24 hours in Paris! Help!

Hi

Maybe you can check out my Paris trip report on http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . It contains pictures, links and list of restaurants that we went to. Also check out this Google map: http://gardkarlsen.com/paris_france_map.htm . It shows the locations of some of the attractions of Paris and you can click on the various markers for more information

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Restaurants, accommodation, shopping ideas greatly appreciated!

Do you want to shop or see the sights? (Obviously you can't do both in 24 hours).
Your preference would determine where you'd want to stay.

It would also help to know your arrival and departure times (at CDG?).

It also helps to know your budget.

Contact Michael Osman and engage him for the day to show you Paris. If he can be your guide, ask him to make a reservation for your dinner. it will be the best spent (small amount) of money you can ever do.
try contacting him at parisfind @aol.com

first, choose a good restaurant among these ones if you are ready a lot:
http://www.guides-restaurants.fr/restaurant-romantique.php
The Meurice or the Espadon at the Ritz are a real timelessexperience.
If you're budget-minded, no problem, heat to the rue de Buci in the Latin Quarter for an authentic and affordable French experience at the bar du marché, you'll not regret it ...
http://www.parisnet.net/directory/Detailed/9.html

Thanks for all the info! I guess being I only have 24 hours, I would like to just walk around the city and do some shopping and eat at a great restaurant! What area would be the best for this?? As far as budget, I want higher end accomodations. Our flight arrives at 11:30am and departs the next day at 11:00am. Let me know your thoughts! thanks!

What kind of shopping? Perhaps you'd like to be near the grand department stores? Or little boutique shopping areas? Or are you looking for antiques or something like that?

So by the time you ge to your hotel, ti would be....2PM. And the next day, you will need to be at airport early. So you have....8-9 hours to tour. Not a lot.

I would do a long walk...start say, Place Concorde then Tuileries, outside of Louvre, rue Rivoli, Opera, Palais Royal, then head over to Notre Dame/St Chapelle (time dependant) Ile St Louis, then Left Bank along Blvd St Germain. Eat aorund 8PM in Left Bank area, then head over to Pont Neuf, and take Seine river cruise (last one of the night) to see Eiffel , bridges and city at night.

Then, if you really want to extend your night, perhaps a jazz bar?

Hi T,

>eat at a great restaurant! ... As far as budget, I want higher end accomodations.

We still need to know your budget.

Is $1800E for a hotel and 300E pp for dinner OK?

A night at the Plaza Athénée preceeded by dinner at Alain Ducasse's? Nice

My husband and I had to cut our trip short because of a family matter which left us less than 24 hours in Paris. We arrived at our hotel at 10:30am one day and left it at 8:30am the next. We did not shop (other than for a watercolor which I wanted to take home), and we did not eat at a great restaurant (we chose to eat at a stand by the Eiffel and enjoy it at night and forego the restaurant instead), but we did see an impressive amount of sites.

I have a trip report on this site, but don't know how to link it here. If you click on my screen name, it starts with "2 30 Year Olds". Look at Day 7. Good luck!

...walk around the city and do some shopping and eat at a great restaurant.

OK, that doesn't sound like you want the grand department stores. Great window shopping in the Blvd. St. Germain area of the 6th. Upscale clothing, some designers, great purse shops. (If you're a youngster, the Marais might be better---more eclectic.)

So here's a suggested itinerary. Taxi from airport to Le Madison Hotel on Blvd St Germain (6th).
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75006madison.htm
It's a nice hotel (with a/c). You'll be surrounded by shops and it's a nice walking area. Have lunch at Cafe Bonaparte (by St Germain church). By the time you finish, most shops will be open after closing for lunch. Shop for a few hours.

An hour before sunset (about 8:30 pm), catch a cab to Pont Neuf. Take the sunset boat cruise on Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf. Have dinner nearby (Ile St. Louis is lovely and easy to walk to from the boat dock). Cab back to hotel. Next morning cab no later than 7:30 am for CDG. Sleep on plane!

Thanks again for all the info! I guess to be more clear of my shopping expectations. I am not looking for dept. store, or big name designer clothing. I enjoy going to small boutiques, artsy, one of kind items. Home accesories, artwork, clothing, jewelry. Possibly something a local artist designed. Im also not into the HUGE GRAND hotels. I would love to stay at a small quaint boutique hotel. Someone mentioned a jazz bar, that would be nice too! I guess i just want to make the most of my short time in Paris. The hotel does need to be somewhat easy to get to from the airport, I really dont want any hassles getting to and from the airport. What neighborhood would be best to meet my needs? How about some markets?

This is a great little boutique hotel.
http://www.hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain.com/

It has a wonderful restaurant, Le Comptoir du Relais, 4* I think. Hotel guests are accommodated first, others clamor to get a table. You must reserve in advance.

It is located very near the other hotel I mentioned. Nearby is Rue Buci with its colorful street market -- flowers, food, scarves, all kinds of things. The side streets have the kind of shops you describe. As for ease of getting to hotel, I would take a cab given the short time you have in Paris.

It also sounds like you would like the Marais (4th). Younger, very hip and chic. Eclectic, lots of fun shops. Maybe someone knows of a boutique hotel over there.

Go here!

http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/france-hotels/paris-hotels/hotel-daniel/review/

The hotel's great (stayed last year), and really well placed for getting just about anywhere in paris. The review here gives a few suggestions for boutiquey shopping around the area.

I'd also recommend the Shakespeare bookshop as a must-browse, but that's personal preference...

Hi T,

Will you please give us an idea of your budget?

Otherwise, we are just wasting time.

PS,

Any hotel is conveninet to CDG if you hire a limo.

PS,

Any hotel is convenient to CDG if you hire a limo.

The things we did on a short stop over like yours: Went to the Mulin Rouge, sorry for mispelling, did the Eiffel tower on another stop over, Louvre, and Notre Dame, all were great. This is probably the best 4 for a quick visit in Paris

I was in Paris last summer and recommend the elegant Luticia Hotel (on the left bank). Bon Marche, a high end department store and unbelievable food store is down the street. The oldest restaurant in Paris (Le Petite Chaise on Rue de la Chaise)is a few blocks away. It's very small but reasonable and good food. Another restaurant is Le Reclaimer - great souffles across the street from the Luticia. You should go to the Rodin Museum - a 20 minute walk and the Orsay Museum. Another favorite is the L'Orangerie Museum with the famous Monet panels.
Lots of great stores near the Luticia and you can walk to Rue Baci.
Have fun.

Last time there we were kind of broke and had one day. So off we went to the biggies. Eiffel Tower, the Lourve, Notre Dame, etc. Never could've made it with out a Metro day pass and some seriously taped up feet to prevent walking blisters. Eating, drinking and shopping? You can do all 3 home.

Overnight! Lucky!

I would definitely go to the best restaurant in the city and at the same time see a lot of the sights -- Yachts De Paris!! Do not confuse this high end culinary and touring delight with the not-so-bad-either Bateaux Mouches or similar. For one thing, there are one fifth the number of diners on board and for another -- the food.

It will cost as much as your next two month's car payment but you will never forget it. We weren't informed much about the adventure when we booked and an hour into our meal, we looked out the window and said, "That looks an awful lot like the Eiffel Tower lit up at dusk".

I agree -- shopping would not be my priority with just one day in Paris.

But that's what tuleppy says she wants to do.

From her descriptions I think she might like the Marais. I'm not much help with 3rd/4th hotels. Anyone have any suggestions for her?

You may very well want to book a hotel right at the airport. that way, when you arrive, you can ditch your bags, freshen up a bit, and head to town unencumbered by luggage. You could stay in paris until the wee hours, walking around, and then go back out to the airport and sleep with no anxieties about getting to your morning flight on time. I've stayed at the CDG Hilton and it was a very nice hotel, a very easy walk to the terminal, and to the RER into town.

I know many will disagree with this recommendation, but I'd steal 1-2 hours from your 24 and go down into the Catacombs. They are easily accessible via Metro, and won't take a big chunk out of your limited time -- and are quite the sight. I'd spend the rest of the day walking through the Latin Quarter, Il de la Cite, the Tuileries, etc. If you feel ambitious, steal another hour and take a quick walk through Pere Lachaise Cemetery (also easily accessible via Metro).

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Given your enthusiasm, we may have to add the catacombs to our next Paris visit. Can you tell me how they compare to the Scavi tour and catacombs in Rome?

Head from the airport to rue du Buci. Check in at the Hotel Buci Latin - charming, great breakfast, lobby bar, very homey. You're on a wonderful shopping street - there is an open market, as well as wine, olive oil, gourmet and cheese stores on the street. I agree with the post below about the Bar du March. Also check out Creperie St Germain or resturant-Cremerie Polidor,or FISH, which are close by, and all excellent. St Germain has a lot of cute shops, and its close to the Louvre. Marais is a walk, but worth it. See the Musee Picasso if you have time. Just walk, you'll see more.

smarte:
I'm glad you mentioned the museum. A close-by option is the Musee du Luxembourg. Just a couple of days ago I read a rave review of their Vlaminck exhibit.

Sadly for the OP, the Vlaminck show ends in July. But tuleppy may want to check later in the summer. If she stays in this area she'll be very close to Luxembourg Park. Every time I've been to Paris the M. du L. has had wonderful special exhibits. It's a tiny museum, can easily be done in 45 minutes.

If I was in Paris and had only 24 hours, I'd spend as much time as necessary to get out of France ASAP. As a seasoned world traveller, I've found no other City where the people are as arrogant; amd without any reason to be so. They are a people who willingly surrendered their City to the Nazis to anoid having it damaged. Stick up for principal? Not the Parisians. But they do have a famous saying, :\"Not even a sous." which describes exactly how much I want to spend there!

Lunch is a better "deal" if you're on a budget, but given you're tight on time, and probably want to do and see, pass on a sit-down affair, but go wild with local goodies, like their fabulous cafes, grab picnic meal of fresh baguette and pate and yummy cheeses at specialty shops along your sight-seeing paths...and of course crepes ! you can get the sweet or savory. If you like impressionist art, go to the Musee D'Orsay, walk up to the Louvre from the Jardin Tuleires (the beautiful gardens in front of the Louvre.) I ran along the Seine and then up and down the gardens...it was fabulous ! Try to get to the museums early or late to beat the crowds. I'll post a more in-depth article on my Paris trip on my brother's blog in a couple of weeks, will send a link then.

What do you know, there must be two cities in France named Paris, the one I know and love and the one visited by hnsodher.

Tuleppy, I agree with Mertsimmers and would grab a hotel at the airport, dump your bags and crawl back to the hotel as late as possible that night.

From the airport hotel take a taxi to the Rodin Museum have lunch in the garden tearoom then tour this jewel of a museum. After stroll to the Seine cross the Pont Alexandre III to the Place de la Concorde. I would walk through the Tuileries, see the pyramid at the Louvre, have a cherry sorbet at the Cafe Marly or on the rue de Rivoli, visit the shops in the arcade at the Palais Royal, stroll past Notre Dame and perhaps visit inside the Sainte Chapelle if it's still daylight. Then a crepe for dinner before a bateau on the Seine at twilight takes you past some of the most beautiful landmarks including the Eiffel Tower. Try to make it to the top of ET or the Arc de Triomphe that night. The Champs Elysees would be a good spot for a night time stroll and perhaps a dessert and champagne before finding a taxi stand to get back to your airport hotel.

Have a wonderful time!

I would recommend a lovely bistro by the Seine then a walk in one of the parks, Guy Savoy has a great bistro www.lesbouquinistes.com and its five minutes from St. Germain des Pres. You have two courses from 25 euros, fantastic food, 53 quai des Grand Augustins t : 01 43 25 45 94. Visit a travel planning site www.myweekin.net for more restaurants and attractions, parks you can quickly plan your 23 hours.

Hi there,

I spent 5 days in Paris in January and loved it. First, remember it will be hot in August..so walking around all day may not be the best option. Personally, I'd spend the warmest part of the day indoors and the Louvre must not be missed, it is indescribably beautiful. Don't waste your money on the audio-tour, I found it to be uninformative and boring. Do however, check online for the maps and figure out what you just have to see, trust me, you could spend days inside there and miss things. After a few hours in there, I would take the metro to Eiffel, walk around (dont bother going to the top unless it is a "must" for you), cross the river and weave your way up to the Arch and then down the Champs d'Elysee back towards the river ..timing this at twilight is just gorgeous and you can do all the shopping you'd like there. If you can grab a baguette and a treat at a patissierre, eat by one of the many gorgeous bridges...that would be a great day in Paris. Best of luck!

Wow! What wonderful information! This may be a stupid question, but is it pretty easy to get a cab in Paris? If I would stay close to the airport and cab it downtown, I am just concerned about getting a cab back. We would probably be coming back 10 or 11ish? I am traveling with my mother-in-law. This was another reason I didnt want to dedicate the whole 24 hours seeing the sites. My husband and I want to go to Paris for our anniversay, and I want to experience the famouse sites with him! I will have to pick one museum to see though. What is the Picasso one like? I am kinda liking the idea of going to cafes and eating. I will have to really look at all your recommendations and then decide with a restaurant! I can not thank you all enough for this wonderful info! I feel like I am living an 'Eat, Pray Love' (the book)scene! Paris than India! I am doing a Yoga Retreat in India, so the two stops are going to be quite different! I am really looking forward to this!

That gives us a much better picture. Good. Once you check into your airport hotel and cab to Paris it will probably be 2 or 3pm.

One museum? The Musee D'Orsay! They have a vast collection of Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Manet, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec. Gorgeous building, a former train station built for the 1900 World's Fair. There's a terrace from which you can see the Louvre, Tuillerie Gardens, Place de la Concorde and watch the boats on the river. The only problem is lines. Perhaps others can tell you what kind of delay you might encounter at that time of day in August. If you like this idea, start a new thread asking about getting tickets and lines.

The D'Orsay is right in the center so you could go in any direction for dinner. (Save the boat cruise for your trip with DH)

I, too, would worry about finding a cab that late. You could make prior arrangements with a private car service to pick you up at the restaurant. It will be more expensive but stress-free. Mother-in-law will think you're a genius!