Jim

My wife and I, along with another couple, will be arriving in Paris on June 9th and will be departing on June 15th. This will be our first trip to Paris. It will be my first trip to Europe. We will be staying in Porte de Versailles. What is the best way to travel from CDG to Porte de Versailles (by RER and Metro)? Does the RER go directly to Porte de Versailles? If not, at what stop do we board the Metro? <BR> <BR>Below is our desired itinerary: <BR>6/9 Eiffel Tower and Seine River cruise <BR>6/10 Arc de Triumphe and Notre Dame <BR>6/11 Versailles <BR>6/12 freelance <BR>6/13 Normandy <BR>6/14 Louvre <BR>6/15 Depart from CDG <BR> <BR>The only dates that are definite are 6/9 Eiffel Tower and 6/14 Louvre. According to the Louvre website, June 11th and 12th are French holidays. What problems might we encounter on those days while in Paris? We want to visit the Louvre on the 14th because that is the only day the Louvre is open for 12 hours. It will be closed on the 11th in observance of the holiday. <BR> <BR>What is the least expensive and/or most convenient way (no waiting lines) to pay for the above excursions (specifically Normandy tour)? Should we exchange our USD before we leave the States? If not, where is the best location? <BR> <BR>I know I have asked a lot of questions, but I want to be fully prepared so that we may enjoy our stay. Please provide any information to me that you feel would be beneficial for someone who has never been to Paris (mention any "pitfalls"). If you feel our itinerary should be altered, please advise. What should we carry or not carry on the trip (ex. video cameras in or out?). <BR> <BR>Merci beaucoup.

julia

A few suggestions for firsttimers in Paris. Do not convert all your dollars at the airport into Francs. Just change enough to buy your metro passes to get into the city and spare change. You will find much better rates at banks or even some exchange offices once in the city. Mind your arrival time though. The Champs Elysees has the most selection to change your $. It pays to shop a bit for the best rate. Calculate the approximate number of times you will be taking the buses or metro. It may come out cheaper to buy a booklet of 10 tickets instead of the Paris Visite card. Paris metros are very confusing at first but you soon get the hang of it. Suggest skipping going up the Eiffel tower. Personnally, I think it is a bit overrated and too expensive. You can get a great view of it and the Champs de Mars from the Trocadero. The Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame can be seen in 1/2 day. Walk around the Ile Saint Louis when you are near the Notre Dame or visit the Sorbonne University on St Michel Boul. Stroll the Champs Elysee when visiting the Arc. You will be near many of the great hotels (like George IV) and many chic shops in that area. The Opera house is near there too. What ever you do bring good walking shoes. You will find yourself doing a lot of that because Paris is a great walking city. I suggest a trip out to Chateau Versailles. Can be done about 1/2 day. Take the RER there and back. Stunning! Also, try to visit the Montmartre area if time permits. <BR>If possible, try not to do the video camera thing, too typically touristy. Paris is such an elegant city. A camera would seem more appropriate. <BR>

Bob P.

Julia made a great responce to your question, but I believe the best way to change US$ to FF is via the nearest ATM. It will cost you One US$ to do it everytime you use it and your bank will give you a list of locations of ATM's thoughout France/Europe. I have found the best exchange rates that way in Australia, Germany, Austria and even the Czech Republic. Bob P.

Maira

Jim, <BR> <BR>You have chosen a beautiful European city as your first experience of Europe. As such, I see as a good thing that you are not cramming twenty-three sites per day. Wonderful neighborhoods to just walk around and sites to discover on your own. I do think, however, that one day for Normandy is not enough and I would suggest that you spend at least a couple of days. To do this I suggest you combine Louvre in the morning (after 4 hours give the mind a break), have lunch at the Louvre and in the afternoon go for the Seine River cruise. I have to say that the views from the Eiffel Tower AND from the Arc de Triumphe are spectacular. I would combine those along with Notre Dame. <BR> <BR>Where are you staying? <BR> <BR>There have been many previous post regarding exact directions on how to get to Versailles by RER. I think the SEARCH engine is acting screwy; I'll try to bring those to the top. If not I'll get my husband (train person) to e-mail you something. I thought it was easy, about 45 minutes ride from Paris. Upon exiting the Versailles train station, take a left, walk about 100 meters, Versailles will be right in front of you (Chateau closed on Mondays; only the gardens are open). I believed there was even a strip painted on the floor from the station directing to the site! <BR> <BR>Have the best time!

elaine

Dear Jim <BR>I have a file on Paris and sightseeing, including daytrips (but not Normandie). If you would like to receive it, just email me. <BR>Here are the basics on Versailles <BR>Versailles all information is subject to change, so check before you go or when you get there. <BR>www.chateauversailles.fr/ <BR>information: telephone 01 30 84 76 18 or 01 30 84 74 00 <BR>Closed Monday. Open Tuesday-Sunday October-April 9:00 am to 5:30 pm,May-Sept from 9 to 6:30, last entrance 30 minutes before closing. If you dislike crowds, arrive after 3:30pm and pay a reduced charge, tour the palace, and, when days are long, tour the gardens after the palace closes. <BR> <BR>To get there, take the RER line C to Versailles Rive Gauche (R.G.). The RER lines are suburban trains to and from Paris. Make sure your C train goes to Versailles Rive Gauche as the end destination.You'll have about a half-mile walk to the Chateau. You don't want any other Versailles stops as you will be farther from the Palace. There is a clean bathroom at the MacDonald's near the RER station-be nice and buy something. <BR> <BR>When you leave the Rive Gauche station you will be on Avenue General de Gaulle. Head right on Ave. GdeG and then left on the big Avenue de Paris which goes straight to the chateau. <BR> <BR>You can take a taxi from Paris to Versailles for about 100 francs (1999) which saves money if there are four of you. To save a long walk, have the taxi drop you at the Petit Hameau. <BR>

dan woodlief

Don't forget to see Ste. Chapelle while you are visiting Notre Dame. It is just around the corner, within the Palais de Justice. I don't disagree with the comment about not using too much time going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It can be quite crowded and time consuming. It depends on how much you want to do it. Do get up somewhere high though, and the earlier the better. It is the best way to get a good idea of what is where, besides giving you spectacular views. Other very nice viewpoints, besides the tower, include the towers of Notre Dame and La Samaritaine Dept. Store.

Yvonne

GO to www.subwaynavigator.com, or do a search in yahoo for paris metro. You can get written instructions, list form, to get from CDG (roissy) to Porte de Versailles. One attraction in Paris that's not on your list is the Rodin museum. The garden is lovely, full of art and free. In the interest of saving time, and possibly money, look into the Paris museum pass. Again go to yahoo and search for paris museums. The web site is something like intermusee, but I always forget an essential letter.

Caitlin

I just returned from a weekend in Paris, so my perspective is still very "fresh." First, re exchanging money: there is a LOT of info on this site about this, and in particular about using ATMs. Do a search on this forum; it will be well worth your while. As the previous poster said, you will get the best exchange rate using an ATM (Cirrus and Plus networks abound; you need to change to a 4-number PIN for Europe. Most people like to bring traveler's checks as back up. Two reasons not to exchange before you go (except to have enough cash to get around your first day): first, you don't want to be carrying that much cash on you. Second, no matter how or where you do it, you will always get a better rate in Paris than in the US. Example: at an exchange in a jeans shop in Paris (desperation), we got 6.6FF/$1 with no commission, whereas at my regular bank at home, I got 6.2FF/$1 and a fee. <BR> <BR>Since you seem to have already made plans to go up the Eiffer Tower, I won't tell you not to. However: go early or late, or you'll spend half the day in line; and the real problem is that when you are in the Eiffel Tower, you can't see the Eiffel Tower. Ditto for the Arc de Triomphe. So try also to get a view that will allow you to see the monuments. Samaritaine (a department store with a lookout terrace) is a good suggestion. It is adjecent to the Louvre, so you could combine it with your Louvre day (see below). Take time to stroll through the Parc du Champs de Mars adjacent to the Eiffel Tower; it will be lovely in June. <BR> <BR>I would combine the Arc de Triomphe with the Eiffel Tower and Seine Cruise. Get out your Paris map, and you will see that they are not too far apart, but are across town from Notre Dame. You don't want to eat up your days running back and forth between neighborhoods. There should be plenty of time, as the cruises are only an hour or two. <BR> <BR>When on the Ile de la Cité for Notre Dame, also visit Ste-Chapelle at the Palais du Justice, which has spectacular stained glass. The adjacent Ile St. Louis is quaint and good for a stroll, plus it is the easiest place to get Berthillon ice cream, either at their shop or another; Berthillon is justly renowned as the best ice cream in Paris. <BR> <BR>I think you're right to pla a whole, long day for the Louvre, if you're really interested in it. The place is massive, and you need to pace yourself. Once you're in, you con leave and return at will, so you can have lunch or dinner outseide the museum in the neighborhood, and visit La Samaritaine for the view. Show up before opening time to avoid the long line, and save the "famous five" for the evening hours, when they won't be so mobbed. <BR> <BR>I'd consider using the bus instead of the subway. Less fear of pickposckets, and while it's slower, you get to see the city as you move between the sites/sights. <BR> <BR>Read a couple of good guidebooks, including their historical sketches. You'll appreciate it all that much more if you have some background.

elvira

Porte de Versailles is the edge of the 15th; you are nearly in the burbs. You will have to change trains twice so listen up: <BR>RER B from CDG to St Michel. Change to RER C direction Versailles (westbound). At Musee d'Orsay, change to METRO line 12 direction Mairie d'Issy. 8 or 10 stops to Porte de Versailles stop. If you have more than small pilot cases, this will be pretty physical. What you might consider is taking the RER B to Gare du Nord, then getting a cab to the hotel from the train station. <BR> <BR>I like the Eiffel Tower; I know the view is better from the Montparnasse Tower, but somehow I always feel like I'm finally in Paris when I'm on the top of the tower looking over the city. It's very cool at night. <BR> <BR>The Seine River cruise is great fun; it's REALLY good on the first jet-lagged day. Here are their websites, with fax and email addresses to contact: <BR>http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/English_index.stm <BR>http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/english/index.html <BR> <BR>The Arc de Triomphe and Notre Dame do not take a whole day. That gives you lots of stuff in between. So, climb the Notre Dame tower to get up close and personal with the gargoyle. Visit the deportation memorial at the east end of the island. Walk through the Ile-St-Louis (the Rothschilds live here), then visit St Chapelle. Stroll along the Left Bank quais and buy something from a bouquiniste. If you love to walk, then continue west along the quais, past the Assemble Nationale and the Word Police and les Invalides, then cross the bridge to the Champs Elysees. Take a left and walk toward the Arch; try to get a picture of it without being hit by a car. As an alternate after visiting St Chapelle, stop at the Musee d'Orsay for an hour or two, then take the metro to the Arch. See instructions for taking picture. <BR> <BR>To go to the Versailles Palace, take the RER C direction Versailles Rive Gauche (the toteboard will also read "Chateau de Versailles"). Get there for the opening (9:00 am) to miss all the bus tour bubbas. Visit the hameau where Marie played simple country girl (pre-faux pas "let'em eat cake"). <BR> <BR>Website for a D-Day beach tour (they also have tours to Mont St Michel): <BR>http://www.cityrama.com/np1.htm <BR>try also www.parisvision.com <BR> <BR>Here's a really good website for all things Norman(dy): <BR>http://www.normandy-tourism.org/gb/index.html <BR> <BR> <BR>Louvre: you can spend all day in here. Get there before it opens to avoid the longer lines and the bust tour bubbas (hit the big 3 first: Mona, Nike and Venus; you'll be on to other parts when the tours show up, although you'll miss the unforgettable sight of 6 Japanese twenty-something women run up to the Mona Lisa, scrunch down in front of it, have their picture taken, then skedaddle out as fast as they came in. The Unites States isn't the only country with bubbas). The Museum stores are wonderful; great kids gifts (ok they made good gifts for ME). <BR> <BR>Video cameras have advantages and disadvantages. I guess I'm a fan of moving pictures when something is moving. Notre Dame hasn't moved in several hundred years; I'm not sure it will when you're there to be captured on video. Better a panaromic still camera and lots of 200 and 400 speed film. <BR> <BR>You pay through the nose in tourist areas. Find a quiet neighborhood and stop there for food and drink - hey, nobody will speak English and you'll have to consult your dictionary to figure out what you're eating, but that's the adventure. Do not think you are too cool for school - feel free to buy an Eiffel Tower to take home. In the department stores, head for the housewares departments. Check out the BHV for a little bit of hardware heaven right here on earth. The French make really great office supplies, like pens and folders and notebooks; keep your eye open for stationery and office supply stores. Ditto art stores (even if you can't paint a stroke, a Parisian paintbrush stuck in your pencil holder at home is so...well, you know). Eat Chinese food; it's a lot closer to real than American versions (unless you're from Hawaii). Stop and watch/listen to street performers; learn to hate mimes. Get up early and watch a sunrise. Thank your lucky stars such a place exists. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

mary

hi, <BR>elvira has given you very good pointers. take them. <BR>just got back last night. my dad-70 and i went. his first trip, my fourth. be sure to buy a museum pass. in our opinion it paid for itself just going to versailles and avoiding the VERY long line. also avoiding the line at the louvre. my dad stayed at the louvre 3 hours and then his feet couldn't take it anymore. if you go up the eiffel why not go after 10 pm? very short lines and now the lights twinkle off and on for 15 minutes on the hour- i think that starts at 8 or 9 pm. at versailles the hameau was closed to visitors while we were there- the 8th. we did versailles in 6 hours so you can do 2 things in that day if you like. i would keep an eye on the weather and go to versailles on a nice day and do the louvre on a rainy day. we did walk up the tower at sacre coeur-lots of people breathing heavy on the stairs!-cost 15 ff. about money- i took about 150 usd and kept it in my neck pouch, the rest of the time i took money out of an atm using my visa card-charg 1.50 each withdrawal and i only made 2. the atms are handy and it beats going into a bank-just make sure you have the 4 digit pin. i've been there 4 times and never been bothered by pickpockets but always take precaution. the rodin museum is a nice change from the louvre, smaller and more intimate and the gardens are lovely. i believe they close around 5 pm. just read the posts here and plan using your guide books. don't try to see it all, you will get burned out and allowing time to get side tracked is fun. paris je t'aime!! have a wonderful trip. <BR>

Rick

You might want to visit Musee Picasso. It's small enough to get though quickly and it's in a beautiful part of the city.

Beth Anderson

Hi, <BR> <BR>For your first trip: <BR> <BR>Do not change too much money before you go, a little is OK to get you going but then use ATMs exclusively. DO NOT change money at the airport, change centers, etc - you will get a bad exchange rate. ATMs give you the best. and credit cards can charge you surcharges for oversea use. <BR> <BR>You can't do Normandy in one day. Give it 2 or 3. Rent a car from Kemwel Holiday Autos on 1-800-422-7737 before you go. They have easy pick up-drops offs from CDG. Very easy to get out of town & off to points North. <BR> <BR>Go to Giverny (Monet's home for the last 40 years of his life and the inspiration for many of his famous paintings) on your way to Normandy. You can still make it to the coast that afternoon, even with a stop there. <BR> <BR>You don't need to make hotel reservations first - any drive down an appealing side street will unearth a treasure - there are tons of gites and hotels de chambre in the countryside. <BR> <BR>if you left for Normandy Sunday morning you can leisurely see Giverny, get to Caen or Bayeux and stay there Sunday/Monday night & then head back to Paris Tuesday morning & be back before noon. You still have the rest of Tuesday & Wed to see things in Paris... and leave Thursday (how late? give yourself at least 3 hours before your flight - one hour or so to get there, two hours to be there before the plane leaves.) <BR> <BR>I would see the Eiffel Tower (don't go up unless you start early/late) and the Seine cruise the first day, as well as the Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur. Maybe the next day see Versailles and the Louvre & whatever else you couldn't do the first day. (go to Versailles first - early, do the Louvre later in the day.) you are NOT going to see everything in the Louvre so don't even try. Figure out what you want to concentrate on ahead of time and limit it to that. You'll burn out otherwise. <BR> <BR>Don't just see the Arch, climb it too. WONDERFUL views - and much less of a line than the Eiffel Tower. <BR> <BR>For museums, figure out which ones you have time for, and get the Carte Musees et Monuments - check to see if they apply to you chosen ones though. No standing in line then - you have a special entrance - which to me is worth seeing just ONE museum on their list. <BR> <BR>I would try to fit in the Musee d'Orsay and the Musee Marmottan if you can. a lot of impressionist works (if that is your cup of tea - it sure is mine!) <BR> <BR>don't waste valuable space on a video cam. when are you going to watch it, and who do you think will watch it with you? on a trip over there I watched a woman videotape STOREFRONTS. who the heck wants to look at that again? <BR> <BR>good luck! if I can be of any further assistance.... <BR> <BR>Beth

Caitlin

The website for the Carte Musées et Monuments is www.intermusee.com. They say which 65 are listed (not thhe Eiffel Tower). You can buy at any participating venue and at other places; see site for details.

Laura Gridley

Hi Jim! I've been to Paris a few times and hope I can give you some suggestions that worked for me. First of all, my sister and I, instead of waiting in the huge long line outside the louvre, went to the line that is on the inside. I believe you can get there by exiting on one of the louvre metro stops, staying underground and following the signs. The line was much shorter. Also, the Louvre at night is so beautiful to see. I would definitely recommend at least stopping to enjoy the view in the darkness, very romantic. The Jardin de Tuilieres (sp?) is that large garden just past the Louvre and is a nice place to walk and eat food bought from one of the markets to save money. The view from the Arc de Triomph was very stunning and the line was very short, even in July. The line for the Eiffel Tower in early evening was hours long and not worth it for us. As far as going to Normandy, my sister and I did it in one day and were very satisfied. We took the train from Paris to Bayeux and right off the train station there was a small restaurant/hotel that offered tours around the region. It was not expensive and it was only my sister and I and one other man. The guide was very knowledgable on the region and history and let us go off on our own at each stop so that we could explore on our own some. It took about 1/2 a day for the tour and was very worthwhile. I would recommend (if you're interested in history) watching maybe "saving private ryan" and/or reading D-Day by Stephen Ambrose before you go. My sister and I also had time to have lunch in Bayeaux and visit the 900 yr old tapestry. <BR> <BR>I would recommend bringing a small collapsible umbrella as it did rain a bit when I was there in July. <BR> <BR>The metro, by the way, is very convenient and can get you all over the place. At times, there may be someone who all of a sudden starts performing in the subway train. I was confused as to what was going on at first, but they were performing for money that they would try to collect afterwards. There are also very good portable metro maps available as well as maps on the walls of most metro entries/exits.

justaquestion

Message: Maria <BR>I would like to know what train you took to Versilles that let you out at the door???

jakes

The only way to get dropped at the door of the Versailles chateau is to take the Number 9 metro to the Pont de Sevres then the 171 bus which ends at the Chateau.

justaquestion

I was being facetious

Maira

Are you talking to me? <BR> <BR>MAIRA <BR> <BR>P.S. Door as in station exit.

mark

go to eiffel tower at night and go to the top. if going to versaille (spelling?) and you have a metro pass for paris, be aware that it does not cover the whole trip to versaille, we were fined (by a very nice conductor, he only fined us for one person not two), you need to buy an additional ticket to go all the way. while there rent bikes for an hour and cruise around in the gardens and the perimeter. kinda fun to imagine you are on the same paths ridden by kings and queens. <BR>try to go to notre dame during a organ practice. <BR>try to get up at dawn one day and go out and watch the city wake up. have a latte and a pastry at whatever open cafe and then go back to bed for a couple hours. this goes for any city in europe, all the crowds are asleep and you will see the city as few tourists do. <BR>the gardens along the champ de ... you know what i mean.