usvi-on-line
Paris Help Please
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ShipwreckPat
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:03 am
- Location: St John
Paris Help Please
Okay we officially did it......booked 2 weeks in Paris. After reviewing about 5000 rental apartments, that part is done. Staying in the Marais which is the 3rd. Now I started to research how to spend those 2 weeks and am
overwhelmed. I know I can count on all you world travelers to tell me what I absolutelty have to do. Anyone that knows me knows my travels are all about the food but I don't think I will need too much help there. How can you have a bad meal in Paris? Filling in the time between meals is where I am stumped.I know having 2 weeks will allow us to see a lot but where to start. Also want to know if anyone has rented the bicycles there and if that is just plain crazy or a viable way to get around.
Bring it on..... I want to hear it all.
Merci Pat
overwhelmed. I know I can count on all you world travelers to tell me what I absolutelty have to do. Anyone that knows me knows my travels are all about the food but I don't think I will need too much help there. How can you have a bad meal in Paris? Filling in the time between meals is where I am stumped.I know having 2 weeks will allow us to see a lot but where to start. Also want to know if anyone has rented the bicycles there and if that is just plain crazy or a viable way to get around.
Bring it on..... I want to hear it all.
Merci Pat
Well...hmmmm... you must see the museums....obviously-- if Louvre is having evening hours do that. D'orsay is fabulous (i think my favorite...) the Rodin museum is wonderful and there is a little monet museum that is wonderful as well-- the picasso museum is great..(ok, so many museums so little time...) notre dame is well worth it and a wonderful walk from where you are. if you can , get out of town an head to either versaille or to giverny --
there are wonderful old churches in paris and getting up to monmarte is a good idea -- there is great public transportation in the city...
stain in the marais is great-- you will love it there!-- let me think some more andy will post back
there are wonderful old churches in paris and getting up to monmarte is a good idea -- there is great public transportation in the city...
stain in the marais is great-- you will love it there!-- let me think some more andy will post back
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
We spent a day at Versailles which I would do again...took a guided tour which I enjoyed...
this is from my trip report on that day with pictures to give you an idea
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=20547
and of course the Eiffel Tower..
both obvious choices!
adding: We used Rick Steves guide books..He really give good advice..never steered us wrong on our trip, he has lots on info online but we took the Paris book with us
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinat ... isitin.htm
this is from my trip report on that day with pictures to give you an idea
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=20547
and of course the Eiffel Tower..
both obvious choices!
adding: We used Rick Steves guide books..He really give good advice..never steered us wrong on our trip, he has lots on info online but we took the Paris book with us
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinat ... isitin.htm
-
ShipwreckPat
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:03 am
- Location: St John
The bikes are definitely viable. They are everywhere. Unfortunately for us we did not get to try them as the neighborhood we were in was a bit up the hill on the way to Montmartre, and it seemed the rack was always empty!
A river cruise is a really nice activity -
Of course the Louvre as mentioned, with my number two place to see the http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html
I also really enjoyed the Centre Pompidou http://www.centrepompidou.fr/
Of course if you are not into art these may not be for you!
We visited the cemetery in Montmartre http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montmartre_Cemetery this trip also and really found it amazing. So many legendary French people in there - including Truffaut http://inalonelyplace.tumblr.com/page/4#20980393831 This is also close to the Moulin Rouge -
A visit to Sacré-Coeur can be a morning or an afternoon http://inalonelyplace.tumblr.com/page/4#20978333631
We also used the metro a lot and found it easy and relatively cheap - we only had a few days so we just bought multipacks of tickets - but there are other options if you are staying for a while and want to use the metro and other rail and bus options.
The Eiffel Tower seems to be perpetually broken - they only have one elevator running to the top, and friends who were there in the winter said the situation was the same then. Be prepared to wait at least 2 hours if not many more!
A river cruise is a really nice activity -
Of course the Louvre as mentioned, with my number two place to see the http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html
I also really enjoyed the Centre Pompidou http://www.centrepompidou.fr/
Of course if you are not into art these may not be for you!
We visited the cemetery in Montmartre http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montmartre_Cemetery this trip also and really found it amazing. So many legendary French people in there - including Truffaut http://inalonelyplace.tumblr.com/page/4#20980393831 This is also close to the Moulin Rouge -
A visit to Sacré-Coeur can be a morning or an afternoon http://inalonelyplace.tumblr.com/page/4#20978333631
We also used the metro a lot and found it easy and relatively cheap - we only had a few days so we just bought multipacks of tickets - but there are other options if you are staying for a while and want to use the metro and other rail and bus options.
The Eiffel Tower seems to be perpetually broken - they only have one elevator running to the top, and friends who were there in the winter said the situation was the same then. Be prepared to wait at least 2 hours if not many more!
Anthony for Virgin Islands On Line
I love Paris. Two weeks there in September should be incredible. Friends who have rented apartments have always been pleased. There is another Forumite planning a Paris trip later in the fall, if she doesn't see your post, I'll let her know... you might enjoy sharing info.
I agree with all the above.
The Centre Pompidou is a great place to people watch, with street entertainment and a fabulously artsy fountain. Views from the top floor were very good... not Eiffel (don't miss the tower, amazing views from the second stop as well as the top) of course. Long, but interesting, video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgHjHWbx7pw
We enjoyed Napoleon's Tomb. http://www.invalides.org/pages/anglais/dome_a.html Personal story: standing in front of the actual tomb, we clearly heard my husband's first name called, "C..., C...". Shock!!! We didn't know that a friend from PA was visiting Paris at the same time.
Years ago the Jeu de Paume (interesting history) was an impressionist museum; now it houses contemporary/photographic exhibits.
http://www.jeudepaume.org/index.php?pag ... 207&lieu=0
You might find these websites helpful. http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-sightseei ... -in-paris/
http://www.placesinfrance.com/maison_de ... useum.html
One restaurant I recommend looking into is http://www.auchienquifume.com/ Although several years ago and not on the same Paris visit, two dinners and one lunch were very much enjoyed. We found it by chance.
a three year old review:
http://www.marilynztomlins.com/articles ... xperience/
If you find yourself in need of an assistant... you know where to find me.
I agree with all the above.
The Centre Pompidou is a great place to people watch, with street entertainment and a fabulously artsy fountain. Views from the top floor were very good... not Eiffel (don't miss the tower, amazing views from the second stop as well as the top) of course. Long, but interesting, video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgHjHWbx7pw
We enjoyed Napoleon's Tomb. http://www.invalides.org/pages/anglais/dome_a.html Personal story: standing in front of the actual tomb, we clearly heard my husband's first name called, "C..., C...". Shock!!! We didn't know that a friend from PA was visiting Paris at the same time.
Years ago the Jeu de Paume (interesting history) was an impressionist museum; now it houses contemporary/photographic exhibits.
http://www.jeudepaume.org/index.php?pag ... 207&lieu=0
You might find these websites helpful. http://en.parisinfo.com/paris-sightseei ... -in-paris/
http://www.placesinfrance.com/maison_de ... useum.html
One restaurant I recommend looking into is http://www.auchienquifume.com/ Although several years ago and not on the same Paris visit, two dinners and one lunch were very much enjoyed. We found it by chance.
a three year old review:
http://www.marilynztomlins.com/articles ... xperience/
If you find yourself in need of an assistant... you know where to find me.
... no longer a stranger to paradise
" . . . and there is a little monet museum that is wonderful as well . . "
This could be the Musee Marmatton in the Passy section of Paris. Lots of impressionists here and rarely a crowd. Well worth the stop. www.marmatton.com
shopping: Visit the big department stores (Galerie Lafayette, Printemps, etc.) but don't overlook the passages (covered arcades) scattered around the city. They have shops that have been there for many years, selling stuff that's been there just as long. http://www.parisbestlodge.com/passages.html (We stayed at the Hotel Chopin, located at the end of the Passage Jouffroy, around the corner from Chartier, below, but I can't recommend this hotel.)
restaurant: I really like Chartier (metro: Richelieu Drouot or Grands Boulevards) for its historical ambience. The steack/frites isn't too bad, either. It's been there since 1896 and I love the decor and brusque waiters in there, even though some feel it's touristy. http://www.restaurant-chartier.com
area: From the intersection of Blvd Montparnasse and Rue Raspail (metro: Vavin), you can see -- and dine at -- four great restaurants from the 20s where the fabulous dined: Le Select, Le Dome, La Rotonde, and La Coupole, which has one of the largest dining rooms in Paris. http://www.lacoupole-paris.com/en/
Bon voyage!
TM
This could be the Musee Marmatton in the Passy section of Paris. Lots of impressionists here and rarely a crowd. Well worth the stop. www.marmatton.com
shopping: Visit the big department stores (Galerie Lafayette, Printemps, etc.) but don't overlook the passages (covered arcades) scattered around the city. They have shops that have been there for many years, selling stuff that's been there just as long. http://www.parisbestlodge.com/passages.html (We stayed at the Hotel Chopin, located at the end of the Passage Jouffroy, around the corner from Chartier, below, but I can't recommend this hotel.)
restaurant: I really like Chartier (metro: Richelieu Drouot or Grands Boulevards) for its historical ambience. The steack/frites isn't too bad, either. It's been there since 1896 and I love the decor and brusque waiters in there, even though some feel it's touristy. http://www.restaurant-chartier.com
area: From the intersection of Blvd Montparnasse and Rue Raspail (metro: Vavin), you can see -- and dine at -- four great restaurants from the 20s where the fabulous dined: Le Select, Le Dome, La Rotonde, and La Coupole, which has one of the largest dining rooms in Paris. http://www.lacoupole-paris.com/en/
Bon voyage!
TM
Paris
Hi Pat and thanks for remembering me, I-Prof. I am the other forumite who is making a trip to Paris in the fall. We will only be there for four days in early October our way to Rome, and then a cruise thru Italy and Croatia. It will be our first trip to Paris.
I have also done a lot of research, using the Rick Steeves guidebooks and Trip-Advisor also. We are staying in the 7th, one block off Rue Cler. I have some mobility issues and this area seems to be the most convenient for taking the bus or RER to many of the sites. We can walk to the Eiffel Tower, Napoleon's Tomb, and Les Invalides.
. We hope to do one day long tour of the city, which includes lunch at the Eiffel Tower,, a cruise on the Seine, and a 2 hr stop at the Louvre. The tour ends at Notre Dame, where we have a one hour tour and then we are left on our own to conclude the day.
On our first day, after arriving at 6AM from an overnight flight, i hope to have a walk on the Rue Cler, a short nap, and have a sunset ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The elevator repairs are to be completed in August, so the lines should return to normal. The second day would be for the city tour. On the third day, I would like to have some extended time at the D'Orsay, and then get over to Monmartre. I don't know if I can climb the steps to the Sacre Coeur, but I would like to ride to the top of Montparnesse, also at Sunset.. Our last day is a Sunday, so we hope to see the the Arc Du Triomphe and maybe a stroll in the park, and rest up for our 3 days in Rome.
I know this seems a little ambitious but at our age, you never know when we will get back to Paris again.
We are aware that we will be in Paris on the first Sunday of the month, when all of the museums are free, but I think the crowds will be too much to handle. Pat, if you are going to be there on the first Sunday of Sept you may find this helpful. If anyone else has any suggestions for us, please feel free to post. We have a chocolate shop in the lobby of our hotel, so many of my allotted calories will be consumed there. It would be nice to have some restaurant suggestions for a special meal.
I have also done a lot of research, using the Rick Steeves guidebooks and Trip-Advisor also. We are staying in the 7th, one block off Rue Cler. I have some mobility issues and this area seems to be the most convenient for taking the bus or RER to many of the sites. We can walk to the Eiffel Tower, Napoleon's Tomb, and Les Invalides.
. We hope to do one day long tour of the city, which includes lunch at the Eiffel Tower,, a cruise on the Seine, and a 2 hr stop at the Louvre. The tour ends at Notre Dame, where we have a one hour tour and then we are left on our own to conclude the day.
On our first day, after arriving at 6AM from an overnight flight, i hope to have a walk on the Rue Cler, a short nap, and have a sunset ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The elevator repairs are to be completed in August, so the lines should return to normal. The second day would be for the city tour. On the third day, I would like to have some extended time at the D'Orsay, and then get over to Monmartre. I don't know if I can climb the steps to the Sacre Coeur, but I would like to ride to the top of Montparnesse, also at Sunset.. Our last day is a Sunday, so we hope to see the the Arc Du Triomphe and maybe a stroll in the park, and rest up for our 3 days in Rome.
I know this seems a little ambitious but at our age, you never know when we will get back to Paris again.
We are aware that we will be in Paris on the first Sunday of the month, when all of the museums are free, but I think the crowds will be too much to handle. Pat, if you are going to be there on the first Sunday of Sept you may find this helpful. If anyone else has any suggestions for us, please feel free to post. We have a chocolate shop in the lobby of our hotel, so many of my allotted calories will be consumed there. It would be nice to have some restaurant suggestions for a special meal.
There is a funicular at Sacré-Coeur (not the whole hill of course but from the base of the last part of the hill that the church is on) - and you could also take a taxi up if mobility is an issue - we saw many taxis at the top.
Dining in Paris is great and expensive!!! I would not even try to recommend - there are just so many places. That being said - we did have one of the best, simplest, and inexpensive meals of the trip (a lunch) near the giant flea market that is way out past Montmartre. We also had a $50 breakfast that was 2 cappuccinos, 2 hot chocolates, a piece of cake, a scone, and a cookie - so be careful if you have budget constraints!
I will ask my wife to add a couple of things to this thread - she did more of the research for our last trip and had some interesting places marked out.
Dining in Paris is great and expensive!!! I would not even try to recommend - there are just so many places. That being said - we did have one of the best, simplest, and inexpensive meals of the trip (a lunch) near the giant flea market that is way out past Montmartre. We also had a $50 breakfast that was 2 cappuccinos, 2 hot chocolates, a piece of cake, a scone, and a cookie - so be careful if you have budget constraints!
I will ask my wife to add a couple of things to this thread - she did more of the research for our last trip and had some interesting places marked out.
Anthony for Virgin Islands On Line
I'm jealous! We went to Paris last summer, loved it. Our second time.
If you go online to the Eiffel Tower website you can order tickets from the states. You then get in an express line which is MUCH shorter. We waited about 30 minutes in the summer.
Get museum pass and metro pass at the airport. You'll get it out of the way and through the express lines at the museums.
This is definitely a trip where some preplanning will help with things like museum closings, some places closed Mondays, etc....
We like D'Orsay the best as far as museums. And we did the Louvre egyptian stuff. Skipped some of the others because our kids were with us.
Our favorite parts were mainly just out of luck. Our kids were drawn to the mimes and it was fun enjoying them have so much. We didn't have a bad meal. We didn't go high end since we had the kids with us but it was fine. Crepes in the street-wonderful!
My favorite restaurant I remember was L'as du Falafel. It is in the Jewish area and was quite an experience. Inexpensive Mediterranean, wonderful. So many great places we just popped into. Wish I could remember the names! Latin Quarter a favorite of mine as well.
Have a wonderful time!
If you go online to the Eiffel Tower website you can order tickets from the states. You then get in an express line which is MUCH shorter. We waited about 30 minutes in the summer.
Get museum pass and metro pass at the airport. You'll get it out of the way and through the express lines at the museums.
This is definitely a trip where some preplanning will help with things like museum closings, some places closed Mondays, etc....
We like D'Orsay the best as far as museums. And we did the Louvre egyptian stuff. Skipped some of the others because our kids were with us.
Our favorite parts were mainly just out of luck. Our kids were drawn to the mimes and it was fun enjoying them have so much. We didn't have a bad meal. We didn't go high end since we had the kids with us but it was fine. Crepes in the street-wonderful!
My favorite restaurant I remember was L'as du Falafel. It is in the Jewish area and was quite an experience. Inexpensive Mediterranean, wonderful. So many great places we just popped into. Wish I could remember the names! Latin Quarter a favorite of mine as well.
Have a wonderful time!
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
Couple of more links -
http://current.newsweek.com/budgettrave ... blogs.html
http://www.aparisguide.com/montmartre/index.html
http://www.coolstuffinparis.com/index.php
http://www.ipreferparis.net/
The Orangerie - I really wanted to go here (skipped it 6 years ago when it was just reopened I think) but missed it again for a couple of shows that were on: http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/
http://current.newsweek.com/budgettrave ... blogs.html
http://www.aparisguide.com/montmartre/index.html
http://www.coolstuffinparis.com/index.php
http://www.ipreferparis.net/
The Orangerie - I really wanted to go here (skipped it 6 years ago when it was just reopened I think) but missed it again for a couple of shows that were on: http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/
Anthony for Virgin Islands On Line
Good for you -- renting an apartment is absolutely the way to go. We did and we'd never do it any other way. We were on the Ile St Louis, which we loved, but the Marais is my favorite neighborhood. And two weeks...so jealous!
If you like ice cream, you have to go to Berthillon on the Ile St Louis (lots of shops sell Berthillon ice cream, but it's way better to get it fresh from the source). http://www.berthillon.fr/
Grab a ham & butter sandwich and have a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens on a nice afternoon!
Like Anthony, djmom, and Loria, I highly recommend the Musée d'Orsay -- in fact, I'd even be tempted to skip the overwhelming Louvre in favor of the M d'O. Just the right size/scale, gorgeous building, fascinating collection.
Of course you'll go to Notre Dame, but I really loved the glorious little Sainte-Chapelle, also on the Ile de la Cité: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Chapelle There are frequently classical concerts in the chapel -- we didn't attend one, but I wish we had! One caveat: the concerts are in the evenings, so be sure to visit during the day as well to get the full effect of the stunning stained glass windows.
We visited Sacre Coeur, but that's one of the only sights that I would rather have skipped -- I felt that it was really touristy and just didn't connect with it.
In general, our favorite thing was spending time just wandering (especially in the Marais).
Oh, now you've got me checking airfares to Paris......
If you like ice cream, you have to go to Berthillon on the Ile St Louis (lots of shops sell Berthillon ice cream, but it's way better to get it fresh from the source). http://www.berthillon.fr/
Grab a ham & butter sandwich and have a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens on a nice afternoon!
Like Anthony, djmom, and Loria, I highly recommend the Musée d'Orsay -- in fact, I'd even be tempted to skip the overwhelming Louvre in favor of the M d'O. Just the right size/scale, gorgeous building, fascinating collection.
Of course you'll go to Notre Dame, but I really loved the glorious little Sainte-Chapelle, also on the Ile de la Cité: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Chapelle There are frequently classical concerts in the chapel -- we didn't attend one, but I wish we had! One caveat: the concerts are in the evenings, so be sure to visit during the day as well to get the full effect of the stunning stained glass windows.
We visited Sacre Coeur, but that's one of the only sights that I would rather have skipped -- I felt that it was really touristy and just didn't connect with it.
In general, our favorite thing was spending time just wandering (especially in the Marais).
Oh, now you've got me checking airfares to Paris......
Paris
Thanks for all the suggestions. Have the smelling salts ready when you check the airfare. Price increased by $400 over last year to Barcelona/Madrid. Supposedly, you can get a great RT if you fly from either DC or NY on Aer Lingus via Dublin.
We liked The Orangerie and the D'Orsay even more than the Lovre.
Find out where and when the food markets pop up one or 2 days a week in different neighborhoods (vs the permanent street markets like on rue Cler) and take the metro out to it, and take a few hours to wander around that neighborhood and get some stuff to bring back to the apt for dinner that night.
http://goparis.about.com/od/shopping/a/ ... arkets.htm
Street crepes! Actually more often the side kitchen door of a restaurant or stand out front of a cafe. Also you can score great snacks/random lunch food like sandwiches or cheese on the best baguettes ever just by ducking into a bakery and carry it out to a bench and eat with a million dollar view of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, etc. - add a bottle of wine for an impromptu “picnic” on the banks of the Seine or in the shadow of the Tower.
Consider ordering just the house white wine in restaurants – cheap (2.50e or so in the cafes), and we never had never a bad glass anywhere.
And you have to go here for ice cream: http://www.yelp.com/biz/berthillon-glacier-paris
On the very same block, a shop nearby sells the best biscuits ever http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-cure-gourmande-paris
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/D ... site"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d4zQ ... 7821-1.JPG" height="536" width="640"></a>
Also, learn the bus routes near your apt. as nicer to travel above ground vs the Metro.
Besides the usual daytrips to Versailles etc., if we were going for 2 weeks, rather than squeezing it into a LONG daytrip, I might consider an overnight to Normandy (more to it than just the WWII stuff – charming seaside villages etc.) or to Bruges in Belgium. It’s a World Heritage Site of UNESCO – very cool canals, medieval architecture etc.
http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/toeris ... 0musts.htm
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinat ... ugesbd.htm
Some more photos here from our 2010 trip…
https://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Paris#
Find out where and when the food markets pop up one or 2 days a week in different neighborhoods (vs the permanent street markets like on rue Cler) and take the metro out to it, and take a few hours to wander around that neighborhood and get some stuff to bring back to the apt for dinner that night.
http://goparis.about.com/od/shopping/a/ ... arkets.htm
Street crepes! Actually more often the side kitchen door of a restaurant or stand out front of a cafe. Also you can score great snacks/random lunch food like sandwiches or cheese on the best baguettes ever just by ducking into a bakery and carry it out to a bench and eat with a million dollar view of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, etc. - add a bottle of wine for an impromptu “picnic” on the banks of the Seine or in the shadow of the Tower.
Consider ordering just the house white wine in restaurants – cheap (2.50e or so in the cafes), and we never had never a bad glass anywhere.
And you have to go here for ice cream: http://www.yelp.com/biz/berthillon-glacier-paris
On the very same block, a shop nearby sells the best biscuits ever http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-cure-gourmande-paris
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/D ... site"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d4zQ ... 7821-1.JPG" height="536" width="640"></a>
Also, learn the bus routes near your apt. as nicer to travel above ground vs the Metro.
Besides the usual daytrips to Versailles etc., if we were going for 2 weeks, rather than squeezing it into a LONG daytrip, I might consider an overnight to Normandy (more to it than just the WWII stuff – charming seaside villages etc.) or to Bruges in Belgium. It’s a World Heritage Site of UNESCO – very cool canals, medieval architecture etc.
http://www.brugge.be/internet/en/toeris ... 0musts.htm
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinat ... ugesbd.htm
Some more photos here from our 2010 trip…
https://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/Paris#
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide