Paris

[tamirra]

Hi, my husband is taking me to Paris for 3 days in a couple of weeks, ive never been and im very nervous as im not sure what to wear/buy for the occasion, we are staying in a 3* hotel, i cant wear jeans, so what do i wear and take with me so i dont show myself up. Please help.xx

[Jules001]

I had the same problem as you as last year we went to Rome for a few days and stayed in the Hilton which I think is a 5*. I don't have a 'work clothes' type wardrobe, most of my clothes are very casual. I took combats (you could replace these with any comfortable trousers) and jeans for travelling/sightseeing in the daytime and I took some dressy black trousers with a selection of tops for eating out in the evening, I also took a gypsy type skirt and tops with me for less formal dining. I am sure you will have a lovely time regardless of what you wear.

[tamirra]

I hopefully will have a nice time, but i cant stop thinking that everyone around me if they have been before will know what to wear, and stupid ME wont, and i will look totally out of place and stick out like a sore thumb. xx

[vehelpfulguy]

Paris is just a city like any other. You wear the same clothes as you would wear if you visited London or Manchester.

There are loads of tourists in Paris so they are used to seeing people wearing casual tourist-type clothes, it is not all high fashion.

Paris is a great WALKING city so you may spend a fair bit of time walking around (to get the best from the city you should try to walk around).

So for the day wear comfortable walking shoes (wear them a few times before you go to get used to them).

During the day wear a pair of smart but casual trousers, and a blouse or jumper. Take a waterproof top as the weather can be a bit like England with the odd rain shower.

If an evening meal is planned at a fancy place then you may wish to "dress up" but during the day you can be as casual as you like.

[vehelpfulguy]

I know you did not ask for things to do (your husband may have that all planned) but my suggestions would be:

Walk up to 2nd level of Eiffel Tower. The queues for the lifts can be quite long and you can walk up one of the legs to the second level. It is not too bad a walk and the views are amazing.

Go to the Monmatre area and the Sacre Coeur (church). This is where the Moulain Rouge is (if you have seen the film). It is slightly out of the centre but is a small "village" in it own right with narrow lanes and grape vines. More great views as it is on a hill.

Go on a boat trip up the seine, called Bateaux Mouches. See here http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/

Try to go early evening as the buildings are flood lit and it is is very romantic.

[vehelpfulguy]

One other wonderful building to see is the Hotel de Ville (Town hall).

It is in the centre of Paris and looks great during the day, see here

http://perso.orange.fr/anthony.atkielski/Hotel DeVilleLarge.jpg

But at night they light it up, and then it looks even better:

http://www.iqc.ca/~dstebila/pictures/2003/pari s/photos/At_the_Hotel_de_Ville.jpg

[tamirra]

thankyou so much for all your kind advice, ive taken it all into consideration. xxxx

[munchie63]

don't panic !

I'm guessing you're going on the train, and a LOT of the other people on it won't have been before either.
As VHG said, Paris is a big city, and a favourite for tourists. I'm lucky enough to have been 4 times (my wife never has, and reminds me a lot) and unless you're going to a 'fancy' restaurant, then casual dress will be fine.
most important though, is to .....relax and enjoy it.
Great city, and the view from Eiffel Tower at night is amazing.

[tamirra]

Thankyou Munchie. xxxx

[jno]

just wear what you'd wear in London, say, standards and weather are pretty similar. You might want to dress up for a night at the opera or a fancy restaurant but for everyday wear jeans are fine. Many tourists dress like slobs (regrettably). Go see the Louvre or the Musee d'Orsay for impressionist paintings, up the Eiffel tower - the Tour Montparnasse, the only skyscraper in town, also has good views. Notre Dame is good and nearby is the Ste Chapelle, a lovely little church. Don't walk on the grass; Parisians think it's just there to be admired.