Would really appreciate input on France -
#21
In our last driving trip (pre-covid) our car had a built in GPS. The rental guy set it for English, put in our first destination (hotel) and from then on it was very easy. Mrs. P's usual map monitoring job was outsourced to the electronic brain.
#22
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I visited Paris, Brittany and Normandy last summer solo and rented a car. I have a terrible sense of direction, but with Google maps I had no problem driving by myself. Well, I mean a few times I missed a turn or something, but I was always able to get back on track.
There is a photo festival in La Gacilly that you might be interested in. https://www.festivalphoto-lagacilly.com/en Are you taking a workshop from Valerie Jardin? I think she runs them in Cabourg. I used to follow her.
That being said, I also love Paris, and you can't go wrong wandering around doing some street photography there. When are the Olympics over? I wouldn't want to be there during the Olympics.
I wrote a trip report with pictures, if you are interested you can click on my user name.
There is a photo festival in La Gacilly that you might be interested in. https://www.festivalphoto-lagacilly.com/en Are you taking a workshop from Valerie Jardin? I think she runs them in Cabourg. I used to follow her.
That being said, I also love Paris, and you can't go wrong wandering around doing some street photography there. When are the Olympics over? I wouldn't want to be there during the Olympics.
I wrote a trip report with pictures, if you are interested you can click on my user name.
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I visited Paris, Brittany and Normandy last summer solo and rented a car. I have a terrible sense of direction, but with Google maps I had no problem driving by myself. Well, I mean a few times I missed a turn or something, but I was always able to get back on track.
There is a photo festival in La Gacilly that you might be interested in. https://www.festivalphoto-lagacilly.com/en Are you taking a workshop from Valerie Jardin? I think she runs them in Cabourg. I used to follow her.
That being said, I also love Paris, and you can't go wrong wandering around doing some street photography there. When are the Olympics over? I wouldn't want to be there during the Olympics.
I wrote a trip report with pictures, if you are interested you can click on my user name.
There is a photo festival in La Gacilly that you might be interested in. https://www.festivalphoto-lagacilly.com/en Are you taking a workshop from Valerie Jardin? I think she runs them in Cabourg. I used to follow her.
That being said, I also love Paris, and you can't go wrong wandering around doing some street photography there. When are the Olympics over? I wouldn't want to be there during the Olympics.
I wrote a trip report with pictures, if you are interested you can click on my user name.
Again, thank you, truly! pg - I look forward to reading your trip report, thank you for pointing it out!
ETA: As for Paris - Couple questions:
- I have never seen the passages. Are they a worthy use of time? I'm not a shopper, per se, but if there are old book shops, or cool architectural aspects for photography, I'd be interested . I've looked them up, and I don't think I'm interested in the couple that resemble newer shopping malls, but if one were to pick two or three, which ones?
- Further, if anyone has intimate knowledge of Paris outside the main center areas - I'm thinking outer neighborhoods that are safe and worth exploring, please tell me about those.
Last edited by Rocket79; May 20th, 2024 at 05:50 AM.
#25
Rental: on 6 trips to France, we used gemut.com (a travel bureau etc based in Oregon) to rent a car, with whom we became familiar on a trip to Germany 20 years ago
They are quite knowledgeable re Europe; very competitve rates (they are brokers for Sixt, Avis, Hertz etc) (you might get a rate on a Hertz car cheaper than renting directly with Hertz), and, cust. servicewise, could easily help you with acquiring a car in/near Cabourg after your camera class is over (no sense in having a rental car sit at your hotel while you're in classf or a week)
There are some previous thread re: passages:
They are quite knowledgeable re Europe; very competitve rates (they are brokers for Sixt, Avis, Hertz etc) (you might get a rate on a Hertz car cheaper than renting directly with Hertz), and, cust. servicewise, could easily help you with acquiring a car in/near Cabourg after your camera class is over (no sense in having a rental car sit at your hotel while you're in classf or a week)
There are some previous thread re: passages:
#27
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Although they seem liek a nice feature, I find the passages kind of boring and lifeless. They are often deserted and a bit depressing. Dark hallways with closed shops. If you are in Paris on a Saturday or Sunday, the Les Puces de Saint-Ouen are a visual thrill, especially if you are in the market to buy an 18th century carriage.
I think France is a great country in general for winging it. Especially if you have a good reason (and it sounds like you do) for not over-planning.
I think France is a great country in general for winging it. Especially if you have a good reason (and it sounds like you do) for not over-planning.
Last edited by shelemm; May 21st, 2024 at 07:18 AM.
#28
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As someone who does NOT like to drive, I think your plan to head back to Paris and do Rouen as a day trip is perfectly fine and makes a lot of sense!
As for less touristy neighborhoods in Paris - some that I love are:
Cite Florale and Buttes-aux-Cailles in the 13th - gorgeous flowers on the houses that are pretty to photograph, and the rest of the neighborhood has more of a village feel, with parts being kind of funky with cool street art
Canal Saint-Martin - love strolling along the canal, particularly around the area where the Antoine et Lili store is located (as a point of references.) It's peaceful, relaxing, and very pretty for photos.
Not a neighborhood, but the Coulee Verte is an old railroad that's been converted into a very pretty walking path with gardens that sits about 30 feet above the city - it's a lovely place to go for a stroll.
As for less touristy neighborhoods in Paris - some that I love are:
Cite Florale and Buttes-aux-Cailles in the 13th - gorgeous flowers on the houses that are pretty to photograph, and the rest of the neighborhood has more of a village feel, with parts being kind of funky with cool street art
Canal Saint-Martin - love strolling along the canal, particularly around the area where the Antoine et Lili store is located (as a point of references.) It's peaceful, relaxing, and very pretty for photos.
Not a neighborhood, but the Coulee Verte is an old railroad that's been converted into a very pretty walking path with gardens that sits about 30 feet above the city - it's a lovely place to go for a stroll.
#29
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks again, everyone - Keep the thoughts coming, if you have any more!
Fleur - Thanks for that info on the other neighborhoods in Paris. More web searching for me!
I think at this point, I'm going to determine how many extra nights I want to spend in France, and then get flights booked. It seems as though I have time to do more thinking and can make further decisions down the road. I do have two nights in Paris before the workshop, but the first day will be walking around in a daze trying to stay in the time zone. Then, I'd just have one more full day there, as we are being picked up at 1 p.m. on what would have been the second full day.
Fleur - Thanks for that info on the other neighborhoods in Paris. More web searching for me!
I think at this point, I'm going to determine how many extra nights I want to spend in France, and then get flights booked. It seems as though I have time to do more thinking and can make further decisions down the road. I do have two nights in Paris before the workshop, but the first day will be walking around in a daze trying to stay in the time zone. Then, I'd just have one more full day there, as we are being picked up at 1 p.m. on what would have been the second full day.
#30
Bayeux would be an excellent base for Normandy. Take the train from Paris and stay there for a few days. Walk around the town. Nice shops and restaurants. See the famous tapestry and cathedral.
If you are interested in the D Day beaches and memorials, you could take a guided tour.
You could rent a car in Bayeux and drive around the countryside for a couple of days. If you use Google Maps on your smartphone now, it's the same thing while driving in France. Visit Honfleur.
A train trip to Rouen would be good if you are interested in Joan of Arc sites.
https://johnhendersontravel.com/joan-of-arc-in-rouen/
If you've not been to Monet's garden in Giverney, do that as well. It could be a day trip from Paris via train or a guided tour if you wished.
I'd want at least a couple of days more in Paris at the end of the trip.
You could do a lot via trains and guided tours or rent a car for a couple of days to explore.
If you are interested in the D Day beaches and memorials, you could take a guided tour.
You could rent a car in Bayeux and drive around the countryside for a couple of days. If you use Google Maps on your smartphone now, it's the same thing while driving in France. Visit Honfleur.
A train trip to Rouen would be good if you are interested in Joan of Arc sites.
https://johnhendersontravel.com/joan-of-arc-in-rouen/
If you've not been to Monet's garden in Giverney, do that as well. It could be a day trip from Paris via train or a guided tour if you wished.
I'd want at least a couple of days more in Paris at the end of the trip.
You could do a lot via trains and guided tours or rent a car for a couple of days to explore.
#31
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am just adding an encouragement here to eat alone in restaurants. I am often in Paris by myself for lunch and have found it easy to either book a seat in advance, or just ask. It's been my experience that they can always find a place to wedge me into. I read my kindle + people watch/eavesdrop and I never feel uncomfortable. It's always delightful. As a woman dining alone, restaurants have been welcoming.
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey all - Just wanted to pop back in and thank you for all of the great ideas and thoughts. After going back and forth a hundred times on this, I've decided to return to Paris after the workshop and spend a few days there. I will get a taste of Normandy for 6 nights, and if it resonates, I will come back with my husband or friends to do this road trip together. I just feel that the schlepping of taxi>Caen for car>drive around>back to Caen to drop off car>train to Paris>metro with bags for one night before my flight, is more hassle than what I want to take on. There is so much I haven't seen in Paris. It will be grand.
Question: If I decide to take the train to Rouen for a daytrip, do I need to get that train ticket in advance?
Thanks again, and if you Paris haunts or tips, I'm all ears.
Question: If I decide to take the train to Rouen for a daytrip, do I need to get that train ticket in advance?
Thanks again, and if you Paris haunts or tips, I'm all ears.
Last edited by Rocket79; Jun 8th, 2024 at 12:52 PM.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
travellover36
Europe
19
Jun 15th, 2008 07:14 AM
dorkforcemom
Europe
12
Jun 8th, 2005 03:58 PM