Saving Money with Movie Passes and other Paris, France General Tips

Favorite Thing: There are 2 passes that cover 2 theatre chains:
Le Pass - This is the movie pass for the Pathé/Gaumont theatre chain which costs about 20€/month.
http://www.cinelepass.fr/

UGC Illimité Pass - Covers all the UGC theaters which costs about 18€/month.
http://www.ugc.fr/typepage.do?alias=carteugcillimite

Since movies cost about 8.50€ each then the pass is paid for in 3 visits. Sweet deal!

I've heard that there is some buzz about the passes only being for Parisians. I wouldn't worry too much about it being only for the locals. How would the sales people know if you live there or not? I've heard similar murmurings about the coupon jaune, the weekly & monthly metro passes, but I've never had a problem purchasing them.

Fondest Memory: If you're a real movie buff, take David Sedaris' advice like I did and take a bit of time to watch some films while in Paris!

Photos: February 2006

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Favorite Thing: This is my favorite internet café: it's great and inexpensive AND they serve coffee here. Couldn't get any better. Plus, the man & wife who own the place are super nice.

Contact info:
30, rue Grande-Truanderie, Paris 75001
Métro: Etienne Marcel (line 4)
RER: Châtelet les Halles, exit Porte Lescot

tél.: 01 40 26 27 74
fax : 01 40 26 27 47
email : info@labaguenaude.com
website: http:www.labaguenaude.com

Fondest Memory: I've been here three times and am always amazed at the service. Keyboards can be set up for different languages including US QWERTY.

According to the owner, this is the only web café in Paris recommended by the Louvre!

Photos: February 2006 & November 2007

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Favorite Thing: One of the great things about Paris are the unexpected vistas you'll come across during your walks around Paris. Keep your eyes peeled!

In the 1st photo, I saw this beautiful old archway looking up Rue de Maubeuge from Rue de Dunkerque; it sits next to Gare du Nord. Fantastique!

In the 2nd photo, the gold dome of Les Invalides was peeking through the buildings as I was making my way down Place Jean-Baptiste Clément towards rue Gabrielle (November 2007).

In the 3rd photo, I unexpectedly glimpsed a full-on view of Sacré-Coeur as I made my way up the cobblestoned street of rue Briquet on my way to the youth hostel, Le Village, February 2006.

Fondest Memory: I was walking from Gare du Nord to my hotel in Montmartre, just a 20-minute trip when I spied this. Had to take a photo of it to remember it.

Photos: February 2006 & November 2007

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Favorite Thing: Before my 2nd trip to Paris I didn't know that Delta/Air France had L'Occitane products such as their signature lavendar handsoap & lotion in the W/C!! Mmmm, that wonderful scent made me feel as if I were in France already.

I know it seems shallow but if you're struggling with which airline to go with perhaps this may be an inducement to go Delta/Air France. ;)

Photo: Feb 2006


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Favorite Thing: When in Paris I strongly suggest buying a bunch of lilacs or whatever flowers you like from a street flower vendor. It's very inexpensive & it just seems so Parisian!

Fondest Memory: I was going back to the hotel after my all-day jaunt in Montmartre and was passing into Métro Lamarck-Caulaincourt (the same station in Amélie where she dropped off the blind man). It was the end of the day & he was hawking his lilac bunches. He looked tired, I took pity & bought a bunch. I'm so glad I did because when I returned to the hotel, borrowed a vase & placed them on the table that wonderful lilac scent filled the room & brought me so much joy. It just seemed so French!

Photo: November 2007

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Fondest Memory: Ah! So you've been learning French! You can now order your own meal with ease! You can pick up a pack of cigs from le tabac! Well, let me give you a piece of advice that the t-shirt vendor dude on the Place du Parvis gave me. He told me the BEST way to learn French is to grab a Frenchman and practice! What better way to learn the French language than through the language of amour!!

Photo: March 2001

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Favorite Thing: Always use every opportunity to use the available bathrooms in Paris - you never know where your next chance may come. Too many times I'd stop at a little cafe for a cup of cafe with the intent of using the ladies' when I was finished and then would pay the bill and leave. I wasted more money that way! That's why I carry a list of McDonald's in Paris - they provide clean, free, available facilities.

Please note there are restrooms by the Charlemagne statue on the Place du Parvis Nôtre Dame and also in the Jardin du Luxembourg near the Médici fountain (on the east side of the garden). You'll pay a small fee to the attendant for use of the toilette.

Also, there are sanisettes throughout the city. These are self-cleaning and very sanitary. Please be advised that once you open the door to leave, the sanisette will start to clean itself so you'll need to move quickly or otherwise risk being sprayed with a ton of water! SANISETTES ARE NOW FREE IN PARIS! Please see website below for locations throughout the city.
I saw them at:
149 Bd St-Germain (near St-Germain)
Place de la Bourse
Rue de Belleville

The other alternative is to go into a nearby bar (there's always one somewhere on the block!). Use the facilities (usually downstairs in le cave), buy a drink then move on.

One time I tried using the outdoor facilities that were by Sacré-Cœur but the doors on every one of them were jammed from vandalism. Oy vey!

Fondest Memory: But the best places to use les toilettes are inside the Ritzy (pun intended) hotels as they are super nice. The one in the Ritz has wooden tray on the table with perfume and other toiletries items a woman might need.

We have a joke in our household where we call toilet paper, papier de toilette. I noticed the sign on the inside of a sanisette that calls it Papier Hygiénique so (you know me) I had to take a photo! I guess we'll be calling it that instead from now on. ;)

Photos: Feb 2006 & Nov 2007

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Favorite Thing: If you're dialing from the US to a phone number in Paris you'll need to dial:
011-33 –1
then the number

If dialing from within France just use the last 10 digits starting with the (0)1.

Fondest Memory: Calling Le Vieux Bistro to make my reservation.

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Favorite Thing: Funniest moment - we're waiting for the green/yellow bus to pull up at the stop near Nôtre Dame and one of the British passengers remarked "Look, dear, they drive on the wrong side". My friend & I, being from the U.S., just cracked up. The French drive on the right side of the road just as Americans do! Different perspectives and so unexpected!

Photo: March 2001


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Favorite Thing: So what kind of traveler are you? What is it that you're looking for in a vacation? Perhaps you're the sort that enjoys being pampered at the resort spas? Maybe you go for the adventures in culture such as museums, literary pursuits, castles, jazz clubs? Or maybe you're the sporty type who is in for an adventure? On vacation or holiday some may like to visit the ocean to lie on the beach maybe watch the sunrises & sunsets - is that you?

Whatever type of traveler you are, it is imperative to know if you are traveling with others that way you can best figure out an itinerary to fit all types. Discuss what you like, decide what your expectations are for the upcoming trip, that way everyone gets a little bit of what they want from the trip & everyone comes out happier.

Fondest Memory: As for me I'm definitely cultcha! I love the museums, the expansive cathedrals, the soaring architecture, the language, literary haunts, jazz clubs, bookshops, people watching, seeking the final resting places of certain folk (i.e. Oscar Wilde, Madame Curie, Victor Hugo, Napoléon). These are the things that make me happy!

Photo: April 2003

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