oztravelz

hi all wondering if Versailles for 1/2 a day on a Sunday is worth the trouble? we only have 2 1/2 days in paris.... monday V is closed.... Sunday we have to go to a business meeting in the morning til about 1 or 2..... we arrive on saturday at 2, so not much time on sat.... also, any suggestions what to do with the full day on Monday? we think we will go to the Eifel tower on Saturday..... on holiday with extended family.... 2 old folks, 3 middle agers, 2 teens, 1 tween and a 7 year old.... thanks for your thoughts! ..oz

Michael

I would skip Versailles this time around.

Michel_Paris

I would consider not going, for the simple reason that you are in Paris (I assume for first time?) and should see the city first. You will come nowhere near seeing everything, so I would concentrate on the city.

Look at a Seine cruise, at night, Vedettes du Pont Neuf wwhich leaves from west end of Ile de la Cite is a good one. You could have dinner on Left bank or Islands, and wander over after that. City is magical at night.

You could approach Eiffel from Right Bank. Take metro to Trocadero stop, cross street and go between the two Palais Chaillot buildings. Wow view, one of best of the tower, then cross over bridge to tower and go up. There are also boat cruises that leave from near here, Pont d'Alma, but they are much larger boats.

Dinner near tower?
http://www.chezfrancis-restaurant.com/

jamikins

Definitely not worth it with the time you have in paris. Spend the time in Paris - it is a magical city.

jamikins

oztravelz - what exactly is your travel itinerary? Based on a few of your posts you will be running all over Europe, spending a couple days in a world class cities, and then trying to do day trips from them. Instead of spending most of your time in transit on trains and tubes and buses etc why dont you look at what is IN these cities and enjoy those. You may find you are completely burnt out by running around with a family dragging behind you instead of having a fabulous well planned vacation...

Graziella5b

Of course if have only two days in Paris, I would leave it for another trip.

ira

Hi Oz,

From what you describe, don't leave the city.

>any suggestions what to do.....

Look up Paris under "Destinations".

Michel_Paris

What do you think the interests of your group are?

You could take a half-day coach tour of the city, or the Hop-on/Hop-off bus, and that way at least see all of the main sites, then focus on going to and walkin around a couple of areas.

The Louvre area would give you: Louvre, Tuilerie Gardens (includes pool with sailboats), Palais Royal gardens, Champs Elysee, Arc de Triomphe, big and grand views. Also, some souvenir shopping on Rue de Rivoli, perhaps dessert and hot chocolate at Angelina's.

The islands would give you Notre Dame (climb tower for view?), the cruise and then cross over to Ile St Louis which has a nice small main steeet with good shops and restos. Paris Walks has a tour on Monday:

http://www.paris-walks.com/summer-walks.html

Place des Vosges is one of Paris's nicest and oldest squares, good place for lunch, many old mansions about, and some good shopping.

StCirq

What jamikins said. I don't understand why you're flying through big cities for a couple of days and then planning just to get out of them for day trips!

Michel_Paris

As a ditto...many people here, including myself, have been to Paris, London, Istanbul,etc..on several occasions and can claim to have not yet 'seen it all'.

If possible, spend more time in some of the big cities, there is a reason they are 'great'.

ardithl

Another vote against Versailles. The crowds inside the chateau are unbelievably bad.

If you don't have advance Eiffel tower tickets, I'd advise going there first thing in the morning, which for you means Monday. Otherwise, you will spend too much of your limited time waiting in line.

We did the hop on hop off bus on two consecutive days (costs about the same as 1 day), but I don't recommend it for your short trip; there is a lot of time wasted at the stops.

Here are my recommendations:

On Saturday afternoon, I'd recommend a short bus tour like Foxity to give you an overview of Paris's high points. It's 12-14€ for ages over 12 and free for under 12's and about 2 hours. It departs near the Madeleine, so afterward you'd be near the Louvre attractions that Michel_Paris suggested - walk up the Champs Eysees to the Arc de Triomphe and then over to the Trocadero to see the Eiffel tower from across the river. Or go to the Tuilerie gardens and Rue de Rivoli. If you like Monet paintings, l'Orangerie museum is near the Madeleine (in the Tuileries) and it is a fairly quick visit; it closes at 5:45.

On Sunday afternoon, I recommend a bike tour, which we loved, and Sunday is great for biking in Paris. We did a group tour with BikeAbout, who also do private family tours. The bike tour is different from a bus tour; it's details rather than overview, and it is not very strenuous, so would probably work for your group. BikeAbout is near Notre Dame, so if you wanted to climb the towers afterwards, you're in the area. (The towers are open until 11 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, but plan on long lines.). I second Michel_Paris's suggestions for the islands too.

Monday, the Eiffel tower in the morning.

At some point, the Seine cruise is a must, as is seeing the Eiffel tower lights twinkle at night (on the hour).

Remember that your extended group will move much slower than a smaller family unit - at least mine does!

Think about making advance dinner reservations for your group for 8 ish (if food is important). Lots of restaurants are closed on Sundays. TheFork / LaFourchette is very handy for reservations.

Hope you have a great trip.

AnthonyGA

Versailles is only worth considering if you're spending a week or more in Paris. Otherwise, skip it. There are many, many things worth seeing in Paris before you even consider Versailles.

Additionally, Versailles is extremely crowded and extremely hot at this time of year. On Sundays, you might wait one hour for tickets and another hour to get in, only to be pushed along by crowds so thick that you cannot move, through rooms that are stifling with heat and humidity and no hint of air circulation. It's really not a pleasant place to be.

Visit Paris in late fall, stay at least one or two weeks, and then you can visit Versailles in comfort.

nytraveler

You have hardly any time in paris and a group that is unlikely to move quickly. Can;t imagine you have time to see Versailles. You will have trouble seeing more than 3 or 4 things in paris.

sheila

I was going to be the voice of dissent, but then I realised you'll get there late. I loved it. I'd easily put it close to the head of the list of things to see and do; but with your limited time, I wouldn't queue for it.

PalenQ

Versailles IMO is a part of Paris - a short RER ride away right to the gates and arguable as fine a sight as anything Paris has to offer - the world's most famous palace and IMO one of the most beautiful inside and out - go for it and visiting Versailles is not taking any time from Paris since Versailles is really in Paris - the greater Paris connurbation. Go for it you will not regret and on Sunday you have the Grandes Eaux (sp?) with the splish-splashing fountains in the gardens all working (except in times of draought) to the accompanient of classic music piped all over.

So rather than do another tedious museum in Paris spend a half day here IMO.

analogue

For such a short trip to Paris, you can skip Versailles. After all, if you are visiting the Louvre, it is an even bigger and more impressive palace. Versailles is worth seeing, but only if you come back for a longer visit.

AnthonyGA

In my experience, most kids are put to sleep by Versailles. Seniors might enjoy it, but they will also probably find it exhausting, especially in summer and in high season. It's just not worth it during such a short trip.

janisj

You are frantically rushing through Greece, even more frantically rushing through Paris -- and want several day trips out of London.

I dread to see what your full itinerary looks like.

apersuader65

I'd agree with PalenQ, Versailles is a part of Paris. Many of the arguments to not see Versailles this trip will also apply to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, etc. Depending upon where you are staying, and what metro station you are near, Versailles is not that far out, especially if you're near or on the RER C line.

FYI - If you're there when the system isn't under construction, Versailles Rive Gauche is a 32 minute train ride from St. Michel Notre Dame on the RER C. No transfers needed. From the same area (St. Michel RER) to Trocadero to see the Eiffel Tower (I choose Trocadero so that you get the view from the Palais de Chaillot before walking down) with walking and the bus the ratp site says the fastest route, it'll take you 27 minutes.

In all seriousness, it's about your preference. If you find Versailles more important, then I'd recommend going. It's open until 6:30, so arriving at between 1:30 and 2:30 gives you 4-5 hours. A whirlwind tour and you could see the palace and the grand trianon/ Marie's Hameau before it closes. Catch a late RER C train back to Paris for Dinner Sunday evening.

MaineGG

If you do decide to go to Versailles, I'd recommend the adults, teens and maybe the tween see the movie Marie Antoinette with Kirsten Dunst before the trip. It might be a bit much for the 7-year-old.