Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

One and a bit days in Paris-is this itinerary doable?

One and a bit days in Paris-is this itinerary doable?

Old Oct 2nd, 2004, 09:15 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
One and a bit days in Paris-is this itinerary doable?

First day we arrive on the eurostar from London at 2:20pm so anticipate getting to our hotel and out be 4:30ish (our hotel metro is Grands Boulevards). We are going to the lido show that evening, and have to be at the Paris Vision headquarters (Tuilliere sp?) at 7:00pm. I thought that in that quick two hours we could do the Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde etc before heading to the Lido. Up early the next day to be at the Eiffel Tower before 9, do the Historic Paris tour by Rick Steves (Note Dame, St Chapelle etc), then onto a tour of the Louvre where I really want to hook up to a guided tour, then back to the Bateaux-Mouches Seine river cruise. We leave on a 9:40am flight to Rome the next day. I know this sounds insane, but is it insanely doable?
peels4 is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2004, 09:19 AM
  #2  
ira
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi peels,

It isn't all that insane.
ira is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2004, 09:33 AM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I actually did think it may be workable but thought I better check it out with the experts first. We have a museum pass also, so I'm not concerned with spending time in line, or wasting money on a quick visit.
peels4 is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2004, 09:34 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Eiffel Tour and the self-guided walking tour could take 1/2 day, then a few hours at the Louvre (more than 3 is probably 'burn out' unless you're an academic or something). Plenty of time for a Seine cruise, even nicer if it is approaching sundown.
Travelnut is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2004, 09:38 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,141
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
It sounds busy, but not insane. The things you are mentioning are not all that far one from the other, central Paris is fairly compact. You might like to use taxis rather than the usual walking & Metro to economize on your time for the longer stretches across town.
suze is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2004, 09:41 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It doesn't sound that crazy - you just might be able to pull it off. Make sure you have a good street map (I like Streetwise Paris) and have an idea of what metros etc. you need for transportation so you don't waste time figuring it all out on the fly. Also, if you get behind on your itinerary, just adjust as you go. A guided tour of the Lourve is an excellent idea, keep in mind the museum is closed on Tuesdays (not sure when you are visiting) Have fun!
Margie is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2004, 10:22 AM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
On the subject of taxis.... I have heard bad stories about the cab drivers. I know you must go to a proper cab stand to get one, but then I've heard they will drive you around in a very round about way to get the fare up. Do you have any ideas on how to avoid this? We will be taking a cab home from the Lido to Villa Opera Drouot, in the 9th Arrondissement.

Also, what time would you suggest leaving the hotel for our 9:40am flight to Rome? We plan on taking the metro.

Thank you all SO much for your feedback!
peels4 is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2004, 11:22 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Métro is often faster than a taxi, especially on long cross-town runs.

Get a Mobilis pass at Gare du Nord and you can use the Métro for longer distance legs and jump on buses for the tour. Get the map at

http://www.citefutee.com/picts/plans/gif/reseaux/bus_touristique.gif
Robespierre is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2004, 01:10 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Metro for the places mentioned avoids traffic and you dont have to wait for a cab.with a cartee musee you can bypass any queue at arc de triomphe.then use the metro to get to concorde.its a long walk from the arc. louvre opens till 9:45 on wednesday.bateaux operate till around 11pm.doing these late at night will maximize your daylight time for the historic tour. Have a nice trip. C
ChevyChasen is offline  
Old Oct 2nd, 2004, 01:14 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
PS louvre opens till 9:45 fridays too.i dont know about guided tours at that hour though.
ChevyChasen is offline  
Old Oct 3rd, 2004, 02:36 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I live in Paris (one metro stop from Grd Bvds) so we'll be neighbours Depending on your baggage you may want to take the 48 bus from Gare de Nord it will drop you off on Grand Boulevard. Note this metro station ONLY has line 8 now (line 9 is closed for renovations).

THe lido (shows at 7 and 9.30) is on the champs elysees, metro Georges 5; what are you doing at Tuilleries? IF it is to pick up the tickets, I would go there immediately after checking into the hotel not at the last minute.

Yes, I think your 1/2 day plan is doable with the above modifications (to save time lost in lots of travel):
gare du nord, hotel,
take line 8 (grand bvd to concorde)
quick look at concorde; walk to paris vision (tullierie metro stop), pick up lido tickets,
walk through tuillerie garden back to place de la concorde;
take bus 73 to Arc de Triomphe.

The full day plan is not doable:
Louve (closed Tuesday, free admission first Sun of month; open 9-6Th,Sat,Sun, Mon; 9-9.45 Wed, Fri) discovery tours: starting 10oct., 11 h 30 sundays;
and at 11 h, 14 h and 15 h 45, every day except Tuesday Sundays and Holidays.

The lines at the Louve are long and especially long (at least yesterday) at the Tour Eiffel -- one pillier is closed for repairs. You can probably do them both plus the bateaux mouches OR batobus at night; don't count on the historic tour...
Bon voyage and remember the traffic is awful here...

moxie is offline  
Old Oct 3rd, 2004, 09:31 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,287
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Suggestions from the experts say to get to CDG 3 hours before your flight. Depending on the day of the week, you'll need to figure between 1/2 and 1 hour for a taxi ride from Paris.

We recently spent 2-1/2 days in Paris and had to eliminate half of the things we'd planned to do for lack of time.

We had no problems with the taxis; many now use GPS to calculate routes.
Underhill is offline  
Old Oct 3rd, 2004, 09:49 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cutting out the Lido and Louvre would free up lots of time and give you a chance to explore at a slower pace.
degas is offline  
Old Oct 3rd, 2004, 12:58 PM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Wow, I can't thank you all enough for the great info - the metro info is invaluable, as I haven't come across that anywhere else - plus the detailed directions on how to get where.
I should have told you in the beginning that we are there on a Wednesday, October 26th.
We can't cut out the lido (tickets are paid for), and can't miss the Louvre, so we will just get done what we can - however furiously!
Two more questions - any suggestions for somewhere to stop and eat around Sacre Coeur or St Chapelle area - it will just be a quick bite so nothing expensive, and then around Pont Neuf for dinner, again not expensive as we will try and fit in a quick meal between the Louvre and the boat tour. Would really like to try somewhere that attracts the locals, as this will really be our only taste of local French fare.
Can you buy ahead tickets for the Eiffel Tower so you don't have to stand in line? I guess the info I had to get there first thing probably won't help at all in avoiding the lines.
Whoops one more - we were planning on taking the metro to the airport. Looking at the metro map, getting to the airport seems to be all heading out of town for us, so we will be okay travelling at about 6:00am ie: missing rush hour. Any idea how long on the metro it will take us.
I really appreciate all your help, this is info no guidebook could ever provide me
peels4 is offline  
Old Oct 3rd, 2004, 03:14 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The best way to eat on the run is to grab a panini or deli sandwich at a supermarket's sidewalk counter and keep moving. Paris also has McDonald's, Burger King, Whataburger, and Quick! stands if all you want is American fast food.

I don't think there's an official way of buying Eiffel Tower tickets in advance, but tickets that have been won at the ET web site show up on eBay now and again.

You can't get to the airports by Métro per se, but there are several ways described in the Paris Superthread, including: Air France Bus, Orlybus/Roissybus, RER, taxi, and limousine.
Robespierre is offline  
Old Oct 3rd, 2004, 05:20 PM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry, that's what I meant - the RER - as our metro passes cover it. We are trying to do it the most budget way possible, plus we would be travelling through Paris during rush hour any other way, and from these boards and books I have read warned that travelling somehere with a timeline during rush hour is a bad idea. I was hoping that someone who had done the same type of thing at the same time may be able to give me an estimate of journey time.
peels4 is offline  
Old Oct 3rd, 2004, 06:34 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree that I don't think the Eiffel Tower sells advance tickets in any way.

As for RER to the airport, I'd count on an hour since you are going to have to transfer from the metro to the RER. It think the RER trip alone takes about 30-45 minutes. Are you sure your metro pass covers the RER to the airport? If you intend to buy a zone 5 pass of some kind, it will, but that seems like a waste of money given your itinerary, as you aren't going outside of center city. If you already bought one for zone 5, it will be fine.

I think your itinerary sounds fine, I don't see any big problems.

I don't quite understand the Lido and Parisvision thing, but I guess you are set on that. The Lido is up the Champs Elysees, not that far from the Arc. It would be a lot easier just to go there instead of going to the Parisvision office first. I guess you already bought tickets, though.

I can understand at night, it might be easier just to take a cab back to your hotel than going through the metro thing. I suppose any cab driver somewhere could drive you the wrong way, but I don't think Paris is notorious for that and the odds are you will be taken directly to your hotel.

Don't worry about planning every snack or simple lunch meal, just look around and stop in a place that looks good and has a menu and prices you like. There are lots of small cafes or sandwich stands around those tourist spots you asked about (eg, Ste Chapelle). There are lots of takeout places in particular around Notre Dame, in the area just to the north of it, and lots of souvenir shops, also. I don't think a lot of locals are going to be dining in that area as it's a major tourist area. There is a decent cafe sort of just across from Ste Chapelle which is pleasant--it's near the Cite metro stop and in the center area of the island.
Christina is offline  
Old Oct 3rd, 2004, 10:11 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
the poster above is right the tour eiffel does not sell advance tickets but I THINK the louve does, this would save you one line... due to your time constraints maybe it would be better to look at the louvre site on line and pick the rooms you want to see and drop the idea of a guided tour (a time waster which may not show u what you want).

I also am surprised that your metro pass includes the RER to CDG. Please tell us exactly what it is. I count an hour to get to the airport with the RER but if you leave at 6.30 you will have plenty of time in case of slow downs etc (the RER takes you to the airport shuttle and then round you go to your terminal - know the terminal number in advance).

a resto by your hotel which has disappointed me lately BUT which is full of history (and full of tourists) and close to you, is LE Chartier, rue de fauboug montmarte, on the left side of the street. There is always a wait for a table and they stop seating at 9 pm (they close at 10). It was an ancient restaurant that collected leftovers from the aristocrats, reprocessed them and fed them to the commoners. The decor is great and you can still see the little boxes where 'regulars' used to store their silverware and napkins. ANd it is reasonable but basic.

You could splash out and eat on a 'floating resto'. Sorry I don't know the prices.

Remember that the locals eat at "normal" times: 12.30-14.00 and 19.00-20.30. If you do opt for fast food, try a creperie (at least it's french fast food). OR a croque monsieur at a bar.

The lido will be fun. To return to your hotel, I'd walk to the metro Franklin D Roosevelt, take line 9 to Bonne Nouvelle, take the exit at the back of the train and you'll be on Grand Bouldevard and close to that metro station and your hotel.

Stay with your original plan and go to the eiffel tower first thing in the morning to be there at 8.30 (the 42 bus will take you there but may take a long time due to traffic).

From the eiffel tower you can take the batobus to the louve (half ticket; get off at St germain des pres and cross the river on the pedestrian bridge) but it will take a long time, the metro is quicker but lots of changes...
moxie is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2004, 03:11 AM
  #19  
ira
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi peel,

>...suggestions for somewhere to stop and eat around Sacre Coeur ..<

Had lunch at Le Tardieu, a tiny Mom and Pop place (literally) on Rue Tardieu that is notable for its toilette. Out back, Turkish style. Mom admitted that this was certainly an experience.

They also make a very, very good omelette.
ira is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2004, 05:09 AM
  #20  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks again for your help, I am amassing a huge file for this trip!

The pass that we have is a Paris Visite card which includes Zones 1 -5.
The cost for a three day is $66 Canadian as opposed to sone 1-3 which is $32.
The lido won't be done until around 12:30am - will we still be able to able to get the Metro back to our hotel?
peels4 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -