Will I get lost in Paris? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

katetacular · 04-22-2004, 12:26 PM

Hey all. I'm going to Europe in a month and I've been looking @ my Lets Go maps and I saw that Paris is split up kind of weird and that its broken up into quadrants. It seems confusing and I dont speak french so I am worried that I will be lost. Does anyone have any insights or tips on this? Thanks!

**pinion** · 04-22-2004, 12:54 PM

You might get lost, but its all part of the adventure right?

I wouldn't really spend too much time worry about it

Try not to think about what can go wrong with your trip, think about all the cool sites your about to see!

**voyd** · 04-22-2004, 04:21 PM

Bring a compass. Seriously.

**llemus7** · 04-22-2004, 04:26 PM

hopefully you do get lost,

like pinion said its the adventure part. Once you get lost and you start wondering and wondering to get back, you will bump into something amazing like Notre Dame, Iffeil Tower, Arc of ect.......

**pinion** · 04-22-2004, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by llemus7@Apr 22 2004, 04:26 PM
hopefully you do get lost

lol I had a good laugh when I saw your post

picotty · 04-24-2004, 12:35 AM

I wouldn't really worry about it. I always look at the map of the following city that I'm going to visit and never seem to quite understand it. Yet I always seem to do just fine when I'm actually there. Even if you take a wrong turn somewhere, you'll probably discover something really cool. In big touristic areas like Paris, there's always someone who speaks english.

**worldwidemike** · 04-25-2004, 06:47 AM

Make photocopies of the best maps in your book, Kate. That way, you don't have to feel like a dork getting out the whole guidebook and checking your bearings. I know I check the map more often when I can do it discreetly, like that. I don't seriously think someone's going to jump me because I have a guidebook in my hand...it's more of a self esteem thing. I SHOULD know where I'm going...right???

The metro is easy to get around on. Like all subways, don't let the mad rush of the commuters catch you up and sweep you along. Take that extra second to make sure you're heading the right way on that particular line.

worldwidemike

**space virgin** · 05-04-2004, 11:25 AM

Paris isn't nearly as confusing as it looks once you get there, and voyd is absolutely correct-- bring a compass!

The nice thing about it is that most of the streets are fairly large and easy to navigate, compared to a lot of other french cities (like Montpellier... but I'm just bitter.

) The river helps to orient yourself too. And the metro is absolutely fantastic! It's super easy to use. If you get lost, it won't take much time to find the nearest metro station and find out where you are exactly.

Good luck! You'll love Paris!

**zylah** · 05-05-2004, 05:26 AM

If youre from the southern hemisphere remember that south is where the sun is. Lots off ppl get a bit confused when they change hemispheres.

Also if you do the photocopy of map thing, mark your hostel with a nice red/ flouro dot. That way if u need directions back to your hotel u can easily point to it on the map and get some directions.

Gauche= left
droite = right
alle to doit= go stright ahead

and have fun

rattay666 · 05-19-2004, 02:03 PM

I wouldn't worry about it. In Paris there are tons of landmarks to guide you...the most useful being the Seine and the Eiffel tower. Knowing where you are/want to go in relation to them will make your wanderings a lot easier. And like has already been said, the metro is fantastic.

cheers
frau k