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Post by ShoesForRent on Sept 26, 2016 19:05:45 GMT
Hi guys,
So I've booked a (first!) trip to Paris Oct 4-9 centering aroud the Phantom production that was due to open there... Well it's cancelled now- and my days and evenings are pretty much event free. I've booked a ticket for an Opera at the Garnier, but nothing else.
So if anyone is a native, or has been to Paris before and has cool tips- I'd love to hear them! Anything related to theatre/ music/ film, and food- good restaurants/cafes and such.
Also- has anyone been to the Moulin Rouge before? Is it worth the very high ticket price?
Thanks so much!
Mods- please move or delete if this isn't the place for this, and sorry:)
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2,859 posts
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Post by couldileaveyou on Sept 26, 2016 19:44:35 GMT
I'm going in Novembre (already been 15 years ago but I was just a little kid) so I'd love to hear some advices as well  |
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Post by lynette on Sept 26, 2016 20:03:40 GMT
If you are arriving at Gare du Nord don't look around and look as if you don't know what you are doing. Try to work out your direction before you arrive or at least leave the station purposefully. The pick pockets and the con men are waiting for you! They offer to help you buy metro tickets and also show you to taxis which cost over the odds. I know this isn't theatre advice but it would be grim to arrive and find yourself fleeced before you get going. Keep wallet and/or handbag well under control. Paris is the only European city that I have had attempted robbery in.
Having said all that, enjoy yourself. Paris is wonderful.
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448 posts
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Post by ShoesForRent on Sept 26, 2016 20:31:30 GMT
If you are arriving at Gare du Nord don't look around and look as if you don't know what you are doing. Try to work out your direction before you arrive or at least leave the station purposefully. The pick pockets and the con men are waiting for you! They offer to help you buy metro tickets and also show you to taxis which cost over the odds. I know this isn't theatre advice but it would be grim to arrive and find yourself fleeced before you get going. Keep wallet and/or handbag well under control. Paris is the only European city that I have had attempted robbery in. Having said all that, enjoy yourself. Paris is wonderful. Thank you for this. I'm actually staying in an AirBnb quite close to Gare de Nord, and only after booking have I realised it's not the best location. The reviews were all very good and haven't mentioned that the area is bad though, on the contrary- so hopefully it'll be fine. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 20:32:05 GMT
It's been a while since I last visited but there are some very good brasseries still running (I just checked) that not only have stunning interiors, but they offer really good set menus inclusive of wine, at really good prices. Brasserie Flo, Brasserie Bofinger and Brasserie Julien- Google them for their websites to see if they're your kind of thing. (Brasserie Julien's interior featured in that Piaf film with Marion Cotillard a while back; it was a favourite haunt of the real Piaf apparently.)
(Just seen you last post with your location- Julien and Flo are very close to you.)
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448 posts
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Post by ShoesForRent on Sept 26, 2016 20:38:17 GMT
Thank you so much @caiaphas - will have a look for sure! Any specific meals you suggest?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 20:46:36 GMT
As I say, it's been a while now but the set menus were excellent. Beautiful food, perfectly served, and exquisite settings. We liked them (they used to be a small chain but I'm not sure they are now; they're completely different anyhow) so much we visited one in Nice too which is in an old cinema. The dining area is in the auditorium, while the kitchen is on full view behind glass on the stage which is framed by a big, camp, velvet, Phantom type curtain!
(Pictures on Google image show it off really well...)
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448 posts
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Post by ShoesForRent on Sept 26, 2016 20:53:47 GMT
Would I have to make a reservation at such a place? or just show up?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2016 20:57:13 GMT
Play safe and reserve. They're quite popular, with tourists and locals. At least they used to be. Check them out on Tripadvisor too.
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Post by bellboard27 on Sept 26, 2016 21:11:24 GMT
If you are missing Phantom you could take a tour of Opera Garnier and see the Phantom's box. It is a stunning theatre. You can do self guided audio tours and no need to book. But check opening times esp if there might be a matinee perf getting in the way.
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Post by Phantom of London on Sept 26, 2016 21:33:02 GMT
Is 42nd Street going to be playing there, when your over, this one is going to transfer to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
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Post by Phantom of London on Sept 26, 2016 21:34:27 GMT
If you are arriving at Gare du Nord don't look around and look as if you don't know what you are doing. Try to work out your direction before you arrive or at least leave the station purposefully. The pick pockets and the con men are waiting for you! They offer to help you buy metro tickets and also show you to taxis which cost over the odds. I know this isn't theatre advice but it would be grim to arrive and find yourself fleeced before you get going. Keep wallet and/or handbag well under control. Paris is the only European city that I have had attempted robbery in. Having said all that, enjoy yourself. Paris is wonderful. Avoid Rome and Barcelona then. |
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Post by ShoesForRent on Sept 26, 2016 21:42:07 GMT
Is 42nd Street going to be playing there, when your over, this one is going to transfer to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Already checked- it starts playing in Nov or Dec I think- really wanted to see it :/ Thank you so much for the suggestions so far! loving it- keep going! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2016 6:16:00 GMT
Never been but I intend to do it some time... The sewers! In the steps of Jean Valjean!
There are all the usuals to do- Eiffel Tower, Bateaux Mouches, Louvre, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur- but don't forget the Musee d'Orsay. For something a bit different too add Musee Rodin and the fascinating Musee Carnavalet, which is a stunning little museum of the city. Oh, and do visit the cemeteries- Pere Lachaise and Montmartre! (They are chock full of famous graves- artists, composers, performers... The latter has a beautiful one of Nijinksky.)
Wish I was coming with you now!
(Keep meaning to say I'm really sorry that your trip to see Phantom has been scuppered... Of all the bad luck. I saw Les Mis in that theatre a million years ago.)
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Post by Stasia on Sept 27, 2016 7:28:41 GMT
Also- has anyone been to the Moulin Rouge before? Is it worth the very high ticket price? I've been there once, luckily, for free (my brither-in-law took us for an evening out - who would think that police officers have such benefits as free visits there) It felt completely overpriced and boring and I would not recommend anyone spending money on that. I would check some other Paris theatres, maybe they have some interesting classics or musical theatre performances. And some nice touristy stuff as Montmartre walks, getting up on the Notre Dame (it kills the legs completely but feels wonderfully), riverboat trip, Eiffel Tower (booking in advance) and so on. Paris is almost as beautiful as London so it is definitely worth walking it through, at least the centre parts. And Opera tour is a must! |
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Post by ctas on Sept 27, 2016 7:31:55 GMT
Another vote for the cemeteries here, my favourite places to visit. Sainte-Chapelle is beautiful and I believe you can combine a visit to that with one to the Conciergerie (practically next door) which is a fascinating historical building that went from medieval palace to prison during the revolution. The catacombs are great to explore, the centre Pompidou is fun if you like a bit of modern art. For food I'd rarely stray away from the Latin quarter, so much down every little side street. And Shakespeare and Company bookshop is a must! Lived just outside the city for a while and I miss it so much, have a wonderful trip!
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 27, 2016 7:38:02 GMT
A couple of alternatives. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapin_AgileCheck its still open. Went a decade or so ago. The antithesis of tourist Paris but close to Montmartre. Basically think of it as a folk club, with “warm beer and lousy service”. Once we relaxed we had a great time. Second all the suggestions for the classic Brassieres but they can be expensive. A cheaper alternative is www.bouillon-chartier.com/en/It’s at the Metro Rue Monmartre so it’s not that close to anything. But the room is wonderful, the queue to get in reasonable, the waiters outrageous, with edible (rather than outstanding) French food and the price is right. Have been 5 times over 37 years! Paris is smaller than London so bring a good pair of shoes and walk everywhere. Enjoy |
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Post by ShoesForRent on Sept 27, 2016 11:54:51 GMT
I would check some other Paris theatres, maybe they have some interesting classics or musical theatre performances. And some nice touristy stuff as Montmartre walks, getting up on the Notre Dame (it kills the legs completely but feels wonderfully), riverboat trip, Eiffel Tower (booking in advance) and so on. Paris is almost as beautiful as London ![:)]() so it is definitely worth walking it through, at least the centre parts. And Opera tour is a must! I keep checking the event websites- there is no musical/ play that I can find, or even a concert of someone I know (or even don't know- that isn't outragesly priced) Maybe there are plays but it's all in french I can't seem to understand anything  And thank you so much for the Moulin Rouge comment- such a shame though, I'm really looking for some kind of theatre experince to replace Phantom. bummer. Will do a tour of the opera! Thank you so much for the other advice too- will do! The catacombs are great to explore, the centre Pompidou is fun if you like a bit of modern art. For food I'd rarely stray away from the Latin quarter, so much down every little side street. And Shakespeare and Company bookshop is a must! Lived just outside the city for a while and I miss it so much, have a wonderful trip! I hear there are crazy lines for the Catacombs but that they're a really unique exprience. and thank you so much! A couple of alternatives. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapin_AgileCheck its still open. Went a decade or so ago. The antithesis of tourist Paris but close to Montmartre. Basically think of it as a folk club, with “warm beer and lousy service”. Once we relaxed we had a great time. Second all the suggestions for the classic Brassieres but they can be expensive. A cheaper alternative is www.bouillon-chartier.com/en/It’s at the Metro Rue Monmartre so it’s not that close to anything. But the room is wonderful, the queue to get in reasonable, the waiters outrageous, with edible (rather than outstanding) French food and the price is right. Have been 5 times over 37 years! I actually have quite a large budget now with the cancelled (hopefully quickly refunded errr) tickets, for food and activities. So am defenitly looking for the -outstanding food- lol but thank you- I've written them down too! |
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448 posts
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Post by ShoesForRent on Sept 27, 2016 12:01:29 GMT
Never been but I intend to do it some time... The sewers! In the steps of Jean Valjean! There are all the usuals to do- Eiffel Tower, Bateaux Mouches, Louvre, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur- but don't forget the Musee d'Orsay. For something a bit different too add Musee Rodin and the fascinating Musee Carnavalet, which is a stunning little museum of the city. Oh, and do visit the cemeteries- Pere Lachaise and Montmartre! (They are chock full of famous graves- artists, composers, performers... The latter has a beautiful one of Nijinksky.) Yes! A les Mis inspired walk tour could be fun- I see there are som who drew routes on Google Maps- will look! And thanks- will start writing an itenerary for the touristy stuff too- can't miss those. Anyone been to a cinema in Paris that they can reccomend- like an authentic cinema, does that makes sense? ha Anyway thanks for the suggestions everyone- if anyone has anything else- they are so wecome!! |
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Post by d'James on Sept 27, 2016 12:13:55 GMT
I found this: www.olivertwist-lemusical.frLooks a lovely venue anyway. (Sorry if it's already been mentioned - I couldn't see anything in my quick skim of the topic.) |
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Post by anthony40 on Sept 27, 2016 12:16:52 GMT
What about going over to the Island of La Grand Jatte? See what inspired Georges Seurat all those years ago and (eventually) Sunday on the Park with George?
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Post by lynette on Sept 27, 2016 12:57:55 GMT
If you are arriving at Gare du Nord don't look around and look as if you don't know what you are doing. Try to work out your direction before you arrive or at least leave the station purposefully. The pick pockets and the con men are waiting for you! They offer to help you buy metro tickets and also show you to taxis which cost over the odds. I know this isn't theatre advice but it would be grim to arrive and find yourself fleeced before you get going. Keep wallet and/or handbag well under control. Paris is the only European city that I have had attempted robbery in. Having said all that, enjoy yourself. Paris is wonderful. Avoid Rome and Barcelona then. I know off the subject but just to say I've never had a prob in Barcelona or Rome. Not a tiddle. Just Paris. Sad but true. I think Gare du Nord is so well known now as a problem that probably the crooks have moved on. Maybe. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2016 13:01:56 GMT
Endorse all the recommendations above, particularly the museums. For cinema, there are loads of English language screenings (both new releases and classics showing in rep). Look for VO ("version originale") in the listings as opposed to VF ("version francaise"). (although obviously that only works if the original language is English ). There's a cheap magazine called Pariscope which has comprehensive cinema listings - seem to remember it was hard to find web listings when I was there a few years ago but of course that might have changed now! |
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Post by ctas on Sept 27, 2016 13:28:14 GMT
There's a really great cinema museum in Bercy too, I believe!
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 27, 2016 14:33:26 GMT
Never been but I intend to do it some time... The sewers! In the steps of Jean Valjean! There are all the usuals to do- Eiffel Tower, Bateaux Mouches, Louvre, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur- but don't forget the Musee d'Orsay. For something a bit different too add Musee Rodin and the fascinating Musee Carnavalet, which is a stunning little museum of the city. Oh, and do visit the cemeteries- Pere Lachaise and Montmartre! (They are chock full of famous graves- artists, composers, performers... The latter has a beautiful one of Nijinksky.) Yes! A les Mis inspired walk tour could be fun- I see there are som who drew routes on Google Maps- will look! And thanks- will start writing an itenerary for the touristy stuff too- can't miss those. Anyone been to a cinema in Paris that they can reccomend- like an authentic cinema, does that makes sense? ha Anyway thanks for the suggestions everyone- if anyone has anything else- they are so wecome!! About 25 years ago the only way you could see A Clockwork Orange was to cross the channel. Kubrick had become uncomfortable about it's reception and withdrew it from distribution in the UK. It was on every night at a small cinema in Paris where the guy collecting your money, had the projectors right behind him. It was flea pit, a fire trap and smelly. Despite that I managed to slip into the arms of Morpheus, full of cheap red wine. But it was quite the thing to say you’d been there and seen it. |
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