First visit to Paris, 6 days

Old Sep 4th, 2015, 12:45 PM
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First visit to Paris, 6 days

My trip isn't until May 3, 2016, but I am a planner!! We are staying in a hotel(not airbnb) in the 7th arr (yes, touristy, but it is our first trip!). After 6 days in Paris we will be getting a car and driving to other parts of France for 10 days. So my question for right now is about seeing Versailles. We plan on doing this mid way through our 6 days in Paris. Tour? or take the train and do it on our own? We are both 64yr old, but enjoy walking a lot. Also what are thoughts on "skip the line" tours for Louvre, Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower? We really like to go at our our pace in museums, but also don't want to spend hours in a line. Well, that is all for now, you will be hearing from me in the coming months with more questions!!
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 12:55 PM
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Why don't you do Versailles the day you leave Paris and pick up your car there at the end of the day? It will save you having to drive out of the city.

Lines can be very long, so avoid them. You can skip lines by getting the Paris Pass (which gets you into all three places you mention).

You can also avoid a long line at the Louvre by ... simply not standing in it. Use one of the other entrances ... such as the one in this You Tube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7qnD9MGJRg
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 01:18 PM
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No tours needed for Versailles.
Get onto line C of RER (I usually board it a Bir Hakeim, close to Eiffel Tower). You get off 500 m max from the castle.
When at Versailles, I visit on my own too.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 01:29 PM
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Hi -

We were in Paris last July, for the first time with our kids. I was anxious about waiting in too many lines also. Our experience was this:

Eiffel Tower:
We went to the Eiffel Tower later one evening - around 8:30. We almost didn't go because none of us wanted to have to wait in line after we'd already walked so much during the day. When we got there there was no line to walk up. We had expected the walk to be difficult but honestly it was not a big deal at all. It took maybe 15 minutes to the first level, then we spent some time taking pictures, and another 15 mins. or so to the 2nd level. We couldn't believe how easy it was and how uncrowded it was! Now, it had been raining earlier in the evening and was still overcast; maybe that affected the crowds. But it was the perfect night. The Eiffel Tower starts twinkling around 10pm during the summer so by the time we got back down to the street we had time to buy an ice cream and find a spot for the "light show." My parents are in their 70s and even though they're not in the best of shape, they would have been able to walk up those stairs. Even if you only make it to the first level, it's still a fantastic view. Not to be missed, in my opinion!

Versailles:
This exceeded my expectations and I wish we had allowed for a full day there (we arrived just around noon via train, which was very easy.) In the town of Versailles there is an agency that sells tours; they were sold out when we arrived. Once at the Palace of Versailles, through the gates, there was a doorway on the right where you could purchase tours. (I'm not sure if this was the same type of tour that they were selling in town or not.) We bought the next available tour. We had to wait an hour or so before the tour started so we simply walked onto the grounds (there wasn't any line to get into the grounds.)

The tour guide takes you into "private" rooms where no one else is, except your tour group, so there are no crowds. It was very civilized. After the tour you can continue to walk through the palace on your own but we decided it had been enough and were anxious to see the grounds. We loved the grounds. If you get there early enough I'd suggest renting a golf cart to get you around. The carts were sold out by noon and the property is much bigger than I had expected. It was a LOT of walking and takes a long time to get from the palace to the Queen's gardens, for example. It's worth visiting the Petit Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet although we ran out of time to see all of it. We rented a rowboat and that was lovely.

Louvre:
For the Louvre we did book a private tour, just for our family of 4, a few months before we left for the trip. I thought it was expensive but worth it; who knows if my family will ever be back to the Louvre together. Yes, our tour guide was allowed to take us to the front of the line and she also knew how to work her way around the crowds in the museum. She knew we'd want to get close to the Mona Lisa and she just figured out how to get all 5 of us up there in no time. We did a 2-hour tour. If time is important or limited, I'd suggest a private tour. Our tour was geared toward families and was very interesting. It also made the Louvre visit a very pleasant experience, when it could have been completely overwhelming.

We really couldn't believe how lucky we were to have avoided lines at the Eiffel Tower and Versailles. However, we did wait at least an hour to get into L'Orangerie and also the D'Orsay.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 02:10 PM
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Travelhorizens: We had thought of seeing Versailles on our way to Normandy after Paris, but we were concerned with leaving luggage in the car for an extended time? I didn't realize the Paris Pass could help by pass lines, it did look like a good option for many entrance fees.
Pariswat: yes, we do like to wonder at our own pace. Thank you for the RER info.
cmm6797: thank you for the great report on all three places. Our hotel is within walking distance to the tower to thought, well if crowds one night we will try another! Good to know there are tours at Versailles also, the "hidden" areas did sound interesting to explore and that seem to only be on a tour.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 02:59 PM
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I was very surprised to see the first person responding to your question recommending the Paris Pass. The general consensus on this pass is that it isn't worth it. The Paris Museum Pass, however, can be a very good deal. It gets you into a lot of museums and it allows you to skip the line. Take a look at the website for the Museum pass and see all the places it's good for.

The Paris Pass includes a museum Pass and a transport pass and the hop-on-hop-off bus. I am of the opinion that the HOHO bus is a waste of time and money. As far as transport is concerned, we found buying carnets to be the best option for us.

Take a look at all of the options before you decide. Also, there are websites that will sell you a museum pass and ship it to you - for a price, of course. No reason at all to do that. You can buy the museum pass upon arrival at the airport, at any museum it covers or at FNAC stores.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 03:00 PM
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PS We spent 10 days in Paris on our first trip and couldn't tear ourselves away for a day trip to Versailles to Champagne or Chartes. There is so much to see and do in Paris!
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 03:58 PM
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"my question for right now is about seeing Versailles. We plan on doing this mid way through our 6 days in Paris. Tour? or take the train and do it on our own?"

No need for a tour unless that is your preference. It is easily seen on one's own.

"thoughts on "skip the line" tours for Louvre, Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower?"

I prefer to skip lines when I can, and at this point in my life, I am willing to pay a bit more for the privilege. YMMV.

As for the Eiffel Tower, I prefer seeing it from a distance. JMO.
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 05:31 PM
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I'm following this thread with interest. We will be making our first trip to France in June 2016, and I detest standing in lines (and as I will have my 8 year old son with me, I will really detest standing in long lines).

I admit, I am confused on the Paris Pass!
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Old Sep 4th, 2015, 10:37 PM
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I'm going in mar16 hope to get good advice too..
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Old Sep 5th, 2015, 01:02 PM
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The Museum Pass is what is needed if you want to skip the admission lines, though everyone has to go through Security checks.

The Paris Pass is an overpriced collection of discount coupons, a couple of bus passes and other junk most people will never use. It will also allow admission to several attractions, but the price isn't worth it.

If anyone wants bus or Metro tickets, they are easy and inexpensive to buy in the Metro stations, airports or major train stations. You can buy either "t-tickets" good for a one way trip, or the Mobilis Pass if you want to travel alot in 24 hours on one ticket.
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Old Sep 5th, 2015, 07:01 PM
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cmm6797--will you share information on the private tour of the Louvre? Was it given by the museum or a private guide?
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Old Sep 7th, 2015, 07:09 AM
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@scootoir- We booked the tour through Paris Muse (a private company), based on recommendations on this site. They were super easy to work with and the tour for our family was perfect. We met the guide outside of the Louvre at a designated spot and she escorted us right in.
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Old Sep 7th, 2015, 07:30 AM
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Regarding RER C. There are two [I think] end of the line destinations on RER C going your way to Versailles.

One to Versailles and I forget the complete name of the other, St. Quenton ??

Just be aware when reading the signs--should be no problem.
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Old Sep 7th, 2015, 07:49 AM
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We, too, took a private tour of Versailles a few years ago. At that time, the tickets were available from a ticket office on the left side of the palace when you walked through the gates. I believe the tour was offered through the palace. I would get there as early as possible as the palace will be less crowded then.
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Old Sep 8th, 2015, 10:09 AM
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I didn't see the response on the Paris Pass for the tower. My understanding is that the Eiffel Tower is not included in either the Paris Pass or the Museum & Monuments Pass.

A couple of posters have indicated they are going to Paris and detest lines. Not sure why you chose Paris if you hate lines, but keep in mind, the purpose of this site is to give you travel tips like how and when to avoid lines for each of the attractions. Some lines will be inevitable, it's Paris.
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Old Sep 8th, 2015, 01:26 PM
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A few simple pieces of advice on first Paris trips:

In the central areas of Paris (single digit arrondissements), Metro stops are close together. It is just as fast to walk one stop as it is to take the Metro. Similarly, it is as easy to walk one stop as it is to make a transfer to go one stop.

Sites will have closure days. Be sure to check an up to date listing of each site's hours and closures.

Note which sites you want to see that require nice weather. The stained glass of the Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame demand sun. Museums are good for rain days. Cloudy days are good for walking. Your preferences may vary, so make your own annotated list of things to do, including closure days, weather preference, etc. Then group sites by location to cut down on running around wasting time.

The Museum Pass (NOT the Paris Pass rip-off) saves line time, and may or may not save money. It also allows you to pop into some small place you may be near just to see if it interests you or even just to use a rest room.

The two best views of Paris are from the top of the Tour Montparnasse and from the captive balloon: Ballon de Paris in the Parc André Citroën.

Fragonard makes many branded perfumes. They sell the same stuff unlabelled in generic containers at a great discount.

The most useful map is Paris par Arrondissements, a small book, with variants from different publishers. Amazon carries them. Books do not use data plans and work without being recharged.

Berthillon makes great ice cream.

Try a different pastry every day.

My two favorite Paris museums are Cluny (museum of the Middle Ages with the unicorn tapestries) and the Picasso Museum. At Versailles, I prefer the Trianons to the big chateau.
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Old Sep 8th, 2015, 05:08 PM
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Thank you AJPeabody! excellent info much appreciated! Will look for Paris par Arrondissements, I prefer paper to electronic.
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