Sex on the Eiffel tower? (Paris)

Member Name: little devil

Product:	Paris
Date:	17/06/01 (176 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: beautiful city, lots to do

Disadvantages: expensive, ignorant French people

Strolling along the Champs Elysees I was in perfection. On the arm of a gorgeous young man, in the most romantic city in the world I was a happy bunny. Being a lover of the French language, don’t you think it’s so sexy, I jumped at the chance for a week in Paris, well wouldn’t any girl. Packing my suitcase I realised I had no idea what the weather would be like. Is it like the British temperamental weather or do they live in happier climates? Being Mid May and fairly warm in Britain I went for the option that it would probably be hot. My thinking was even if It was cold I had a great excuse to max out the credit cards in the shops!

Off I set; we travelled on the Eurostar. Although a little anxious about being under that much water I was given the alternative of swimming there. Tempting but my seat on the train just won. I boarded at London’s Waterloo, after navigating ‘the tube’ and travelled to ‘Paris Gare du Nord’. I must say I found the train station a little daunting, it was so big and open. We nearly got a little lost but thankfully the other half is a better navigator.

Once outside the station I was hit by the streets, so crammed. We got into a taxi and I used my knowledge of the French language, although a little rusty, to ask the driver to take us to the hotel. After putting my life in the hands of what I can best describe ‘a mad French man’ I arrived at the hotel, a little shaky and swearing never to go in a car again, in my life. Not that the French are bad drivers, far from it, it’s just the streets of Paris are so busy that it pays to be a little erratic. Patients is not a virtue of the French!

Accommodation in Paris…
There are many hotels and hostels in Paris, and camp sites if that’s more your thing. They are however always busy, well I found them to be, and so to ensure you have a place to sleep make sure you book in advance. E
ven if you don’t go through a travel agent. The first time I went to the city I stayed in a charming little hotel, just off the Champs Elysees. Although we booked a double bed and received a room with two singles, I was very happy with the hotel. And we were able to push the beds together, in case you where wondering! We got breakfast in the hotel and the option of dinner, unless you wanted to go out. No evening meal though, not that I was bothered, when in Paris you have to sample their range of restaurants.

There is accommodation for every type of person, ranging from the cheap to the expensive. I suppose as with most things you get what you pay for but I find a little hotel a much friendlier atmosphere than a big one. The French have a reputation for being ignorant, which is generally true, so the more personal the better. I wish I could remember the name of the hotel, so that I could recommend it but I can’t so sorry folks!

Eating in Paris…
Well we all have to eat, and I am no exception. There is a Macdonald’s or two scattered about, so if you don’t want to sample French cuisine, or just prefer what you know this is an option. However I would advise that you try the restaurants, as there are some fabulous ones. I fond that the best are the little ones not off any main streets. The hidden treasures if you like. My favourite is only a small place and I don’t even know it’s name, just how to get there.

Most cafes and bars serve alcohol, but there are not as many drunken people wandering around as I find in this country. Oh a tip if you want water in Paris always buy bottled water, don’t drink it out of the tap. It’s vial, I am sorry but the Paris tap water leaves a lot to be desired.

There is a restaurant in Paris for anyone, there are so many to choose form you won’t be at all disappointed, it’s just a matter of trial and error, oh and look at t
he prices first some can be very expensive!

Paris by day…
There are a number of things to do in Paris, visit attraction (see further down in my opinion) as well as various other leisure activities. Swimming pools, ice-skating and sports are all well liked I in Paris so try them if you are looking for something to do. A stroll around their parks and the beautiful streets will pass the time, there is so much to see and explore I don’t think a life time in this city would do her justice.

Paris nightlife…
This city is very diverse and caters for all tastes and wants. Be it a nightclub, jazz bar or theatre you want you can get it here. You should pick up a leaflet, or book, about their nightlife so you don’t miss out. Like New York Paris comes alive at night!

Shopping in Paris…
There are a number of diverse markets in which you will get a whole range of things, there is one market devoted to just meat! In Paris there is a big shopping complex, the biggest in Europe, which offers a range of things. You can also go on top and look at the view from above, brilliant and you can see the Eiffel tower from there. I would advise wandering round the shops and haggling, the French are good at this, especially the ones who sell on the streets. I managed to get a 30 Franc key ring for 10 Francs, it’s just a matter of trying!

Don’t miss out on spending your hard-earned money in this city, there are so many things to choose form you will be spoilt. Be aware however of the differences in tastes and culture, that top you find hilarious is the height of fashion to the people of Paris.

Now onto the best bits about Paris, the above are something you can get in any big city in the world, so what makes Paris different. Well I can tell you now!

Paris itself and her attractions…
In the middle of the city there are two ‘islands’, if I get this right they a
re the ‘Ile de la Cite’ and the ‘Ile St-Louis’.

- ‘Ile de la Cite’ is the home of the world famous, and I must say breathtakingly beautiful cathedral ‘Notre-Dame’. It is free to go inside, but there are nuns outside with collection plates, it’s respectful to put money in these as you go in for free. Cameras are allowed inside and I have so amazing shots of both the interior and exterior of the cathedral. When inside make sure you take you time and look everywhere, there is so much that you will probably miss something, so try to absorb as much as possible. The exterior is best viewed from afar, the statues on the walls are fantastic and beautiful and deserve to be taken in from all sides of the cathedral, if you only look at one point you will be missing out on a beautiful experience.

Notre-Dame is one of the most visited and photographed attractions in Paris and so you may be tempted to over look it in favour of a more quite attraction, I urge you not to it is a very humbling and astonishing experience, even if like me you are not religious.

- ‘Ile St-Louis’ has got to be one of my favourite parts of the city, it is so romantic. It has no monuments, so is not full of Japanese tourists with huge flash cameras and no train station. It is a very quiet and reserved little island. Perfect for strolling hand in hand with the one you love and proposing marriage, well a girl can dream!

That’s the two islands in the heart of Paris and what they offer but the attractions don’t stop there. There are many sites in Paris that should not be missed, below is just a selection of my favourites, and the most famous…

- The Arc de Triomphe and the famous Champs Elysees (well the two have to go together!).
The Arc de Triomphe is a monument commissioned by Napoleon. The unknown solider is buried underneath the arch and is signified by a burning fl
ame, which never goes out. The view from this is spectacular I promise! The Champs Elysees is probably one of the most famous streets in the world it has many cinemas on it, you can get different languages, with or without subtitles etc. the cafes are extortionate though and will milk you for every penny they can, you have been warned.

- The Louvre.
You must have heard of this art museum, it is the home of the ‘Mona Lisa’ although you will have to fight to get a glimpse of that particular beauty. I would advise not wasting your time trying to see this but instead looking at all the other fantastic paintings on offer that may be over looked due to all the hype over the one paining. There is an exquisite glass pyramid in the ‘court’ of the museum, which acts as a signal of where the main entrance is, as it is very easy to get lost in this one.

- The Bastille.
An historical monument, and so perfect for me. It was a key part of the French revolution and is still an attraction for political rallies and such. It is actually a column that is on the site of where the Bastille was, in memory of it, aww bless em!

- The Eiffel Tower.
Well no opinion on Paris would be whole without a mention for the great tower. It is best absorbed during the darkness hours, as it lights up fantastically. Take a trip to the top, if your stomach can stand it, and just admire the view, dropping a penny form the top would kill someone so do be careful…

I found this one of the sexiest places I went, ok I am a little wired but so what! Taking the long ride to the top built up the anticipation and the view of Paris was the climax, try it yourself it is really an orgasmic experience :o).

- Giverny.
You can be forgiven for not recognising this but it is worth seeing, for the art lover especially. It is about 60Km out of Paris and the attraction? Monet’s gardens, a selection of gardens lovingly c
reated by the artist himself.

- Disneyland Paris.
Although not a spectacular place it is good for the young at heart, and those of us who cannot afford to go to the real thing. It’s worth the visit so give it a go if you want, especially if you have kids. To go off on a tangent a better theme park in France has got to be ‘Parc Asterix’ if you get the opportunity to go do not over look it!


There are no two ways about it Paris is a beautiful and breath taking city. You need to spend as much time as you can to get the best out of her, and once you have been you will want to go again. The French are a little ignorant, and although they know English, (it is taught in schools) they do refuse to speak it. However there is the odd nice person who will be only more than willing to help you. I would recommend anyone going to Paris, you will not be disappointed. My mum and Dad do not travel a lot and for Christmas last year I paid for them to go to Paris and they loved it, despite being unable to utter a word of French. London just won’t do for my mum now and she’s making my dad take her again around November.

The only thing I don’t like about Paris is that everything is so darn expensive! You have to shop around to find the cheaper alternatives, but the city does know how to price things.

I simply love this city, there is so much to do and see it will keep you busy for days, weeks and months. Savour every moment you get in Paris and enjoy her, that’s what she’s there for. And if you ever get chance have sex on the Eiffel tower, I for one would love to try it out! :o)

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