Since the Dutch embassy in Bordeaux has been closed for renewing passports we have a choice either to go to the Dutch embassy in Paris or to a few town halls in The Netherlands.
After a long debate with myself I have chosen to go to Paris during the school holidays. The appointment at the Embassy has been made 2 months ago and all endless and necessary documents and forms were filled and witness of signature from my husband, for our daughter since she’s a minor, by the local gendarmerie. Hotel booked near Gare Montparnasse and train tickets too. At home I had already figured out which metro lines we had to take to the photographer who could do the photo’s since the Dutch Government is very strict, to the Embassy, to the French ‘Madame Tussauds’ Museum and even a selection of 4 restaurants near the hotel. Yes, I am very organized and not to your surprise I had already enough tube tickets.
A friend of ours took us to the train station in Angoulême, because the regional train 5 minutes from us had different time schedule and with the new line, the fast train booked by ‘Ouigo’ took us in 2 hours to the heart of the city. (tip 1)
Tip 1:
If you travel by train, try to buy tickets for ‘Ouigo’ tgv is also of the sncf but significantly cheaper. The consequence will be that the you will leave in the middle of the day. We paid, in the February holidays, from Angoulême to Paris-Montparnasse for a one-way ticket 15 euro per person, that includes a normal size rug sac or a trolley (you have to pay extra money for extra luggage).We left at 12:30 and 2 hours later we were in Paris. Make sure you are at the station really at least 30 minutes before departure of the train. There is a very strict check for both your ticket and your identity card. As a result, you may get a bit of an idea of ’all cattle to the slaughterhouse’, but for 15 euros you will get over it.
When you book your ticket, you will receive your email with the download print about 6 days before your departure (I got it 2 more times!). Read this carefully, you do not arrive in Hall 1 or Hall 2 in Montparnasse but in Hall 3 and that is really 10 to 15 minutes walk to the metro and the big hall. You have fixed seats and good seats, but no socket for your phone / laptop. There are also no bins near your chair, but a big one in every carriage; Note: you must put your waste in a plastic bag before you throw it away. Take your own food & drinks with you, there is no facility. Yes there are toilets. On the outward journey, an employee came by with a large plastic bag towards Paris, but not on the way back.
On the way back we left Paris at 15:15 for the rate of 15 euros per person. At the platform someone from ‘Ouigo’ with a microphone is telling everything; It can not be missed especially if you see their outfit. Incidentally, no minute delay.
But because they drive at not such a popular time, you have to consider an overnight stay which is a joy to see a bit more of Paris.
