First time abroad

Hi,

we are going abroad this summer for the first time, we have chosen Paris.

So far we have booked an appartment and the ferry, but we really are not sure what else we need to do apart from passports.

Can anyone help please?

We also plan to visit euro disney whilst there.

Thanks everyone.

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Hi staceyabe

First get a good map of Paris so you can familiarise yourself with the city and what is near where.

I like this one, this link is for Amazon - so you can see how it looks - a good bookshop should have it.

amazon.co.uk/Paris-Mapguide-Penguin-Handbook…

Get your personal travel insurance and insurance to have your car abroad sorted out.

I%26#39;m guessing you plan on driving from a French port to Paris in which case make sure you have parking as there will be no need to drive once there, even if you think your nerves would stand it.

In fact get clear directions of how to get around Paris to your apartment to park!

If you are visiting in the main summer hols and eventually decide that you want to go to a major site or museum consider making bookings online, in advance, to save issues with queueing or getting in at all.

You can get the train from Paris to Euro Disney if you want to avoid the drive. Check out which are the off peak ie quieter days for your period and go one of those days. A book by Simon Veness is very handy for this.

amazon.co.uk/Brits-Guide-Disneyland-Resort-2…

I would also make and take photocopies of any important documents (passport, insurance)phone numbers to call in an emergency (for credit cards (inc the cc account number) and your insurance policies etc) and keep these in a diffeernt place to the originals so - if the worst happens - you can deal with it quickly.

I would always suggest the latter wherever you are travelling, if you have it you won%26#39;t need it!

HTH%26#39;s

ebabe

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Maybe learn some basic French? (If you don%26#39;t already know some.) I really regreted that I didn%26#39;t learn some French when I frist visited Paris. Parisians have become much more friendly to English speakers since then. But it would still be nice to know some basic terms.

And read forums, read a lot of topics in the forums.

Read about the tourist scams, about train tkts etc.

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As well as Passports, Money, Tickets you will need

Travel Insurance For Yourselves

EH1C card (E111 equivalent)

If you are bringing the car you will need:

UK Fully Comp insurance with a Green Card (ask your insurance broker) You are legally obliged to carry your insurance Certificate with you (it pays to make photocopies of all your important documents also). Inform your insurer that you will be taking the car abroad at least a week before you go.

You also need to carry your Driving Licence

You also need to carry your Car Registration (V5 Document)

You also need to carry a first aid kit in the car

It would be wise to take out a European breakdown cover for the car also (Ideally one that includes repatriation)

It might be wise to get headlight beam deflectors for the Continent also.

Be aware that alcohol limits for driving in France are even stricter than in the UK.

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If you are bringing your car have you checked out the parking situation? It costs about 20-25 euros a day, and that is in the lots, I thinks streets would add up alot more.

Read the boards, they will help you, I had been to Paris many times before I found these boards, and I have learned so much off of them.

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Get yourselves a couple of guide books - no single one can do it all. Then, read them and list the things that most interest you. That will give you the beginning of an itinerary.

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I think I%26#39;m correct in saying that when driving in France you need to carry:

Spare set of bulbs for vehicle lights

A warning triangle

A Hi-Viz jacket

Take a mixture of Euros and Travellers Cheques.

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Hi its me again,

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has replied to my post, I was really touched that you all bothered, so thank you for all your good advice.

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The key to Paris is navigating the metro! It%26#39;s easy, relatively cheap and will get you anywhere in the city you want to go.

I suggest buying a carnet of tickets (10 in a set) or a Carte Orange. The Carte Orange is a little harder to get but can be purchased in any metro station. The price depends on how far from the city center you plan to travel. Some ticket sellers won%26#39;t sell them to tourists (they are supposed to sell them to anyone) but keep trying until one does. The carnet can be purchased from a machine.

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Are jackets now a requirement in France too? I know it is for Italy and Spain, but we%26#39;ve never had them for France. And what do people do about spare bulbs for sealed headlamp units?

The other car recommendation is to get the thing checked over and serviced if necessary a couple of weeks beforehand :-(

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Jackets - yes.

Sealed headlamps - don%26#39;t know