What to do in Paris ?

Boring City, posted on April 13, 2015 at 09:30:00
jedrider Audiophile Posts: 15168 Location: No. California Joined: December 26, 2003	it is NOT! You are going to have time to visit HiFi shops? Although, renting a bicycle and finding your way to such shops could be an interesting experience. Never thought about doing that while in Paris. Don't know about the clubs, but let us know if you get any good advice on it.

Don't waste your time looking for audio stores., posted on April 13, 2015 at 09:31:30

samtellig

Paris is notorious for its lack of high-end audio salons anyway.

Parisians have better things to do with their time and money.

Enjoy Paris. Watch your wallet and tell your wife to keep nothing valuable in her purse.

My favorite place: La musee d'Orsay and, for lunch, the (expensive and fancy) restaurant on the second floor -- not the cafeteria on the third, where the masses eat. When you get to the museum, walk up and make a reservation.

This was a train station. Before the TGV, some of the best restaurants in Paris were located in train stations. I don't know if the sumptuous restaurant in the Gare de Lyon is still open.

Do as the Parisians, posted on April 13, 2015 at 09:44:59
Jay Buridan Audiophile Posts: 10284 Location: Michigan Joined: January 21, 2004	Surrender :) "Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. " ― W.C. Fields

Walk, posted on April 13, 2015 at 10:08:43
boboli Audiophile Posts: 997 Location: Phoenix Arizona Joined: May 12, 2005	Everywhere you can. My favorite arrondissements to explore are 4, 6,5. I agree that the Museum D'Orsay is wonderful and looking for audio stores is a waste of time. I stumbled on one near the Pompidou Center once. It sold very high end stuff, which I can't recall and I didn't stay long. I was in Paris for only a few days and there was too much to see.

Phono Museum, posted on April 13, 2015 at 10:36:25

SamA
Audiophile

Posts: 2902
Location: Washington, D.C.
Joined: February 12, 2004

They were closed on my last visit, but I'll make it a definite stop next time I'm in town.

Phono Museum

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 13, 2015 at 11:18:48
Inmate51	"What to do in Paris ?" See the Louvre, walk up to at least the first level of the Eiffel Tower, tour Notre Dame Cathedral, then leave. I made the mistake of trying to do more, and it was a royal pain in the butt. :)

Wife? No need to take your wife. There are plenty of women in Paris!//nt, posted on April 13, 2015 at 11:18:56
MaxwellP Audiophile Posts: 1623 Location: New York Joined: September 19, 2007	nt

You're going to Paris for the first time..., posted on April 13, 2015 at 11:38:22
Mr. Dick Hertz	...and you want to visit AUDIO shops? Shirley you can't be serious?

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 13, 2015 at 11:49:03

PAR

Here's some Jazz information. No personal experience but the London "Time Out" is pretty reliable so I would hope that the Paris edition is similar.

http://www.timeout.com/paris/en/jazz-clubs-and-bars

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 13, 2015 at 12:57:26
Peter Breuninger Reviewer Posts: 601 Joined: August 28, 2002	You should visit...

Saint Chappelle concerts, posted on April 13, 2015 at 12:59:27
SamA Audiophile Posts: 2902 Location: Washington, D.C. Joined: February 12, 2004	We've found the concerts at Ste Chappelle fun and in a nice setting with great sound. Arrive early, though. Security is very tight because the church is located next to the French judiciary.

Even though it's been 40 yrs since I lived in Paris for , posted on April 13, 2015 at 13:29:18

gonzo
Audiophile

Posts: 2512
Location: new england
Joined: November 28, 2002

3 months and returned several times afterwards, I realized that I could never see it all, do it all etc. So I would just relax, walk the streets, sit at outdoor cafes, have a beer,and watch the street scene unfold. Visiting family and friends could try to hit a few of the well known spots, but I used the metro and I tried just to relax and enjoy "living" there and give them that side of the city. They all seemed to enjoy their Paris trip this way. As much as like hifi and records, chasing them down in Paris is the last thing I would do. Ah, don't get me started., It was a probably still is a wonderful sensual-appealing to the senses" city. Enjoy. Norm

No, you should not visit., posted on April 13, 2015 at 14:17:26
samtellig	Complete waste of time. Paris. My favorite city. i still miss Les Halles.

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 13, 2015 at 14:37:50

Todd A.

In addition to what others have suggested, the "Tour de France of Wine" at O'Chateau in Paris was a great evening for my wife and I. It's located near the Louvre, and I recommend it highly.

If you have the time, I'd also recommend taking the TGV down to spend a couple of days in Bordeaux. Take the train 1/2 hour in one direction from Bordeaux and you're on the coast eating oysters at Arcachon. Take the boat tour. Half an hour the other way from Bordeaux and you're in St Emilion; a little medieval town in the heart of the wine country around Bordeaux. There's a monolithic church carved from the solid rock there that is well worth seeing, and bottles of St. Emilion Grand Cru that would cost you $100 in the US can be had around town for twelve Euros. Enjoy it there, because it's outrageously expensive to ship it home. Stop in the little knifemaker's shop by the old market in St. Emilion. There's some marvelous craftsmanship to be seen there.

Bordeaux is a nice town in its own right. The surface mass transit is clean and easy to navigate, and the Rue de Sainte-Catherine is almost a mile of straight tiled street.

Make sure that you always have a couple of 1/2 Euro coins in your pocket, as most public toilets are of the pay variety.

You can see audio stuff anytime.

http://www.o-chateau.com/

I'm perfectly serious., posted on April 13, 2015 at 14:47:36
mwhitmore Audiophile Posts: 1720 Location: San Francisco Joined: September 17, 2008	And don't....Oh, never mind!

RE: You're going to Paris for the first time..., posted on April 13, 2015 at 14:48:42
standingstones Audiophile Posts: 218 Location: Pennsylvania Joined: February 14, 2005	Amen. You're travelling to Paris and worrying about visiting audio shops? Stay at home.

Eat, drink and be merry ..., posted on April 13, 2015 at 16:05:50
reelsmith. Audiophile Posts: 13134 Location: CT Joined: June 7, 2005 Contributor Since: January 19, 2010	...same as anywhere else. Enjoy ! Please tell us all about it when you return. Dean. reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 13, 2015 at 16:20:08

mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 38130
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003

...see Paris.

Great food, wine and sights.

What to see.

At least go here, posted on April 13, 2015 at 16:51:36

HotStamper

My favourite bistrot, we always eat there twice when we're in Paris- make reservations though....

https://www.zagat.com/r/la-regalade-saint-honore-paris

Surprised no-one has mentioned tucking into a..., posted on April 13, 2015 at 17:11:24
DeKay	Royale with Cheese. Have fun.

Re: "Watch your wallet and tell your wife to keep nothing valuable in her purse"., posted on April 13, 2015 at 17:17:40

Neil49
Audiophile

Posts: 8850
Location: Northern Virginia
Joined: June 13, 2003

Great advice! My wife had her wallet lifted from her purse within five minutes after alighting from the airport bus, while waiting on the platform for the train into the city center. As soon as she took her seat on the train, she noticed the top flap of her bag open, and the wallet missing. About four hundred bucks gone in a flash, but she did get her driver's license back about a month later, after it had been turned in to the Paris police, who mailed it to the U.S.

agree, posted on April 13, 2015 at 17:34:34

Green Lantern
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Contributor
Since: June 17, 2003

enjoy the sights, stroll through a French country side...

Was there in 2011, me and my fiancee' (now wife) I organized all the planning; took a couple months to plan it all, but it paid off in the end.

Booked the hotel (found a low cost hotel on the outskirts, about a 30 min ride into town on the train), Disneyland, Versailles, the Louvre. We were rarely at the hotel since we bought week long train passes (about $150 ea U.S.) and spent most of the days/evenings sightseeing.

town by our hotel the Premiere Classe in Saint Brice sous Foret

Disneyland

I have found that Paris works best without an itinerary, posted on April 13, 2015 at 17:54:09

robotk
Audiophile

Posts: 422
Joined: May 23, 2003

Part of the charm of that city is the dignified pace.

Eat. Drink. Go to museums. Montmartre. Stumble around.

First time I went, I did the sightseeing thing. Total mistake. Second time, I went with my then new wife and we did nothing (in the Seinfeld sense) and it was absolutely wonderful.

Please stay away from high end audio. Colossal waste of time.

I totally agree! NT, posted on April 13, 2015 at 17:56:44
jnr Reviewer Posts: 2164 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Joined: April 5, 2000	. theaudiobeatnik.com

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 13, 2015 at 17:57:54

RGA
Reviewer

Posts: 15177
Location: Hong Kong
Joined: August 8, 2001

If you're single (or unhappily married) there are any number of suggestions I could make. Spending time in an audio store would not be on the list - but I suppose it depends on how long you'll be there.

http://singles.meetup.com/cities/fr/paris/

A fun group I joined while living in South Korea was the Hash House Harriers - their motto "A drinking Club with a Running Problem" - Good way to see parts of a city you would probably NEVER see as just a tourist and the folks are friendly. Many of these clubs have both a runner and a walker group - the latter is better if you're not in the best shape but it's also more sociable - all ages.

The HHH clubs are all around the world in most major cities and there are usually several - so the one I am linking was just the one I happened to see first on a google search - there will likely be several given the size of Paris.

https://parishash.wordpress.com/

You might catch a little Absolute Sound at the Buffet and Selmer Factories. nt, posted on April 13, 2015 at 18:20:39
oldmkvi Audiophile Posts: 10583 Joined: April 12, 2002	/

don't miss Catacombs, that place is amazing!!! (nt), posted on April 13, 2015 at 19:22:28
bouncy ball Audiophile Posts: 1221 Location: British Columbia Joined: July 26, 2003	.

What Not to Do?, posted on April 13, 2015 at 21:08:47
c1ferrari Audiophile Posts: 640 Location: Southern California Joined: March 16, 2001	April in Paris...museums, performing arts, strolling down the Seine in the evenings -- Oh, and the architecture and cuisine...magnifique! Vbr, Sam

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 13, 2015 at 23:14:33
jazz1 Audiophile Posts: 2891 Joined: October 30, 2000	You could visit the Devialet store which is impressive and listen to their new speakers. As far as jazz clubs if you go to a part of Paris called "Le Marais" they are 4 jazz clubs within walking distance, 3 of them next to each others at La Rues des Lombards.

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 14, 2015 at 03:56:07
fantja Audiophile Posts: 15524 Location: Alabama Joined: September 11, 2010	Welcome! MishaBlues- protect your wallet/valuables, at all times and enjoy your trip.

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 14, 2015 at 05:09:55
svisner Audiophile Posts: 1165 Joined: March 30, 2002	http://www.parisjazzcorner.com/ Wonderful record/CD store.

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 14, 2015 at 06:05:21
geezerrocket	Great drink, gourmet food, museums, all in the midst of the scent of urine......... Seriously, the place smells like piss.

I spent a trip to Rome looking for mens ties..., posted on April 14, 2015 at 07:28:34
jedrider Audiophile Posts: 15168 Location: No. California Joined: December 26, 2003	All I remember is ALL the colorful ties I came across. I thought it was a shopping trip! I actually enjoyed myself. Nowadays, I head for the museums, but the whole City is a museum, actually.

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 14, 2015 at 07:46:45

John N
Audiophile

Posts: 1325
Joined: May 10, 2000

Agree with all of the comments about skipping stereo stores - My two favorite places are Ste Chappelle and the Rodin museum. The outside grounds of the Rodin museum are a fabulous place to regenerate after being a bit footsore.

I do need to add that one year I was in Toulouse, and had spent most of the day sightseeing. I was tired of walking around, and walked by a high end store. I walked in and in terribly fractured French said that I was an American audiophile - they signaled me downstairs to a wonderful set-up All French companies I didn't recognize (this was in the late 90s). They gave me a pile of CDs and went back upstairs. I had a delightful couple of hours listening and relaxing. At the end, I thanked my hosts, tried to describe what I thought of the set up (again failing rather miserably), and left with a pile of literature they offered.

I have always been treated extremely well wherever I traveled in France. Please just remember to bring out your French language, even if it is quite awful.

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 14, 2015 at 08:40:24

Schlep
Audiophile

Posts: 289
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Joined: April 24, 2007

Skip hi-fi unless you have done everything else : )

Paris is an amazing city. Museums, food, fashion. . . and my favorite. . . fair complected brunettes with blue eyes : )

The Lourve is too freaking big unless you have a lot of time or love art. You can get throught the Musee De Orsay in less than a day. Probably can get through the Rodin museum in less than a day (I'm guessing), but seeing you are from Philedelphia, you can 'dabble' at the Rodin Museum off of Ben Franklin Parkway.

Silly as it sounds, one of my favorite meals was a ham and cheese sandwhich from a Parisian chain. Probably because it was my first mean in Paris.

People watching - just pull up a chair at one of the seemingly thousands of bistros you'll pass by. Notice how most of the chairs are actually set up 'bleacher' style so you can people watch.

Notre Dame - nice, but lots of beggars. I preteneded not to speak english just to avoid the beggars.

I did not see any of the arrogance the French are famous for, however, I tried to speak a little French as needed. Seems as long as you make an effort, they are more accepting of you.

Watch out for 'light duty' criminals, i.e., pickpockets, purse snatchers, etc.

There is just too much to do. I grew up making frequent trips into NYC. . . Paris is a different thing, I liked it more. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Based on your post, it looks like you are travelling with someone. . . hopefull a spouse or romantic interest. . . Paris (as they say) is a most definitely a romantic city.

Enjoy! If you don't have a great time, there is no one to blame : )

Craig

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 14, 2015 at 09:21:57
Frihed89 Audiophile Posts: 15703 Location: Copenhagen Joined: March 21, 2005	Second the HHH. Lots of fun, all over the world.

Re: "Watch your wallet and tell your wife to keep nothing valuable in her purse"., posted on April 14, 2015 at 11:52:23

Robert Deutsch
Reviewer

Posts: 208
Joined: September 7, 2000

Never mind WATCHING your wallef. Carrying all valuables (credit cards, ID, money in excess of what you're likely to spend in one day) in a money belt, carried under your clothes, is MANDATORY. On our last trip to Europe (this was in Italy, but Paris is the same) a member of the group we were travelling with--a burly, tough-looking guy--kept his wallet in a front pocket of his jeans that was zippered, and he was still pickpocketed. With a money belt, no worries, so you're free to enjoy your time.

Assume you will return..., posted on April 14, 2015 at 13:20:22

briggs
Audiophile

Posts: 1674
Location: Connecticut
Joined: April 16, 2002

...and don't try to do too much, as there really are too many good things to do. If the weather is good, walk -- with some care for where you go and the hour. If you decide to go an unwalkable distance, use the Metro. Assume that every cab driver is a thief, especially the ones driving to- and from the airports.

Set a leisurely pace and stop frequently. If this will be your first time in Paris, I would just soak it in and enjoy the feeling of the place. That, to me, is what is really unique about Paris.

Re: "Watch your wallet and tell your wife to keep nothing valuable in her purse"., posted on April 14, 2015 at 20:51:39

Green Lantern
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I didn't have a money belt (I carried my wallet in my front pocket only on the subways).

When I travel I carry a fake wallet in my back pocket filled with fake pictures, a couple of invalid credit cards and about $20 in small bills in case I'm ever mugged.

I took a 'cab' once from the Cairo airport to my motel (about a 20 mile ride close to the pyramids), once we were close to my motel I noticed the cab driver looking a little unsettled and took a turn off the main road and down an alley which came to a dead end. Waiting were a few guys who had noticed us pull up and judging by their looks they knew this was essentially a shake down on another stupid tourist. The cabbie turns to me and says "tip", "tip". I looked him straight in his eyes and leaned forward and said (in Arabic -albeit a bit broken): "I'm in no mood for bullshit, get me to my room or I'm going to kick EVERYONE's ass here". His eyes got huge, he said 'yes sir' and started his engine and hauled ass outta there (true story).

I understood what was happening and I don't blame the guy, I mean let's face it, to them I was open ATM machine. In any event we made it to my hotel, I tipped the guy and just stared at him as he pulled off.

Re: "Watch your wallet and tell your wife to keep nothing valuable in her purse"., posted on April 15, 2015 at 08:02:00

Inmate51

Wow, interesting story! With the extreme poverty in which many of those people live, there's a lot of scamming and shenanigans like that going on, 'cause people are just trying to make some money, but they want to keep a low profile and don't want trouble. Your threat was obviously enough for them to wait for a more docile target.

Years ago, I was in Florence, Italy, at their huge outdoor market, with vendors selling all kinds of things. One stand had some really cool chess sets. For whatever reason, the kind I wanted he didn't have at the stand, but he said he had some in his warehouse, so he told to walk with him over to it. Well, we're walking down some street and then down another, and then into some desolate almost alley-like little street, and I'm starting to get the heebee-geebees. I was ready to bolt on a moment's notice. We stopped at a non-descript door which he unlocked and we went in. And what was waiting for me in there? All kinds of chess sets and other wares! Whew! I bought a nice metal set of men (no board) for a ridiculously low price of about $10 (this was back when the dollar was actually worth something). Then we walked back to the market.

:)

Re:i can give a good guess why you nearly got your green lantern torched...., posted on April 18, 2015 at 05:40:48
wangmr Audiophile Posts: 2410 Location: Downtown Joined: November 29, 2012	that is, robbed: the previous customer TIPPED like you did and that just encouraged the robber conduct. hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained. roger wang

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 18, 2015 at 12:11:20

farmdoc
Audiophile

Posts: 190
Location: No. California
Joined: December 8, 2002

Buttery, flakey, light croissants in the morning with Parisean coffee; stand at the bar to drink, it doubles the price to sit at a table. Grad a sandwich on a great baggette almost anywhere; lots of duck in shops along the streets; you won't regret it. Skip the crowds and visit Rodin's museum; the original "Thinker" sits in the garden. His Burghers of Calais is moving, emotional, once you know the story.
Splurge on a private guide for the first day or even half day; they add so much to the knowledge of first time visitors and can point you in the right direction(s) for the rest of your visit.
Try to pass 4/5's of the chocolate shops or else you will be docked by the airlines for excess weight.
Walk everywhere, and if you don't, take the Metro. Buy a pass and use it. Check tripadvisor for restaurant suggestions and try to not to eat within two blocks of a major museum or attraction. Never eat at restaurants with the menu in 4 languages outside, if you want a native experience. The civil French, they take their dogs in the restaurants with them and park the baby outside in the pram. (Frequent Visitor)

RE: What to do in Paris ?, posted on April 19, 2015 at 12:50:10

mcbuddah
Audiophile

Posts: 384
Location: Wisconsin
Joined: June 8, 2012

1) Practice currency conversion or set up an app on your phone so you always know in your home currency what the price is before buying anything! I had a shopkeeper on the Rive Gauche try to sell me a 24 print roll of 35 mm Kodak film for $60 (USD) that was priced on a card in the window for the equivalence of around $7.50. When I explained that to him in French, he got mad enough to pull the card out of the window and cross out the regular price and write in the "special price for Americans" with a Sharpie.

2) Equip for the Trip. If you are going to take a tour or even just walk around, consider carrying a supply of your favorite beverages in a backpack. With a can of "La Biere" going for $8-$10, 4 or 5 euros for a half-cup of vending machine coffee, and $10.00 bottles of coke at the Louvre, combined with the near total lack of sanitary free water fountains, even a 6-figure income won't be enough to keep you hydrated unless you are also on an expense account.

3) Beware the buffet tables set up in the hotels, especially in the mornings. Besides being overpriced, the food is allowed to sit out for hours and hours without any temperature-testing that happens at most American self-serve restaurants.

4) Never make friends with anyone who approaches you first on the streets! The city is filled with cons and thieves and even the police will "arrest" you until you can redeem yourself with a watch or cash donation on the way to the police station. This happens several times a day in the station at the end of the "Chunnel".

5) If you want to have fun with less worry, get out of Paris and go to nearly any of the small villages at least 30 miles outside the city. Most of the people who live in the French countryside are friendly and honest and actually seem to enjoy visitors.
Everything is going to the dogs

GL that just brought a smile to my face!, posted on April 20, 2015 at 11:38:54

430cruz
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Posts: 253
Location: S. E. Pennsylvania
Joined: March 13, 2009

Our second vacation as Newley Weds was to Jamaica back in the mid 90's. The bus ride to Negril was rather longish and they announced a mid point stop for bathroom break and drinks. We pulled into a small off road area with a few shacks and tables for the fleecing of the tourists. Let the harassment begin as soon as we step off the bus. I warned my wife to keep her bag close and that we are not buying anything here, I know my way around this island and will take you to the nice places with the nice islanders. These two guys kept bothering us trying to drag us around and buy some crap for good money. I politely told them "no thank you" several times but this was to be a 30 min stop and they were not happy with my negativity to purchasing. About 10 minutes in one guy puts a scarf over my wife's shoulders and says "so crisp mon, you look crisp in this" as I see the other guy lean towards my wife and reach into her bag. That group of hucksters never saw a wrist lock turned arm bar before. That dude released her purse and yelped like a lamb in a bear trap. Every passenger on our bus saw it go down so needless to say we were back on the road to Negril in minutes. :)

Wife says "What the F... was that move you did back there?" I laughed and said "I told you to watch your bag but you made me watch it instead, so next time listen to me!"
I still laugh about it to this day but she looks petrified when we are traveling now and I say "watch your bag."

General Asylum

What to do in Paris ?

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