First time in Paris for 4 nights with Best Friend itinerary suggestions??
Mar 9th, 2011, 06:57 PM
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First time in Paris for 4 nights with Best Friend itinerary suggestions??
My best friend and I (both girls) are traveling to Paris for 4 days in April. Were two young adults looking to really experience the city. It will also be our first time in Europe so any tips/suggestions would be extremely appreciated. I know that we definitely want to do a river cruise (night/day) so if anyone has any suggestions for one that would be great. Thanks!!
Mar 9th, 2011, 07:36 PM
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How lucky you are. But you only have 4 days so make the most of it. I always buy a hop on hop off bus ticket for one or two days the first time in a city. It takes you all around the city and you can familiarize yourself with the layout of the city and the major siteseeing places by being on the hop on hop off bus. And it is just what it says. When you see a site you'd like to go to hop off. Later on stand in the same place, and you can get on the next hop on bus in about 1/2 hour - they run almost all day - check out "Viator" and you can buy online, but you often can just pay when you see the bus.
You can pick one up on the side street of the Louvre. Ahh the Louvre, Four days would not be enough - so maybe just get a ticket for one day, there are other museums not to miss, like the D'Orsay - much smaller but wonderful.
Paris is a walking city, so once you familiarize yourself you can walk around. You dont give your exact age so it would be hard to say what kind of music interests you. Most of the churches have concerts every night for about $20, but if you want something more rock n roll or jazz sometimes you come across people just playing music on the street near St. Michel and the bridge over the Seine.
Another place I love to go is to the Luxembourg Park with its big lake and adults and little kids sailing tiny boats on it. It's a great people watching place, and you can see 1000 years of Queens of France statues all around the park plus magnificent trees, bushes, and flowers. Also rue St. Michel is on one side of the park with restaurants all over that street.
You dont mention what your interests are, but you might stop at a newsstand and get a tiny magazine called Pariscope
which lists what's going on each day and evening. I gather you're going on one of those 6 day specials which include air and hotel ??
You want to try to pick a hotel in the center of Paris meaning the 1st, 2,3,4,5,6 arrondissment. I think they do offer you something in the 5th. But for a first time you dont want to be out in the 10th or 18th arr. or something like that.
Have a great time. And I'm sure others will add some advice.
You can pick one up on the side street of the Louvre. Ahh the Louvre, Four days would not be enough - so maybe just get a ticket for one day, there are other museums not to miss, like the D'Orsay - much smaller but wonderful.
Paris is a walking city, so once you familiarize yourself you can walk around. You dont give your exact age so it would be hard to say what kind of music interests you. Most of the churches have concerts every night for about $20, but if you want something more rock n roll or jazz sometimes you come across people just playing music on the street near St. Michel and the bridge over the Seine.
Another place I love to go is to the Luxembourg Park with its big lake and adults and little kids sailing tiny boats on it. It's a great people watching place, and you can see 1000 years of Queens of France statues all around the park plus magnificent trees, bushes, and flowers. Also rue St. Michel is on one side of the park with restaurants all over that street.
You dont mention what your interests are, but you might stop at a newsstand and get a tiny magazine called Pariscope
which lists what's going on each day and evening. I gather you're going on one of those 6 day specials which include air and hotel ??
You want to try to pick a hotel in the center of Paris meaning the 1st, 2,3,4,5,6 arrondissment. I think they do offer you something in the 5th. But for a first time you dont want to be out in the 10th or 18th arr. or something like that.
Have a great time. And I'm sure others will add some advice.
Mar 9th, 2011, 07:50 PM
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I love Opera Garnier...gorgeous.
You simply must get ice cream at Bertillon, it's just that fantastic (on Ile St Louis).
I also love Musee d'Orsay. I also like Luxembourg Gardens.
The food halls at Le Bon Marche are incredible and the perfume counter there is also extensive.
Do the cruise at night to see the monuments all lit up.
You simply must get ice cream at Bertillon, it's just that fantastic (on Ile St Louis).
I also love Musee d'Orsay. I also like Luxembourg Gardens.
The food halls at Le Bon Marche are incredible and the perfume counter there is also extensive.
Do the cruise at night to see the monuments all lit up.
Mar 9th, 2011, 09:48 PM
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If you do go to the Louvre, get a guide. It's worth the money because they take you right in and you bypass the lines. With only four days, you don't want to waste time on lines.
My husband and I like to walk a city, no matter how many times we've been there, but most especially the first visit. Paris is an incredibly walkable city. Stay in the 5th or 6th so you'll be in the center of things. Visit the Ile St Louis, and perhaps choose one of the small restaurants there. Have crepes in the street. Go to an open market.
I recommend that you and your friend each spend lots of time on this forum reading trip reports and posts by other people.
The Hotel Welcome on St. Germain is a great choice for a first time visitor, very well located and very reasonable. (Probably full since it's late for booking.) We also liked the Hotel des Maronniers, I think it's on Rue Jacob.
Go to the Marais, check out Place des Vosges. Get a falafel sandwich at the L'As du Falafel on rue des Rosiers. Don't go on a Friday night or a Saturday, but if you can do it on a Sunday, it's very lively in the Marais.
You'll have to pick and choose what you want to see this time, and hopefully, this forum can help you narrow down choices. I never feel bad about what I don't get to see because it's on the agenda for the next visit. It's been a good attitude that has served me well.
Good luck, and have a wonderful time.
My husband and I like to walk a city, no matter how many times we've been there, but most especially the first visit. Paris is an incredibly walkable city. Stay in the 5th or 6th so you'll be in the center of things. Visit the Ile St Louis, and perhaps choose one of the small restaurants there. Have crepes in the street. Go to an open market.
I recommend that you and your friend each spend lots of time on this forum reading trip reports and posts by other people.
The Hotel Welcome on St. Germain is a great choice for a first time visitor, very well located and very reasonable. (Probably full since it's late for booking.) We also liked the Hotel des Maronniers, I think it's on Rue Jacob.
Go to the Marais, check out Place des Vosges. Get a falafel sandwich at the L'As du Falafel on rue des Rosiers. Don't go on a Friday night or a Saturday, but if you can do it on a Sunday, it's very lively in the Marais.
You'll have to pick and choose what you want to see this time, and hopefully, this forum can help you narrow down choices. I never feel bad about what I don't get to see because it's on the agenda for the next visit. It's been a good attitude that has served me well.
Good luck, and have a wonderful time.
Mar 10th, 2011, 07:14 AM
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Also , it would be a shame not to visit the Palace at Versailles. Much cheaper to take a train from Paris there at Gare station. Only about a 1/2 hour. Wear walking shoes to go from the station to the Palace. View the palace and the gardens and the fountains. check it out online. These are really must- sees. I think the fountains go off (with music) on Sundays. The originial that Las Vegas copied .
And you might also go to Borders bookstore or one of those and peruse the travel section books for books on Paris . It Will give you a good idea of what you might want to look at.
I've been to Paris 4 or 5 times, my favorite city, and still have not gotten everywhere - never to the Marais yet...
there is a "museum pass" ticket that will let you into many museums and Versailles and I think they may be good for 2 or 4 days, ,,,been a while since I've bought one, but it was well worth it, because with the pass you dont have to wait on the long lines, or pay at each museum.
Again, not that I'm pushing Viator dot com but it will give you an idea of these museum passes and their cost. I wouldnt necessarily buy their site seeing tours listed for Paris which would be far more expensive than what you can find o your own, but it will give you good ideas of what's available to see.
Do let us know what your interests are, and maybe we can direct you a bit better.
And you might also go to Borders bookstore or one of those and peruse the travel section books for books on Paris . It Will give you a good idea of what you might want to look at.
I've been to Paris 4 or 5 times, my favorite city, and still have not gotten everywhere - never to the Marais yet...
there is a "museum pass" ticket that will let you into many museums and Versailles and I think they may be good for 2 or 4 days, ,,,been a while since I've bought one, but it was well worth it, because with the pass you dont have to wait on the long lines, or pay at each museum.
Again, not that I'm pushing Viator dot com but it will give you an idea of these museum passes and their cost. I wouldnt necessarily buy their site seeing tours listed for Paris which would be far more expensive than what you can find o your own, but it will give you good ideas of what's available to see.
Do let us know what your interests are, and maybe we can direct you a bit better.
Mar 10th, 2011, 09:23 AM
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Please don't try to fit Versailles into a 4 day trip. We couldn't fit it in a 7 day trip for those who thought they wanted to go. Just too much fun in paris.
Everyone is going to think I'm an agent for Michael Osman, but you and your friend really would enjoy him for a day's touring--and he could do the Louvre highlights for you. He's an artist, charges very reasonably, and would give you a GREAT overview of Paris, and a lot more knowledge. And it would be fun--he's a super guy.
Everyone is going to think I'm an agent for Michael Osman, but you and your friend really would enjoy him for a day's touring--and he could do the Louvre highlights for you. He's an artist, charges very reasonably, and would give you a GREAT overview of Paris, and a lot more knowledge. And it would be fun--he's a super guy.
Mar 10th, 2011, 09:23 AM
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Please don't try to fit Versailles into a 4 day trip. We couldn't fit it in a 7 day trip for those who thought they wanted to go. Just too much fun in paris.
Everyone is going to think I'm an agent for Michael Osman, but you and your friend really would enjoy him for a day's touring--and he could do the Louvre highlights for you. He's an artist, charges very reasonably, and would give you a GREAT overview of Paris, and a lot more knowledge. And it would be fun--he's a super guy.
Everyone is going to think I'm an agent for Michael Osman, but you and your friend really would enjoy him for a day's touring--and he could do the Louvre highlights for you. He's an artist, charges very reasonably, and would give you a GREAT overview of Paris, and a lot more knowledge. And it would be fun--he's a super guy.
Mar 10th, 2011, 05:45 PM
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I would also suggest that in all your walking, and you'll want to do lots, you spend some time walking around the isle de la cite...see Notre Dame and St Chappelle, it is a lovely place to go. Have fun
Mar 10th, 2011, 07:59 PM
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RE: Cruise suggestions
The Bateaux Vedettes du Pont-Neuf (http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com) which boards on the western tip of Ile de la Cite at the Pont Neuf is the only one (that I know of) that allows you to buy an internet reduced-fare ticket (that you print out before you leave home) without requiring a specific date and time. This flexibility is very helpful, since the weather in April can be unpredictable.
SS
The Bateaux Vedettes du Pont-Neuf (http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com) which boards on the western tip of Ile de la Cite at the Pont Neuf is the only one (that I know of) that allows you to buy an internet reduced-fare ticket (that you print out before you leave home) without requiring a specific date and time. This flexibility is very helpful, since the weather in April can be unpredictable.
SS
Mar 10th, 2011, 08:14 PM
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Truths:
Four days is not enough time in Paris; only because you can never get enough time in Paris.
but...
Four days will be a wonderful time in Paris if you plan well.
You don't want to spend a lot of time in transport -- so make location your prime criterion for picking a hotel.
Be sure to hit the "biggies" - Louvre, M. d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Saint-Chappelle, Seine Cruise, etc.
Self-guided walking tours are great - there are many books that have them - read up and pick a couple of areas and xerox them.
Use the Metro and buses. If you are arriving on a Monday, get a 1-week transport pass (they always start on Mondays, unfortunately), otherwise use the carnets (10-tickets each).
SS
Four days is not enough time in Paris; only because you can never get enough time in Paris.
but...
Four days will be a wonderful time in Paris if you plan well.
You don't want to spend a lot of time in transport -- so make location your prime criterion for picking a hotel.
Be sure to hit the "biggies" - Louvre, M. d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Saint-Chappelle, Seine Cruise, etc.
Self-guided walking tours are great - there are many books that have them - read up and pick a couple of areas and xerox them.
Use the Metro and buses. If you are arriving on a Monday, get a 1-week transport pass (they always start on Mondays, unfortunately), otherwise use the carnets (10-tickets each).
SS
Mar 11th, 2011, 01:59 PM
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there are guided walking tours, you might google guided walking tours in PAris, although I've never taken one, someone did mention Michael Oxman or ossman - dont really know exact name but I have heard him spoken of a lot on Fodors. Try a search for his name on Fodors. I still like the idea of the hop on hop off bus for familiarizing and taking you to main site seeing spots in city.
Also just do a search on Fodors for Paris. We have so many threads on it, you'll be reading for quite a while
And dress for winter for April in Paris - you can always take off layers, but the first time I went in april it was like 40 degreees out all the time which I hadnt expected - being from Florida, if it's 60 degrees out I'm frozen..
AND wear black sneakers. wear white sneakers and they'll know immeidately that you're American.
And if you always say Bon Jour,before and after asking a question, or merci - learn a few phrases the French will really appreciate it and treat you well for trying , even if you mangle their language.
Also just do a search on Fodors for Paris. We have so many threads on it, you'll be reading for quite a while
And dress for winter for April in Paris - you can always take off layers, but the first time I went in april it was like 40 degreees out all the time which I hadnt expected - being from Florida, if it's 60 degrees out I'm frozen..
AND wear black sneakers. wear white sneakers and they'll know immeidately that you're American.
And if you always say Bon Jour,before and after asking a question, or merci - learn a few phrases the French will really appreciate it and treat you well for trying , even if you mangle their language.
Mar 11th, 2011, 02:45 PM
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Mahya2 is correct. A little French goes a l-o-n-g way in Paris.
The French are not rude. They are, in fact, ultra polite and formal with strangers -- and they expect you to be the same.
When you enter a shop, it is felt that you are entering the shopkeeper's home.
Bonjour madame...sil vous plait...merci - these are the key phrases, as well as Je voudrais (I would like...). Using the conditional "would like" instead of "I want" is more polite.
Note: I have seen all the employees in a minimart start the day each one shaking every other one's hand as a greeting before opening up. Greeting a stranger is considered even more essential before beginning a conversation, no matter how impersonal the content.
SS
The French are not rude. They are, in fact, ultra polite and formal with strangers -- and they expect you to be the same.
When you enter a shop, it is felt that you are entering the shopkeeper's home.
Bonjour madame...sil vous plait...merci - these are the key phrases, as well as Je voudrais (I would like...). Using the conditional "would like" instead of "I want" is more polite.
Note: I have seen all the employees in a minimart start the day each one shaking every other one's hand as a greeting before opening up. Greeting a stranger is considered even more essential before beginning a conversation, no matter how impersonal the content.
SS
