Alright guys so I'm going to France for 8 days on a school trip. We're going to be staying in Paris and Avignon. I leave Friday and I get back Easter Sunday assuming all goes according to plan. Have any of you guys been there before? Any advice for things to watch out for and any what to do/what not to do type stuff? Any recommendations for things to make sure I do or foods to make sure I try? Any other tips?

Don't go...

Eat plenty of foie gras.

Two tips:

1. Load up on stinky cheese.

2. Pack up extra surrender hankies to sell in Paris - You'll make a killing.

Ehhhhh Tu as parler francais monsieur?

If you happen to go by the place that makes maple syrup suckers make sure to stop!!

They take FRESH homemade pureee HOT maple syrup (nothing like our crappy syrup here in U.S has) and they pour it into their fresh "white" snow and take a stick and roll it in it. It than forms a maple syrup sucker which is delicous.

Dont assume wee wee is something funny

Dont stare at prostitutes.

Watch out for dog dung, because if you see any, send a pic to saavedra.

The French love to taunt you. Don't fall for it.

Whats your quest? To find the holy grail!

Whats your favorite color? red

I mean blue! ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

Find a French maid and have fun.  

DON'T watch the movie Hostel part 1 and 2 before you go.

Take a pocket knife with you.  You'll be the new president over there in less than 24 hours if you want to be.

Send a PM to Max Dal, he lives there. He would probably be able to help you.

Falcon

i went there for a week in my senior yr in high school. you will love it. take lots of money. visit the eifel tower for sure. and have a good time.

Try the fries. They're outstanding.

Try the fries. They're outstanding.

I hear the toast is quite good also.

Be prepared to be hated upon for being American.

take soap.

Bring a razor for the ladies you meet  ;D

Try the fries. They're outstanding.

I hear the toast is quite good also.

Be prepared to be hated upon for being American.

Thats actully a myth of french people. They actully love us! We bring them alot of money and they highly realize this!

Suck at wars but amazing at making us spend money. Not a horrible trade off...plus I hear they have some of the wildest parties...wait this is a family friendly site...my mistake umm..."parties" is french for games of patty cake ...just check em out dude. You'll love it!

try not to get stuck in elevators with a bunch of them. They do not bath everyday and they are not big into deoderant

As far as the being hated it might not be all Americans but I've known military who've gone there and they were not liked at all.

The French make a very fine cheese called fromage.  Be sure to try it.

 I've always heard the reason the French have been ticked at us is for us helping rebuild Japan but not helping rebuild France. If that is the case I can kind of see their point. I suppose the overwhelming damage we did to Japan and civilians caused us tore-act the way we did.

Not sure if this is true or not just something I've heard.

Since no one is giving any REAL help here, I'll try to actually answer the question:

-When in Paris, make sure you allow for at leat a full day in the Louvre. IMHO, this is the world's BEST museum for so many different reasons, but just to see Michelangelo's David is amazing. Personally, I'm much more into the impressionists, and there's so much that you can't possibly take it all in in one day.

-Notre Dame. Go on the guided tour rather than just wandering aimlessly. The guides will point out the different stages of the building process to the Cathedral; its kinda neat to see where the different architectural styles meet...

-Whether in Paris or Avignon, sit at a cafe for a couple hours and "People Watch." Its a great French "past-time", and you'll be amazed at the different types that pass by.

-Check out as much left over Roman stuff as you can. If memory serves me right (and these days I'm getting served less and less...), there's an aquaduct near Avignon which is just stupendous. I was certainly awed standing on top of a 2000 year old "bridge" put together without a single bit of mortar or cement. There's also a coliseum near there which is just as impressive. [As I think back, these 2 might be closer to Aix-en-Provence, but that's not too far from Avignon]

-Its a LONG way from where you said you'd be, but Nice is a great town. Its a very relaxed beach city, completely different from Paris, and I found the people to be much nicer than in Paris.

Enjoy the trip, it is one I'm sure you'll enjoy. Its 20 years since I went, but I will always remember that trip. Just remember not to tip when you're out to eat, and everything will be fine...

Lots of guys here have been to France I see. Very worldly bass fishermen. Who knew?  

-Notre Dame. Go on the guided tour rather than just wandering aimlessly. The guides will point out the different stages of the building process to the Cathedral; its kinda neat to see where the different architectural styles meet...

I thought Notre Dame was in South Bend?  You know where Touchdown Jesus is now refurded to as "Why'd you run that play Charlie? Jesus"