Paris Itinerary - Please review
Apr 15th, 2004, 10:31 AM
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Paris Itinerary - Please review
Thank you to all Fodorites for sooo much information. You have made our trip planning a pleasure and now we are counting down the days - Less than a week. Would you be so kind as to let us know if we have packed too much into our days? We arrive on Thursday morning, Apr. 22 and depart May 1. We have no set schedule (want to soak up the experience without worrying about the time) but have a list of "must sees" In no particular order: Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, St. Sulpice, Louvre, St. Chappel, Sacre Cour, Monmartre, Musee de Orsay, Musee Rodin, Marmottan Museum, Conciergerie, walk the passages that Degas wrote about, day trip to Giverny and day trip to Brugge. We do have our sites mapped out so as not to be walking aimlessly as well as doing some Left Bank walks found in our guide books. We are staying at the Hotel Luxembourg Parc and are beside ourselves with excitement. There are very few posts with detailed reviews of our hotel so we will post updated review upon our return. Again, THANK YOU all for such a wonderful forum of information.
Apr 15th, 2004, 10:36 AM
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Apr 15th, 2004, 01:25 PM
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hi winecruiser,
Try Chez Diane across the street from your hotel. It was nice - went there 2 years ago, so hope it is still there. Didn't get to see any of the rooms but went in your lobby - looked good. We ate dinner at Chez Diane next to folks that were staying there (they always stayed there & loved it) so you should like it. My hubby and I will be there then too---maybe will see you "winecruising"....
Try Chez Diane across the street from your hotel. It was nice - went there 2 years ago, so hope it is still there. Didn't get to see any of the rooms but went in your lobby - looked good. We ate dinner at Chez Diane next to folks that were staying there (they always stayed there & loved it) so you should like it. My hubby and I will be there then too---maybe will see you "winecruising"....
Apr 15th, 2004, 01:57 PM
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The problematic aspect of any trip to Paris what to do with the Louvre. My last two trips I took care of that problem easily: I went elsewhere to soak up more of Paris.
There are enough minor gems of incredible value in Paris to make some of the blockbuster attractions somewhat less relevant.
My suggestion is that you discuss just what it is in the Louvre you want to see, decided how you are going to see it in terms of route followed, get in and get out. I also suggest rank ordering and clustering your primary objectives on a map. I made little marks on a cheap map with little numbers.
A 3 means a place that is ok, but skipable; a 1 neans an important place to visit. So when time starts to press, the 3's start to drop. (I think I have enough 3's from the last two times that I could work in a whole visit around them!!)
I like the art of the period which you see on display in the Musee d'Orsay. Therefore, it gets top billing! The Musee Carnavalet got a 3 and an omission. Wish I had given the Picasso Museum a 4!!.
I think that you will be happier if you visit the places you want to see because there is something about them and you that says "Come see me." I don't think you should go to a specific place just because some "expert" says you should go.
For example the Musuem Jacquemart Andre is a small gem. We went there for a visit and, at the end of the visit, I thought it well worth NOT making a return to the Louvre.
Another thing I learned about Paris is that you need to let the environment have a chance to unfold. Just wandering along we have run into events and incidents that are memorable. Some of them funny; one of them scary, and one of them priceless to a person who grows her own vegetables.
(A street market on Raspail one Sunday morning.)
The bottom line is that you seem to have it planned. Just don't run yourself ragged pushing to see all of the destinations.
There are enough minor gems of incredible value in Paris to make some of the blockbuster attractions somewhat less relevant.
My suggestion is that you discuss just what it is in the Louvre you want to see, decided how you are going to see it in terms of route followed, get in and get out. I also suggest rank ordering and clustering your primary objectives on a map. I made little marks on a cheap map with little numbers.
A 3 means a place that is ok, but skipable; a 1 neans an important place to visit. So when time starts to press, the 3's start to drop. (I think I have enough 3's from the last two times that I could work in a whole visit around them!!)
I like the art of the period which you see on display in the Musee d'Orsay. Therefore, it gets top billing! The Musee Carnavalet got a 3 and an omission. Wish I had given the Picasso Museum a 4!!.
I think that you will be happier if you visit the places you want to see because there is something about them and you that says "Come see me." I don't think you should go to a specific place just because some "expert" says you should go.
For example the Musuem Jacquemart Andre is a small gem. We went there for a visit and, at the end of the visit, I thought it well worth NOT making a return to the Louvre.
Another thing I learned about Paris is that you need to let the environment have a chance to unfold. Just wandering along we have run into events and incidents that are memorable. Some of them funny; one of them scary, and one of them priceless to a person who grows her own vegetables.
(A street market on Raspail one Sunday morning.)
The bottom line is that you seem to have it planned. Just don't run yourself ragged pushing to see all of the destinations.
Apr 15th, 2004, 07:21 PM
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Thank you for the kind words. Ira, I had completely forgotton about the batobus. Checked out the web site and will definitely use them. Westiedog, thanks for the restaurant info. Have seen good reviews on this site for Chez Diane. Where are you staying? Bob, you seem to understand our way of traveling. You're right - no sense wearing ourselves out and not enjoying what we traveled for in the first place. And WillTravel, what can I tell you? We are just planning on taking the train to Brugge and will make reservations once we get Paris. That is a "for sure" day trip just not sure which day but I will let you know how everything was once we return.
Apr 15th, 2004, 10:54 PM
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winecruiser, I took a look at the train times before, but it seemed like it would take an awfully long time to get to Brugge for the amount of time that you can spend there. I could be remembering wrong. What times did you find?
Apr 15th, 2004, 11:15 PM
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My feeling is that you are trying to pack in too much and may come away from Paris having checked off a lot of things on your list but not really appreciating the city.
We spent the last 4 years living in Paris and had a lot of visitors who came armed with a list similar to yours. They were quickly overwhelmed.
Much of what makes Paris wonderful is the opportunity to stroll through wonderful, historic neighborhoods, stopping at cafes, open-air markets and interesting shops. If you try to hit all of the museums, you will surely miss the real Paris.
A couple of recommendations: ask your hotel about the schedule for the open-air markets in your area and make it a point to visit one. Also consider taking an English-language tour with Paris Walks. After I felt like I knew everything about the city, I would show up for one of their walks and realize just how little I knew. And definitely go out for at least one quality meal. Sunday lunches are leisurely affairs; try hopping a cab and eating at Le Chalet des Iles, in the Bois de Boulogne.
I would advise you to think twice or three times about trying to make a day-trip to Brugge. Don't get me wrong; it's a fairy-tale European city well worth the visit. But for this trip, there are other lovely excursions that you could make (Fontainebleau, Chartres)in a day that wouldn't be quite so exhausting.
Bon voyage!
We spent the last 4 years living in Paris and had a lot of visitors who came armed with a list similar to yours. They were quickly overwhelmed.
Much of what makes Paris wonderful is the opportunity to stroll through wonderful, historic neighborhoods, stopping at cafes, open-air markets and interesting shops. If you try to hit all of the museums, you will surely miss the real Paris.
A couple of recommendations: ask your hotel about the schedule for the open-air markets in your area and make it a point to visit one. Also consider taking an English-language tour with Paris Walks. After I felt like I knew everything about the city, I would show up for one of their walks and realize just how little I knew. And definitely go out for at least one quality meal. Sunday lunches are leisurely affairs; try hopping a cab and eating at Le Chalet des Iles, in the Bois de Boulogne.
I would advise you to think twice or three times about trying to make a day-trip to Brugge. Don't get me wrong; it's a fairy-tale European city well worth the visit. But for this trip, there are other lovely excursions that you could make (Fontainebleau, Chartres)in a day that wouldn't be quite so exhausting.
Bon voyage!
Apr 15th, 2004, 11:17 PM
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I also think Brugge, as great as it is, is a bit far off... a little too much train time for the result, when Chartres and Senlis are both within an hour of Paris and both are cute as anything. Also, make sure you don't confuse Montmartre with Sacre-Coeur and Place du tertre. The latter are horrible tourist traps, crowded to the point of suffocation. The truly charming Montmartre is nearby, but you have to wander a few blocks to see it, away from the crowds. Just follow any guide book's Montmartre walk.
Apr 16th, 2004, 01:30 AM
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Have a great trip! I think you should be happy with the Luxembourg Parc hotel and look forward to hearing your reactions to Paris when you get back.
Re Brugge, I think it's a wonderful place to visit but you'll just have to wing it and see if you feel like leaving Paris for a day during your trip.
FYI, don't forget you can also do one-day guided bus trips to Brugge. They leave early in the morning, get back pretty late at night. It's one option and the hotel could probably make the arrangements for you.
Re Brugge, I think it's a wonderful place to visit but you'll just have to wing it and see if you feel like leaving Paris for a day during your trip.
FYI, don't forget you can also do one-day guided bus trips to Brugge. They leave early in the morning, get back pretty late at night. It's one option and the hotel could probably make the arrangements for you.
Apr 16th, 2004, 03:30 AM
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I think it is always better to plan to do what everyone else tells you is "too much" in any one place and then when you get there you can do as much of it as you can hack, and then chill out. The alternative is not planning to do enough and find yourself wondering what to do next.
Personally, I think one, not the only one, but certainly one, method of doing the Louvre is reading about what's there first and then concentrating on what interests you inside while ignoring the rest. Not doing the place altogether is, I think, more of an option for people who have already been there.
Like it or not, it is more comprehensive and has more wealth of offerings than ANY other single museum in Paris and as much as I like the D'Orsay and you probably will, too, those folks could use a little help from the Louvre savants when it comes/came to displaying some of the D'Orsay works which due to poor lighting/placement have not been exhibited to their best advantage.
Enjoy your trip..you probably won;t get to everything but that just gives you greater incentive to return.
Personally, I think one, not the only one, but certainly one, method of doing the Louvre is reading about what's there first and then concentrating on what interests you inside while ignoring the rest. Not doing the place altogether is, I think, more of an option for people who have already been there.
Like it or not, it is more comprehensive and has more wealth of offerings than ANY other single museum in Paris and as much as I like the D'Orsay and you probably will, too, those folks could use a little help from the Louvre savants when it comes/came to displaying some of the D'Orsay works which due to poor lighting/placement have not been exhibited to their best advantage.
Enjoy your trip..you probably won;t get to everything but that just gives you greater incentive to return.
Apr 16th, 2004, 04:04 AM
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winecruiser, maybe you should plan even more things to do and see, not less. You can always cut back or speed up as the mood strikes you.
A series of well planned daily walks exposes you to so many things, both big and small, that most tourists never experience. Don't approach it as a race to tick off items on a rigid checklist, but know where things are and when they are open so you can move effectively from area to area without wasting time and energy zigzagging all over town.
Maybe focus on the latin quarter one day, then the passages, then the right bank, then..... .
I'd also save Brugge for another trip.
Have fun.
A series of well planned daily walks exposes you to so many things, both big and small, that most tourists never experience. Don't approach it as a race to tick off items on a rigid checklist, but know where things are and when they are open so you can move effectively from area to area without wasting time and energy zigzagging all over town.
Maybe focus on the latin quarter one day, then the passages, then the right bank, then..... .
I'd also save Brugge for another trip.
Have fun.
Apr 16th, 2004, 04:22 AM
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>...how are you doing the daytrip to Brugge?<
Hi will,
Train schedules are at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/
You can take the THALYS to Brussels and the IC to Brugges (more frequent) or go by way of Lille on the TGV.
Hi will,
Train schedules are at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/
You can take the THALYS to Brussels and the IC to Brugges (more frequent) or go by way of Lille on the TGV.
Apr 16th, 2004, 04:48 AM
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Hi winecruiser,
We are staying at Relais Christine, it's a couple blocks off St. Germain. I'll be easy to spot---sitting at the cafes with my vin rouge trying to pet all the Parisian dogs. I vote too for the D'Orsey...fabulous-especially if you are a fan of Impressionist art. I have seen it several times, and I still can't wait!!
We are staying at Relais Christine, it's a couple blocks off St. Germain. I'll be easy to spot---sitting at the cafes with my vin rouge trying to pet all the Parisian dogs. I vote too for the D'Orsey...fabulous-especially if you are a fan of Impressionist art. I have seen it several times, and I still can't wait!!
Apr 16th, 2004, 08:06 AM
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I didn't see the Arc de Triomphe on the list. If you walk up early in your visit, you will get a nice orientation to the City. Also, I wanted to visit the Conciegerie this trip but I was out voted. BUT we did manage Sainte Chapelle (sp?) on a sunny day. Sounds like we made the right decision. I also really liked the Cluny/Musee de Moyen Age...it's a must if you like that era.
Apr 16th, 2004, 08:33 AM
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Hi winecruiser (love your name!).
Your trip sounds great. We all have our favorites, and some of mine that are not on your list include the Place de la Concorde, the area called Le Marais and, within it, especially the Place de Vosges and Eglise St.Gervais-St. Protais.
Safe and happy travels!
Your trip sounds great. We all have our favorites, and some of mine that are not on your list include the Place de la Concorde, the area called Le Marais and, within it, especially the Place de Vosges and Eglise St.Gervais-St. Protais.
Safe and happy travels!
Apr 16th, 2004, 08:55 AM
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Hi winecruiser,
Agree with the people here who say have a plan, but let Paris 'plan for you'. One way you might consider spending your days is to pick out a few guided tours you would like to take
aris Walk being on that list, as well as any guided tours of Notre Dame, perhaps a introductory bus tour the day you get there, nighttime batobus,etc... IN the morning, find a nice cafe for a petit dejeuner, nice cafe creme, read up on plan for the day, people watch...
I'd plan my day around one guided tour and one 'on my own' place...
eg. Notre Dame in morning, followed by Paris Walks tour of Ile de la Cite and Ile St Louis or Latin Quarter.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...g/thismnth.htm
In between, lunch...perhaps just something from a street vendor (jambon/fromage sandwich)or boulangerie/ bistro(fitting in as many pain au chocolats as possible!)...you can even plan a picnic at the roman arean (Arenes de Lutece). After your afternoon tour, find a place to eat (saw a few while doing the tour?) make a reservation, go back to hotel or re-visit some of the area you saw on the tour. After dinner, walks around Seine, nighttime bus or batobus tour or perhaps a candlelight cancert at St Chapelle or perhpas a classical music concert at one of the old churches (lots fo those)...and then sweet dreams.
I've tried the above a few times and was happy with it, a few I eventually would increase my café time and just do neighbourhood walks.
Enjoy!
Mike
Agree with the people here who say have a plan, but let Paris 'plan for you'. One way you might consider spending your days is to pick out a few guided tours you would like to take
aris Walk being on that list, as well as any guided tours of Notre Dame, perhaps a introductory bus tour the day you get there, nighttime batobus,etc... IN the morning, find a nice cafe for a petit dejeuner, nice cafe creme, read up on plan for the day, people watch...I'd plan my day around one guided tour and one 'on my own' place...
eg. Notre Dame in morning, followed by Paris Walks tour of Ile de la Cite and Ile St Louis or Latin Quarter.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...g/thismnth.htm
In between, lunch...perhaps just something from a street vendor (jambon/fromage sandwich)or boulangerie/ bistro(fitting in as many pain au chocolats as possible!)...you can even plan a picnic at the roman arean (Arenes de Lutece). After your afternoon tour, find a place to eat (saw a few while doing the tour?) make a reservation, go back to hotel or re-visit some of the area you saw on the tour. After dinner, walks around Seine, nighttime bus or batobus tour or perhaps a candlelight cancert at St Chapelle or perhpas a classical music concert at one of the old churches (lots fo those)...and then sweet dreams.
I've tried the above a few times and was happy with it, a few I eventually would increase my café time and just do neighbourhood walks.
Enjoy!
Mike
Apr 16th, 2004, 09:42 AM
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Having been to all these places, I support your plan to do a day trip to Brugges. You are going to be in Paris quite a long time, and it's not that far to make it worthless. You can't substitute Chartres for Brugges, for example, they aren't the same at all.
I've done several day trips from Paris that took 2-1/2 hrs one way, that's not so terrible for something you really want to see. You can easily have about 8-9 hrs in the town, and it's not that big. I've never regretted any of the day trips I've taken from Paris that took 2+ hrs one way.
If you want to simplify it, you can take a Parisvision bus tour to Bruges which is about the same price as the RT train fare, I think (if you don't purchase advance train fares), see www.parisvision.com. You can just relax and view the countryside that way, or doze if you want. You wouldn't have to worry about logistics (like the transfer at Brussels or Lille) and it might be more relaxing, although you might have a little less time in town as I imagine a train would be faster than a bus. You can probably book the Parisvision tour at the office across from the Opera Garnier the day before you wanted to go (it's only twice a week).
I've done several day trips from Paris that took 2-1/2 hrs one way, that's not so terrible for something you really want to see. You can easily have about 8-9 hrs in the town, and it's not that big. I've never regretted any of the day trips I've taken from Paris that took 2+ hrs one way.
If you want to simplify it, you can take a Parisvision bus tour to Bruges which is about the same price as the RT train fare, I think (if you don't purchase advance train fares), see www.parisvision.com. You can just relax and view the countryside that way, or doze if you want. You wouldn't have to worry about logistics (like the transfer at Brussels or Lille) and it might be more relaxing, although you might have a little less time in town as I imagine a train would be faster than a bus. You can probably book the Parisvision tour at the office across from the Opera Garnier the day before you wanted to go (it's only twice a week).
