Paris, Versailles and Jet Lag
May 27th, 2016, 01:42 PM
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Paris, Versailles and Jet Lag
My 16 year old daughter and I will be in Paris in August. We arrive on midday Saturday from the U.S. and are leaving on Wednesday evening. After much discussion and weighing the pros and cons, we have decided to include Versailles in our itinerary. We are skipping the inside of the Lourve, so that should help with our time. We would like to see the fountains, so that means going on Sunday. Although we would love to see the inside of the Chatau, we have been sufficiently frightened about the crowds. Since the gardens look amazing, I thought we could focus our time there and at Marie Antoinette's estate. Renting bikes or a golf cart has some appeal.
But there is a King's apartments tour, that I think would enable us to skip most of the dreaded lines and perhaps give us a taste of the inside. The tours are at 9:30 or 12:30. While we normally have no problem getting up and out, I am concerned about jet lag that first full day. On the other hand, considering our plan, are we still better off sucking it up and getting there first thing? The tour is about 90 minutes according to the Versailles website. If we did that, we would tour the outside before and after.
Is it realistic that we will have the time and energy to do anything that evening? Considering a river cruise.
Any opinions or suggestions are welcome!
But there is a King's apartments tour, that I think would enable us to skip most of the dreaded lines and perhaps give us a taste of the inside. The tours are at 9:30 or 12:30. While we normally have no problem getting up and out, I am concerned about jet lag that first full day. On the other hand, considering our plan, are we still better off sucking it up and getting there first thing? The tour is about 90 minutes according to the Versailles website. If we did that, we would tour the outside before and after.
Is it realistic that we will have the time and energy to do anything that evening? Considering a river cruise.
Any opinions or suggestions are welcome!
May 27th, 2016, 01:45 PM
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For a first trip to Paris, I would skip Versailles--best saved for a longer trip, as it will consume an entire tiring day. There is so much to see in Paris itself; save Versailles for a less crowded time of the year.
River cruises are a great way to see the city, especially at night--but don't do a dinner cruise. Overpriced and underwhelming food for the most part.
River cruises are a great way to see the city, especially at night--but don't do a dinner cruise. Overpriced and underwhelming food for the most part.
May 27th, 2016, 02:04 PM
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I would never consider a trip to Versailles in August under any circumstances, but particularly since you have such a very limited amount of time to visit Paris itself.
A boat ride on the Seine IMO is pretty much essential to any visit to Paris. Just don't do it the evening of the day you arrive - the engine humming and lapping of the water could put you right to sleep.
A boat ride on the Seine IMO is pretty much essential to any visit to Paris. Just don't do it the evening of the day you arrive - the engine humming and lapping of the water could put you right to sleep.
May 27th, 2016, 04:47 PM
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Personally I'd save Versailles for a different trip, but I'm not you. If its high on the list of what you want to see, then go!
As for jetlag, you don't know how it hits you until you do it. Some people don't seem to bothered, others its a big deal and they're tired during the day and then at 10pm can't fall asleep. I suggest getting a time-release sleeping pill prescription filled before you go just in case; I use Ambien-CR. You can find tips on fighting jetlag online, including going without sunglasses the first few days of a trip since UV in your eye helps reset your body clock. And if possible why not time-shift a few hours before you go? Every 4-5 days before the trip get up and go to bed an hour earlier. You can shift 4 hours or so this way, when I've been able to do it I found it helps.
As for jetlag, you don't know how it hits you until you do it. Some people don't seem to bothered, others its a big deal and they're tired during the day and then at 10pm can't fall asleep. I suggest getting a time-release sleeping pill prescription filled before you go just in case; I use Ambien-CR. You can find tips on fighting jetlag online, including going without sunglasses the first few days of a trip since UV in your eye helps reset your body clock. And if possible why not time-shift a few hours before you go? Every 4-5 days before the trip get up and go to bed an hour earlier. You can shift 4 hours or so this way, when I've been able to do it I found it helps.
May 27th, 2016, 04:57 PM
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Do you know how badly you are affected by jet lag? It doesn't bother most people at all. What I find is that if we push through the first day (do NOT nap) but go to bed fairly early there is no trouble taking up in the am. In fact I find myself waking very early (often 6 am or so) after having gone to bed at 9 or 10 the night before.
I leave it to you if you want to do Versailles - but I wouldn't on such a short rip -esp in August. We did it in May and it was crowded enough then. And there are so many other things to see/do in Paris that won't take a whole day.
I leave it to you if you want to do Versailles - but I wouldn't on such a short rip -esp in August. We did it in May and it was crowded enough then. And there are so many other things to see/do in Paris that won't take a whole day.
May 27th, 2016, 07:22 PM
#8
>> It doesn't bother most people at all.<<
Huh? IME/IMO it affects most people at least to some extent. And some quite severely . . .
Versailles (even the grounds) will be a mob scene and you have a really short tim in Paris. You don't need to decide ahead of time -- if you are not jet lagged and think Versailles is more important than other sites - go for it. But I personally wouldn't.
Huh? IME/IMO it affects most people at least to some extent. And some quite severely . . .
Versailles (even the grounds) will be a mob scene and you have a really short tim in Paris. You don't need to decide ahead of time -- if you are not jet lagged and think Versailles is more important than other sites - go for it. But I personally wouldn't.
May 27th, 2016, 11:09 PM
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If this is your first trip to Paris - or overseas, for that matter - you should probably skip Versailles in August. You'll find plenty of other things to do, jet-lagged or not. I wouldn't spend 8 hours at Versailles when you have such a limited time to spend in Paris.
On the other hand, you might consider taking the train to Fontainebleau, which will only take about an hour from Paris and is much less crowded and more "do-able" in the time you have. It is a spectacular chateau, well worth seeing.
http://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/index.php/en/
You might just take it easy on your first day, and wander around taking in the atmosphere. You'll see lots of monuments along the way, if you use a map of Paris and plan your route ahead of time.
I would recommend taking the last cruise of the evening, since the sun sets at around 10:30 PM - the bridges and monuments will be illuminated then, and it's a magical experience. Might be a nice thing to do on your last evening in Paris.
http://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/index.php/en/
On the other hand, you might consider taking the train to Fontainebleau, which will only take about an hour from Paris and is much less crowded and more "do-able" in the time you have. It is a spectacular chateau, well worth seeing.
http://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/index.php/en/
You might just take it easy on your first day, and wander around taking in the atmosphere. You'll see lots of monuments along the way, if you use a map of Paris and plan your route ahead of time.
I would recommend taking the last cruise of the evening, since the sun sets at around 10:30 PM - the bridges and monuments will be illuminated then, and it's a magical experience. Might be a nice thing to do on your last evening in Paris.
http://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/index.php/en/
May 28th, 2016, 02:40 AM
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Others have said it--skip it. And PLEASE do not use Ambien. It can have some catastrophic effects.
As for jet lag--we have found that if we just keep soldiering through the first day, go to the hotel and leave luggage, have lunch, see "easy" things (walk around ND, etc.) have an early dinner (at a cafe, not big meal) and go to bed, we are pretty up and at 'em the next day.
As for jet lag--we have found that if we just keep soldiering through the first day, go to the hotel and leave luggage, have lunch, see "easy" things (walk around ND, etc.) have an early dinner (at a cafe, not big meal) and go to bed, we are pretty up and at 'em the next day.
May 28th, 2016, 06:10 AM
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I thank you all for your opinions and advice. To be honest, Paris was an add on to an already planned trip to London. We know we will not be there long enough to truly experience everything Paris has to offer. So we have tried to focus our trip on things we cannot experience where we live. We have monuments, some fantastic museums, world class shopping all here with in easy reach. Beaches and Vinyards are minutes away. Disney we have done too many times to count. We of course do not have the history, culture and grandeur of Paris, so we were trying to focus on that. That being said, we usually prefer shorter visits to large cities in favor of small towns. So this trip in general is taking us out of our comfort zone!
Versailles and its grounds represents something we cannot at all experience here. I had thought by primarily sticking to the grounds and Marie Antoinette's estate, we would avoid the horrendous crowds described everywhere. The King's Apatrment tour seemed to make it possible to see a little of the inside. If we will still be surrounded by wall to wall crowds no matter what we do, then we will listen to you all and consider our alternatives.
Fountainbleu certainly looks like an appealing option 2! Is it really possible to to also go rock climbing nearby in the forest?!? Is it doable with a visit to the Chateau? My 16 year old athlete would love that!
Versailles and its grounds represents something we cannot at all experience here. I had thought by primarily sticking to the grounds and Marie Antoinette's estate, we would avoid the horrendous crowds described everywhere. The King's Apatrment tour seemed to make it possible to see a little of the inside. If we will still be surrounded by wall to wall crowds no matter what we do, then we will listen to you all and consider our alternatives.
Fountainbleu certainly looks like an appealing option 2! Is it really possible to to also go rock climbing nearby in the forest?!? Is it doable with a visit to the Chateau? My 16 year old athlete would love that!
May 28th, 2016, 06:56 AM
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I have spent a fair amount of time in both Versailles and Fontainebleau because of work. I don't think you will be able to get out rock climbing in the area without a car. Also the train only takes you to Avon and you will still need a cab or bus to get to the town proper.
Like others here, I would probably stay in Paris-so much to see and you have so little time!
Like others here, I would probably stay in Paris-so much to see and you have so little time!
May 28th, 2016, 07:00 AM
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Because you are going on a Sunday - yes, even the grounds will have crowds. There is PLENTY of history you can't get back home in central Paris. If you had a week -- sure. But you only have 3.5 usable days in Paris.
May 28th, 2016, 07:05 AM
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YOU WILL be surrounded by horrendous crowds.
I guess you are aware that the Louvre is itself a "chateau/palace". You are choosing not to do it but there are features of it that are not "art"--visit the basement and see its structure with the blocks marked by the builders.
I think you will find Paris a "large city" in a class by itself--it is amazing how "small" it seems and how accessible. At least that is how we feel about it after many trips--'cause we wouldn't miss it for the world, even after spending time in a smaller city/other area of France.
I guess you are aware that the Louvre is itself a "chateau/palace". You are choosing not to do it but there are features of it that are not "art"--visit the basement and see its structure with the blocks marked by the builders.
I think you will find Paris a "large city" in a class by itself--it is amazing how "small" it seems and how accessible. At least that is how we feel about it after many trips--'cause we wouldn't miss it for the world, even after spending time in a smaller city/other area of France.
May 28th, 2016, 10:14 AM
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You could also visit the Château de Vincennes in Paris, or Pierrefonds, neither of which would be anything like what you probably have at home and neither of which would be shoulder-to-shoulder tourists.
May 28th, 2016, 11:20 AM
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If you've had extensive discussions, etc., about visiting Versailles and decide you really want to, I don't see anything wrong with that. It's not that far away, basically a suburb. I never understand the comments that someone shouldn't see something they really want to because there are so many things to see in Paris. So what, if Versailles is of more priority. A lot of people talk about visiting things in Paris that are of little interest to me and I would regard a lot lower interest than Versailles, so I think you should do what you want to do. The Louvre has tons of crowds, also, for example, and some people are touting that.
Having said that, I would never go to Versailles just to look at some gardens and fountains and ride around in a golf cart. But it's your trip. If you just want to see a royal residence, then Fontainebleau is a good choice, also. I like it because it is smaller and seems more intimate. It's very attractive, but wasn't the seat of govt like Versailles, either. So not the same place in history. I wouldn't know if it has as many crowds as Versailles or not when you are going. I guess it didn't when I have been to both, but the crowds at Versailles didn't bother me that much. It's not as if you couldn't see things. I've endured worse crowds at the Louvre, in fact, and I'm talking peak periods at all places. The Louvre is the only place I've ever left because the crowds were so bad in the Paris region.
If the idea is to do things you can't do at home, why go rock climbing when you have so little time.
Having said that, I would never go to Versailles just to look at some gardens and fountains and ride around in a golf cart. But it's your trip. If you just want to see a royal residence, then Fontainebleau is a good choice, also. I like it because it is smaller and seems more intimate. It's very attractive, but wasn't the seat of govt like Versailles, either. So not the same place in history. I wouldn't know if it has as many crowds as Versailles or not when you are going. I guess it didn't when I have been to both, but the crowds at Versailles didn't bother me that much. It's not as if you couldn't see things. I've endured worse crowds at the Louvre, in fact, and I'm talking peak periods at all places. The Louvre is the only place I've ever left because the crowds were so bad in the Paris region.
If the idea is to do things you can't do at home, why go rock climbing when you have so little time.
May 28th, 2016, 12:27 PM
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I was once advised not to go to Kyoto during peak sakura because of the crowds. Fortunatelly I didn't listen.
I think that if you really want to see Versailles the crowds won't be too much of a problem. Personally I'd rent a car (but I manage jetlag well) , drive out to St.Germain en Laye and then down to Versailles. It's a wonderful ride, Paris has some lovely suburbs and traffic should be lighter in August. I'd much rather see all this than the inside of the Louvre or the musée d'Orsay.
Fontainebleau is ok but not so well kept in my opinion. Of the smaller castles I really like Chantilly and Vaux-le-Vicomte. The dinners with candlelights and fireworks at Vaux-le-Vicomte are quite nice, and the strawberries with chantilly cream at Chantilly are not to be missed. If your daughter likes horses she'll love the stable at Chantilly.
I think that if you really want to see Versailles the crowds won't be too much of a problem. Personally I'd rent a car (but I manage jetlag well) , drive out to St.Germain en Laye and then down to Versailles. It's a wonderful ride, Paris has some lovely suburbs and traffic should be lighter in August. I'd much rather see all this than the inside of the Louvre or the musée d'Orsay.
Fontainebleau is ok but not so well kept in my opinion. Of the smaller castles I really like Chantilly and Vaux-le-Vicomte. The dinners with candlelights and fireworks at Vaux-le-Vicomte are quite nice, and the strawberries with chantilly cream at Chantilly are not to be missed. If your daughter likes horses she'll love the stable at Chantilly.
May 28th, 2016, 01:33 PM
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I really love reading all the different perspectives. Maybe it would help if I listed the sites that did interest us in and around Paris. In no particular order:
St. Germaine des pres and Luxenberg Gardens (arrival day)
Versailles (or maybe now Fountainbleu or the other suggestions--will research) day trip
Arc de triumph
Tuileries Gardens
Sien River cruise/walk
Eiffel Tower/Champ De Mars
Notes Dame and Saint Chapelle
Rodin Museum Garden
Orsay museum and/or Musee de Orsay
Sacre Coeur Basilica/Montemarte
Le Marias (last day)
St. Germaine des pres and Luxenberg Gardens (arrival day)
Versailles (or maybe now Fountainbleu or the other suggestions--will research) day trip
Arc de triumph
Tuileries Gardens
Sien River cruise/walk
Eiffel Tower/Champ De Mars
Notes Dame and Saint Chapelle
Rodin Museum Garden
Orsay museum and/or Musee de Orsay
Sacre Coeur Basilica/Montemarte
Le Marias (last day)
May 28th, 2016, 04:27 PM
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Arc de triumph
It is arc de triomphe
Tuileries Gardens
Sien River cruise/walk
Seine
Eiffel Tower/Champ De Mars
Notes Dame and Saint Chapelle
Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle
Rodin Museum Garden
Orsay museum and/or Musee de Orsay
Musée d'Orsay
Sacre Coeur Basilica/Montemarte
Montmartre
Le Marias (last day)
Le Marais
You sure you go to Paris ?
It is arc de triomphe
Tuileries Gardens
Sien River cruise/walk
Seine
Eiffel Tower/Champ De Mars
Notes Dame and Saint Chapelle
Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle
Rodin Museum Garden
Orsay museum and/or Musee de Orsay
Musée d'Orsay
Sacre Coeur Basilica/Montemarte
Montmartre
Le Marias (last day)
Le Marais
You sure you go to Paris ?
