Traveling to Paris

Hi all, I already posted this thread in the International forum, but this forum seems to get ALL the traffic so I'm putting it here, too. Sorry for the duplication; hope it's not a problem.

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I'm going to Paris on business in a couple weeks. I think most likely I will have one day (Saturday, April 21st) for personal time, and there's a part of me that really, really wants to go check out Font for the day. And not just because the bouldering looks awesome; the forest itself seems like a great attraction that could be worth a day trip even if I didn't want to boulder.

However, another part of me (the non-climber part) wants to just do kind of touristy things in Paris for the day. I've never been to Paris, so obviously it seems like on my first trip to Paris I should, well, see Paris, not Font. But then again, I don't think this will be my ONLY trip to Paris ever, and I've never been the type to enjoy cramming trying to "see the city" into a single day. So maybe my exploration of Paris is better suited for a longer vacation where I can devote proper time to really see the city. So maybe going to Font for the day isn't such a bad idea.

Two things:

1) What are people's thoughts on the above logic?

2) Are there any MPers that are Paris or Font locals and would want to show me around for the day? I suppose one thing that makes me much more hesitant to go to Font is that I'd be alone with no car. Bouldering's always more fun with more people IMO, so if I could find someone else to go with that would be ideal.

Do touristy things Dan. You can boulder around for the rest of your life, but you'll hard pressed to have another trip to Paris. I know from experience.

Fontainebleau is a beautiful place ( I didn't boulder there, but visited), but I wouldn't dare leave Paris without exploring the Louvre . It's houses one the most amazing collections of art, and artifacts I've ever seen. I spent a full day at the Louvre, but could easily have spent another day, or two there. A picture (or a painting) really does speak ten thousand words.

You might be able to stretch your trip a day or two on either side for a little more personal time in Paris, then do both.

Another vote for Paris. Plus doing Font as a day trip without a car is going to be tough. The train ride (assuming that is what you'd do) is on;y about an hour, but that only gets you to town. most of the Forest - especially the good parts - are still a ways away.

GO TO THE CATACOMBS- that place was freaking awesome!

Catacombs

Sainte-Chapelle was pretty cool too.

Sainte-Chapelle

Also, make sure you try the Macarons- they are life affirming.
Fucking gooooood.

People watching is great in the Catacombs. I'll never forget seeing a girl freak out, and cry hysterically when drops of condensation dripped onto her head, and face (and everyone elses) as we walked the passageways through the stacks of bones, and skulls. Her boyfriend had to quickly escort her out, as she was about to pass out. Maybe she thought the place was haunted, and the drops were tears from the dead folks...who knows? And on my way out, the staff/guards caught two people trying to sneak out a skull, and a femur- crazy! Cool place to visit, though.

Weather great? Go to Font.

Crappy: see the City.

No car? I dimly recall there's reasonable public transport that works.

I dunno, only been rushed through CDG. But...I have the guidebook to Font. If the weather was good, I'd go to Font.

Are you going on the front or back end of your trip? Jet lagged? Hmmm. Not sure I'd care to try to figure out public transport, hike, try to climb, if I didn't at least get a few hours of sleep on the plane.

If you're fit, climbing fit, go to Font. You can see the city when you're beat up and not in climbing shape...(!).

You might try a shout out on the UK climber forum. They're a tad closer and you might find partnerage on that site too.

Take a walk! Start at the Pompidou Center and walk along the Champs Elysees toward to Arc de Triomphe. Take your time, stop at a cafe, do some people watching. I was in your shoes a few years ago (one day to kill in Paris during a business trip), and this is what I did. It was one of the better travel experiences I have had on business trip. Paris is amazing!

Have a great trip!

Edit to add - I have always had great experiences interacting with the French. All the BS about the French being assholes is way overblown. Just be cool to them and they will be cool to you.

Don't forget the second best art Museum in Paris, the Muse'e D'Orsay which also has an impressive collection of paintings and art starting with the Realists. Lots of Monet, Manet, Millet, etc.

another vote for hanging in paris.
there is so much to see and do, you definitely won't feel like you missed out on anything.
if you aren't feeling museum-y, hit the latin quarter, st michelle or monmarte and walk around tiny cobblestone streets checking out shops and cafes.
visit notre dame, the wait in line to climb to the top is worth it.
whatever you do you'll have no regrets.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Seems like a pretty overwhelming vote for checking out Paris, which I have admit doesn't surprise me. My travel plans just got a little bit firmer - it looks like I'll get into CDG at 11am on Saturday, so trying to stretch a day in at Font isn't realistic. But then I think I'll have all of Sunday to myself as well, but now I think I'm more excited to see the city than to climb anyway.

NC Rock Climber, that sounds like a nice walk. And I definitely agree about the French. Plus I can speak a little bit, and I've always found that people really appreciate a tourist to at least make the effort to speak the native tongue, even if it's a total hack job.

Nathan, I definitely want to check out Musee D'Orsay - lots of Cezanne, right? Love me some Cezanne.

Roger, thanks for the suggestions. I think I may check out the Latin Quarter or Monmartre on my first day.

Check out the Jew Quarter in the Maris - for the BEST EVER falafel you will ever eat.. cheap too.. 5 Euro sets you up! Don't miss it, great people watching as well late at night...

Agree with the previous posters, the French aren't as bad as others might say - I only had good experiences with the locals in France. One thing I heard from a Paris local's point of view of Americans, is that we're loud, and obnoxious. Go figure... Just a head's up; it helps to give up your seat on the Metro to the local with a small child, and the little old lady carrying three bags of groceries- But that's just common sense for most people, right? ; ) I have seen many an American tourist that didn't.

+1 for exploring Montmartre

My family is French and I have spent months in Paris visiting my grandmother. I have also been to Font to boulder.

Font is cool and all, but Paris is one of the most amazing cities in the world. The architecture, the food, the history, the art. It is an amazing place that is trully unique in the world. Missing that to go bouldering would be a shame.

The historic and cultural sites in Paris are fairly close to each other. I highly recommend walking from place to place. Usually you have a mile or two between destinations. The walks will take you through the smaller streets and alleys, which are incredibly beautiful in Paris. If I had one day in Paris, I would get out the door at dawn and have a good croisant and espresso, and then explore the city until nightfall. Take a good map with you and walk the city. Take advantage of your time.

The French do understandably expect people to try and speak their language when they visit France. Making an effort with a few poorly prounced words is polite when going abroad and shows that you are making an effort and is important.

Eric D wrote:The French do understandably expect people to try and speak their language when they visit France.

You are correct, a few basic words will get you further down the road! I think most people get the feeling that the French are giving them a hard time because Americans aren't used to European service, i.e. you are not going to have a waiter coming to the table every 5 minutes to check on you at the cafe, and you might as well forget about que's at the counter. I lived in Italy for 6 years, whole'nother set of great people, yet different customs!

Went with my wife when she was 6 months preggo, people were bending over backwards to give her a seat on the train- not seeing to much of that in the states these days.

There is the most amazing climbing shop, well it is a collection of shops, A Vieux Campeur (the old camper) in the Latin quarter, 48 rue des Ecoles. If you are a climbing gear junkie it is a not miss.

Also, since you do have such a short time, skip the museums. Sorry Gigette!

I found Spanish to be a good "middle ground" language.

So at the crag yesterday I ran into a couple French folks and an American that lived in Paris for a 10 years, and they all urged - practically begged - me to go to Font. Have to say, it got me super psyched to see Font. I'm so torn. I still think I'm prioritizing the city sights, but I might bring my shoes along just in case.

Again, thanks for the suggestions all. I think I'm going to stay here , and as per what many people have told, my plan is to wake up early, mange une baguette and amble around the city until I can wander no more. I can't wait.

PS - one of the French climbers that I bumped into was quite a young fellow who has sent some very, very hard sport climbs, and who, after not really participating in our discussion about Font and Paris, did exactly that!