1. Why go on a Nuit Blanche tour?
2. What about the tour leader?
3. Do I have to know how to speak French?
8. What age/status group does this tour cater to?
9. How safe is Paris for women?
10. Can I organize a tour just for myself and my friends?
11. What clothes should I bring?
1. Why go on a Nuit Blanche tour? As our tagline says, our tours are for girls who want to have fun. Designed specifically for women with a pulse, our holidays are ‘adventure’ tours without the sweat and fuss. No pre-training is required, you just have to be able to walk a lot, since Paris is better seen on foot. Of course, there will be plenty of rest stops along the way. We cater to things that women love – shopping, visiting the many different areas of Paris as well as museums/galleries and enjoying good food and wine. We also take you deep into the culture of the places we visit. You won’t have to feel intimidated visiting a foreign country on your own because you are part of a special group. We are low-key and many people report that they don’t feel like a tourist when on a Nuit Blanche tour. By way, what is the meaning of Nuit Blanche you ask? In French, nuit (pronounced new-ee) means night and blanche (pronounced blonsh) means white, ‘white night.’ To have a ‘nuit blanche’ is to have so much fun that you stay out all night, or have an all-nighter. Leave it to the French to attach romantic names to everything they do.
2. What about the tour leader? The goal of your tour leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and help you feel comfortable in Paris and in getting around the city with ease. They can answer many questions you may have about Paris, and offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and other attractions and introduce you to our local friends.
3. Do I have to know how to speak French? Paris is an international city and many Parisians, particularly those catering to tourists, speak English well or have at least a basic knowledge. Don’t be afraid to turn out a few phrases, the French love it when you attempt to speak their language!
4. Do I need a visa? Citizens of Australia, the US, Canada, New Zealand and Israel do not need visas to visit France as a tourist for up to three months. EU nationals have no entry restrictions. For information on the location of your nearest embassy or consulate, we recommend the Embassies and Consulates in the Yahoo! Directory.
5. How can I book a tour? Just email your request to us at info@nuitblanchetours.com and we’ll take it from there!
- Travel documents: valid passport, travel/medical insurance, air tickets, visa (if required)
- Money: traveler’s cheques/cash/credit card/bank card
- Comfortable walking shoes (essential)
- Water bottle (optional)
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
- Comfortable daypack or money pouch
- Warm sweater/waterproof jacket
- Umbrella
- Smarter clothes for nights out
7. What about spending money? France’s currency is the Euro. It is always a good idea to bring with you some cash in Euros to cover any incidentals that may occur. The most convenient and cheapest way to change money is via automated teller machines (ATMs), which can be found everywhere in Paris. They can draw from your home account or from a credit or debit card at a superior exchange rate. Most ATM’s will also give you a cash advance on your credit card but be aware of high fees imposed by banks. When leaving home don’t forget your PIN number! Travelers cheques have security advantages, although be aware that the exchange rates may not be favorable and that it can be time-consuming to cash them. It is also difficult to change traveler’s cheques on weekends and public holidays. Use this handy currency calculator for conversion purposes.
8. What age/status group does this tour cater to? Nuit Blanchers can be any age, married, single, divorced or have boyfriends etc. They are women who are young at heart, have a certain amount of energy and want to just get away from it all to have a fun, cultural experience.
9. How safe is Paris for women? Common sense should be your guide when traveling anywhere. Paris is considered a safe destination and generally, European cities are safer than American cities. The most common menace in Paris are pickpockets who prey on ‘easy targets.’ You can easily shield yourself from this by carrying an across-the-shoulder bag, and keeping your valuables out of sight and close to your body. The odd drageur, a man who professes his undying love to female passersby, and the threat they pose is one of annoyance or amusement more than anything.
10. Can I organize a tour just for myself and my friends? Absolutely! Just ask us and we can customize a Nuit Blanche tour for you and your friends to celebrate that special birthday, graduation, job promotion or other event or milestone. Then again, who needs a reason to get together in an exotic locale with your favorite gal pals and go on a bit of an adventure?
11. What clothes should I bring? Generally, it is recommended to pack as light as possible, especially if you are continuing on throughout Europe. Lugging a bunch of bags around, especially up and down stairs is not fun! While Paris is considered the fashion capital of the world, people dress quite casually. You will see anything and everything in Paris and jeans are totally acceptable and are worn by Parisians, everywhere, for every occasion. Bringing clothes that you can layer is good.
- Sixty Million Frenchmen Can’t Be Wrong, Jean-Benoit Nadeau & Julie Barlow (profounding enlightening!)
- A Year in the Merde, by Stephen Clark
- French Women Don’t Get Fat, by Mireille Guiliano
- A Year in Provence, by Peter Mayle
- The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown
- Paris Stories, by Mavis Gallant, Michael Ondaatje
- Cave Life in France: Eat, Drink, Sleep, by William Glover and Aprille Glover (Illustrator)
- French or Foe?, by Polly Platt
- French Toast: An American in Paris Celebrates the Maddening Mysteries of the French, by Harriet Welty Rochefort
Movies:
- Paris, je t’aime! (a MUST-SEE charmer)
- A Very Long Engagement (Un long Dimanche defiancailles)
- Amelie
- La Divorce
- Forget Paris
- Unfaithful (because of hunk Olivier Martinez, whom many French men look and sound like!)
- and the all-time classic, Last Tango in Paris
Newsletters/Websites:
- French K.I.S.S. - A painless way to learn French! eBook, CD, free MP3 lessons, blog
- BonJourParis.com – the largest content site about Paris on the Web that offers free and "premium" information, from the point of view of ex-pats.
- TimeOutOnline - Check out the free online guide.
- Paris Woman - the ultimate resource for women in Paris.
- Anthony’s Web Page - Great photos and other information about Paris
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