Anyone driven to/or in Paris?

[Singh]

I have booked a P&O ferry from Dover to Calais which is set to leave at 7:30PM, I aim to be in Paris by about 2am, realistic? Will be following all speed limits as dont want to pay a hefty fine to French police! I have a budget of £400 for V Power, I reckon I will be doing about 900 miles max with a car full of five lads and luggage. Anyone got any advice, things to do/places to see? Parking in the city centre, whats that like? Might leave the car at the hotel and just use the metro if its really bad. How much are the toll roads? Any advice much appreciated. BTW a special thanks to Ian for letting me borrow his France navigation disc for my S8, if it wasn't for you, I would have had to take the Bimmer

[CliveH]

The only time I've driven to Paris (long before the days of satnav), we ended up in Versailles, which is (or was) apparently a common occurence. But you should have no problems with the satnav, and congratulations to Ian for making sure you travel in the best car!

Driving and parking in Paris is a nightmare, just like central London but worse, although the French have a strange rule that between the hours of 12:00 and 14:00 you can park just about anywhere, pedestrian crossings included! (something to do with lunchtime). So your idea of parking at the hotel and using the Metro is a top one!

The Dover to Calais ferry takes about an hour. The drive from Calais to Paris at that time, and within the speed limits, could take at least 4 hours. So allowing for getting off the ferry and a brief stop, I think 2am (local time) could be a little optimistic ETA in central Paris.

As for places to visit and things to do, there's so much, again just like London. The Palace of Versailles (not by mistake!) is well worth a visit as is the Louvre, Moulin Rouge, Eiffel Tour, Notre Dame Cathedral, boat trip down the River Seine, depends what your tastes and interests are really.

Can't remember what the autoroute tolls cost but they're not cheap and at that time of night you could probably cover the journey in the same time on the N roads (these are the equivalent of our A roads - the French A roads are autoroutes/motorways).

oh, and Bon Voyage!

[PsYcHe]

Been there... Thought I took the chunnel.. a bit of a surreal experience, but pretty smooth.

The motorway is pretty good to Paris, but the French do take no prisoners on the road, so keep a close eye in your mirrors when changing lanes.

Paris is MENTAL! I dropped my car in the car park at the hotel and just used the trains to go around, it's faster and much less chance of having your car trashed (trying to get the French to pay up on insurance is a joke).

Enjoy it though.. If you've never been, Paris is a great place to go. If you're doing the tower, don't take the lift to the second floor, walk up, it's stunning.

[Singh]

Thanks for the advice guys, I went when I was about 7 and cant remember much. I have booked a really nice villa on the outskirts of Paris with good public transport, I will drive into Paris city centre at 4-5AM, this is the time I am estimating arrival. Check ins not untill 11AM so need to find something to do in the city from 4-5am-11am! Driving a green S8 around Paris just screams Ronin

[CliveH]

Originally Posted by Singh

need to find something to do in the city from 4-5am-11am!

ahem!

Originally Posted by Singh

Driving a green S8 around Paris just screams Ronin

Oh yes, definitely! Make sure you get some good footage

[sloss]

I worked there a few times on and off for Stolt (now Acergy).

Their office was near a roundabout only thery don't have centre bits so watching the traffic at busy times was excellent!

The lunitic kids on mopeds really cut things up and there is always a horn beeping someplace or other.

Just push in, they all do it and nobody takes offence like in the UK. In Franceshire watch for 'Priorite a droit' signs - that means let them in and they won't wait, so be prepared to let cars onto the main from a side road without any warning!

There's a super video of someone horsing a V8 through Paris but whether it's real or not..... prolly on Youtube somewhere....

I love Paris, my sis lived on the outskirts for a few years so often went to visit ( she also lived on the Cote D'Azur for a while as well. now unfortunately she has settled in Brittany.... )

Use the public transport, its the only real way to get around. Walking is good as well but can be knackering! get a pass for the metro, similar to london it works on zones and you can also jump on buses with it. saves messing about with tickets here there and everywhere.

The Mona Lisa is tiny and usually surrounded by japanese!


when eating in restaurants either stick to the daily special menu ( fixed price) or even better go down to teh Latin quarter ( near Notre Dame) and go a few streets back from teh River. This is a student area so food is dead cheap but still really good on teh whole.

be aware of different prices to sit outside and inside.... sometimes its significantly higher!!!

If taking teh missus (not sure if you have a significant other) get some cheeses, french bread, grapes, saucisson etc and a bottle of pink bubbly and sit near the tower for a picnic.... cost ~ 10 quid, brownie points - priceless!!!!! ( Mine still mentions that picnic 10 years on.... )


Also, take your camera as you will see loads of 'nice' different old cars like DS's renault 4's facel vegas and the like. usually they are bashed and battered from life on teh streets but it always makes me smile when I see something a bit different being used


a ride on teh Bateaux Mouche is a good way to see teh city especially at night when its all lit up but watch for gobby merkins. I nearly ended up planting one whilst I was Queuing........

BTW, watch it if you decide to go to Sacre Coeur. where you get off teh metro is a BIG pickpocket and Red light area........... if you go round teh back there is a famous square where artists will paint your piccy and just further back is Jim Morrisons grave.

[Singh]

Just arrived, went round the arc di trimph & have literally just parked up next to the eiffel tower. Cant get a good pic due to lighting but will wander around untill sunrise and try again!

[CliveH]

So 3am local time, was a good estimate then.

Have a great time!

enjoy..i got back sunday eves took my GSX 1400 With the wifey...we went eurotunnel .early sat am .onto dunkirk then blatted down the toll roads very boring to Le Harve where we had a mercurie hotel for the night then onto caen to see the d day beaches then back to Le Harve for the ferrey,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,great two days and 700 miles....mind you wish i was in the audi...