Perhaps the most important... is "la politesse" and other Paris, France Local Custom Tips

Perhaps the most important thing in Paris is to observe 'la politesse'.
.
ALWAYS start with 'Bonjour Madame/ Mademoiselle/ Monsieur.' And say 'Au revoir' Madame/ Mademoiselle/ Monsieur' as you leave the store. I have learned through many visits that the French formality is cultural, rather than a coolness towards outsiders.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.parisbalades.com/v

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Visiting Paris?

Read reviews about Paris Hotels

Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

Dining & Drinking: "la note, s'il vous plait"

Tip Rating:

Written by shrimp56

on Nov 10, 2003

In simple restaurants the bill is often calculated on the paper topping the table. This is from our lunch at Chartier. As you can see we drank a bottle of wine from Bergerac and 2 people had the sauerkraut and sausage plate :)

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Rules of Engagement: For that essential gift for your host *6e

Tip Rating:

Updated by shrimp56

on Mar 26, 2006

If you are fortunate enough to be invited to a French family's house for dinner you must bring a small gift. Wine is out, because it looks as though you are not expecting them to serve good wine. Flowers are standard -- not chrysanthemums though as they are associated with funerals. It is better form to send them either before or after the dinner. This is both so the hostess doesn't have to break her routine and find a vase and so your flowers will not be compared with [and possibly outshine ] someone else's.
.
This is a cute little shop on rue Saints-Peres, just around the corner from Hotel du Danube on rue Jacob. The little flower pots in the tiny watering can were pricey -- 12 euros. But they are very chic. I brought them several times and my hosts seemed pleased.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Dining & Drinking: The Cafe Life

Tip Rating:

Written by shrimp56

on Dec 7, 2004

The institution of the French cafe has taken a beating from fast food and the frenetic pace of modern life ... yet some of the cafes survive and thrive!
.
Some basic rules: If you order at the bar, eat/drink at the bar. The prices are different between the bar and the tables. Once you have ordered something the table is yours until you decide to move. This young couple on Rue de Buci can stay there as long as they like! Service is included so the normal policy is to round up to the next euro.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Smoking: Smoking in Paris

Tip Rating:

Written by shrimp56

on May 1, 2004

There isn't a whole lot you can do about the preponderance of smoke in Parisian cafes and restaurants. You can consult the website below for some advice on restaurants with non-smoking areas as well as smoke-free restaurants.
.
The irony of this photo is that the young man with a cigarette in his hand is exiting the medical school just across from Hotel du Danube in the 6e!

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.bonjourparis.com/articles.php?articleId=306&page=1

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Visiting Paris?

Read reviews about Paris Hotels

Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

Local Customs: Le Kiosque

Tip Rating:

Written by shrimp56

on Apr 2, 2006

A classic Paris kiosque

by shrimp56 , 1 more photos

The Paris kiosque ranges from a simple advertising spot to those that unfold into newstands. The design is historic, but not without its limitations. [Read the article cited on the website mentioned below]. This kiosque is one of the smaller ones, on ave. Bousquet, I think. It caught my eye as the historic design with the green trim was a stark contrast with the modern posters. They are a good source of foreign newspapers as well as the ever-helpful "Pariscope".
.
The second picture is of the one referred to in the Welty-Rochefort article cited below. It is at Place Gambetta and was taken from Bar Metro, where we had the pleasure of meeting the author! [More in a later tip.]

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.paris.org/Kiosque/jul03/letter.html

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Local Customs: Carved in stone -- Paris street signs

Tip Rating:

Written by shrimp56

on Jul 30, 2006

by shrimp56 , 3 more photos

It takes a certain amount of faith to carve street names in the sides of buildings and, as the first picture demonstrates, things do not always remain the same!
.
The second picture amuses me as the revolutionary values of liberty, equality and brotherhood are carved into the wall of a bank!
.
The third is a remnant of a street sign named after the ditch that was dug around the 1210 Philippe-Auguste wall.
.
The fourth picture is a different sign indeed! It is supposed to be a cannon ball hole in the wall of thre Hotel de Sens in the 4th arrondissementr, lodged there on the 28 July 1830.

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Local Customs: Les Veritables Pastilles Valda

Tip Rating:

Updated by shrimp56

on Aug 7, 2005

I couldn't resist the old-fashioned sign in the pharmacy window :))))
.
According to the website: "Utilisé pour soulager les irritations de la gorge. " that is, use to soothe a sore throat :) Try the French website for more information;)

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.vidal.fr/medicament/Valda-17200.htm

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Local Customs: I don't know where else to put...

Tip Rating:

Updated by shrimp56

on Nov 8, 2005

les aspirateurs

by shrimp56 , 1 more photos

I don't know where else to put the French [Parisan?] fascination with 'les aspirateurs' -- or vacuum cleaners. This was one of the [several] store displays in our neighborhood.
.
One of the first things I do when we are staying in the 7e is to check the store windows to see what's new -- as there are definitely fashions in aspirateurs!
---------
Check the second picture for 2005 fashion in aspirateurs!

Leave a Comment

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Local Customs: On the other hand here's a... 7e

Tip Rating:

Updated by shrimp56

on Aug 7, 2005

Good enough to eat:)