Hangin with the Frenchies

[stknrdr]

Gonna be stuck for a week at CDG and will be free to roam. Any place in particular to see in France? It will be my first time there with "time there".
Which of the Marriot properties is the best?
Thanks in advance
rdr

 

[Ravendriver]

Stk, the French in Paris are very rude and aloof. With a week off I highly recommend renting a car, or take the train, and head west to Normandy and see the historical venues, i.e. WWII museums, the American WWII Cemetery, etc.

You can also take the train to London - it is very fast.

You could also head to the French Riviera but the French are rude there also. They seem to be regular folks the further from the big cities you get.

You could also head north to Belgium on the train or by rental car.

 

[2000flyer]

While I agree the french can be rude, that is not always the case. I just spent 10 days in Dijon and had a wonderful trip. Friendly folks and great wine in the Burgundy district. The farther you get from large cities the more french you'll need to know. The Riviera is fantastic, especially Nice. Large tourist draw and most shop owners and employees speak decent english.

If you go to France with the attitude "they're rude" I guarantee they will be. Always offer a bonjour or bonsoir. Say merci when they try to help. Go in with a "screw you" attitude and they will screw you!

One thing I've learned in my travels is try to learn a few basic words. Good morning/evening, thank you, etc. The effort usually pays off.

Back to your question. Paris is full of attractions. The Eiffel tower, Notre Dame, Moulin Rouge, the Louvre, Champs Elysees. Take a comfy pair of sneakers and grab a couple bottles of water and you kill a day in a heart beat.

2000Flyer

 

[Lollie]

Frenchies

Stk, the French in Paris are very rude and aloof. With a week off I highly recommend renting a car, or take the train, and head west to Normandy and see the historical venues, i.e. WWII museums, the American WWII Cemetery, etc.

You can also take the train to London - it is very fast.

You could also head to the French Riviera but the French are rude there also. They seem to be regular folks the further from the big cities you get.

You could also head north to Belgium on the train or by rental car.

I've found they are actually very insecure about their English so they won't use it unless you speak to them in English first(this includes waiters:ask for the English menue it's to much easier to communicate.), kind of forcing them.

 

[Lollie]

Rude/aloof

Stk, the French in Paris are very rude and aloof. With a week off I highly recommend renting a car, or take the train, and head west to Normandy and see the historical venues, i.e. WWII museums, the American WWII Cemetery, etc.

You can also take the train to London - it is very fast.

You could also head to the French Riviera but the French are rude there also. They seem to be regular folks the further from the big cities you get.

You could also head north to Belgium on the train or by rental car.

I hate to say it, it's just the way they were raised! You have to look past it, they're not trying to belittle you-I think.

 

[Lollie]

Strange French ways....

They vacuum their bare kitchen floors, has anyone got another?

 

[G21Agoose]

I agree totally with 2000flyer- as usual the people who actually know offer the balanced replies.
Paris is one of the greatest cities in the world and if you don't know it there is more than enough to discover over a year, let alone a week. There is a Marriott at CDG but stay in the one on the Champs Elysées and you have a great base from which to explore. What to see? Well Paris has everything depending on your tastes. PM me if you want specific info. Lastly, if you don't speak French at least make an effort and people will be helpful and charming- just as when I'm in Miami I make an effort to speak Spanish.......

 

[Snakum]

Stk, the French in Paris are very rude and aloof.

I disagree.

They will, however, drive you nuts talking about the President and how horrible you are for voting for him, no matter how many times you scream "But I didn't vote for that madman!"

I just tell 'em I'm from Winnepeg.

 

[Lollie]

The Pres...

I disagree.

They will, however, drive you nuts talking about the President and how horrible you are for voting for him, no matter how many times you scream "But I didn't vote for that madman!"

I just tell 'em I'm from Winnepeg.

We have a president, I though it was all anarchy!

 

[stknrdr]

Thanks a ton

I was wondering which Marriot would get me the closest to the good stuff. I'll be hoofing it or riding the rail ( I don't need the kind of thrills renting a car provides--the thought brings to mind that movie with Matt Damon).

So is their a train to Normandy or down to Bordeaux? Done Brussels and London quite a bit. Definitely the Louve and Champs...
If I could hop a train out to a locale what would be the best bet for a day or two?

I really appreciate all the experience and info.
Rdr

 

[Spooky 2]

Stk, the French in Paris are very rude and aloof. With a week off I highly recommend renting a car, or take the train, and head west to Normandy and see the historical venues, i.e. WWII museums, the American WWII Cemetery, etc.

You can also take the train to London - it is very fast.

You could also head to the French Riviera but the French are rude there also. They seem to be regular folks the further from the big cities you get.

You could also head north to Belgium on the train or by rental car.

I would generally disagree. The French people I have met in the South of France and Nice in particular have generally been pretty nice and in a few cases, exceptionally nice. Don't go over with an attitude and you might be suprised just how good this group can be.

 

[2000flyer]

I was wondering which Marriot would get me the closest to the good stuff. I'll be hoofing it or riding the rail ( I don't need the kind of thrills renting a car provides--the thought brings to mind that movie with Matt Damon).

So is their a train to Normandy or down to Bordeaux? Done Brussels and London quite a bit. Definitely the Louve and Champs...
If I could hop a train out to a locale what would be the best bet for a day or two?

I really appreciate all the experience and info.
Rdr

The train from Dijon to Paris was about a 90 minute ride for our pax. Cost was about US$90 if memory serves. The French rail system is called TGV. Here is their website for schedules and prices.

http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/tgv/index.htm?WT.mc_id=Google_tgv_schedules&WT.srch=1

Have a great trip! You won't be disappointed.

 

[AA717driver]

2000 is right on the money. New Yorkers are rude, too. It's a big city thing--they don't have time for yokels who expect everyone to kowtow to them. Act like you're a guest in their country and they will open up to you.

If they say they don't like Bush, tell them you don't like Chirac. End of discussion.

The Marriott on the Champs is horribly expensive--$600 a night or more. Try the Renaissance at La Defense--$250 a night.

Take a tour to Versailles AND Chartres. I believe Chartres is the most impressive cathedral in France. Notre Dame is way overrated. Rent a car and drive to Chantilly. Home of a cool chateau and the former royal stables. Neat main street with lots of shops.

Can't wait to go back.TC

 

[CWGrizwald]

Good Guide book

Lived in Europe for 10 years, never had a problem with the French. Learn some basic polite words and you'll do fine, behave like the "ugly American" and you won't. Guide books can help, but you'll look like a dork walking around with you face in a huge Fodors guide. I've had great luck with the Rick Steves series of books. I rip out the section I need so It will fit in my pocket.
http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog&parent_id=10

Have fun!

 

[G4G5]

2000 is right on the money. New Yorkers are rude, too.

That's a bunch of BS A-Hole, who the F do you think you are stereotyping New Yorkers like that?

Then to group us in with those crepe eating beret wearing pu$$ies. You got some pair, you backward as no good cheese loving, surrender monkey.

With that being said most New Yorkers love people like you, TC.

 

[AA717driver]

And that's exactly why I like New Yorkers. You always know where you stand with them. TC

 

[G21Agoose]

The TGV from Paris to Aix-en-Provence takes three hours and Aix is well worth it. A wonderful place, Aix is a university town which is sophisticated as well as fun. Normandy, while beautiful and interesting is still cold and a little bleak this time of the year.

New York (coming from an ex-Upper West Sider) is full of rude people- just one less since I left.

 

[rice]

2000 is right on the money. New Yorkers are rude, too.

That's a bunch of BS A-Hole, who the F do you think you are stereotyping New Yorkers like that?

Then to group us in with those crepe eating beret wearing pu$$ies. You got some pair, you backward as no good cheese loving, surrender monkey.

With that being said most New Yorkers love people like you, TC.

Damn, G4G5 beat me to it!!!!!!! (crossing the pond last night/today)
But if I had been the first to respond then I would have ripped you a new one just on principle. So much for buying you an F'ing beer next time your in town
:uzi: :beer: . JK
I'll be in Annecy,FR next week so I'll let you know how the country folk react to this rude NY'er.
PS. TC, Any word on TEB thing??????

 

[Snakum]

I had no idea there were so many expat FI'ers frequenting Stinkyland. Next trip, I'll post so we can get together in Paris and bash the US President and every Spanish painter since Goya.

Remember ... we're from Winnipeg, ok?

 

[G21Agoose]

I had no idea there were so many expat FI'ers frequenting Stinkyland. Next trip, I'll post so we can get together in Paris and bash the US President and every Spanish painter since Goya.

Remember ... we're from Winnipeg, ok?

I only ever come on here for a bit of Spanish Rococo and Romance.

 

[Lollie]

Quiberon is very nice, they have a casino right on the beach. It's a penninsula.

 

[Diesel]

I've spent a lot of time in france especially paris.

I highly recomend taking the train out to Reims and touring the Champagne houses. Don't drive because you end up drinking out there but it is really amazing.

You can do the rest of the tourist stuff but don't forget versails but the line will be really long in the summer.

PS I think that NYorkers and Bostonians are ruder than the French. Just try and speak their language even if its just thank you and sorry.

Also when you need to ask a question start off with this, "I'm sorry i don't speak french but do you speak english?"

And try not to be the typical american.

 

[g4800xp]

After 40 or 50 trips to France, I have never had a problem, Paris, South of Frace, or out in the country. You will only be treated like an ugly American if you act like one.

 

[Ravendriver]

Enjoy your trip.

 

[AA717driver]

Snakum--I'll be at Leon's de Bruxelles on the Champs at around 1900 on the 12th. Now that I think about it, I'll be at The Chesterfield (take a left at the Virgin Megastore on the Champs) at around 1730 for happy hour.

Be there or be square. I can PM you when I get in. We'll be staying at the La Defense Rennaissance.

Rice--I'll check on the TEB thing.TC

 

[rice]

Snakum--I'll be at Leon's de Bruxelles on the Champs at around 1900 on the 12th. Now that I think about it, I'll be at The Chesterfield (take a left at the Virgin Megastore on the Champs) at around 1730 for happy hour.

Be there or be square. I can PM you when I get in. We'll be staying at the La Defense Rennaissance.

Rice--I'll check on the TEB thing.TC

Thanks TC, you are the man, regardless of what G4G5 says!!!!
Are you hopping the pond on the 11th? If so I'll wave to you on my way home.

 

[AA717driver]

Are you hopping the pond on the 11th? If so I'll wave to you on my way home.

rice--Yeah, but you'll be snug in bed by the time we break ground... TC

 

[PRentz15]

train to bordeaux

So is their a train to Normandy or down to Bordeaux? Done Brussels and London quite a bit. Definitely the Louve and Champs...
If I could hop a train out to a locale what would be the best bet for a day or two?

Rdr

Yes you can take a train from Paris to Bayeux (Normandy). From there you can hire a taxi, or catch a bus tour to several of the Normandy sites. It would be best to set up a tour or taxi ahead of time. The train station there is pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and finding an english speaking taxi driver to give you a tour can take awhile if you don't call ahead.

Definitely a good day trip from Paris. It is a 2 hour train ride from Paris. Plan on spending at least 4 hours out there.

 

[hawkerflyer]

:uzi: :beer: . JK
I'll be in Annecy,FR next week

I lived in Annecy for nearly 10 years. If you're into water sports in a beautiful lake and mountain region, you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere nicer. This is definitely the time to go. As far as the locals go, they will be as accomodating as can be. If you're into hiking and mountain biking, there's a ski-resort not 45 minutes away in La Clusaz with some amazing trails and scenery. If you're into the city life, Geneva is less than an hour away. In any case, give the people a chance to show you how nice they can be. If you go with an open mind, you may be surprised.