Going to France - Need Advice

I know this is the football board, but since there are a lot of European posters here, I would love to get a little advice, so hopefully the mods won't close this.

I will be leaving for Paris for 3 weeks on Saturday. I'll basically be studying French (I've studied for 6 years in the States) and taking in some culture. Of course I'm very much hoping that France make it to the WC Final so that I could have the experience of being in Paris when they play.

The main purpose of this thread is to get any kind of advice I can (both serious and humorous advice is welcomed). I'm 18 and going to Europe for the first time, so there are many things that I don't know. Any advice from dress code (are jeans/khaki shorts and a t-shirt alright?) to what to do with my passport is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I know this is the football board, but since there are a lot of European posters here, I would love to get a little advice, so hopefully the mods won't close this.

I will be leaving for Paris for 3 weeks on Saturday. I'll basically be studying French (I've studied for 6 years in the States) and taking in some culture. Of course I'm very much hoping that France make it to the WC Final so that I could have the experience of being in Paris when they play.

The main purpose of this thread is to get any kind of advice I can (both serious and humorous advice is welcomed). I'm 18 and going to Europe for the first time, so there are many things that I don't know. Any advice from dress code (are jeans/khaki shorts and a t-shirt alright?) to what to do with my passport is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.



Careful on the metro, my mom got her camera stolen last summer, and shes a pretty savvy traveller. More importantly, don't eat at american chain restaurants while in Paris, the local cusine is the best food in the world. If you are going to have a kitchen where you're living, check out the delis, boulangeries and patisseries. Its fun making several stops to pick out what you want.


You're really lucky to be going to Paris, its one of my favorite cities and so so beautiful. If you get the chance, post some of your pictures, i'm sure the city hasn't changed in the 8 years since i've been, but i'd like to reminesce about my time there.

One very touristy thing is a night-time tour on the Seine. Very beautiful.

It's been twelve years since I went last - would like to not have to wait too long for it to happen again.

Two quick pieces of advice:

1 Tell everyone you're Canadian. :(

2 Don't waste a minute of your time. Don't waste time studying (just get done what you have to) and don't sit around your room hanging out. Get out and see as much of the city as you can. I've been to Europe a few times and I still remember how in college some people in my group just stayed in their rooms in London. I got a weekly Tube pass and went out every day to see something, even if it was just going for a walk in a new neighborhood. Just don't take this time for granted.

If you have any precise question, let me know...

Hey welcome in France! :)

Paris is a beautiful city with a lot of things to see. Don't forget this town is very, very old... more than 2200 years!

For you American, I hope you won't have any problem. USA are not well considered in France (or more, GW Bush) but if you try to speak French, I think you'll be more welcome even if it's not fluid. Everybody will appreciate your effort I think. Smile, don't speak loudly, be humble... and no chewing gum! ;)

Anyway, there are a lot of "classics".
The Eiffel tower and the Champs Elysées are of course the most touristic points, with the Arc de Triomphe also in a good spot. Eiffel tower is a big metallic construction, not a big deal but the interest is the point of view on the whole city.

Montmartre is very interesting, with small streets and a lot of painters. The Sacre Coeur is beautiful. But be careful with the streets near this part of the city, it's not always as funny as "Amelie from Montmartre"!

I like a lot the "Saint Michel" part of the city. It's near the Sorbonne and the Pantheon. You have a lot of book sellers and fountains, it's the "intellectual" part of Paris. The old Sainte Genevieve abbey will make you understand the old city.

For museums, the Louvres is of course a major attraction but there's a lot of people and I don't know if one day is enough to visit the whole thing. Orsay museum is also a huge thing, majorly painting from 19th century.
Place Vendôme is a funny part, very classy, rich houses and jewelry.

Most of the city is from the 19th century (1850-70), where all the big avenues were constructed under Haussman baron. The more recent parts include Montparnasse (tower and railroad station), and Defense (biggest societies, a kind of Wall Street but it's a little far away from the center). The Great Library (François Mitterand, former president) and Bercy are more modern as well. The latest museum was created recently near the Eiffel Tower for the primitive arts, I don't know what it's worth. The Marine museum is also very intriguing. Anyway, it's all big towers and it's look like USA so it won't surprise you... ;)

I worked 2 months in the Invalides and the Army museum, don't go, it's a waste of time. You can appreciate it from long range, it's beautiful to see but the interior is poor... and expensive.

Finally, go to one of the oldest part of the city: Notre Dame, the cathedral is really beautiful and impressive.

Here's the biggest touristic parts. But you also have a lot of less known things to see.
This website (sorry, in French) on other valuable parts of the city:
http://www.road75.com/mcq.htm
And this one:
http://www.linternaute.com/sortir/escap/regionparis/paris/balade/paris-balade.shtml

So enjoy! If I was on Paris I would have helped you live, but I'm going to work (I'm living near Tours and the Loire's castles). :(

BTW, don't forget sunday 23rd of july the whole city will be closed for the last stage of the "Tour de France", the cycling race. It's fun to see with a lot of people in the streets... July 14th will be Bastille day with the biggest avenues closed for the army parade and fireworks on the Eiffel tower the night. :)

Think in English before you speak French. It helped me a lot when I was in France. This might be obvious, since you are native speaker.;)

I went to the US with six years of experience in English and I did fine. My flight was cancelled and I was still able to reach my destination. :yo:

You'll be better off, than me, as I went to France with a three year gap between my last French class (four years in total.) Just like you I was planning to study French. BTW In eight days I managed what gave my headaches in school, French grammar.:D

Just like in US a problem surfaced. I wanted to withdraw money from the ATM, but it didn't work so I went into the bank to tell them about it, in English. Shockingly, I thougth that English was the language of the business world, they spoke no English. Had to formulate my problem in French and I was successfull in doing that plus I understand what they said back.:D

If you order meat at restaurant, ask for it well done/nuked unless you like it swimming in blood.

Dont expect them to speak English, even if youre struggling on French.

Say youre Canadian, not American and dont wear anything that identifies you as an American.

Come on people, americans aren't shot in the streets... :shakehead

And don't worry, pretty much everyone speaks english.

I was actually curious about the whole Canadian thing. I've thought about trying it, but I'm not sure how much I dress like an American. I don't wear any American designer labels, but I'm not sure how clever these French are. :D

Thanks for all the advice so far, I really appreciate it.

Well, I don't think there's a lot of people who speak excellent english/american... less than in other Europeans countries as France is by far the less talented for foreign languages.
But you're going to have less problems in Paris though, it's so touristic that most of people can at least understand you a little bit... :)

Well, I don't think there's a lot of people who speak excellent english/american... less than in other Europeans countries as France is by far the less talented for foreign languages.
But you're going to have less problems in Paris though, it's so touristic that most of people can at least understand you a little bit... :)

I do speak pretty good French, I speak like a foreigner of course, but I can speak and understand, so I'm not too worried about the language barrier.