WHERE TO STAY?

Latin Quarter

You'll find a Paris apartment like the one on the left in the Latin Quartier on Rue de la Harpe. ●  Apartments in Paris, Apartments around France long or     short term. ●  B&Bs, Gites, Maison d'Hotes in Paris and around France. ●  Chateaux - for a Stay, a Wedding or Seminar. ●  Hotels - basic rooms to four star L accommodations in Paris      and the regions of France.

For more information on local hotels, check with the Region of your choice [Centre, Île-de-France, Bretagne, etc.] click on the Regions of France.  You can easily organize and book your transportation and lodging if it is a simple round trip to a particular destination.  If you have special needs or requests beyond that, or do not have the time, then you definitely should contact a travel agency for your travel needs. 

If you’re going to be spending at least a week in any one town, you might look into renting a furnished apartment.  It may cost as much as a hotel, but it will be more comfortable in terms of space and being able to fix some of your own meals.  Each major city will have a publication, that you can buy at any newsstand, that will provide you with a sizable list of furnished apartments for rent under the heading of ‘apartements à louer’, together with a list of movies and other local entertainment.  You can also check our Paris pages for apartment information in Paris, click here.

Packing:  Your trip is going to start soon.  It doesn't matter what time of the year it is, you should check the weather each day for a few days prior to leaving [to see the current and projected forecasts].  The best source is Meteo France [for all of Europe].  You should be familiar with what the weather is doing in France in order to determine what clothing you will need to take with you.  Pack lightly!  Make a list of things that you plan to take with you and keep this list with you should your baggage get stolen [hopefully not!].

If this is a casual spring, summer or fall vacation, take jeans, khakis and shorts, and shirts/blouses. Ladies should pack a non wrinkle type dress. Men should include a sports jacket.  Mix and match.  You are not going to see the same people day after day.  Always carry a sweater or jacket and a small packable umbrella, you will need these items.  Carry a pair of sneakers/tennis shoes, a dress and casual pair of shoes [sandals].  For winter travel take a heavy coat, gloves and scarves, the umbrella again and layer your clothing as you would at home.  Try to pack as lightly as you can.

If you're going to a convention or seminar, etc., then you will have to be more conscious of your needs.  Mix and match, even for a business or dress look.  Stick with basic color schemes.  Lay your clothes out for your trip a day or two before you leave.  This way, you can check everything over, make changes, then decide what items that you really don't need and put them back in the closet or drawers.  If you going by plane or train, wear clothing that is comfortable because of tight seating arrangements.

A friend told me years ago about putting everything hanging in plastic bags.  This works well with items such as suits, dresses, evening clothes that normally wrinkle easily.  The plastic bags work well, and also keep these clothes on a hanger so you can immediately unpack and hang them up.  Since we all like to shop while we're on a trip, especially overseas, be sure and take a foldable or collapsible tote or duffle bag to carry your gifts back home in.  Then, just sort of follow these simple steps;

     ●   Pack Lightly, because you'll be toting your luggage.
     ●   Pack an empty collapsible tote or duffle bag for all those gifts you buy on
          vacation, in the bottom of your suitcase..
     ●   One of the most important things to take with you is the power converter
          adapter [from 110 - 220 Volts] to use with any small electrical appliance that
          you take, you can purchase one here.
     ●   Then start packing heavier objects or objects that won't wrinkle easily
          of the empty tote bag.
     ●   For clothes that you don't have to worry about wrinkling or that are wrinkle free
          roll them up fairly tightly to tuck into those small spaces.  Click for
          compressed clothes packs, travel bottle sets and more.
     ●   For clothes in plastic bags, crisscross them in the suitcase [long dresses,
          coat, etc. the length of the suitcase, then shorter items crossways.   
     ●   Pack your shoes, and other heavy objects in side zip pockets. 
     ●   Don't bother locking your suitcases until you've gone through security.  They
          make you open them now, so don't lock them until they've checked all of your
          baggage.  Unless you have the special security Lock or Locking
          Strap that the TSA can access, [this is an unique lock that only airport
          security can open and relock your bag, and keeps everyone else out!  You can
          purchase those on our accessory page - click here.
     ●   Take a money belt, waist pack or neck pouch for your passport,
          money/travelers checks and other valuables [that are worn under pants,
          slacks, shirts or dresses, etc.] for assorted secure belts and pouches
     ●   Don't put scissors, metal nail files, any sharp metal object, metal
          pens/pencils, tweezers or anything other sharp metal objects, that might look
          dangerous or ominous going through a security check, in your carry-on, in
          your briefcase, in your purse or in your pockets.  They will be confiscated,
          and not returned.  Pack these items in the stowaway luggage.
     ●   Buy Travel Insurance - this is a must today!  PLEASE review the information
          as to why you should buy travel insurance, it is an eye opener!

Pack lightly, as I mentioned before, as you will most likely be carrying your luggage!  If you don't have luggage with wheels and a pull handle, invest in some.  It will be worth it's weight in gold.  When you have to do all your luggage handling for long distances, these suitcases will save you time, and will eliminate sore arms, backs and exhaustion.  Porters are not readily available to assist you in Europe as they are in the States.  If you need a travel bag on wheels, there are dozens of different wheeled luggage items, check out these options.

Always take a carry-on bag on board.  Since luggage gets lost, it is most important to have a change of clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair comb/brush, 1/2 of each of your medications, with you.  The airline usually finds it, but it will take several days to get it to you.  Make sure all medicines are in their prescription bottles or you could have a really big problem!  If you are traveling with someone, divide your medications equally between you and do not pack them in the stowed luggage. Airport security uses Drug Sniffing Dogs in France, so don't mess with your prescription drugs in unmarked containers.

And, speaking of medications, you might bring prescriptions for the more expensive ones.  As a general rule of thumb, French medications cost about 10% of what the comparable drug costs in the States.  And, you may be surprised to find that a French company makes the medication you use at home.  With your prescription, you shouldn’t have any problem buying what you need.  You might even consider bringing back a year’s supply…it might go a long ways toward paying for your trip

Now for the important stuff.  Most people forget those simple little incidentals like a toothbrush, toothpaste, a hair brush or comb, medications, etc. so here is a guideline.  Note them on a stick-um and put on your mirror a couple days before your trip.

PLEASE READ THIS SECURITY INFORMATION ON AIR TRAVEL
The following information link is a must for you to visit to find all the latest security information for air travel, requirements, what you can carry on-board with you and things that must be packed in your stowaway luggage. http://www.tsa.gov/

This in turn will make a difference as to where you pack your items for carry-on and or stowed in the baggage department.

Ladies & Men's Items:
     ●   Medicines - be sure to check the TSA approved medicines to carry on board.
     ●   Toothbrush, toothpaste, and  floss/picks
     ●   Hair combs, brushes, shampoos, hairspray, gels, etc.
     ●   Cotton Swabs
     ●   Small sewing kit, and safety pins [you never know when you'll have to repair
          something!]
                   
Ladies items and helpful hints:   Make-up items [also cleansers, moisturizers, etc.], nail buffers and paper nail files, polishes, etc. and feminine items, puffs/make-up remover pads.  Buy small plastic bottles in the drugstore to store each of your items in for the duration of your trip.  Don't take your whole make-up collection with you. Be sure and buy these articles in the Duty Free shops at the airport before returning home.  You'll save a considerable amount of money.

Always carry small and large plastic bags with you [take them out of the box, and store them loose] as you never know when you might need them.  Also, wrap each bottle of nail polish or remover, liquid medicines, etc. in a baggie.  Should they get broken, they won't leak and ruin everything else in your bag.                

Men's items:  Shaver/razor, shave cream/gel, etc. after shaves and colognes [put in the baggies]. Most shavers have dual voltage [but check to make sure].  And, you're now ready to go fellas!

Other things to take with you [besides work] a book or magazine to read, a snack or two, a tissue pack, eye drops, possibly an allergy medication [there is a lot of pollution and a different environment], study some French on you trip there, and take about $100.00 in Euros for your arrival [don't take travelers checks - they can become a hassle].  Only Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in France.

After you arrive in France, use bank ATMs.  You get the best exchange rate and you can find most French bank ATMs here.  Most ATMs don't accept American Express cards, and Amex cards are pretty much accepted only at some of the nicer hotels and restaurants.  Try and use only one credit card to help you keep track of your expenses.

Travel point of departure:  Again, plan ahead.  Don't wait until the last minute.  Find a friend to take you to your travel point of departure if possible.  Or, if you're driving, plan enough time to park and get to the plane, train or ship.  Or, make arrangements ahead of time for a shuttle or taxi.  Do the same thing for your return trip from France. In Paris, you will find excellent shuttle services that will pick you up at the front door of your hotel, or apartment, and take you to the right air terminal.  It is usually much cheaper than a taxi, or the airport limousine, and the driver will help you with your baggage. 

If there are rumors of an impending transportation strike, take a room at one of the many hotels at Roissie near Charles de Gaulle Airport or near Orly.  You can’t imagine how Parisian traffic turns into a great big parking lot at these times.  I’ve done this on several occasions and have saved myself a lot of grief.

If you're leaving Paris on a Friday afternoon, be prepared to leave at least three hours prior to your flight.  Paris escapes to the countryside on Friday, and or people going home for the weekend.  It's a mass exodus!

Remember International Flights require more time for security checks.  Please arrive at the airport anywhere from two to three hours ahead of your flight.  This depends completely on your local departure airport.  Call your airline, in advance, to check out this information [for both your home airport and your international departure airport].  If you don’t allow enough time, you may well miss your flight!

Last but MOST Important:   Do a last minute check to make sure you have everything:
                                              
     ●  Your Passport [Visa or Other Documents]
     ●  Your Airline [Ship or Train] Ticket
     ●  Your purse or wallet [ladies put your purse in your carry on tote]
     ●  Your Secure Money belt - neck pouch or whatever secure holder
     ●  Contact information for the American Embassy or Passport Office
     ●  Be sure to buy Travel Insurance - a must today
     ●  Your carry on bag
     ●  Your Baggage
     ●  Your Power Converter
     ●  About 100 Euros then use ATM machines

JOT these reminders down an a stick-um, and stick it on your bathroom mirror!  Don't laugh, it works.

You're ready to leave:   Now wasn't that easy?

Yes, but there is one more thing:  You!  When you go through security take your watches & jewelry off [have them ready to put into a security container], take any loose change out of your purse, bag or pocket, any metal objects that you may have on you, or your going to get checked thoroughly.  Automatically remove your shoes, it's pretty much mandatory, so don't wait, just do it.  This is also being considerate of everyone around you as well, and to keep the line moving.  Be prepared and Bon Voyage!

Enjoy your trip,

Sharon

© Copyright 2003-2008 by Sharon Atchley, all rights reserved.  Should you be interested in making copies, or sending this article to your clients, please contact:

           Sharon Atchley
           French at a Touch
           Email:  Sharon@french-at-a-touch.com
          

© Copyright 1999 - 2010 by Sharon Atchley.  All rights reserved.  Updated:  01/31/2010