Arrival in Paris

Shame about your accommodation

by ADAMYAMEY

It was, but we chose it for the location more than anything and the fact that it was really attractive was icing on the cake. It turned out not to be that attractive but it was still in the same location which was absolutely perfect for us so we were okay with it. The other apartment owners were not happy that someone was renting to Airbnb and we noticed it was no longer rented after we left. The Airbnb phenom is driving up rental prices in Paris (and undoubtedly other places) to the point that natives can't afford to live in their own city . . . not to mention the fact that not all vacationers are as quiet as we are.

by Beausoleil

A shame about the accommodation but an extended stay in Paris has to be a wonderful way to celebrate a special anniversary!

by ToonSarah

The city of Paris has been in a clinch with Airbnb off and on for several years now. I don't know what the current situation is. I have never used Airbnb myself. Once I rented a studio through an outfit called Homelidays, which was inexpensive but a bit complicated to arrange, so I usually just stay in hotels.

by Nemorino

I understand both sides of the story and tend to agree with Paris. The AirBnB thing is raising rents in the city and thus making housing too expensive for people who work in the city. It probably isn't doing the hotel business any good either. I much prefer staying in a hotel because the staff is usually useful in many ways. We used the AirBnB on this trip because we were staying a month and needed space. A hotel room for a month would be tight.

I'm adding to this blog at the end with my old VT Paris tips updated. It kind of goes with my other blog Questions About France where I'm putting useful information answering questions people used to constantly ask about visiting France. The biggest challenge is coming up with titles that can be found in a search.

by Beausoleil

We arrived in Paris close to the end of your stay, on the 20th. I was worried about the D-D celebrations making it crowded, but I think at the time we were there it was more the World Cup. (We did our 60th anniversary on a short cruise with our four children and two of our grandchildren)

I would have liked to stay somewhere other than a hotel, but I wouldn't like to have to clean mold or cook. One of the reasons I like to travel is so someone else cooks for me

by greatgrandmaR

This particular entry was for 2014, our 50th anniversary trip. We returned for our 55th in 2019 and rented a different apartment in a completely different area.

I don't like to clean mold either and I don't cook. We have cereal for breakfast, eat dinner out at noon wherever we are sightseeing and then have baguette, cheese, fruit and wine for supper at home. Ed cleans up so it is really a vacation for me. The cleanup is minimal so I don't think he minds at all. I honestly couldn't spend a month in a hotel. I need room to move and we also need a washing machine. Spending an afternoon at the laundromat is not my idea of a vacation.

We've been there on D-Day for the 2014 and 2019 anniversaries. There were more tourists than we've ever seen before but I don't know if it's because of that or just because more people are traveling.

by Beausoleil

Sorry - I got confused on the dates. Apparently D-Day is always very crowded in Paris. At least that is what I have been told.

We do not eat cold cereal because Bob thinks he is lactose intolerant and so does not get milk. But we do more or less the same He will have hot cereal (from a packet), and hot chocolate (ditto) or tea and I will have a banana or a bagel for breakfast. Then we eat lunch out (it is cheaper) and bring what we can't eat home for supper. In the US there is always something left over that we can't eat (and I order with that in mind)

by greatgrandmaR

That's funny. One of our dauaghters and I are both lactose intolerant. We simply get lactose-free milk. It's available nearly everywhere and does the job. There are also pills if you don't mind taking pills. I'm not fond of them.

In France they used to manage portions so there was nothing left to take home. The past couple of trips we've noticed portions getting larger here too. We ate at one place in Alsace the other day where I could only eat half of the meal. I have a hearty appetite so you know it was a huge portion. The owner came over and asked if it was all right. I assured her it was delicious but too much food for one person. She then offered to box it for us to take home. Of course we were traveling so thanked her and refused. Not sure I'd want it reheated in a microwave anyway. It just seemed really odd to be offered a "doggy bag" in France. She didn't call if that in French but the idea was the same . . . take out.

by Beausoleil

He has tried the lactose free milk but some of it increases your estrogen and he doesn't want that. He takes the pills for ice cream. Otherwise he just doesn't eat cheese or drink milk.

by greatgrandmaR

That's funny. I can't imagine the 1/4 cup or so of milk in a bowl of cereal would raise anyone's estrogen level a measurable amount. Nice he's figured a way to eat ice cream. Personally, I would prefer ice cream to cereal . . . but perhaps not for breakfast. 8^)

by Beausoleil