Paris and Strasbourg - any suggestions?

[Z-man]

Looking to book a short trip this summer to France with Mrs. Z.

Any suggestions on what to definately see, where to stay (hotels), what to eat, and what not to miss?

While my work gets me to Germany about once a year, this will be Mrs. Z's first trip to Europe.

When I travel, I prefer the 'off the beaten path' approach. Case in point: my favorite eatery in Germany is a little hole in the wall in the middle of the Black Forest. It's about a two-hour drive from Stuttgart (corporate headquarters), but boy, do they make a terrific spaetzle with veal and mushrooms! And then there is this little pub in some no-name town in France on the German border that my colleage took me to -- had some torte flambee while immersed in the moment - a man at the bar playing dominos, another old regular reading the local paper, and a couple of college kids chatting in the corner... These experiences are what make travel worth it for me!

Appreciate your input!
-Z

[javadog]

Spend all of your time in Paris and skip Strasbourg?

JR

[5String43]

Strasbourg is a really pretty place, especially the old town. Worth visiting, pretty much surrounded by canals and rivers, called Petit-France, is very much worth walking. Some very nice restaurants there. Oh, and the cathedral in the old town is worth visiting. We've stayed a couple of times at the Hotel Cathedral, right across from the front of its namesake, and liked it a lot.

[Head416]

We rented a tiny apartment in the center of the city (Ile Saint-Louis) for less than a mediocre hotel, $100/night or so, don't remember exactly. Really made us feel like we were in the city vs staying in a hotel. Walked to a local bakery in the mornings for croissants and coffee. Snacked on meats and cheeses that we bought in the neighborhood and took back to the apartment.

We also went to a concert at Notre Dame rather than just touring it, pretty cool.

Our best day was driving out to Champagne and sitting in this French family's living room while sampling their product. We were taken there by a family friend, but apparently strangers just knock on their door and come in for tastings. Very cool experience.

The cathedral in Reims I liked better than Notre Dame, convenient to do that the same day as Champagne.

In the city, Sainte Chapelle is near Notre Dame, smaller, less people, lots of cool stained glass.

[sammyg2]

Iffn you just wanna meet friendly strangers who talk funny and smell bad, you can save lots o'money and drive to looo-eee-siana instead.

[porsche4life]

We rented a tiny apartment in the center of the city (Ile Saint-Louis) for less than a mediocre hotel, $100/night or so, don't remember exactly. Really made us feel like we were in the city vs staying in a hotel. Walked to a local bakery in the mornings for croissants and coffee. Snacked on meats and cheeses that we bought in the neighborhood and took back to the apartment.



We also went to a concert at Notre Dame rather than just touring it, pretty cool.



Our best day was driving out to Champagne and sitting in this French family's living room while sampling their product. We were taken there by a family friend, but apparently strangers just knock on their door and come in for tastings. Very cool experience.



The cathedral in Reims I liked better than Notre Dame, convenient to do that the same day as Champagne.



In the city, Sainte Chapelle is near Notre Dame, smaller, less people, lots of cool stained glass.

Check out www.airbnb.com for the apartment strategy.

[wdfifteen]

I loved Strasbourg, but it's hard to go wrong touring that part of the world. BTW when in Strasbourg
torte flambee is "flammekueche."
In Paris it's worth taking a train up to Montmartre. The view of Paris from the steps of Sacre-Coeur is fabulous, especially at night.
If you have the choice, choose Musee d'Orsay over the Louvre. Lots to see, no lines to get in, no crowds.

[Rick Lee]

While I'd never recommend driving in Paris, there is a lot to see between Paris and Strasbourg. Less than an hour outside of Paris on the way to Strasbourg is Reims, and it's one of the most amazing cathedrals you'll ever see. It easily beats Notre Dame. A little farther south is Verdun, where you can see some WWI cemetaries and trenches. Very sobering stuff. It's about five hours driving time between to two cities and not cheap with the hwy. tolls. Strasbourg also has an excellent cathedral, but so much of the old town is so close to it, that you can't easily get good panoramic photos of it.

[ELMONTE]

This is an amazing collection of autos about 70 miles south of Strasbourg.

Cité de l'Automobile - Collection Schlumpf - Site officiel - gérée par Culturespaces, Mulhouse

[johnsjmc]

I have only been in Paris once in 1981 , I chaperoned a high school history trip .The things that stand out in my memory today are probably still attractions . I went up the Eiffel tower but hated it because I am dreadfully afraid of heights.
The Louvre and several other galleries nearby. Versaille and the opera house downtown.
I bought last minute tickets at the opera and saw the phantom of the opera ballet for a few francs.
The architecture is beautiful almost everywhere.

[72doug2,2S]

Baden Baden is a short drive from Strasbourg, bring your speedos. There's some great french countryside and vineyards around Strasbourg.

Just don't fall asleep on a train from Paris to Strasbourg and get your passport stolen. Ask me how I know.

[imcarthur]

Paris is our favorite city in the world. While you may prefer 'off the beaten' path, Mrs Z will probably love Paris. Stay in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th Arr) or the Latin Quarter (5th) & walk this incredible city, see its extraordinary sites & eat better than you will anywhere else - an arguable point I know . . .

I can give you tips if you need.

Ian

[PorscheGAL]

We have stayed at Hotel Leveque in the 7th. Reasonably priced. It is located on a pedestrian only street. As you step out of the front door, there is a bakery, a cheese store, wine store, butcher. Locals buying for their daily meals. There is a metro station and a bank at the end of the block and short walk to the Eiffel Tower.

Grand Hotel Leveque Paris - Official Website - Tour Eiffel

[Z-man]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Nothing beats the Pelican collective!

We will be renting a car since we will want to go into Germany as well (Baden Baden, Triberg, Burg Hohenzollern...etc). We plan on landing in Paris, and scooting over to Strasbourg first, visit that area (5 days), and zip back to Paris and the surrounding area for the remainder of the trip (5 days). Parking in Paris can be problematic, from what I'm reading here. I guess I need to find a hotel that has onsite parking. (probably will have a cost associated with that).

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

While It's about five hours driving time between to two cities and not cheap with the hwy. tolls.

About how much are the highway tolls from Paris to Strasbourg?

Ian & all: please send your tips my way!! Appreciate all the info!

-Z

[imcarthur]

Drop the rental at the airport & take a cab into Paris. A car will be a liability - not an asset. Traffic is intense & parking is difficult everywhere. Tricks to street parking in Paris: Never leave the parking brake on - so cars in front & behind can nudge your car when they want to leave . . . and tuck in your side mirrors or they will be snapped off by other passing vehicles . . . so definitely taxi in. The subway system is great - just buy passes for the number of days you need. And stay as close to the Seine as you can because Paris is a walking city. If you stay in the 5, 6, 7, 1, 2, 3 everything is quite close for subway or walking. You can easily take a regional train (called the RER) to Versailles for a nice day trip.

The best cheaper high end restaurant: Le Diane - have the Degustation menu #2 @ 90 €. The service & food you receive will stun you.

For cafe eats, our latest finds: the Cafe de l'Alma near the Eiffel Tower. Or Cafe le Bizuth on Saint-Germain.

For hotels, the Best Western chain has multiple properties in Paris. Expect small rooms, tiny elevators etc.

Ian

[motion]

Originally Posted by Z-man

About how much are the highway tolls from Paris to Strasbourg?

You can generally count on around $100 a day in tolls to drive in Europe.

[Erakad]

While in Strasbourg take the time to go an hour south to Colmar. Beautiful little town with half-timbered homes and shops, canals, extrememly walkable, large church, good food, plenty of places to stay (check out hotels.com...easiest place to get rooms anywhere in the world). It's very reminiscent of the old villages (like Rotenburg ODT) in GM...just not a lot of the wall left. If you're there at Christmas, it has a very cool Christmas market. Basel, Baden Baden, etc, are just a little further. If your wife had seen Paris before, I'd say skip it, otherwise, you need to hit the major tourist stops for her benefit....you already know what they are.

[LakeCleElum]

You don't say how long you are there or if you are driving? I'd suggest a loop and include Genvea and the Lake Annecy area just to the south. My fav parts of the whole world include wandering the backroads anywhere in the Black Forest and the Alps....

Currently on my 5th trip to Europe/UK. My view yesterday morning sitting in South Germany, looking at the Alps in Austria:



Drove in 5 countries the same day: Germany, Austria, Liechenstein, Switzerland, and Italy. Pic below is sameday from our 2 bedroom Apt. in Bellagio, overlooking Lake Como.....



I'm 18 days into a 30 day trip and haven't paid a road toll yet....Enjoy

[speeder]

Europe is expensive these days but experiences are more valuable than things. I just need to keep telling myself that.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Drop the rental at the airport & take a cab into Paris. A car will be a liability - not an asset. Traffic is intense & parking is difficult everywhere. Tricks to street parking in Paris: Never leave the parking brake on - so cars in front & behind can nudge your car when they want to leave . . . and tuck in your side mirrors or they will be snapped off by other passing vehicles . . . so definitely taxi in.

Oh yeah. I will NEVER drive in Paris again. It was hell on Earth and I think I deserve a special endorsement for having made it a few days without single ding or scratch on the rental car. This was a local's car, who knows how to do it right.



IIRC, tolls between Strasbourg and Paris were $70ish. And watch for the cameras built into the signs warning you to slow down.