hi all,
just a couple of outstanding questions i have regarding paris before i leave. thank you all in advance for helping me prep for this trip (first timer) to paris!!!
[1] museum pass -- are there any specific sign (in french/english) that directs you to bypass the line if you have the museum pass. ie: one line for people waiting to purchase entrance ticket and another for ppl that already have tickets and are waiting to security check?
[2] museum age -- i am under 26 and understand that i will get a discount for most of museums, however my bf is over 26. are we able to wait on the same line? also, do i have to show my passport (or would a nyc state id be sufficient) to prove my age?
[3] 100 euros -- we exchanged a couple of hundred us dollars for euros at the bank. without realizing it at that time that 100 euro bill might not be widely accepted in bistro and smaller local bakery, cheese stores, etc. is this true? should i re-exchange it to smaller bills? and, are 50 euro bill sufficient?
[4] Bateaus les vedettes du pont-neuf seine cruise -- i understand you can board near the eiffel tour. i have the coupon that is valid for a one hour guide...how long does the guide tour last in general? more then an hour? does it just continuously circle around the seine river and how would i know my hour is up?
also, does the tour ends where it starts? i am planning on boarding around sunset, so by the time it ends it will probably be dark and im afraid if it doesnt end where it starts -- that we will end up getting lost in the dark.
[5] HSBC atms ...are there any in paris, if so, where are they located and are they usually functioning. [i attempted to look this up in the hsbc site and couldnt input the information correctly since it was in french]
[6] food %26amp; drinks in museums/monuments -- in ny, food and drinks are never allowed in the museums and monuments sites. i wonder if the same is for paris. since i am planning on picnicing at some of the major sites after the visit. ie: versailles
[7] Ordering cheese at a cheese store -- how do ppl order cheese in general? by lbs/ounces, etc? if i want just a small portion for two people to eat with bread..how much cheese do you suggest i order?
apologies for the meticulous questions but since the departure date to paris is coming soon ...im getting a little antsy.
thanks again.
- sillybutt :)
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I can%26#39;t answer all of these (I%26#39;m sure others will chime in), but:
I think there are signs at most museums. About age, do a search on this forum because I know I%26#39;ve seen that one before (I%26#39;m WAY past the point when that is relevant for me!).
For exchanging your 100 euro note, I would not try to use in a very small shop unless you%26#39;re buying something that%26#39;s at least half that amount, IF it%26#39;s early in the day. Later in the day may not matter but you don%26#39;t want to clean out all their change. But don%26#39;t go back to your bank, as they likely will charge you again. Just hit an ATM at CDG to get less than 100 (it will come in 10s and 20s).
HSBC is everywhere (I%26#39;m sure I%26#39;ve seen on bd St Germain). Try the Pages Jaune (again, there are links in posts if you search for those words).
I don%26#39;t think you can take food/drink into museum/monument buildings, but I would not think the grounds would be a problem (may depend on which one, however).
Order your cheese by grams. Two hundred grams (a little under half pound) is my universal cheese order (unless I only want a little, then it%26#39;s 100 grams). %26quot;Deux cents grams%26quot; is all you need to say (or %26quot;cent grams%26quot;). For two people with some bread, 100 grams should do it.
Have a great time!
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thanks berkley traveler!
in regards to the 100 euro situation. i can safely assume that i can utilized large bills for museum admission tickets, right?
thanks again!
- sillybutt
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Using a 100 bill at a museum would not be a problem if it%26#39;s one of the large ones, but again, not if you%26#39;re the first person in line. If there are 50 people ahead of you, however, most of them probably are paying cash so the cashier shouldn%26#39;t give you a hard time. (If he/she does, despite obviously having taken in enough change to accept your bill, you can do the %26quot;French%26quot; thing and just shrug and stand there looking helpless until they give up and give you the change!). The only place I%26#39;ve run into issues was buying a carnet of tickets for the metro (clerk was annoyed even at being given a 20, and wanted the small change to round it up so she could give me just one bill -- once when that happened I was able to figure out what the issue was, but the first time I had nothing smaller so she had to give in.)
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Each Museum%26#39;s offical website shows where to enter for the pass.
You may also ask the attendent and they will direct you no signs as I recall.. ( Most speak English.)
If your friend has a pass she will have to wait with you in the main line for your free ticket... you may show your passport or picture DL with age on it or such ID.
We never had a problem with 100 euros....but most of the ATM machines give smaller denoinations. Most gift shops in museums and museums ticket seller will give change. ( They check for the marking!)
The boat ride starts and stops at the same place...you won%26#39;t get lost.
The tour is about an hour. I have no idea about your coupon. There are also discount coupons for the ride look at web site and I get mine off the tourist rack!
You are not allowed to eat or drink in the museums. They used to make you throw fluids in the garbage can next to the entry .You may either check your bag at the coat and baggage check or if you carry them in. It all depends on the ticket taker. I had no problem for myself last summer. I was even allowed to have a snack in the WC ... I am diabetic and was having low blood sugars. Attendent told me just go in there and it was allowed.
Cheese is weighed in grams or kilos (2.2 pounds). I usually asked for 4-6 slices for two baggettes. Never had a problem. Most sellers asked me how many sandwiches I wanted to make.
Have fun on your trip!
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QUOTE:[4] Bateaus les vedettes du pont-neuf seine cruise -- i understand you can board near the eiffel tour. i have the coupon that is valid for a one hour guide...how long does the guide tour last in general? more then an hour? does it just continuously circle around the seine river and how would i know my hour is up? END QUOTE
I am looking at my coupon and it says %26quot;Departure: Bateaux Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf, Square du Vert Galant%26quot; Are these two places?? Maybe the %26quot;Square%26quot; is near Eifell Tower - I am interested in this as well. It looks like Pont-Neuf is over by Notre Dame - can anyone tell us if this is the only place to get on and off the boat or is their other places as well.
Thanks to all who answer.....I leave 2 weeks from today!!
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The Vedettes du Pont Neuf are at the downstream end of the Ile de la Cite.
Bateaux Parisiennes another company, is at the foot of the Eiffel Tower....
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Les Vedettes du Pont-Neuf is NOT near the Tour Eiffel and you cannot board there. The address is Square du Vert-Galant and it is at the very tip of Ile de la cite. This is the Seine ride that we did twice last time. It is great. You can print off a $2 euro coupon at home and take with you. You won%26#39;t get lost :)
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hi,
can anyone point out any major museum/monument near Square du Vert-Galant where is the departure point for the bateux les vedettes du point??
thanks in advance.
- sillybutt
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Sillybutt
Sure... finding the vedettes du pont neuf is easy and a great tour...
If you are anywhere near Notre Dame or Sainte Chapelle you are close... walk along the southern most road against the Seine. The left bank will be across the river... Walk west along the river and when you come to the end of the side walk, there are stairs that lead down to the boats. You really can%26#39;t miss it. But... one word of advice... buy the Streetwise Map of Paris. You can get them at any Borders or Barnes and Noble. I took my map everywhere. It is great! And on the map, on the western tip of the Ile de la cite, it even points out the Square de Vert-Galant.
Oh... and don%26#39;t forget to print off your coupons before you leave... www.vedettesdupontneuf.com
Have a great trip! I will be there in 17 days!!!! I am so excited.
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