Jean Girard: But you have forced me to do this. You are now mocking me and making me look ridiculous. Just say, "I love crepes." Cal Naughton, Jr.: You know, just to put this in there, I had a whole mess of crepes this morning. They're just like pancakes, maybe even better. Ricky Bobby: Wait, are they the really thin pancakes? Cal Naughton, Jr.: Yeah. Jean Girard: Yes they are. They are the really thin pancakes. It's just a French word for them. Ricky Bobby: Oh, my god, I love those. Cal Naughton, Jr.: Put any syrups you want on them. I'm just saying, think about it. Ricky Bobby: They come with cheese sometimes? Jean Girard: Yes, of course, a fromage-crepe. Ricky Bobby: Well, why didn't someone yell that right-right away? Jean Girard: Do you know what's in the crepe suzette? Ricky Bobby: Oh, I love the crepe suzette. Jean Girard: With the sugar and lemon juice... Ricky Bobby: Yeah, the sugar and the lemon juice. Sure. Jean Girard: Grand Marnier. Ricky Bobby: I wo - I wish I could crawl into one of those right now. I'd eat my way out from the inside.
This is a good link to a lot of castles in France. http://www.castles.francethisway.com/map-castles-of-france.php Some are near Paris in the Loire valley but if Fontainebleau is not good enough for you then there aren't anything else. Medieval castles, btw, are very simple and really have nothing to see. You may like Mt St Michel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Saint-Michel Versailles is OK, the building and ground is great but there aren't much inside, as compared to the Louvre for example. I think that's the one Museum you have to see in Paris or in all the World, the Louvre, it has everything. Musee d'orsay, much smaller, is also a must if you love Impressionist paintings. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_most_visited_museums_in_the_world
Just to clarify from my original post: My remark on how to avoid looking like tourists wasn't meant to look down on people who dressed the way I described. I meant: when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Or Paris in this case. Some Europeans like any person in the world judge people by what they're wearing (and how they behave). If you show up wearing flip flops and cargo shorts to even a run-of-the-mill restaurant or hotel in Paris, you might not be treated as warmly. One American couple I remember snapped their fingers so they could get their check; another laughed so loudly people were swinging heads in their direction; a family wearing Sooners gear head to toe stopped in the middle of a street looking at a map even after the light turned green, and drivers started honking. This was in one day, and you can see how over decades of tourism, some French people view tourists negatively. Even in America we sometimes judge based on appearances like the French, justly or unjustly. My ex and I once stopped at a Dairy Queen in Beaumont, TX because she wanted their frozen desserts. The place was packed for some reason (all Caucasian), but the moment we walked in, it became quiet and many were staring at her. She was a mix of Japanese and African American, and she wore a cloche hat, boots, dress slacks, and a trenchcoat. Yet, the clerk behind the register looked and spoke to her in disgust, as if she weren't allowed to eat there. It's unfair, but appearances matter here and abroad.
Just make sure you don't run into this guy: <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/M3BjMIt3r64" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Also, don't run around wearing tennis shoes, easiest way to spot you're an American tourist.
Just what do you suggest people wear? Dress shoes? Just wear something comfortable. Of course they know you are tourists. Just don't be an obnoxious one.
I think what ATW is getting at is it's mostly Americans that wear "gym shoes" as part of their daily wear. Even when dressed casually, most other nationalities don't usually wear gym shoes.
Yes. That's exactly what you should wear. A good pair of dress shoes can be very comfortable. And they fit the appearance criteria, running shoes don't. @slandballa, haha true she was easy on the eyes. But that's not why people were staring, it's how she was dressed.
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rentals/france/r31 Will never pay for a hotel again. And using this service the couple of times we've been to Paris, we've never paid more than $1000 for a weeks rental in a nice apratment.
All very good suggestions... thanks very much for the input. Keep it coming if anyone has any other ideas or favorites. I doubt we'll be wearing flip flops and shorts, as it will be early march... but if someone spots me in my tennis shoes and knows that I am American, I'll get over it. No idea what a Cloche hat is, but if you know, you probably are more concerned about fashion than I am. I am, however familiar with Dairy Queen. Sounds like it was quite the juxtaposition. The medieval reference was in regard to L'ouvre exhibits. Thanks for the castle suggestions, though, very nice. I'd like to tour the Loire, but at 340 Euro a couple and our limited time there, I don't know we'll be leaving the city for a full day for that on this trip. This being our first time in Paris, we will probably stay in and around the city while there. What about Jazz music? Anyone have suggestions in regard to taking in some of that?
My advice would be to just walk! Paris is a small city and can easily be seen just by walking. Champ de Mars, champs elysees, the Latin quarter, Montmatre, all great places to people watch.
I will try not to repeat what a lot of folks have said. But I will voice my approval of a lot of the advice. Walking in Paris is great. There are great neighborhoods, and the architecture is all so interesting. The People watching is also fascinating. I loved the Loire Valley. Chateau de Chenonceau is my favorite even more than Fountainbleu or Versailles. My list trip I spent days in the village and visited the Chateau several times. The gardens are beautiful, and you can walk the grounds and explore the woods and really take your time there. Also you could probably arrange a day trip from Tours of various Loire Valley Chateau. Try and eat a variety of French foods. This may just be my personal taste, but every trip I've been has been enhanced because I've read some Historical Fiction (which then lead to research) about France or Paris. It added significance to the buildings, neighborhoods, and monuments I was seeing. If you like Medieval stuff there is some Victor Hugo and other authors. It is definitely not a requirement, but if you are interested it could heighten your enjoyment. As far as people go, I will go against the trend. Paris had some of the nicest people I encountered anywhere in Europe. I've been to Paris numerous times, and also made several trips to other places in Europe as well. Try to at least read a Lonely Planet guide to get some of the local customs such as greeting proprietors as soon as you enter their establishment, and other slight differences in culture. It will help a lot. Also showing interest in France, and Paris and asking questions may help. I've had people beg to guide me and show me different places to eat, walking short cuts, suggestions of neighborhoods to visit, etc. Even when I told them I didn't want to intrude or burden them. They just volunteered and seemed happy to show me around or answer questions. I was blown away. It's also true that I seem to average about one stereotypically rude Parisian about every five days I'm there. It does happen, but there are rude people everywhere, and also nice people. There are some cool cheap places to eat on the go as well. It's fun to explore the area Les Halles (during the day)and plce. de Bastille to find some very tasty but affordable eats. Best of luck. I hope you guys have a fun trip.
