Gaga about Paris (57)
- 10 Oct 07, 05:22 AM
Macon, Wednesday, en route to Paris - 400 kilometres down, 400 to go.
At this stage of the trip, with the sunny pitches of the south disappearing in Le Bloggernaut鈥檚 dusty wake and the bug-battered bonnet pointing towards the autumnal north, we鈥檇 expected to feel as glum as in a library.
Instead, our chuggathon up the autoroute has seen the pair of us so sparkly-eyed and perma-smiled that we could pass for aged members of a particularly bad-looking boy-band.
So gaga are we with anticipation of what Paris will bring that almost nothing can disturb our happy equilibrium.
A French lorry tries to pull out and pass straight through us, as if we were a mere fly-splattered phantom? We ease onto the brakes and wave the snarling clown on.
Le Bloggernaut鈥檚 wing mirrors suddenly flip inwards in the face of a stiff wind as we pass Avignon, leaving me with the vision of a ? We merely wink at each other and chuckle at the old girl鈥檚 playful sense of humour.
Ben鈥檚 mood is so benevolent that he sits there uncomplaining as I sing the line from the Beatles鈥 鈥溾 a thousand times as we pass Montelimar.
I鈥檓 feeling so bouncy that I don鈥檛 even mention the fact I鈥檝e now driven 3,800 miles on this trip while Ben has yet to do a metre.
In a petrol station just south of Valence, Ben even gives a cheery wave to another motorist, which doesn鈥檛 sound like a big deal until you find out that Mr Dirs Senior鈥檚 parting words to his son each time he left for university were simply 鈥.鈥
For the moment at least, the nightmare that will be piloting our massive mobile chateau around the honking streets of the capital lies dormant.
We鈥檝e heard about this campsite in the , but we鈥檝e also had a spine-tingling warning about that particular part of town from an old boy we met back down south.
I won鈥檛 go into the full details of what he said, but the grizzled tent veteran made it clear that certain parts of our anatomies would be at risk from the sort of attack that those certain parts would very much want to avoid.
We shall see. In the meantime, let the suggestions pour in for places to meet pre and post match, and ideally for a grassy spot for a spot of touch rugby too.
The rugby ball in the van gets tossed around at motorway service stations 鈥 there鈥檚 nothing like slicing a onto the cab of an articulated lorry for getting you back on the road quickly 鈥 but it鈥檚 been so long since either of us were on the end of a decent passing move that we鈥檙e thinking of changing our names to and .
Which one of us is which? I鈥檒l let you decide.
Tom Fordyce is a 成人快手 Sport journalist travelling around France in a camper van with Ben Dirs.
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The England team packages purchased on 4/11/05 have yielded more fruit than expected, so we're heading off on Sat. Mate got the last spot on the 0950 Eurotunnel crossing - currently they've nothing between 0720 and 1042, but the 0329 looks quite clear!
People keep mentioning the weekend after to me, but I can't bring myself to discuss it for fear of tempting fate. You can get a best price of 8/1 on England as champions, which shows how tough the likely draw is. Paddy Power give us 9 points start in the handicap for the semi (and Argentina 8) but then again, the bookies didn't call it right last Sat did they?
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Have Ben's eyes really recovered so fast to be sparkly? The Marseille pepper must have been watered down by the crooks or they had been sold a dud; which only proves the adage 'trust no one'. I reccomend you campark at the Paris Hilton. If you tip the attendant he'll even give you a tour of the building.
PS. I have found no better blogger than www.spratticus.blogspot.com he has even gone so far to challenge you guys to a blogathon, blogfest.
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I think England are going to peak at just the right time and be the first team to retain the cup!
Allez Angleterre
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Allez les Blancs! (my interpretation of the famous French song)... much as I enjoyed celebrating with the French last weekend after the NZ game I couldn't join in their chant without that minor change.
Saturday is going to be such a great day, so many English, so many French... going to be amazing!
We'll be arriving at about Midday and the main question is... where are people gathering to enjoy the build up and come down? Any suggestions?
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Work have just sent round an email saying that they have 2 pairs of tickets up for grabs. anyone wanting them needs to email and they'll pull your name out the hat for a pair. i reckon 500 people will apply so that gives me 250/1 chance of getting them, that said i've struck a deal with another lad that we'd take each other so it goes down to 125/1. Deep Breaths.
If we win......does anyone know of ANY way of getting out there?
I backed England at 80/1 on Betfair, before the Tonga game, and the Saffers at 10/1 so roll on Eng vs SA in the final for the dream on banker!
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I am currently out in paris and would very much reccomend any England fan out in Paris to get to Hotel de Ville for the game on sat the atmosphere will be unreal and i myself would like to see more english there so that we can rub it into the french even more! but u need to get there early as it gets absolutely packed!
脿 Samedi
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i'm sure the boys would love to park in Paris Hilton, sorry i meant at, but they may not get much sleep!!!
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I've stayed in that campsite and it was fine! Although not the nicest campsite I've ever been to so don't go getting your hopes up too much. Right by the river, lots of campervan spaces.... I recommend it.
but just don't go wandering around the Bois past midnight..... unless you happen to have one of the england front row with you.
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The Bois De Boulogne is a 'well known area' I live in Puteaux, just near it, with my French Girlfriend and daughter. But if you want a safe park up, go to the Pont de Puteaux, and head towards the campsite there. About 100 meters after the turning, there is a big playing field and rugby ppitch. You can park next to it, and it is nowhere near the more risky places.
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Hi there
Its been great following your blogs. I spent a year in Paris last year and Cafe Oz in Chatelet was my "local". With 2 giant screens and lots of beer, it was the place to watch rugby. Add to that the beautiful women behind the bar and the fact that its easy to get from Chatelet to Stade de France.
If not there's heaps of Irish bars near Pigalle.
Wish I was there.
COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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The Caf茅 des Sports in Saint Denis (Avenue Lenin), within walking/limping distance of the Stade de France is always a hot spot before big games..
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England...peak?...you guys make us laugh. U make so much out of one win. With scores like 36-0 and 75-0 last 4 years against SH teams (not counting AB's) you really are funny. Bad english young refs apart, count yourselves lucky you are not on the end of another pommy thrashing- they come a dime a dozen for us. For once- please, score a try. Mind you, the french showed theyve got it but I dont know? Arges win would be good for the game top defence, top scrum. Looks good.
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Bring on the french. Should be a great match. 2 awesome teams at their best. Arges and SA in the other half. Can only be good for the game. lets hopw all 4 open up and entertain us all.
Well done to the hosts and lets see a real good 2 weeks of rugby.
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Prediction:
Sth Africa... between 12-15 Arges 18-21. I believe theyve done enough to have support. Be massive if Arges win the cup...
France- between 20-26. England- any multiple of 3 up to 12. What do you think?
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Does anyone know when Eng beat Fr if there are going to be any screens erected in london for the final.
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Yes... There will be screens in London when England beat France. Listen for the buddy holly tune "that'll be the day" and follow that one. Im sure its there somewhere...
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Hi Guys,
Glad to hear you're making good progress...
There seem to be a lot of options for the pre match shandy...
I guess you'll do some sort of a reccie on Thursday/Friday... I will, of course, be checking the blogs for the proposed venue(s)...
Looking forward to arrival a Paris... should be around 4pm local time... time a plenty to drop of stuff at hotel and meet up at whichever venue has been selected...
Hope you find an appropriate campsite safely...
Cheers guys, see you Saturday
Paul C
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Jhapinz - what a riot you sound
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For those of you coming over to lap up the atmosphere, there are several outdoor big screens in Paris: Hotel de Ville, La Defense and Stade de Charlety. I've not been to any so can't vouch for atmosphere etc.
Other great places are: The Coolin (Irish), Le Frog + Rosbif (British but will have a lot of 'locals' there too and my personal favourite!), Caf茅 Oz.....basically any non-French themed bars!
Enjoy the match - France will bottle underneath the pressure.
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Time for upsets are gone!! SA might not
beat the argies 36-0 but they will win.
I hope i can be there in france for the
final SA vs Fra .
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Jhapinz ;
England have suffered numerous bad losses to SH sides - and others - over the last 4 years, since the end of the last world cup, with a large number of the2003 side being absent - johnson hill best dawson thompson - and many not being their former self - dallaglio, vickery, robinson. We are under no illusions we have been trying to rebuild and it hasnt been easy.
NEvertheless, we are english and that means something, and that is the reason WE are in the semi final and YOU are going HOME. your petty insults only reinforce our good feelings! thanks mate.
you are obviously still mourning after your side once again choked - fortunately not something we english have to live through too much, we are winners, we have guts and determination. NZ are inconsequential as a nation and for that reason they arent designed to reach the pinnacle of anything, including rugby.
sit on ur number 1 position in the world and swivel.
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I'm glad Jhapinz has had a laugh post the Sat debacle. He joins many millions of rugby fans in laughing at the AB's falling flat on their face (again). I wonder what Murray Mexted thinks of it all?
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ok, so we've got:
Hotel de Ville
Cafe Oz - Chatelet
Irish Bars - Pigalle
Cafe Des Sports - Saint Denis
The Coolin
Le Frog & Rosbif
Sounds like a good start... keep the ideas coming!
Jhapinz... if you're in Paris, would be great to share a beer with you! Sounds like you need a good pint of bitter!
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ok, so we've got:
Hotel de Ville
Cafe Oz - Chatelet
Irish Bars - Pigalle
Cafe Des Sports - Saint Denis
The Coolin
Le Frog & Rosbif
Sounds like a good start... keep the ideas coming!
Jhapinz... if you're in Paris, would be great to share a beer with you! Sounds like you need a good pint of bitter!
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I've got a dilemma - I've got tickets to see Billy Connolly on Sat evening at 8pm. However my wife (French) has become an overnight Rugby fan and wants me to cancel. What should I do?
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Jhapinz thinks England makes so much out of one win. Well, that's what the WC is about. You can always withdraw if you don't fancy your chances when it really comes down to it.
"Bad english young refs apart"...? Ooh, touchy :)
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I have been wondering about something all tournament. In people's opinions how many of the starting XV of the major teams at this world cup are not using performance enhancing drugs, supplements or doping?
Just wondering.
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To Chris Phillips.
Why do you have to say things like "NZ are inconsequential as a nation"? I am not from NZ but I get irritated when people like you make these unnessary comments. You reflect badly on English people, the majority of whom are not petty minded and nationalistic and are intelligent enough not to widen a debate about who has the better rugby team to who are the best people. Can't you just stick to rugby?
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So, if I could summarise the post quarter final whinging and crying into the beer of the Kiwis and the Aussies it should go like this:
1) There should be a bunch of rule changes to eliminate the scrum, ruck and maul because England, France and SA are now much better than NZ and OZ at that.
2) NZ and OZ play a far more attractive game of rugby and shouldn't be expected to have to scrummage and ruck and maul when they want to play their pretty-the-ball-over-the-tryline type of game.
3) AUS should have at least an automatic semi final place at the WC regardless of actual results, because after all they are one of the best teams in the whole world and have the "world's best back line".
4) In the case of NZ they should be given a bye to the final because they are the best team in the world, despite that they have only one world cup win to their name which took place in the amateur era when the world's best team at the time, SA, wasn't allowed to play.
5) NZ and AUS can pick the refs they want to ref their games and change any decision they might make that either team doesn't like.
6) England should be allowed to play in, but never allowed to actually win the WC because despite the fact that they keep winning games the NZ and OZ media say they can't their style of winning is too "boring".
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Please note that the giant TV screen in Paris downtown is being moved from the hotel de Ville to the Champs de Mars (where the Eiffel Tower stands)for safety reasons (overaffluence). 400000 people attended a rock concert there for Bastille day so that might be large enough
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If you want to try a bar that is popular with the real French rugby fan, try the Eden Park Cafe, 10 Rue Princesse. Its reasonably central, half way between the Jardin du Luxembourg and the river.
It was (may still be, for all I know - it was fifteen years ago that I used to frequent it) owned by the former French International Franck Mesnel (Fly-Half cum centre in the mid to late eighties), and rugby players from all over France used to gather there.
Look out for the bottled beer made with malt whisky! I think it was called Bulldog.
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Hello one and all. Well, we weighed up our options and the Bois De Boulogne campsite it is. It sounds a bit naughty but we'll just have to be careful (says the man who got mugged in Marseille). Also, thanks for all your bar suggestions - still no idea where we'll be going, but they're much appreciated and at least give us some idea.
Like a couple of army scouts, we are currently parked up just outside Fontainebleau, planning our final assault. We're going on a smash and grab reconnaissance mission tomorrow to see what Paris is all about and we'll be back and fully dug in by Friday afternoon preparing for the big push. Sorry, I've gone all military on you, I sound like I'm in the TA. Bonne chance comrades, bonne chance!
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Guys, just a thought but is the
Big V going to be in town, maybe he has some digs that could accomodate the Bloggernaut. Failing that the least he could do is escort you home through the woods at night!
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england have overachieved and have nothing to lose. that makes them very dangerous. remember denmark as late entrants in the round ball game all those years ago when yugo had to pull out? they want on to win.
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To meet brits around a "crunch" (this one will be a super one !)has always been one of the best moment of my life. I would like to support Eng in final but unfortunately, at this time I have already an appointmnent for SA against France in St Denis... so sorry my friends...
All the best anyway !!
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I think people are getting het up on here because of all the anti-English sentiment that we have to suffer from all angles at any sporting occasion.
I'm not sure about the ABs but the Aussies made me sick in 03 and now again in 07 with their anti-English comments in the press(and this coming from their "professional" players). Has rugby suddenly turned into boxing where pre-match slaggings off are parr for the course?
I have another question, what can we (the supporters) do about the French whistling national anthems and when the opposition are kicking points? I find them far worse than any other SH side for that and goes against what rugby stands for (in other words opposing fans being able to sit next to each other without fighting). It is the one thing I am dreading about Saturday's match!
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Peyo... I think your appointment is for the 19th October so you'll be fine for the 20th to support les blancs
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The rugby village at St Denis is good for pre-match beers and food. There's a band on and plenty of space for all to enjoy themselves. Don't hang around too long after the game though(around 2330 I think) as all the public transport shuts down and it's not a good place to be stranded.
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Guys -
There's a large subterranean bar on the Champs Elysees, loads of big screens, great atmosphere. Next door to the Nike Centre, 20 mins walk from L'Arc de Triomphe.
Massive atmosphere.
Good luck.
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I don't get it.
Why go to an Irish bar in Paris ?
May as well go and watch the game in Cork....
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I agree with Dave(39)... I would prefer to meet up in a good old fashioned French bar, and socialise with the locals and the English fans...
On numerous occasions I have been across to Paris for the 5/6N matches, and it's a much better atmosphere mixing with the locals...
Anyway, I'll leave it up to Tom and Ben our gracious bloggers, to decide the venue for pre/post match festivities...
ETA: Gare du Nord, 4pm Saturday
See you all later
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One piece of advice - if you're English, steer away from Hotel de Ville - we watched both matches there last week and it was great - amazing atmosphere, but you couldn't see the ground for about a mile with people everywhere and when they won (they are such bad winners, bless the french), any new zealander in the square had abuse hurled at them. God help us if we win and you're there.
A good place to be recommended however is by the Eifel Tower, another big screen and the french don't like it so much because it's too "touristy".
Allez les Blancs - come on england, we can do it... (my bet is that france will win or lose in the first 10 mins but we'll keep fighting whatever happens).
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Camping Paris Est (Le Tremblay), Boulevard des Alli茅s, Champigny /marne. Phone 01.43.97.43.07. internet www.campingparis.fr
It's near the motorway A86, which leads directly to Stade de France, it's near to eurodisney if you want :)
and most of all, it's THE PLACE of guinguettes, "Aaah! Le petit vin blannnnc qu'on boit sous les toneeeelles etc.." german tourists enjoy it but...
good luck but by pity Tom don't leave Ben alone at night in the "Bois de Boulogne" or Ben should run fast
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another camping is Neuilly/marne phone 01.43.08.21.21
be nice dear english friends, you are world champion, it's our turn now. It's not fair to take two times a part of cake while others still wait their part.
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I have seen the Serge Betson question in three blogs now but no answer. The man was obviously knocked out on Saturday. Why is he playing? Isnt it illegal?
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Ive lived many years in south west france,and Im going though hell here with my french friends.they want me to watch the match with them,but when we win they wont party,so ill go to the Irish pub in salies (small town here)and have the crack.p.s peyo the basque had kind words.
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As well as the big screen at the H么tel de Ville, where the atmosphere last w/e was unbelievable, there's one at Trocadero by the Eiffel Tower. All the Frog pubs (F&Rosbif at Chatelet, F& Princesse in the 6th, rue de Princesse) are good, as is the bombardier by the Panth茅on - which has a reputation as a "rugby" pub, so attracts locals and brits.
Whether or not you guys remeber the rugby after the memories of what you see in the bois de Boulougne, we'll have to wait and see...
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A cheap way of getting over for southerners is the overnight ferry from Pompey to Le Havre. 20 quid as a foot passenger. It arrives at 0800. Spot of breakfast, jump on the train and you are in Paris for opening time. Ferry back at 1700 on Sunday. I am in Le Havre and if anybody has a spare ticket, I will meet you off the ferry, cook your breakfast and grease your palm with silver. It's gonna be a great day.
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Here's a tip for getting home in Paris if you can't get a taxi, Dirsy. Last Friday after the Tonga game we found oursleves sans taxi at 2.30am somewhere near the Parc de Princes. After wandering further in the wrong direction in a drunken haze we stumbled across a rank of Velib free bicycles. Stick your credit card in a machine to pay a 150euro deposit and hey presto a bike for 24 hours! Trouble was we still didn't know where we going. Two of us set off on the bikes and just as we got going the other three in our party flagged down a taxi. Oh well when on tour!!! Race you back to the hotel fellas. We were advised by an astonished looking chinese bloke at a bus stop just to follow the river so off we went. 15 miles and an hour and half later having seen all the sites (eiffel tower, louvre, notre dame etc) we arrived back at the hotel, refreshed, sober and not mugged.
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Having been in Paris for the Eng Tonga game Pigalle is certainly a place you might want to visit but not necessarily for lots of Irish bars, after weeks with just male company I reckon Tom and Ben will like that area alot!! To be honest there are plenty of bars you can watch the game but for a good atmosphere down by the eiffel tower and trocadero was one of our favourites. Wish I could go this weekend but duty (work) calls but I will escape before the game so allez les blancs indeed. We got to believe!!
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Ferry booked, hotel booked, 5 of us in Paris for 2.00pm Saturday!
Thanks everyone for the info on where to watch the match. Prob watching at La Tour Eiffel, any good pubs/bars to be recommended near there?
Great blogs Tom/Dirsy, I hope the swelling's gone down since Marseille (as it were).
Allez L'Angleterre, Vamos las Pumas!
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The French, to a man, woman and child, think they're in the final already. The mind games have well and truly started here.
You'll get a warm welcome in any of the expat bars here, and if you want any advice lads (on anything), just send me an e-mail and I'll happily help.
Anyone going to the game, get return RER tickets on the way out to the ground. The queues on the way back are horrendous.
As is well documented beer inside the ground is alcohol-free.
Trains after the game arrive either at Gare du Nord or Chatelet. Carry on a couple more stops to go South of the river.
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I can't understand why you don't want to share the passion of such an event with us ! When I am in England for a rugby match between Eng and Fr, I feel much more easy with you english supporters than with french. Of course stupid people exist everywhere but you will always find real rugby lovers and we all have the same admiration for beautiful actions, blue or white. Yes, I'm a basco, Chris, ... but I use to tell it only when french loose ... Come on, barbarians, give us dreams !!
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You're not really going to go wrong watching on the big screens at the Eiffel Tower or Hotel de Ville, both brill for atmosphere however if you're after the pub scene, either of the O Sullivans at Grands Boulevards or O Sullivans by the Mill (Near Moulin Rouge) will do the job, or the Frog and Rosbif (metro Etienne Marcel line 4) and the Frog and Princess (metro Mabillon line 10) are always faves on rugby day!
Just wish I was there too!
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very good French bar for atmosphere is Sud-Ouest Cafe in Avenue Neil (10 mins walk from the Arc de Triomphe) to the NW. Good and very reasonably priced Basque cooking. Would not recommend for actually watching the match because it is very small, but worth dropping into if you are in area. Boss is rugby mad: lots of photos around bar including one of him and Dellaglio. Enjoy....
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So it's:
1. Return tickets before you go to the game
2. Irish bars (open till varying late hours) around Clichy
3. Frog pubs are good atmosphere, but beer tastes better on way out than on way in and is expensive....
4. Bastille is lively till late
Don't walk home into Paris from the stadium, but walking back to hotels will be alright as long as you stick to main roads (ie well-lit)
In response to a comment from a French user, if someone described some specific French bars where the welcome is warm, then I'm sure people would go there, but the trouble is, most of us have had fingers burned in a bar once or twice and therefore stick to recommendations....
Roll on Saturday
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Does anyone know where we can buy England Rugby World Cup shirts in Paris. Left it a bit late I know but only got our tickets today. By the way, we'll be in Paris tomorrow and if anyone's interested we've got 6 (4 + 2) tickets for the Sunday. I'll check this blog before I leave the house at 0430!!!
Have enjoyed all the tips!
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