SoundDiva

Well, the airline tickets are purchased and the apartment is rented -- we're going to Paris (again)!!

We were there last November -- in the midst of the transit strike -- and just didn't get to do all the things we wanted to do. So .... we're going again next spring.


This time we'll be staying near the Louvre, in a lovely apartment (the two bedroom triplex) on the grounds of the Palais Royale. We rented through Paris Vacation Apartments and they have been wonderful so far.

Have a (loose) itinerary -- any comments or suggestions would be most welcome.


Day 1 (Friday) - Arrive in Paris approximately 11:20 am. Get keys at apartment. We may walk over and tour the Opera Garnier if we're not too jet-lagged. Then dinner somewhere in the neighborhood.


Day 2 (Saturday) - Pere Lachaise Cemetery; Berthillion on the way to Notre Dame; Musee du Moyen Age (Cluny Museum); lots of wandering, looking around, relaxing.


Day 3 (Sunday) - Arc de Triomphe (up to the top this time); Musee du Vin (plan on 2-3 hours here as hubby is a real wine enthusiast); more wandering; Dinner somewhere near Eiffel Tower; watch twinkly lights of Eiffel Tower (perhaps from Trocadero).


Day 4 (Monday) - Musee d’Louvre (early); Musee de l’Orangerie; more wandering; husband's birthday dinner at Chez Flottes.


Day 5 (Tuesday) - Husband is taking Eric Fradeau's Cooking Class and I join him for lunch after the class; Sacre Coeur and explore Montmartre.


Day 6 (Wednesday) - Musee de l'Armee and Napoleon’s Tomb; Musee Rodin; Orchestra de Paris @ Salle Pleyel.


Day 7 (Thursday) - Chateau Versailles (early); Musee d’Orsay (evening - may skip if tired, we did visit last trip).


That's it for the Paris portion of our trip. We'll be in Reims for 2-1/2 days, then back to Florida. We have tried to make this itinerary open enough to just "experience Paris" and go with the flow.


Now, if only the time would pass ... quickly ... and we can GO !!!!!!!!!!


SoundDiva

adrienne

Depending on when you'll be in Paris the Opera Garnier only has tours in English & French Wed, Sat, Sun 11:30 & 2:30. Daily July & August and spring holiday (I guess Parisian school holidays or Easter?). So probably no Friday tour.

http://www.operadeparis.fr/Visites/P...Visiter.en.asp

The Cluny has medieval concerts Saturdays at 4:00. I attended one last fall and loved it. It's free with museum admission but you have to ask for a special ticket when you buy your museum ticket. They do check to see if you have the additional ticket (really just a slip of paper) since seating is limited. The concerts take place in the frigidarium and are different every week.

I think Versailles and Orsay are way too much in one day. You could move the Orsay to Wednesday, depending on the time of your concert.

There's never enough time for Paris! Enjoy!

travelbunny

Diva..lucky you to be planning another trip...just a few comments. Glad you are going to the Cluny- one of my favorite spots. There is sometimes some early music but I think it is on Friday (perhaps some info on a website or likely someone here knows). I was a bit disappointed in the wine museum. As you are going to Reims, you will probably touring some of the caves. I loved Moet Chandon but thought Mumms was a Disney ride. I would perhaps do more of the wine tour here than at the museum. I loved Eric's cooking class and I am sure your SO will too. I took it and my SO joined me for lunch and we all had a good time. Have you been to the Marmatton Museum? If not I really would recommend it. As you have been to Paris before, you probably know that wandering and changing itineraries often works best. Enjoy!

Nikki

It appears that the concerts at the Cluny Museum have finished for the season. There is a schedule at the website: http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/homes/e...vite_event.htm but it only lists the month of June.

When they are running, the concerts are on Fridays at noon and Saturdays at 4 PM. I really enjoyed these concerts, I've been twice. You can buy the CDs of the group Ultreia, which performs the concerts, from the museum gift shop.

Sounds like a great trip, have a wonderful time.

SoundDiva

Everyone:

Thanks for your input. I think we can tweak the itinerary a bit and will talk to hubby about it.

The Marmottan sounds interesting.

Appreciate all your feedback.



SoundDiva

ninasdream

Lovely itinerary. May I refer you to the front page of the NYT travel section Sun 06/29? Highlights hidden parks in Paris, including one behind Notre Dame, even mentions some websites to use for exploring. The outdoor cafe Rodin, looking over sculpture gardens, prefixe menu 'til about 2, also lovely tartins, try the smoked salmon. I still make my version of that one for parties.

I wish I could remember the name, there is a bakery on the way to Arc de Triomphe that always has a huge line. I want to say Paul's, the bread. Versailles- look into whether you want to buy admission or tour in advance to avoid lines, & IMO,leave plenty of time for the grounds which I enjoyed more than the inside. Depending what month, you may want to check to see if you can little restaurants that set the menu to local game, I had some marvelous meals that way.
Also, I still regret I didn't make a little side trip to St. Denis. Enjoy. Oh, & I fold up to carry-on size & don't make much noise.

ninasdream

FYI, according to my photos & trip journal, the bakery I referred to above is "Paul" and it is right on the Champs Elysee. Worth a stop!

Tx_lv2trvl

bookmark

Michel_Paris

A couple of things I read in a newspapaer recently....

For the last 10 years, a group of hard-core dancers have gathered on the Seine every evening from mid-May through September. They do the tango, salsa and rock-swing. Free lessons start at 7:30 p.m. (a hat for tips is passed), followed by dancing until midnight. It all happens at Square Tino Rossi at 9, quai St.-Bernard in front of the University of Paris at Jussieu just a few steps from the Cathedral of Notre-Dame (“Paris Danses en Seine,” tangoargentin-eric.site.voila.fr/page3.html).

(I've seen them while taking Seine River cruise and wondered who they were)

The iconic restaurant Taillevent has one of the best wine cellars in the world, and every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. it offers a free tasting. Visit the www.taillevent.com and click on “Les Caves Taillevent,” then “Nos Prestations” and then “Les Dégustations” for information (in French only) on the schedule and theme of the tasting.

Kyliebaby3

Sound Diva: Please let me know how your husband's class with Eric Fradeau goes. I'm going to be taking one with him next January, and would love to know how it turned out.

Enjoy Paris!

SoundDiva

Kyliebaby3:

Actually, you will be there a bit before us. So, if you don't mind, please let us know how your class went.

Have heard really good things about Eric's class. Husband is a "budding" chef and he is really excited about it.

Thanks much and enjoy your trip.


SoundDiva

Kyliebaby3

Will do! I'm sorry I misread your post-- I thought it said you were going in September. Clearly, I was trying to do too many things at once!

I will definitely let you know how the class goes. I've heard from a few people on Chowhound who have taken his course, and they loved it. So, I'm hoping for a planar experience. We shall see!

I'll report back to you in January. Remind me if you don't hear from me!