Embracing the Thalys – hi-speed Paris shuttle

Hurrah, it’s Friday again. Feel like a bit of a change to your routine? How about a city break in Paris, a little romance, candle light dinner and wake up to a café au lait and croissant in the city of love? Fellow Belgians and Dutch, do not limit yourself to merely day dreaming, make it come true. Far from being inaccessible, the Thalys hi-speed rail connection has literally moved Paris into the outskirts of Brussels and Amsterdam. Neat neighbourhood. It’s amazing how quickly you’re whisked from either of these two capital cities to the Gare du Nord station in central Paris. As a matter of fact I’ve got colleagues who live in the suburbs of Paris and their commute back home is longer than the 1h25mins it takes you to reach Paris from Brussels. This is not mentioning the conditions they travel in, standing from door to door in the clammy and sweaty atmosphere of a fully packed commuter train. Recently was privileged to the enjoyable experience of travelling on the Thalys. Good stuff, starting from the warm and welcoming service provided by the staff, the comfortable seats with sufficient leg room in the pleasantly air conditioned compartment and the snack bar which serves a good coffee and nicely chilled drinks. Guess I now better understand why my boss always insists on us meeting in Paris, it’s the Thalys, right Patrick? Samia, Laurette, always thought you were the reason for his frequent visits. Hope you’re not too disappointed to learn it’s the thrill of the train ride.

As you draw in on the platform at Gare du Nord, Paris lays to your feet. So many things to do, landmark sites to visit, café terraces to lounge on and watch life à la Parisienne unfold right in front of you, bistro dinners to look forward to and all them other things you love to do when visiting a foreign city.

Make your life easier and book yourself into one of the many Paris hotels  within the immediate vicinity of the railway station. Don’t bother running up a cab fare or venturing out across town, hauling and lugging your suitcases up and down the many staircases of the Metro, to reach your hotel. Go for one of the great value options you’ll find in the Gare du Nord and Republique area. There’s a neat selection of properties within walking distance from the Thalys terminal. You’ll enjoy the location, you’ll find yourself close to the pulse of the Paris “populaire” as in opposition to the “bourgeois” Paris. This area is slightly outside the main touristic trail, though you’ve come to see Paris, right? Street markets, ethnic stores, small cafés packed with locals and all that goes along with life in general can be observed and experienced right here. If you’re up for ranging out on foot and no longer than 15 minutes, you’ll find yourself to be in the Bastille, Marais and central Les Halles area.

On boulevard Magenta you’ll find yourself a real deal at Hotel Magenta Paris. Besides neat discounts, a generous breakfast buffet is included in the rates. This 3* property was tastefully renovated and refurbished last year.

Just down a side street off Boulevard Lafayette is the Hotel Paris Est Lafayette. This is another value deal 3* property which makes for a pleasant stay. Sweeter still is the summer discount on 2-night stays and the complimentary Seine river cruise ticket per adult and stay. It’s worthwhile noting this property offers families a range of triple and quad rooms.

Flying Dutchmen, roll on and think Thalys!