Not long to go now. Ireland open their Euro 2016 account on Monday in Paris when we face Sweden at the Stade de France. Paris will be swarmed by a legion of Ireland fans who were either lucky enough to get tickets, or who are going to chance their arm anyway - and will have a great time whether they get into the stadium or not.
For the thousands of you who will be going, you need to know where to go in Paris to join up with the rest of the Irish fans, what you can do to catch all of the other games in the Euros - and other great places to go before you set off in your campervans and on to Bordeaux for the Belgium game five days later.
Get involved in our #Euro2016 facebook group for useful tips, and a shitload of flags https://t.co/PJWL2cJF8k pic.twitter.com/ZSpZB8RLBg
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) May 6, 2016
The first step is to join our Euro 2016 facebook group. Not because we're self-promoting, but because that's where we got 80% of the information about what to do in France when you are there. It's full of people who will be going, who have tickets to sell, and creating debates about who should be in the team for the opening game.
You'll also need to have your travel money sorted, and few options make as much sense than the Three Money Card if you don't want to carry cash around with you in Paris as you can easily top up your plastic over the internet or phone.
How to Get There:
By now, most of you will have already sorted out how to get there. Flights to Paris aren't as bad as trying to get to Bordeaux or Lille so far, but there is still the option of going to Germany, Belgium, or Holland and travelling across by plane, train, or automobile.
Anyone still looking to fly should check the flight prediction app hopper, or check out google.com/flight for airline price comparisons.
Where to Go:
Why would you go to Paris for an Ireland game and not make the most of the atmosphere that the Irish fans are bound to create?
UEFA have set up a EURO 2016 fan zone by the Eiffel Tower which is going to be packed with fans of all countries. It would be a good place to watch the games the day before or after. Spain and Czech Republic will be playing at 3pm (local time) on the same day at Ireland and Sweden; with Belgium and Italy kicking off later at 9pm. For those going to the Ireland match - it's at least an hour via public transport to the Stade de France.
The fan zone will have big screens, concerts, a pitch for a kickabout - MUSE are playing on the 28th of June there.
Beware that with the added security measures surrounding the games; there will be some delays getting through security going into the stadium. The authorities are recommending arriving at the stadium three hours before kick off.
Irish fans will be congregating near the Gare du Nord pre Sweden game. There's a square in the Montmartre area named Square Louise Michel. There aren't a lot of meet-up points around the stadium itself, so the majority of Irish fans will be getting the RER train from Gare du Nord at around 4pm to be there in time.
Where to Stay:
The prices of hotels in Paris, especially with the Euros on have gone through the roof. If you haven't got one by now, it's perhaps better to look at alternatives. There are options:
- A favourite of many is using airbnb. This writer has used the site before in other cities and it works a treat. It's essentially a very short term rental from a landlord. It can be something as small as a couch to sleep on to a private apartment for a few days.
- Commute from another city. A number of fans are doing this for the Lille game, but there's no reason why it couldn't be done going the other way.
- Fly in and out in one night. With the game kicking off at 6pm, it's possible to get a flight to arrive in Paris for 9am, and to return to Paris Beauvais-Tille airport for 10.25 pm.
What to Do:
What is the point of being in Paris for a Euro 2016 game only to leave straight away? Why not take the opportunity to spend a day or two in Paris to discover one of the best cities in the world?
You can take advantage of Euro 2016 having fan sites at the Eiffel Tower to climb the famed landmark, while the Irish meet-up will be at Montmartre, which has the basicilla of Sacre Coeur where you can see across the city.
For others, EuroDisney will be a popular destination, as will boating tours of the city from the Seine. There's no shortage of museums in Paris for those culturally inclined. Walking along the Promenade Plantee is a must - the elevated railway line turned into a linear park provides a vantage point of the city that nowhere else can match.
The Paris Jazz festival begins on the 11th of June and will last until mid-July. Taking place at the Floral Park, there will be 30 concerts spread out over eight weekends.
You canvisit the famed Champs Elysees, and potentially take in the international film festival that will be on from the 8th of June to the 14th, tickets cost €50.
There are games in Paris on the Sunday before, and the Wednesday after if you want to take in those games - but tickets will be tough to come by.
Paris tourist office - your bill is in the post.
Where to Next:
Next stop Bordeaux. You've five days to get to the south of France to see the boys in green face the second best team in the world.
There are planes, trains, and automobiles ready to take you down the 600 odd km from Stade de France to Stade de Bordeaux. Top up your Three Money Card and continue your journey.
