Paris 5 Day itinerary - Suggestions plz
May 24th, 2015, 09:05 AM
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Paris 5 Day itinerary - Suggestions plz
Hey Guys,
My wife and I will be in Paris this mid-June and want to do the all the 'tourist' stuff on our 1st visit. Not much of a museum lover (but would want to spend sometime at Louvre). Would appreciate ur suggestions and inputs on the below itinerary - in case I have missed out anything or should drop a few things, plz let me know...cheers...
Day 1 - Saturday (3:30pm onwards)
Eiffel Tower
Cruise on Seine (if time and daylight permit)
10pm - Watch Sparkle at Eiffel Tower
Day 2 - Sunday
Musee d'Orsay (quick visit)
Arc de Triomphe (plus walk in Champs Elysees street later) - should i do this 1st instead?
Rodin museum (again quick visit)
Pass through / not enter - Des Invalides (optional) and Sacre Couvre (off route??)
Grand and Petit Palais
Day 3 - Monday
Notre Dame tower & cathedral
Saint Chapelle
La Conciergie
Stroll in Luxembourg Gardens to Pantheon
Can do Seine cruise (if missed on Day 1)
Day 4 - Tuesday
Disneyland
Day 5 - Wednesday
9-4pm: Versailles- Palace,Garden, Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette's Estate
~5pm - Louvre (open till 9:45pm on Wed)
My wife and I will be in Paris this mid-June and want to do the all the 'tourist' stuff on our 1st visit. Not much of a museum lover (but would want to spend sometime at Louvre). Would appreciate ur suggestions and inputs on the below itinerary - in case I have missed out anything or should drop a few things, plz let me know...cheers...
Day 1 - Saturday (3:30pm onwards)
Eiffel Tower
Cruise on Seine (if time and daylight permit)
10pm - Watch Sparkle at Eiffel Tower
Day 2 - Sunday
Musee d'Orsay (quick visit)
Arc de Triomphe (plus walk in Champs Elysees street later) - should i do this 1st instead?
Rodin museum (again quick visit)
Pass through / not enter - Des Invalides (optional) and Sacre Couvre (off route??)
Grand and Petit Palais
Day 3 - Monday
Notre Dame tower & cathedral
Saint Chapelle
La Conciergie
Stroll in Luxembourg Gardens to Pantheon
Can do Seine cruise (if missed on Day 1)
Day 4 - Tuesday
Disneyland
Day 5 - Wednesday
9-4pm: Versailles- Palace,Garden, Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette's Estate
~5pm - Louvre (open till 9:45pm on Wed)
May 24th, 2015, 09:24 AM
#2
Do you have tivkets purchased for museums & sites?
We were there last June with GD & got to Eiffel at 3-4pm. The line was 3 hrs. long without a tour or ticket. Since we usually go in Sept. when the lines are not so long that was a big shock to us. We were glad we could walk right in.
IMO, skip the Champs walk---2 miles of car dealerships and mall stores you see at home. Biggest disappointment in any of our Paris trips.
See the Arch and take a cab down the Champs to The Tuilleries.
Grand & Petite Palaces---just so-so depending on what is on display.
D'Orsay, Rodin, ND, St. Chapelle. Lux. Gard. Pantheon, Versailles---all excellent.
Also love Place de Vosges and The Carnavalet Museum if you have time.
Also don't miss Ile St. Louis and a stroll through the pedestrian streets of the left bank.
Just one opinion from someone who loves Paris.
We were there last June with GD & got to Eiffel at 3-4pm. The line was 3 hrs. long without a tour or ticket. Since we usually go in Sept. when the lines are not so long that was a big shock to us. We were glad we could walk right in.
IMO, skip the Champs walk---2 miles of car dealerships and mall stores you see at home. Biggest disappointment in any of our Paris trips.
See the Arch and take a cab down the Champs to The Tuilleries.
Grand & Petite Palaces---just so-so depending on what is on display.
D'Orsay, Rodin, ND, St. Chapelle. Lux. Gard. Pantheon, Versailles---all excellent.
Also love Place de Vosges and The Carnavalet Museum if you have time.
Also don't miss Ile St. Louis and a stroll through the pedestrian streets of the left bank.
Just one opinion from someone who loves Paris.
May 24th, 2015, 09:30 AM
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Don't try to do too much. (Paris will always be there.) You have a packed itinerary. Agreed about the Champs, it's way too American. You can experience everything it has back home. Wherever home is.
I would definitely add at least a half-day in Place des Vosges & wandering the Marais. That's a magical experience.
I would definitely add at least a half-day in Place des Vosges & wandering the Marais. That's a magical experience.
May 24th, 2015, 09:42 AM
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http://en.parismuseumpass.com/
A Paris Museum Pass is valid even at Versailles and gives you priority admission there and at other mob scenes like the Louvre - marshall all your museums into three-straight days of use and you'll even save money over buying individual tickets and save potentially long waits in line!
A Paris Museum Pass is valid even at Versailles and gives you priority admission there and at other mob scenes like the Louvre - marshall all your museums into three-straight days of use and you'll even save money over buying individual tickets and save potentially long waits in line!
May 24th, 2015, 09:50 AM
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I'll also be there early June. I agree. Don't walk down Champs E. Just take metro to the Arc de Triomphe. Also, d'Orsay is very close to the Louvre if you wanted to try on the same day. I always like the small park at Palais Royal and Luxembourg Gardens. Have a great time! PS-I'm looking into Eiffel Tour and museum tix now. I've never been in June, but hear it is a popular/crowded time.
May 24th, 2015, 11:28 AM
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Not much to add...ditto on eliminating Champs E, walking the Marais (with a visit to Carnavalet Museum), and combining your museums for a 3-day museum pass...though you might get burned out with art doing Orsay & Louvre on the same day.
I would never include Disneyland -- but that is clearly a matter of taste.
Instead, on that day I would do a self-guided walk of the left bank -- leisurely with a few stops at sights that intrest you -- maybe the Cluny Museum. All tourist books (Fodors, Frommers, Steves, etc.) have one.
SS
I would never include Disneyland -- but that is clearly a matter of taste.
Instead, on that day I would do a self-guided walk of the left bank -- leisurely with a few stops at sights that intrest you -- maybe the Cluny Museum. All tourist books (Fodors, Frommers, Steves, etc.) have one.
SS
May 24th, 2015, 01:44 PM
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Walking down the Champs Elysees takes about 15 minutes and it's downhill - I disagree about not doing it - I always do it in Paris - just to see the fancy shops and people watch - if it took a long time no but can't you spare 15 minutes just to know what you would have missed (not much) - plus the view as you go down the Champs to the Louvre and Tuileries gardens and Place-Concorde is neat - yes take that 15-minute stroll IMO or forever wonder what is on the Champs-Elysees?
May 24th, 2015, 02:22 PM
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I agree that a walk up the Champs Elysee toward the Arch is worthwhile. Perhaps start from the Place De la Concorde, which is quite grand. It's a quick, straight walk from there.
I am currently in Paris. Spent two quiet days, then saw hoards of people yesterday afternoon at Notre Dame. My advice is to start your day early and beat the crowds. The most crowded sites will be the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Arch. I notice lines around the block, waiting to get into the Catacombs as well.
For your Eiffel Tower visit, I alway suggest that you start by taking the Metro to the Trocodero stop. Walk through the Palais de Chaillot, which will place you above the Eiffel Tower for the definitive photo op. Then walk down toward the tower. There are several Seine river cruises, some less expensive, but the most convenient at that point may be the one on the embankment, just below the tower.
I am currently in Paris. Spent two quiet days, then saw hoards of people yesterday afternoon at Notre Dame. My advice is to start your day early and beat the crowds. The most crowded sites will be the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Arch. I notice lines around the block, waiting to get into the Catacombs as well.
For your Eiffel Tower visit, I alway suggest that you start by taking the Metro to the Trocodero stop. Walk through the Palais de Chaillot, which will place you above the Eiffel Tower for the definitive photo op. Then walk down toward the tower. There are several Seine river cruises, some less expensive, but the most convenient at that point may be the one on the embankment, just below the tower.
May 24th, 2015, 02:55 PM
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First off, if you are American, I would skip Disneyland. It's not as nice or large as the American Disneys and it will be easier and probably cheaper for you to visit the U.S. ones. Plus if you go during the holiday season, it will be packed with people and their kids and it will be hard for you to ride more than 5 or 6 rides due to the wait times even if you spend all day there. (I'm speaking from experience here.) However, if you're not American and don't think you'll ever make it to another Disney, then feel free to go.
Day 1 - since you don't have a ton of time, I would recommend trying to ascend the Tower at night. It will be packed on a Saturday afternoon in June, without a doubt. My suggestion is to have dinner, then stroll down to the tower around 9, ascend it then (the tower is open until midnight every day) and then come down in time to watch it sparkle at 10. (It sparkles every hour on the hour for about ten minutes so even if you donm't see it that night, you can always detour back there on another night when you're headed back to your hotel once it's nearing the hour.)
Since your Saturday seems pretty open, I would recommend seeing the Arc de Triomphe and walking down the Champs Elysees then. I always recommend people go to the top of the Arc - it has a lovely view and seeing the Arc and the Champs Elysees is fun and a light thing to do if you've only just gotten in. The Champs Elysses is just full of international and designer stores but I love how vibrant and lively it is so i won't tell you to skip it. And make sure to walk all the way down to Place de la Concorde so you can see the Obelisk. The Grand and Petit Palais are actually just off the Champs Elysees so you can detour and see the outside of them then too. You can then take the metro from there to the Eiffel Tower for the Seine cruise (do it! It's fun! And a great opener to a Paris trip) and when you get back, check on the line and see how long it is. If it's still long, go get dinner and then come back to climb to the top.
Day 2 is way too packed and your route doesn't make sense logistically. I would suggest checking to see what exhibits are on at the Grand Palais before you go. If it doesn't interest you, don't bother to go inside. The Petit Palais is cute and it has some nice artwork but I don't think it's something you have to go out of your way to do. I'd suggest just popping by to see the buildings (they're actually along the Champs Elysees) because they are beautiful but don't go inside.
Invalides and the Musee D'Orsay are near each other so you could definitely visit the two one after the other. And the Musee Rodin is pretty close to Invalides - the museum is really not very big and something you can cover in about 2 hours without rushing. So Day 2 - D'Orsay --- Invalides (you can go into the compound and the church for free but you'd have to pay to see more than that, I believe) ---- Rodin. Then from the Musee Rodin, you can visit the Luxembourg Gardens and the Pantheon if it's not too late - they're not that far from the Rodin museum. I LOVE the Pantheon so I'd definitely recommend going to see it!
Sacre Coeur is NOWHERE near the other sites on this list. It's on the other side of the city and while the city might look small on a map, it's pretty big, although it does have great transportation links. If you go visit Montmartre, then you can see Sacre Cœur (and you should). I'd actually recommend you try to see Sacre Coeur and walk around Montmartre a bit on Day 4 if you decide to skip Disney. I'd also suggest walking around the Marais/Place des Vosges then too. If you want to keep Disney, then you can go to Sacre Coeur on Day 3 after Notre Dame et al.
Speaking of Day 3, keep in mind that the beauty of the Conciergerie is really the outside. The inside isn't that interesting and I wouldn't recommend going inside unless there's a very interesting exhibit at the time. That being said, Notre Dame/Sainte Chappele/Conciergerie will only take about half a day at most so you can definitely fit something else in here. The stained glass in Sainte Chappele is stunning but it's a pretty small church so it won't take long unless the line to get in is extraordinary.
Day 5 - you will not be able to see all of those things at Versailles in one day. Trust me, I lived in Paris for awhile and visited Versailles several times. And I STILL have not yet made it to Marie Antoinette's estate or the Grand Trianon. The palace will only take about 2-3 hours, especially if the place is packed and the crowd is buoying you along but the gardens are HUMONGOUS. Seriously, they're not exaggerating when they say that. I once spent an entire day at the gardens and didn't see everything. Expect to do the palace and a fraction of the gardens and that's it. Also remember to factor in the time it will take you to get there and back.
Going to the Louvre during one of their late nights is a really good idea. There are always less people then so you can really relax and take your time. But keep in mind that the Louvre is also HUGE so if there are specific pieces you want to see or wings you want to visit, then head straight to them because it's very easy to get lost and/or distracted there.
Finally, have fun. Paris is a wonderful city.
Day 1 - since you don't have a ton of time, I would recommend trying to ascend the Tower at night. It will be packed on a Saturday afternoon in June, without a doubt. My suggestion is to have dinner, then stroll down to the tower around 9, ascend it then (the tower is open until midnight every day) and then come down in time to watch it sparkle at 10. (It sparkles every hour on the hour for about ten minutes so even if you donm't see it that night, you can always detour back there on another night when you're headed back to your hotel once it's nearing the hour.)
Since your Saturday seems pretty open, I would recommend seeing the Arc de Triomphe and walking down the Champs Elysees then. I always recommend people go to the top of the Arc - it has a lovely view and seeing the Arc and the Champs Elysees is fun and a light thing to do if you've only just gotten in. The Champs Elysses is just full of international and designer stores but I love how vibrant and lively it is so i won't tell you to skip it. And make sure to walk all the way down to Place de la Concorde so you can see the Obelisk. The Grand and Petit Palais are actually just off the Champs Elysees so you can detour and see the outside of them then too. You can then take the metro from there to the Eiffel Tower for the Seine cruise (do it! It's fun! And a great opener to a Paris trip) and when you get back, check on the line and see how long it is. If it's still long, go get dinner and then come back to climb to the top.
Day 2 is way too packed and your route doesn't make sense logistically. I would suggest checking to see what exhibits are on at the Grand Palais before you go. If it doesn't interest you, don't bother to go inside. The Petit Palais is cute and it has some nice artwork but I don't think it's something you have to go out of your way to do. I'd suggest just popping by to see the buildings (they're actually along the Champs Elysees) because they are beautiful but don't go inside.
Invalides and the Musee D'Orsay are near each other so you could definitely visit the two one after the other. And the Musee Rodin is pretty close to Invalides - the museum is really not very big and something you can cover in about 2 hours without rushing. So Day 2 - D'Orsay --- Invalides (you can go into the compound and the church for free but you'd have to pay to see more than that, I believe) ---- Rodin. Then from the Musee Rodin, you can visit the Luxembourg Gardens and the Pantheon if it's not too late - they're not that far from the Rodin museum. I LOVE the Pantheon so I'd definitely recommend going to see it!
Sacre Coeur is NOWHERE near the other sites on this list. It's on the other side of the city and while the city might look small on a map, it's pretty big, although it does have great transportation links. If you go visit Montmartre, then you can see Sacre Cœur (and you should). I'd actually recommend you try to see Sacre Coeur and walk around Montmartre a bit on Day 4 if you decide to skip Disney. I'd also suggest walking around the Marais/Place des Vosges then too. If you want to keep Disney, then you can go to Sacre Coeur on Day 3 after Notre Dame et al.
Speaking of Day 3, keep in mind that the beauty of the Conciergerie is really the outside. The inside isn't that interesting and I wouldn't recommend going inside unless there's a very interesting exhibit at the time. That being said, Notre Dame/Sainte Chappele/Conciergerie will only take about half a day at most so you can definitely fit something else in here. The stained glass in Sainte Chappele is stunning but it's a pretty small church so it won't take long unless the line to get in is extraordinary.
Day 5 - you will not be able to see all of those things at Versailles in one day. Trust me, I lived in Paris for awhile and visited Versailles several times. And I STILL have not yet made it to Marie Antoinette's estate or the Grand Trianon. The palace will only take about 2-3 hours, especially if the place is packed and the crowd is buoying you along but the gardens are HUMONGOUS. Seriously, they're not exaggerating when they say that. I once spent an entire day at the gardens and didn't see everything. Expect to do the palace and a fraction of the gardens and that's it. Also remember to factor in the time it will take you to get there and back.
Going to the Louvre during one of their late nights is a really good idea. There are always less people then so you can really relax and take your time. But keep in mind that the Louvre is also HUGE so if there are specific pieces you want to see or wings you want to visit, then head straight to them because it's very easy to get lost and/or distracted there.
Finally, have fun. Paris is a wonderful city.
May 24th, 2015, 03:07 PM
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Also do NOT take a taxi except to and from the airport (only if you have a lot of baggage) unless it's very late for some reason or you have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to do much walking. The metro and bus system is incredibly extensive and inexpensive if you buy the right tickets (I think there are unlimited weekend or 5 day packages or something like that - do NOT buy one-off tickets). If you have a smartphone, you can download really good apps to help you figure out how to get around. The Paris transport authority, the RATP, has an app and I also really like the Kemtro app for the metro because it works offline. And if you don't have a smartphone or tablet, that's what good old-fashioned transport maps are for. You can get one in any metro station. Taxis are an unnecessary expense and they are EXPENSIVE.
May 24th, 2015, 03:26 PM
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If your five days are beginning on a Mon, Tue, or Wed, then definitely buy a 1-week pass for zones 1 & 2. (A week pass is only good Mon-Sun, not any 7 consecutive days.
Rather than explain how to do it, I suggest you search this message board...there are several good posts. It's easy and inexpensive. You get unlimited transport anywhere in the two zones -- which include almost all the major sights (but not Versailles or Disney).
You'll need passport-size photos to get the electronic card on which you will load the pass.
SS
Rather than explain how to do it, I suggest you search this message board...there are several good posts. It's easy and inexpensive. You get unlimited transport anywhere in the two zones -- which include almost all the major sights (but not Versailles or Disney).
You'll need passport-size photos to get the electronic card on which you will load the pass.
SS
May 25th, 2015, 09:26 AM
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Don't skip Versailles which for all practical purposes is right in Paris - a 30-minute RER ride right to within a few blocks on the palace entry - in 5 days IMO Versailles is a must sight - one of the very top sights in Paris and if you miss it you will always think 'oh I should have gone to Versailles' - not sure what on that half-day at a minimum would be more whatever in Paris than Versailles.
Again Versailles is in Paris go for it and you'll be glad you did.
Again Versailles is in Paris go for it and you'll be glad you did.
May 25th, 2015, 10:00 AM
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Thank you all for your feedback and suggestions...immensely helpful !!
have taken another shot at the itinerary n pushed disneyland for another time and place..plz let me know if this sounds more relaxed and doable
Day 1 (starting 3:30pm) - Nissim Camondo, Sacre Coure, Montmarte tower@night
Day 2 - Notre Dame, Orangerie (white lilies), Orsay (impressionist gallery), Luxemborg Park, Pantheon, Seine night cruise
Day 3 - St. Chapelle, Conciergerie (only outside), Tuileries, Louvre
Day 4 - Eiffel Tower (not climbing), Invalides (napoleon tomb), Rodin (thinker), Grand Palace (roof), Arc, La Defense (tindaro & Grand Arch)
Day 5 - Versailles
maybe day 4 is hoping too much, but can do some on day 3 if I have time else skip for next visit.
cheers..
have taken another shot at the itinerary n pushed disneyland for another time and place..plz let me know if this sounds more relaxed and doable
Day 1 (starting 3:30pm) - Nissim Camondo, Sacre Coure, Montmarte tower@night
Day 2 - Notre Dame, Orangerie (white lilies), Orsay (impressionist gallery), Luxemborg Park, Pantheon, Seine night cruise
Day 3 - St. Chapelle, Conciergerie (only outside), Tuileries, Louvre
Day 4 - Eiffel Tower (not climbing), Invalides (napoleon tomb), Rodin (thinker), Grand Palace (roof), Arc, La Defense (tindaro & Grand Arch)
Day 5 - Versailles
maybe day 4 is hoping too much, but can do some on day 3 if I have time else skip for next visit.
cheers..
May 25th, 2015, 10:18 AM
#15
I don't think you have time to fit in La Defense.
>><blue>Day 2 - Notre Dame, Orangerie (white lilies), Orsay (impressionist gallery), Luxemborg Park, Pantheon, Seine night cruise
Day 3 - St. Chapelle, Conciergerie (only outside), Tuileries, Louvre</blue><<
This bit does not make sense. Notre Dame, Ste Chapelle and the Conciergerie are all neighbors -- they are all on the same island so it makes no sense to split them up on different days.
And the Musee d' Orsay/Louvre/Tuileries are all neighbors so they can be done together on the same day -- especially since you say you only want a short visit at the Orsay.
>><blue>Day 2 - Notre Dame, Orangerie (white lilies), Orsay (impressionist gallery), Luxemborg Park, Pantheon, Seine night cruise
Day 3 - St. Chapelle, Conciergerie (only outside), Tuileries, Louvre</blue><<
This bit does not make sense. Notre Dame, Ste Chapelle and the Conciergerie are all neighbors -- they are all on the same island so it makes no sense to split them up on different days.
And the Musee d' Orsay/Louvre/Tuileries are all neighbors so they can be done together on the same day -- especially since you say you only want a short visit at the Orsay.
May 25th, 2015, 02:59 PM
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Here is our five day experience:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...experience.cfm
Paris is an amazing city. Take time to sit and watch it go by. Fascinating.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...experience.cfm
Paris is an amazing city. Take time to sit and watch it go by. Fascinating.
May 25th, 2015, 06:36 PM
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As janisj advised, Musee d'Orsay/Louvre/Tuileries Gardens are close and some of my favorites to see in Paris. However, in my case, I have 3 days and they happen to fall Sun/Mon/Tues. Just wanted you to know that Musee d'Orsay is closed on Mon and Louvre is closed on Tuesdays so that's my problem right now! May have to skip M d'Orsay thus time. Have fun!
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