Biking in Paris

[indysteel]

Check out fattirebiketours.com for info.

I don't know if a refillable debit card will work any better than a regular credi card for certain purposes. Assuming they're both issued by American banks, they won't have an embedded chip to allow use at kiosks, ticket machines and the like. Can you get a European issued debit card? That would be handy.

If you need any other info, I've been to Paris a number of times. I'm happy to help. I love Paris!!!!

[BikeDutchess]

Travelex offers a "Chip & PIN" card that you can purchase in the U.S. and use in Europe, but their surcharge makes it an expensive deal.

I second the recommendation for Fat Tire Bike Tours, we did a daytime tour and had a blast.

[owlice]

Thanks thanks thanks!! I've been to Paris a few times, but the most recent visit was about 30 years ago , so... it's been a while!

I'm going to the opera the first evening I'm there (the day I arrive) to see an opera (in German, heh) I'm not at all familiar with (Berg's Lulu), and may go to the ballet another evening (since I'm skipping the conference banquet anyway), though now that I know about Fat Tire Bike Tours...

[owlice]

Fat Tire Bike Company night bike ride in Paris + boat ride on the Seine + wine + camera = 333333333333

Thank you very very much for the excellent suggestion of Fat Tire Bike Tours!! Two others at the conference went with me on Sunday for the day tour, and liked it so much, they skipped the conference banquet on Wednesday night for the night ride, as did one other. .

[indysteel]

Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It's definitely one of my fondest memories of the city. On the night I did it, there was an enormous full moon. I remember turning my head and seeing it hanging over Notre Dame. It was magic, as was riding through the courtyard at the Louvre!

[owlice]

Yeah, indysteel, it was great! It was raining for the night tour; the four of us were still happy to be where we were. It cleared very nicely for the boat ride, and my impression was that we were the four happiest people in Paris that night, but that would be speaking for the others, I suppose, which I can't do. I know I was completely happy; it was perfect.

It's been a great trip so far; I'm completely exhausted and everything aches!!