascinating and beautiful place, and Jim Morrison, Chopin and Oscar Wilde are buried there to name but a few. It's quite a trek out there and don't go if it's raining as there's no shelter, it would be miserable. It is also worth getting a train out to Versailles if you have time, it would take most of a day but it is an amazing place.

 

The Musee Rodin which is on the left bank is very pretty, it's the house where he lived and worked and it has loads of statues and paintings but also has a lovely garden. I also love Les Invalides - some people find it boring but I think Napoleon's tomb is stunning. I went some years ago and was lucky enough to go to a son-et-lumiere presentation there, I don't know if they still do those.

 

Galerie Lafayette is worth a visit, and - top tip! - if you go up to the roof there's a terrace which gives you great views of the city, all for free and without being too scary!

 

I'm sure I'll think of some more things. As you might gather, I love Paris although Parisian waiters can be vile.

[feemcg]

It's years since I've been but my friend and I went to a show at the Moulin Rouge...just to say we'd been....but we enjoyed it. I loved the Metro for getting around.....and had a funny experience in the Gare du Nord (huge train station) when a friend spotted me and ran towards me shouting my name .

[Guest]

We adore Paris!!!! We went first (in 2001) on a weekend coach trip and stayed in The Campanile on Blvd Berthier in Porte De Clichy (north part of paris), not too far from the Peripherique (Paris' ring road) at the top of the Avenue De Clichy and not all that far from Pigalle! (The red light district and home to the Moulin Rouge). http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g187147-d231058-Reviews-Campanile_Paris_XVII_Boulevard_Berthier-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

 

Cheap but perfectly acceptable and comfortable and the breakfasts were great, buffet style and the croissant were fantastic!

 

There was a metro station RIGHT outside the door so getting around was no problem at all however we mostly used the coach as there were planned excursions included in the trip.

 

We went to Versailles and various excursions in and around Paris.

 

The 2nd time we went was in 2006 for our honeymoon and we stayed for 5 days. Our hotel this time was a bit more pricey, 'Le Walt' http://www.hotel-walt-paris.federal-hotel.com/page_en_1.html which was very nice indeed. Our room had a view of the Eiffel tower and it was really conveniently situated. We were able to walk to the tower and Rodin's house.gardens. It was sort of btwn the tower and the hotel d'invalides and there were lots of bars and cafes within walking distance, a metro and bus stops really close too.

 

Both very different experiences, one on the cheap, one not so (but it was our honeymoon!)

 

My favourite place in Paris by far is Mont Martre, it has lovely olde worlde winding streets and a surprise on every corner and lovely little bistros and cafes up there.

 

We also blew a fortune at The Lido, a truly memorable experience and one not to be missed if you can afford it!

 

Oh I love Paris soooooooooooooooooo much, if you want to know more just PM me, I can tell you loads!!!!!!! xxx

[Seagazer]

I'd definitely do Sacre Coeur, it is beautiful on the outside and the views around are brilliant. Its very dark and gloomy inside though. You can climb to the top of L'Arc de Triomphe and get really good views from the top. It is quite a climb but there was a lift I think. We did an evening boat trip with a meal and cabaret. Our hotel was a short walk away from the Louvre, but I can't remember the name I'm afraid. Musee d'Orsay was a lovely building as well. We also did Moulin Rouge (it was OH's 40th birthday ) but both enjoyed it.

 

Generally though OH and I just like wandering around, having a coffee and watching the world go by. Brings back lovely memories.

 

I hope you have a great time, it sounds like your friend needs the holiday.

[Guest]

p.s. The Pompidou is a must, if only for the views across Paris. A fascinating place, even just from the outside!

 

I'm so jealous, can I come too?????

[Guest]

p.p.s the 2nd time we went, we flew with Easyjet from Liverpool (so convenient and very cheap!) and booked the hotel directly ourselves. Shop around on the net as different sites have differnt prices and offers even for the same hotel!

 

we also booked a people carrier to pick us up at the airport and take us to our hotel, i think it was about 20 euros, can't remember, but you can do that via the net too.

[Alis girls]

We stayed in Citidenes - a sort of aparthotel all over Paris. Our Hotel was Hotel Migney in red light district but it was lovely basic but nice. Took kids and didnt see one lady of the night. Much nicer than our Soho which is seedy. Check tripadvisor. Bon voyage mes amies

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Thanks, everyone, I knew you'd come up with the goods .

 

We went there on our honeymoon too, Poet (20 years ago ). We also took the boys there a couple of years ago but just for the day.

 

I've been to all the major sights but it's still good to get reminders of everything we should visit (and some that I didn't get to!)

 

Generally though OH and I just like wandering around, having a coffee and watching the world go by.

 

That's exactly what we want to do .

[Clash City Rocker]

Stopped here in 2007 for Mrs CCR's 40th.

 

http://www.hotel-longchamp-paris.com/

 

Cheap, Clean, Friendly and 2 minutes walk from the Arc de Triomphe, on the way to the Tour Eiffel.

 

Used the bus service from Charles De Gaulle to the Arc de Triomphe then walked to the hotel, really easy. "Trocadero" is the metro station opposite.

 

Not planned, but the Sunday we were there was "free entry" into all the museums and galleries, I think it's like this on the 1st Sunday of every month.

 

As someone else posted the terrace restuarant on top of the Galeries Lafayette is a great place if the weather is good.

 

and you can't go to Paris and not go to the top of the tower.

[Guest]

I could only go halfway up the tower, it was way too scary for me in that tiny lift to the top. Maybe one day I will. The waffles with chantilly cream in the cafe halfway up are lush though

 

When are you going?

[alih]

Oh lucky you - I lived in Paris for 7 years and still miss it now! Can't recommend hotels therefore but as for places to see .....all of those Poet has recommended plus the Place des Vosges for lunch or a coffee as it is the most beautiful square in the city...the Maris for wondering about and the Picasso museum if that's your thing..it's the old Jewish quarter and very quaint and pretty....walk from the Arc dr Triomphe all the way down the Champs ELysees and beyond to the Louvre via the Orangery if you can face the distance...the Jardins de Luxembourg are on that axis too and are a gorgeous place to rest your feet and eat an ice cream....Montmartre is lovely but quite touristy...if you need some nature go to the Bois de Vincennes which has lovely gardens at this time of year...pm me if you would like more! Have a lovely time