Lutèce

And now the reality of it all: $1600 charge for medical care!

(Hopefully- some charges can be submitted to health insurance & find some reimbursement.)

ALL ship charges must be paid before disembarkation.

And Mom & Dad must step in because they do not have any other way to pay it.

 

Doesn't he have a credit card?????

He's 28. In good health. He doesn't really hate anything. Love to eat and try the wine...

I don't consider 28 to be a 'young' adult. To me a young adult is someone in their late teens/early twenties!!:)

Are you using the Italian spelling?

Roma for Rome, Firenze for Florence?

Oh and it's Basilique, not Basalique

If you go on their website

http://www.notredamedelagarde.com I'm sure you'll find the answer to any questions you may have.

There is a button -top right - to change to English if you don't speak or read French

Your posts - my italics

I didn't say I think they're inhospitable, and I'm not trying to defend that. I simply answered the question about what the reputation is. And, TBH, I've experienced it even when I've politely started with "bonjour, messieur." Not always, but often enough to remember it.

You asked what the reputation is and I answered. I've never been to France--will be there for the first time in a couple months. I'll come to my own conclusions.

So which is it? You've been to France or you haven't been to France???

What am I basing it on? What every person who I know who's ever been to France says, the jokes that are made, the comments on television news and programs, the way they're represented in the media and movies and such, etc. It's just their reputation and it's pervasive. Just like the way Americans are viewed as being self-centered and obnoxious.

And how many of these people you know who have been to France, or the jokes, media or movies were from other European countries, Asia or anywhere outside of the US?

I am not answering you any more as in my opinion you do seem to uphold this view. And It's upsetting. I lived for over 30 years in an Englsh speaking country and was unaware of this reputation.

...........Again, I didn't say I consider the French to be inhospitable, but that that is the reputation they hold. :)

But where and by whom are we considered to have such a reputation? I realise you don't think that, but what are you basing that opinion on?

Of course, if you mean Parisians, then I - and most of the rest of France - would agree with you!:D

Don't you think though that it's possibly different cultural norms which throw up these perceptions? If things aren't done the same way as 'at home', wherever 'home' is, then unfavourable comparisons are made?

Take French waiters for example - they take their jobs very seriously, having been properly trained, and would expect to be a waiter all their working life. So they don't do chit-chat or the 'hi I'm your waiter for tonight' type of greeting as is common in the US, and that could be perceived as unfriendly and inhospitable don't you think?

Actually, marazul has hit the nail on the head. It's a matter of everyday formalities. No-one from childhood upwards would ever enter a shop, pharmacy, café etc without sayng 'bonjour messieurs/dames. Anyone who doesn't - because they are unaware or uncomfortable - will be considered extremely rude and 'mal élevé (badly brought up) and treated accordingly.

The village schoolchildren who pass in the street when I am opening the shutters greet me with a 'bonjour madame' even though I know none of them personally. Politeness is ingrained.

And would it be correct for me to consider Americans inhospitable if I only spoke -and expected to be answered in - French in New York ???

Just saying!!!!!

• I speak a tiny bit of French from high school.........
  
• Everywhere I've been in Europe, people have spoken English--for which I'm very grateful--but you know the reputation of the French!
  

Q_C

Erm......no.........what exactly is our reputation??:D

First, we assume you are referring to CDG (not BDG).

It's easy to get the airport 3 letter code correct when you remember that the full name is Aeroport de Paris, Charles de Gaulle:)

Where are these dangerous ports where it's not safe to wear your wedding rings??? I'm astonished at this query! Do you think all married women in Europe leave their rings at home when venturing outdoors??:D

In France, men must wear Speedo type swimwear to swim in a public pool. It's for hygiene reasons. No Speedo, no swim.

Agree wth slidergirl, the world has many cultures.

I would agree with the previous poster. However, if you are searching on Google, you won't find anything under La Harve as the correct spelling is Le Havre. It's French for 'The Harbour'

:)

If you Google 'office de tourisme Toulon' you can change the language to English by clicking on the UK flag. There are lots of ideas there for you.

Have you considered taking the train? On a random day next month, you can get a direct train for €28 pp first class, which will get you to central Paris in 2h 15 minutes. For a further €10 you could add on a taxi to and from the stations.

You can only book 3 months in advance, but it's very easy to set up an email alert with SNCF.

 

The thought of eating quick snacks in France makes me a bit dizzy. France has such wonderful food...and not taking the time to enjoy decent local cuisine is a sin.

 

Hank

That was my instinctive reaction to this post, but thought I'd best not say so in case I appeared critical! The next poster also makes the point that there's no such thing as a quick lunch in France:)

What do you mean by 'little snacks/quick bites?

And which day of the week will you be there?

We will be in the Port of Honfleur June 1st, 2017 from the cruise ship Oceania Marina. Looking for suggestions of what to do in or around Honfleur. We do not want to go into Paris as we have been several times previously and will be on a French waterways River cruise this Fall. Have already been to Normandy as well.

 

Any other unique suggestions in and around Honfleur? How far is it to LeHavre from Honfleur.

 

Thanks for your recommendations!

If you Google 'Normandie Tourisme' (French spelling) there is a wealth of information on things to do and see in the area:)

I think there's a button to click to change to English if you need to

HTH

Thank you, I considered that, but thought it best to ask of a wider 'audience'.

I'm looking for information on Ponant's L'Austral or Le Boréal. I know they do Antarctica, but we're not interested in that as a destination. We are considering 2 of their cruises, both in the South Pacific.

Has anyone any opinions on either of these ships in these waters?

Their brochures look lovely, but I'd like to have some personal opinions of people who have experience of them.

Thanks in advance

My bad. Lutece was a famous Michelin starred restaurant in New York City. Thanks for the clarification.

That's OK. Obviously its fame didn't reach France!

I expect there are restaurants over here named after US cities!!:)

BTW, love your CC name. Having lived in NYC I can appreciate the correlation. Wonderful restaurant. Andre Soltner was the best.

??????? sorry but I've no idea what you mean!

Lutèce is the French version of Lutetia, the Roman city which became Paris.:):)

I'm not familiar with Marseille, but as a rule of thumb anywhere in France, my suggestion would be to have a wander about, look at menus outside restaurants ( which have to be displayed by law) and choose somewhere that appeals to you. Recommendations can be tricky, as what appeals to me might not appeal to you.

Avoid anywhere that has laminated menus or menus in English as these will be targeting tourists, not locals.

Also be aware that lunch-time in France is between 12.00 and 14.00, so if you turn up later than 13.30 you might get a less than friendly reception!!

Also have a look at Tripadvisor restaurants Marseille - that might give you some ideas as to what you'd like:)

No train from LaHavre?

There is a direct TGV train from Le Havre (note spelling) at 07.53 to Versailles returning at 19.58. The journey takes 3 hours each way.