Paris: Lom's Top Tips
By Lom
March 29 2005
Continuing our series of articles in the build-up to the Heineken Cup quarter-final in Paris, Lom has drawn up a list based on her previous experiences in France that may be of use to both regular travellers and newcomers alike.
Just a few points, and they may be stating the obvious to many of you, but here goes.
E111 forms - if you’re going to fall ill or be injured whilst in France, many people incorrectly believe travel insurance acts as a substitute for the E111 form, and that it will be sufficient to receive the free treatment they need. They’re wrong, as everyone needs both. Anyone travelling without a form would, if they need treatment, have to pay for it upfront, and then claim the money back later. You’ll also need to make sure that you have a valid form, as any obtained before 19 August 2004 are no longer valid. E111 forms can be obtained from most post offices, or downloaded over the net from here:-
http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAdviceForTravellers/TreatmentAbroadHealthCareWithInTheEEA/InsideTheEAAArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4053734&chk=OrP3lf
The Metro - be aware of the end station on the metro line you are using in the direction you are intending to travel, as it helps you to go the right way at the stations, as sometimes there are totally different tunnels to get to the right platform. A large number of the tunnels on the metro system are very long, especially when you're changing lines, and there can be a lot of steps. So, especially if you have trouble getting around, remember to allow yourself plenty of time to get to where you want to be.
The seats near the doors are meant to be given up to the handicapped, elderly, and war wounded, so if you don’t want someone moaning at you in French, give up your seat if at all possible. The flip down seats near carriage doors are also not to be used when the train is crowded. Beware of strolling musicians/beggars in the metro carriages - whilst their music may be entertaining, try and avoid eye contact as they WILL expect some sort of financial reward - and of course some may be decoys!
The train from the airport - keep an eye on your luggage, as there are some people who hoik cases left by the doors just as the train is ready to depart from some suburban stations on the way to/from the centre of Paris.
Paris generally - beware of pickpockets, not just whilst travelling around, but whilst sitting and relaxing in cafes and restaurants as well. Some of the Northampton supporters in Toulouse had coats, wallets and shirts stolen whilst in bars back in December, so as a general rule of thumb, if you don’t think you’ll need it, don’t take it.
When arriving at your hotel, make sure you work out where your fire exit and escape routes are. It isn’t much fun, as we found out in Perpignan, to be woken up by the fire alarm at 4.45 on a Sunday morning and have to try and work out where you should be going - though pulling on trousers, a top and boots sped us up. If you have to evacuate your room, make sure you take your money and passport with you, just in case! Also, don’t leave your windows open whilst not in your room - you may be on a high-ish floor, but others know the hotel better than you. In the older hotels, the old-fashioned window catches may let you keep the window a little ajar whlst sleeping without risking the room security.
Take comfortable shoes for walking round in - most of the are surrounding the Parc des Princes is cobbled, as are a lot of Paris’ streets, and when the cobbles get wet, they are slippery. Also, keep an eye out for dogs' mess. Parisians love their dogs and take them for walks near their apartments where they leave little (sometimes lurid orange!) presents for the unwary.
Not all French ATMs take all UK-issued credit and debit cards, especially at Charles de Gaulle airport. My colleague Mark (Mark H’s note - not me!) was in Paris a week or so ago for a meeting, and ended up queuing for a long time at a ticket office window to pay by card as the ticket machines for the journey into Paris only took coins, not notes.
Don’t forget your passport when you go out - it’s not only good practice to have it with you (you know where it is then), but some stores (and the Virgin Megastore on the Champs Elysees is one) ask for photographic backup when paying by card. Also when paying by card, make sure that if you can see it get swiped - going back to Toulouse, quite a few Northampton supporters (Mark H’s note - me included, to the tune of £1500) found that when they got home “extra” money had been removed from their account. Yes, it’s not just in this country where a card can be cloned. If you can avoid paying by card, it may be more secure than you think.
Back on the pickpockets again, don’t flash your money around, just as you wouldn’t in this country - if you don’t tempt them, then they will leave you alone.
Beer - drinks in France are mostly served in half pint glasses, but expect to pay between €4-€7 for what in effect will be a pint. Most of the beers tend to be of the fizzy lager type (as I’m sure most drinkers know and specials like Guinness are more expensive), and everyone will find their own favourite. The Observer produced an excellent article two or three weeks back though that has a number of tips for French cafes, bars and restaurants:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/travel/story/0,6903,1396331,00.html
Key words you may need - it’d be impossible to list everything here, but some of the more (un)usual ones you may see and not necessarily know/find in a phrasebook are:-
Une greve - a strike
Annuler - to cancel
Retarder - to delay
Compostez votre billet - punch your ticket (using one of the little pillar machines, often orange, near entrances to station platforms).
Swapsies - past experience of games in France is that the home supporters are very keen on trying to get you to swap shirts, badges, scarves, hats…in fact anything they can get their hands on. If you don’t want to swap, just be polite and refuse. Be prepared to have to persist in refusing as some people are very keen.
My top tip - try and speak in French, however bad it may be. You’d be amazed at how much better the service gets, and how, when people realise that you’re British, most people will try and speak back to you in English.
And above all, enjoy the entire weekend!