reggierm

Hi,

I'm going to Paris for the first time and will be spending 2 nights (1.5/2 days) there with a few friends. I've been having such a difficult time deciding what to see/visit and I'm getting a bit overwhelmed. I want to see everything but I also want to enjoy myself and remember my trip. I know I will be back for another visit someday but if anyone can give me some advice as to where to go in my current situation that would be great.

My friends and I are flying in from Dublin on October 28th at 9am and leaving October 30th at 1pm (really not a lot of time). We're staying at a hotel in Montmartre, Pigalle.

My itinerary so far/places we want to see:

From Beauvais Airport to Porte Maillot we'd start off at the Arc de Triomphe, then go to the hotel drop off our things - at this point it's probably around 12pm-1pm. I don't know where to go from there.

We want to see:
Eiffel Tower (just to see, not go up)
Notre-Dame
Sacre-Coeur
relax at a cafe/have dinner at one cute restaurant

We know we want to go to at least one museum - either the Louvre, d'Orsay or Rodin - how busy would these museums be at the end of October? Is the Louvre really worth seeing? We're thinking that if the Louvre was too busy we'd just take photos outside the building and pyramid and just go visit another museum. Does the museum pass really help with the lines and maximum time?

We thought about exploring Monmartre for half a day since we're going to Sacre-Coeur - is it a good idea? What's there to see? It looks like a cute town and one of my favourite films (Amelie) was shot there.

Any feedback/advice would be much appreciated as well as any recommendations on other places to see.

el13207

I would advise you to consider what kind of art you prefer before choosing what museum to visit. If you love the impressionists, for example, then definitely go to the d'Orsay. If you prefer classical art or just have to say you've seen the Mona Lisa, then pick the Louvre ( but spend a bit of time before you go researching what you want to see and where it's located, as the Louvre is immense). In my experience the museum pass has been worthwhile for the shorter entrance line, but I doubt it worth the cost for just one museum visit. Be sure and arrive early (1/2 to 1 hr) before doors open to be towards the head of the line. And yes, it will still be busy in October!
Montmartre is indeed charming but you are staying there and can get a decent sense of the area in a couple of hours.
One enjoyable way to see the Eiffel Tower is to take an evening boat ride on the bateaux mouche- it is beautifully lit - it's a relaxing way to end what sounds like will be a very full sightseeing day in Paris!

mamcalice

Only you can decide what you want to see in two days. I can tell you what I would see but you need to do your own research. Is the Louvre worth seeing? It is probably the most famous museum in the world for good reason. But if it were my choice, I would visit the D'Orsay. Much more managable with the time you have available. Is Sacre Coeur worth a trip? I'd much rather see Notre Dame and Ste. Chapelle but you've locked yourself into Montmartre because of your hotel selection.

The advice above to take a river cruise is good. It passes many Paris landmarks and has a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower lit at night. We like the Vedettes du Pont Neuf which leaves from the Pont Neuf. If you take a cruise just before dusk, you will see the lights come on all over Paris which is a beautiful sight.

Enjoy your brief visit to Paris.

Edward2005

I would see one sight and spend the rest of the time enjoying a cafe and a nice restaurant.

Consider riding a full circuit on bus route 69. It passes through the heart of the city, takes you by several major sights, and gives you a really good lay of the land.

Consider this visit to be a scouting expedition for your return trip.

Christina

It depends what kind of art you like. The Louvre focuses on periods before Impressionism and also has a lot of decorative objects or artifacts that are not just paintings. the Orsay is Impressionism but has some sculpture and a small bit of Art Nouveau decorative items/furniture.

Rodin is sculpture, of course, although I guess there are a few paintings in there, it's pretty small. I would never put it in the same leagues as the Louvre and Orsay, unless you were an absolute Rodin fanatic waiting your whole life to see some of his work.

Yes, the museum pass helps with lines to some extent, at least at the Orsay, it's more important, I think. Because the Louvre has automatic ticket machines so it seems to me the wait isn't that long except for security. Not sure passholders get a special security line.

The Louvre and Orsay are always pretty busy, but not that bad if you get there first thing (or one of the evenings they are open).

dianeincleveland

As much as you may want to get to the museums, save the Louve and the Orsay for your longer trip. You will free yourself up for a sweeter time (seeing the Rodin for an hour is very sweet and moving). Montmartre is lovely--Rue D'Abyesses is a wonderful place to walk and eat, enjoy Sacre Couer. The advice to take a boat trip is also good. Yes to Notre Dame and St Chapelle, you can do a few things like that if you also make it about walking and stopping in a cafe to people watch. Forget about shopping, being in museums, going to the top of the Eiffel tower--all that awaits another time. Montmartre, when you drink it in, will be a great memory. It is not how BIG the tourist sights are, it is how much heart you find being near these famous places.

I was in Paris 3 short times before I had a chance to see the Louve. You can't get stuck in a long line. It was fantastic to be there, but it really needs half a day or you are just putting silly notch on your belt. Paris has exquisite experiences to offer you even if you touch NONE of the top ten tourist spots, but you will have time for eyeballing places you can visit when you are really being in Paris.

My recent trip to Dublin was fun even with only two days. I thought the Gaol was really interesting, and so was Howth. But there was time to walk, have beer, talk to people, and leave with a good feeling. Paris should be treated with care and not squeezed too hard the first time you touch it.

Diane in Cleveland

reggierm

Thank you very much for all of your advice. I agree with the importance of just soaking in the city. Diane in Cleveland captured it nicely "Paris should be treated with care and not squeezed too hard the first time you touch it." I know I will certainly be back!

Everyone seems to agree with doing a boat trip. Any recommendations as to which one? There are just so many.

Merci Beaucoup!

klondike

We prefer Vedettes du Pont Neuf, right at the end of Ile de la Cite. They have tickets that are less expensive if you buy them on-line. Besides the romantic location (under the oldest bridge in Paris) their boats are smaller and more intimate than the Bateaux Mouches vessles....just our preference. Always a delema as to which is better, day or night...you see more of Parisian life during the day but it's fantastic at night--and u usually get to see the ET sparkle during the voyage.

Christina

but it really needs half a day or you are just putting silly notch on your belt. >>

I don't agree with that one bit. I frequently visit museums when I travel, and at home, and rarely, if ever, stay a half day, if that means four hours or more. I just don't have the stamina to be in a museum that long, I get distracted and don't enjoy it, just looking at things on walls, etc. I much more enjoy museums when I go for only a couple hours. You can see a lot in a couple hours in a museum. In fact, I think that may be why some people dread them or don't like them, the idea that people say you have to spend hours and hours in them. The Louvre and Orsay are now fairly expensive, so I can see some people have the idea they must get their money's worth and that's why they think you must stay many hours, but I don't believe in doingi things I don't enjoy.

I may mainly concentrate on only a couple areas, of course, that I'm especially interested in, but again, I don't enjoy having to tour an entire museum in one day, whether the Louvre or the Met in NYC.

I think there are really only four main Seine boat cruises, and they aren't that different to me. I've done Bateaux Mouches and Bateaux Parisiens (from near Notre Dame on the Left Bank quay), which also have small boats. IN fact, I think Bateaux Mouches is the only company with large boats? Not sure. They were both fine, it's mainly a break for me, I don't expect anything special and don't do it for the commentary, which I don't listen to that much. I don't find any inherent virtue in smaller boats if you get a good seat on the big one. I just choose by what's convenient to where I am at a certain time of day. Vedettes de Paris depart from near port de Suffren so just may not be as convenient as the ones more in the center. Vedettes du Pont Neuf do give discounts if you buy online, but they are more expensive than the others without that, as a walkup. But prices aren't really that different, a euro here or there.

denisea

One thing to consider is the combo ticket for D'Orsay and L'Orangerie, if you like Impressionistic art. I agree that you need to give some thought to what you like and are interested. The Louvre is not really my thing, as I don't care for the art there as much as I do d'Orsay, L'Orangerie or Marmottan. If you go to the Louvre, do some research to know what you want to see. It is massive and could be frustrating without a plan.

If you want to go and people watch rather than go inside the Louvre, go to Cafe Marly, sit outside...it overlooks the Pyramid.

Sacre Coeur is beautiful, climb the bell tower for a great view. The immediate area around the church can be very crowded but you can go a few blocks away and it gets much quieter and you might enjoy strolling and seeing what you can find.

If you end up at Notre Dame late in the day, make your way over to Isle St Louis...tons of cute shops and restaurants to choose from. Or at least walk over for some Berthillon ice cream.

el13207

I agree with Christina about not skipping museums entirely if that is something that really appeals to you- BUT do limit your time in a museum to a couple of hours (and I'm a museum docent here in the states!). If you love the Impressionists, go to the d' Orsay (get there before it opens) and go up to the top floor first (most visitors go up one floor at a time and by going to the top you'll buy yourself a good 10-15 minutes with very few others). Limit yourself to 2 hours (look online before you go and decide what it is you really want to see). Follow with a nice cafe break somewhere.
As for the boat, I too vote for the Vedettes, which is most convenient to where we stay on l'ile St Louis- as suggested by denisea it is next to Notre Dame. -another vote too for the superb Berthillon ice cream (try the salted caramel!). And there are a few darling little boutiques on I'ile St. Louis too if you want to shop just a teensy bit!
Enjoy- there is lots of good advice here on the forum, but ultimately only you know what you might most enjoy. As they say, assume you will return! And next time, plan to stay a bit longer

reggierm

Thank you everyone! and thank you denisea & el13207 for suggesting St. Louis and the tip about visiting the top floor of the d'Orsay first!

Visiting at least one museum is important to me so I've settled on Musee d'Orsay as I'm more interested in Impressionist and the era after that as well as L'Orangerie to see Monet's murals. Unfortunately Marmottan is out of the way. I will sure to visit next time!

We've also decided to go on our own little tour of the area either walking our rent out the city bikes.

Here's a brief outline of our itinerary...

Day 1:

- from Porte Maillot drop by Arc de Triomph
- then drop off things at hotel in Monmartre
- go to Notre Dame and possible Sainte Chapelle (maybe St. Louis if there's time)

- go back to Monmartre visit Sacre Coeur then just hang out and explore the rest of the area


Day 2:
- early morning visit Musee d'Orsay right when it opens (3 hours max. to see what we really want to see)
- eat, hang out around Jardin des Tuilieries
- go over and visit L'Orangerie (check out Monet's murals)
- from L'Orangerie go on walking/bike tour on our own (hit Place de la Concord, Petite Palais, cross the Seine through Pont Alexandre, through Invalides and to the Eiffel tower
- Once we're at the Eiffel Tower hang out around Champs de Mars and maybe visit Palais de Chaillot


How's that sound?