Thanks to everyone who contributed to the strike update thread. I think after about 100 responses it%26#39;s about time to end that one.
We just returned last night and it was great. We left on Tuesday and I appreciated all the information that I had before the strike, which helped (we traveled with another couple so there were 4 of us). One particular comment helped out, someone stated that public transportation was free in Paris. Well we didn’t pay for a RER/Metro ride until Saturday morning on our way to Versailles. We took a van from the airport to our hotel for 20 euros a piece, which wasn’t bad in a strike situation. We walked a lot and as the strike eased we were able to get the metro later in the week. The biggest problem was that we don’t speak French we couldn’t get updates on the strikes and everyone we talked to had a different take on what was going on.
We did many of the typical things that you do in Paris: Cluny Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Pompidou Center, Ile de St. Louis, Sacre Cour, Montmarte and Versailles. I would like to share some things that are discussed here and that I found helpful.
Les Papilles, 30, Rue Gay Lussac: We had heard about this restaurant on TA and then I saw it in Budget Travel when we were in the airport, so we thought we would try it. The problem is that they don’t have a menu and they only serve one thing a night. That could be fun or could be a disaster (think sweetbreads). Also since we don’t speak French and we were concerned about communicating without a menu, but my lovely wife said it wouldn’t be a problem. Luckily the owner’s English was fantastic and he explained the menu to us. He also told us that the upstairs was booked, but if we wanted to eat downstairs he could accomdate us. However it would be at a table for 8 and other people might join us. We ended up with our own private cellar room and a huge table. We had carrot soup, veal chops, a cheese course and a dessert with orange (we were debating exactly what it was). Another neat thing is that you pick out your wine from the upstairs walls. The wine is priced at “to go” prices so you add 7 euros to that total for drinking it in the restaurant, which is a steal. We went through 2 bottles of wine and had a terrific time (as you can imagine). I would put it in the top 5 meals I have ever had. And for the 4 of us with 2 bottles of 35 euro wine the total bill was 199 euros. We were joined by about 4 French women towards the end of the meal at our table but didn’t really notice them and unlike us they were quiet.
Hotel Andre Latin, 52, Rue Gay Lussac: This hotel is listed as a Comfort Inn and it is not very special. But it is two blocks from the Luxembourg RER stop which gets you to and from the airport very easily (sans strike of course). I like this as a good basic hotel, bring your own alarm clock and shampoo and soap, but for about 100 euros, you can’t beat it.
Versailles: If there is only one piece of advice I can give you its, if you are going to Versailles make sure you are on a RER train that is marked with a “V”, such as “VICK” or “VERO”. We were on the platform with other Americans and the first train to come into the St. Michel Station was a “SARA” train I told my friends not to get on it, because of the advice I got from TA. My wife told an entire group not to get on it and wait, but we were too late from some people at the end of the platform, not sure when they figured it out but it couldn’t have been good for the vacation. Thanks KDK and everyone else for the help there.
Cheap Beer: I know that drinking wine is part of being in Paris. But happy hour is part of being on vacation (holiday for everyone else). The first night we were spending between 8-10 euros per beer (12 –15 American dollars). Towards the end of our time we happened onto La Huchette (a street), which I realize is very touristy and packed with kids a lot younger than us, but they had 4 euro beers until about 9:00 at night, and we were long gone by then. It probably saved us 100 euros going there for pre-dinner cocktails.
Also for those of you who are thinking of going to Paris, but are worried about the American stereotype of Parisians being rude, nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone helped us and went out their way to communicate with us, when in reality it is our problem that we don’t speak their language. A few phrases, a smile and the willingness to try will always be helpful.
Thanks again and off to the next adventure.
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Sounds like you had a great trip - thanks for all the information. Hopefully, you are right, there will be no further need for any more strike updating, although I am worried because one TA poster wrote that the unions are reserving the right to strike again on December 5 if they aren%26#39;t happy with how the talks are going. Not what I wanted to hear when we arrive on December 8. Groan.....
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Enjoyed your trip report, glad you had a great time.
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Glad you had a good time.
I%26#39;m off to Paris next week and also read the TA comment which said the strike could be back on next Wednesday (5th) if progress is not being made.
Does anyone on the ground know how likely this is? Given the way the previous strike seemed to flop at the end, I%26#39;m hoping that there is little appetite amongst the unions for further action.
Would be interested to hear from locals what the feeling is in Paris itself...
Thanks!
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