edb

Hi! Just need some help w/ our Paris Itinerary. We'll be (4 adults & a toddler) checking in one of the hotels in the Montmartre area on the 20th of July, probably at around 4pm. We're planning to visit the Eiffel on our first night but would like to get some suggestions on what else we could do that night. Have never been to Paris so I'm having a little trouble but my general plan is:

1st day: Thurs. >arrive Montmartre
>Tour Eiffel

2nd day: Friday >Disneyland (will it take a day to see the whole park? we want to see the fireworks)

3rd day: Saturday >Paris City Tour

4th day: Sunday >Chateau de Versailles (is it a whole day tour?)

5th day: Monday > homebound

We don't have any detailed plan but would like to see the following:
> Louvre
> Musee Orsay
> Champ Elysees
> Arc de Triomphe
> Eiffel
> St. Chapelle
> Seine Cruise
> Notre Dame
> Moulin Rouge
> Place de la Concorde

Your suggestions are welcome!

Thanks

ira

Hi edb,

With only 4 days, I suggest dropping Versailles.

Is there a reason for staying in Montmartre. It is very hilly and is going to be difficult walking around with a child.

In addition, except for the Moulin Rouge (which I wouldn't rate as a priority item) it is not near everything you want to see.

What's your hotel budget?

Michel_Paris

Whoa... lots you want to see in Paris, but you've got one evening, 1/2 day sat, 1/2 day sun... Are your plans for Disney and Versailles fixed or just thinking about it? If it was me, personal opinion and assuming you've never been to Paris and would love to see it...I would forget about Disney and Versailles. If you must, we can still work something out.

You could combine a Seine cruise with Eiffel tower, depending on how tired you are. For the other partial days, what are the things you must see, what are like to see?

moxie

Everything takes longer in Paris than you would expect.

IMHO you are travelling way to much and will be disappointed. Disneyworld and Versailles are day trips which leave you only one day in Paris. July is peak tourist time and there will be long lines at most places. You need to drop both or at least one of them.

The City tour will probably show you the outside of all the things you want to see but it will be very rushed and what if it rains that day!

Day 1: Schedule of course depends on when you and arrive and in what condition
Place de la Concorde
Champ Elysees
Arc de Triomphe
Eiffel Tower
Dinner on the Seine cruise

Day 2: Day trip

Day 3: Morning: City Tour?is this a hop on and off bus?
Louvre OR Musee Orsay
Afternoon:
Notre Dame
St Chapelle

You'll be exhausted...

ira

PS,

On Sunday, you might want to consider taking the metro to the Parc Monceau, strolling through the Parc and then on to the Arc, a walk down the Champs Elysee to Pl Concorde and the Tuileries.

Michel_Paris

1st pass...
Thurs...Eiffel, dinner, cruise
Fri Dland
Sat...Louvre first thing, couple of hours, lunch, then walk area: Arc, Place Concorde, Tuileries Gardens, Place Royale, Place Vendome, Rivoli, dinner
Sun...train to Versailles or RER, (expect crowds), lunch there, back mid-late afternoon, St Chapelle, walk around Notre Dame, Ile St Louis, dinner Left Bank.

grandmere

Another strong vote for dropping Versailles.

isabel

Where are you coming from (where do you live?). I know Disneyland Paris is a big draw for people from Europe, but I always wonder why American's go all the way to France to go to Disney. I love Disney, been many times in Fla. but when I go to France I want to see France. That's just me, I was wondering why it's the first thing (well after that first night) that you plan to do.

The other thought I have is that you only have 3 full days and you are going outside of Paris for two of them. Is this your first time in Paris? It's a wonderful city an you are only going to see it for one day (and maybe a couple of evenings). And there is really no practical way to see all the places you listed in one day. Not to mention that you have no time scheduled to just "be" in Paris, which really is the most wonderful part.

So my suggestion (you asked) would be to forget Disney and Versaille for this trip. On Friday get a Hop on Hop Off BOAT pass which will not only give you the Seine cruise you want, but provide you with transportation. Spend some time on Ile de la Cite and see Notre Dame and St Chapelle which are both there, also spend a couple of hours walking that island and Ile St Louis and the banks of the Seine. You could try to do one of the museums in the afternoon when it might be hot.

On Saturday do the other museum and walk through Jardin des Tuileries to Place de la Concorde, then down Champ Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. Now you will have checked off almost everything on your list. Since you are staying in Montmartre you can do the Moulin Rouge that evening. (But why? - there are many more pleasant cafes, etc to spend an evening in. What are you planning to do with the toddler?)

Then the last day you could always go to Versaille or Disney if you feel you've seen enough of Paris. But my guess is that a nice leisurly walk through the latin quarter, the st germain area, or the Marais would be a much more pleasant way to spend the time.

john127

Yep, drop Versailles. I assume Disney is because of the child with you, and in any event, you'll have fun there if you like the whole Disney thing (like my wife). Versailles is beautiful, but there is just too much to see and take in in Paris if you've never been there. Also, a time saver, splurge for lunch in the Eiffel Tower (at either restaurant) and save yourself hours of waiting in line to go to the top - a waste of time, IMO. Also, skip the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Long waits for a just a view aren't worth it if you are short on time.

John

Michel_Paris

Eiffel and Seine Cruises (Bateaux Mouches) are in same general area, so combining them together might make sense. The dinner cruises on the Seine are, from what I've hear, more of a "being there" experience than a "good meal at a good price" experience. WIth Limited time, the Louvre could be too much. You CANNOT see the Louvre in any sense of the word on such a trip. What you can do is have a taste. So if you do want to go, pre-plan, have a guidebook and see a few items. Weekend, especially in July, lots of tourists, everywhere. Walking Paris is the best wy to experience it. A bus tour (Parisvision, Cityrama) might be good since it will let you see all of the main sites at least once.
My top 3 walking routes would be Arc to Place Royal/Tuileries, St Chapelle to Ile St Louis, From Left Bank of Seine west along St Germain street.

edb

To IRA, unfortunately, we have booked the hotel already and would cost us if we cancel but if you have any suggestions for 2-3star hotels, maybe I can still change my mind if it's worth it, it's just that i didn't have any idea abt. where to stay in Paris and just picked a hotel in Montmartre

edb

thanks to you all for the suggestions.. based on your responses, i will drop the visit to versailles to add another day for touring Paris. We are coming from Ireland and yes, beacuse of my toddler (and the "child in us&quot we are definitely going to Disney ( do you guys think it's better to visit on a Sunday? would you know if there will be fireworks that day too?)

john127

Have a great trip. Disneyland Paris is fun, even if you've been to WDW. I don't know why many people think it's odd to go while in Paris if you're from the states. It's only a day, only a short train ride, and it's interesting to see the differences, cultural and otherwise - for example, Space Mountain is MUCH better in Paris, but don't try and line up and wait seperately for the front row once at the ride itself (which is the norm here in the states), they'll think you're nuts!

John

nessundorma

Hmmm. If you are staying in Montmartre, there are fun things for children (and you) to do in the Sacre Couer area. A carousel, as I recall, and a funicular. Also, I would skip the interior of Notre Dame in favor of seeing the interior of St. Denis. It's far more spectacular, and quite close to Montmartre.

janisj

You say "toddler" - that covers a wide range. How old is the child? Disneyland isn't really a great idea for really young children. If he is 4 - maybe OK. But if he is 18/24 mos I'd REALLY re-think it. He can't go on many of the rides - and probably won't remember the trip in a month. It is a LOT of time and money out of a very short Paris visit.

cigalechanta

There are great things to do with a toddler in the summer, you have the puppet shows and the donkey and pony rides and miniture sail boats,
Sigh! I wish I had all that as child!!

isabel

Coming from Ireland it makes more sense going to Disney than coming from the US just because of the distance factor. Someone form Ireland can get to Paris easier and cheaper than to the US. But I still say spending all the time and money to tranvel across the Atlantic to then spend more time and money to do something that is basicallly quite American (despite the cultural differences there may be in the French version of Disney) is not a good use of time - at least not for someone with limited time. But if the OP is from Ireland that's a different story.

However, I agree that taking a toddler - under 4 or 5 year old, will not be something the child will really enjoy and definitly will not remember. When my youngest was that age we did a lot of family vacations - Disney several times, plus lots of other things. She is constantly reminding us that it DOESN'T COUNT if she was too young to remember. We did all those things cause our older children are 5 and 7 years older than she is and THEY did appreciate and remember. But, no, a toddler or preschooler really won't. I agree the child will probably have more fun on the carousel in Montmartre, or the Seine boats, etc. But if the adults have always wanted to go, and don't see another opportunity in the future it would make sense, I guess.

john127

Just a thought regarding the last post. I'm a counselor with an advanced degree in child developement and I always try to remind parents that even though a small child may not develop permanent memories of a certain experience, they ARE learning from each and every situation you put them in. Exposing your kids to music, art, amusements, the outdoors, the beach, etc. does indeed make a lasting impact. Each is an adventure for a small child and offers a unique learning experience.

I don't mean to preach or anything, this comes straight from the heart. I just hate the thought of parents not doing something with their kids because they feel the kids may not remember it.

John

lovetotravel27

If you like classic music, try to attend a concert in St. Chapel. It was one of the highlights of our recent trip.