France Paris Trip Help!!!!!

[wanaero]

I am going to Paris on May 2011 and i would like to ask about renting a motorbike there.

 

Can Singapore license be used there? What to expect over there? Where to buy good stuff over there?

 

And does anyone have GPS map for europe? I am currently using a Garmin Nuvi 500...

 

Thank you for all the help...

[wanaero]

Upppsssss!!!! No one???

[kmax]

you should try http://www.horizonunlimited.com or http://www.advriders.com

[wanaero]

Wah really don't understand that website... So complicated...

[EJ]

for bike stuffs, take the metro at downtown Paris and alight at Argentine. once you get out of the metro, you should be able to see bike shops along that road (Avenue de la Grande Armee). its pretty close to the Arc de Triomphe.

 

however, be prepared for the language barrier. everyone speaks french there except for the hotel concierge, La open top bus drivers, airport police and gypsies. learn a few french words, they'll entertain you better, speaking from experience. bon voyage!

[wanaero]

Thank you!!!

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

go to

 

http://www.aas.com.sg/?show=content&showview=8&val=135

[konspire]

bro, for europe, you have to get the international license as they do not understand english. the international license has all the languages that doesn't want to understand english. for france, as 1 bro here adviced, pls pick up some simple words or best is to bring a small english-french booklet for easy conversations. as he said, the only english word you will hear will come from the concierge n also from a popular tourist hotel. to makan, metro, bus n taxi, even their version of SOC riot police who petrols the metro and streets will not speak english. n last but not least....enjoy the stay, apart from dog **** on the pavements, it's a beautiful country of love. try biking out of paris like going south or northwest.....

[wanaero]

i am so gonna be dead... but i survived in japan.. guess this would be more worst than that... Funny how international license work, just pay for the license but do they advise you or train you on the different road usage? Has anyone tried driving or biking there? How complicated can it be?

[konspire]

i am so gonna be dead... but i survived in japan.. guess this would be more worst than that... Funny how international license work, just pay for the license but do they advise you or train you on the different road usage? Has anyone tried driving or biking there? How complicated can it be?

 

No, they will not train u but just give u e interntnl license. The rest u hv to sort out urself or mayb they mite hv a brochure on it. Chk wif them. For europe, everything is opposite but for bike, itd ok la. Gd luck n hv fun. If not for my bz shed, i wld luv to go along.

[paithorn]

Singapore Licence can be used in France. Why do you need to rent a bike? Not easy to navigate around france as their roads are "concentric".

 

Language is not a barrier in Paris as everyone speaks english, if you ride out of paris then do bring a dictionary along. The frrench do give a lot of way for bikes. The bikers thank the car by stretching out their left leg after riding past.

 

PS, I lived in France for almost 3 years

[sihan0110]

Singapore Licence can be used in France. Why do you need to rent a bike? Not easy to navigate around france as their roads are "concentric".

 

Language is not a barrier in Paris as everyone speaks english, if you ride out of paris then do bring a dictionary along. The frrench do give a lot of way for bikes. The bikers thank the car by stretching out their left leg after riding past.

 

PS, I lived in France for almost 3 years

 

interesting way of saying thanks

[chris 525]

Most French highways are toll roads, and bikes have to pay. A credit card is the usual way to pay a toll.

 

Once you leave the big city, then you will (as with all European countries) find less and less people speaking English.

 

When riding in Northern European countries, it can get cold, especially when raining, even in May. So make sure you have the appropriate riding attire.

[wanaero]

That is what i've been told.. Maybe first day i need to take a tour with Leftbankscooter they do full day tours at paris for 300euros with a pillion of course. That is expensive but to familiarize myself to the road i think it's a must to go with them.. then on second day i would go all alone.. It's good to know that everyone speaks english over there.

 

But i heard if you don't know french they tend to ignore you more..

[EJ]

bro, for europe, you have to get the international license as they do not understand english. the international license has all the languages that doesn't want to understand english. for france, as 1 bro here adviced, pls pick up some simple words or best is to bring a small english-french booklet for easy conversations. as he said, the only english word you will hear will come from the concierge n also from a popular tourist hotel. to makan, metro, bus n taxi, even their version of SOC riot police who petrols the metro and streets will not speak english. n last but not least....enjoy the stay, apart from dog **** on the pavements, it's a beautiful country of love. try biking out of paris like going south or northwest.....

 

dog poo? when i went there last summer it reeked of urine everywhere!! the metro, parks, streets.. When i used their public toilets at the metro, it was super clean. i guess they dont bother using the toilets! haha

 

nonetheless, i hope to visit Paris again next year.

 

That is what i've been told.. Maybe first day i need to take a tour with Leftbankscooter they do full day tours at paris for 300euros with a pillion of course. That is expensive but to familiarize myself to the road i think it's a must to go with them.. then on second day i would go all alone.. It's good to know that everyone speaks english over there.

 

But i heard if you don't know french they tend to ignore you more..

 

its interesting to note that one of the guys here said everyone speaks english. but from my experience, not many. the most people i met who speaks english are airport staffs and gypsies.

 

one incident was at a busy mcdonald's restuarant at champs-elysees. i was behind 2 american girls at the busy restuarant. the manager was going around with his PDA to take our orders so when we reach the counter its just pay and collect the food. he greeted the 2 girls in french but they spoke american english to him. he stared at them with a blank face and went "parle francais?" the 2 girls also gave him the blur look and continued to speak to him in english. he gave a long stare and went to me to take my order. fortunately for me, i could order food in broken french but he understood what i wanted.

 

the 2 girls thought that guy was being rude and was pretty pissed. when they reached the counter, same thing happened. fearing the girls might blow their top, i stepped in and helped.

[konspire]

Yeah, agree wif u. I can 't find easily english speaking ppl in paris. Worse if u get out of paris. Even their police cant speak english.....but if u make an effort even a broken french, they will welcome u. Strange....

[wanaero]

Yeah, agree wif u. I can 't find easily english speaking ppl in paris. Worse if u get out of paris. Even their police cant speak english.....but if u make an effort even a broken french, they will welcome u. Strange....

 

Haha i will just loan a book from library and use iphone to translate for me!!!

[konspire]

Haha i will just loan a book from library and use iphone to translate for me!!!

 

There r a lot of apps for translating. Get e one wif voice so u can hear how its pronounce.

[paithorn]

its interesting to note that one of the guys here said everyone speaks english. but from my experience, not many. the most people i met who speaks english are airport staffs and gypsies.

.

 

Well, I said in PARIS, not evrywhere in France. And it is still true, I just spent 1 week in Paris this month - 5th to 12th Dec 2010.

I use english there for eberything even thou I can get by with my lousy french

[wanaero]

hmmmm maybe i will experience it myself... just as a back up plan i will bring the book...

[paithorn]

hmmmm maybe i will experience it myself... just as a back up plan i will bring the book...

 

yup.... and find out who is giving you the correct info afterall....

 

enjo yr trip!

 

bon voyage

[EJ]

Haha i will just loan a book from library and use iphone to translate for me!!!

 

There r a lot of apps for translating. Get e one wif voice so u can hear how its pronounce.

 

Most of the apps I downloaded for my paris trip needs to be on data streaming. So do take note if you're on auto roaming. I learnt my crappy French during the 13 hour flight on silverkris and from an elderly french couple.

[MT76]

Rented a car 2 months ago in Quimper, but opt to walk and train around in Paris as not sure where to park. They just took a look at Singapore licence and said ok. From how i view it, France looks like a bike friendly place. Much better than Australia. Most tourist area speak ok English and are quite helpful as long as you look like a sincere tourist.

[wanaero]

Rented a car 2 months ago in Quimper, but opt to walk and train around in Paris as not sure where to park. They just took a look at Singapore licence and said ok. From how i view it, France looks like a bike friendly place. Much better than Australia. Most tourist area speak ok English and are quite helpful as long as you look like a sincere tourist.

 

thanks for the assurance. It certainly helps alot.

[paithorn]

Rented a car 2 months ago in Quimper, but opt to walk and train around in Paris as not sure where to park. They just took a look at Singapore licence and said ok. From how i view it, France looks like a bike friendly place. Much better than Australia. Most tourist area speak ok English and are quite helpful as long as you look like a sincere tourist.

 

correct info...

 

paris parking charges are very high too.... and with congestions most part of the day as well as the concentric design of road, you get by faster on Metros... and cheaper too