Rose

hi there, how many days would you think is enough to do paris justice? i'm going to be going to london and paris - so far its 7 days in london (staying with a friend there) and 4 days in paris...is 4 days enough?<BR><BR>there's also this bit about how shops and museums are closed in mondays? is that true? do shops tend to close for many days after holidays? ( we're going to be there from the 9th of may -12th of may and wednesday may 8th is an easter-related holiday of some sort...)<BR><BR>--'o'-@

GGinSF

I was there for 6 nights and was able to see almost everything I wanted to see. You can do a lot in 4 days but you'll certainly miss out on some things and/or rush others. I'd suggest 5 days, if possible.

c

There are never enough days in Paris.I would do it the other way around if it were me~<BR>Some Paris museums are closed Mondays,others are closed Tuesdays,so you can still see them all.Get a guide book, you can get that info there..or here if you browse through all the Paris threads.<BR>I was there Easter and Palm Sunday.A lot of stores and restaurants were closed but a lot were open also.Museums and such will be closed.<BR>

David

Rose,<BR><BR>We were there for ten days in September and it was almost enough (only because we knew we'd be returning some day). I'm with "c", I, too, would do it the other way around: seven days in Paris and four in London.<BR><BR>With seven days in Paris you will see just enough to guarantee your return!<BR><BR>Have a great trip!<BR><BR>Strive

Bob Brown

I don't think you can do Paris justice in 4 days. Of course, if you have no interest in various attractions, 4 days could be more than enough. For example, a friend of mine figured an hour was enough for the Louvre. He went, and he now tells people about his visit to the Louvre and how marvellous it was. He saw the Winged Victory, Venus, and Mona -- and little else. That was his "visit" but he now regales people like he was a great connoisseur of art. (It is funny though when someone who knows the place extremely well starts asking questions about which he is totally clueless. He is so ignorant that he does not know he is ignorant!!)<BR><BR>He also wandered through the Rodin Museum in 20 minutes. (He thought the statue of Prozac was nice; I know, I asked him how he liked it. "Fine, fine, great piece of sculpture." ) So it depends on what you want to see and do and how thoroughly you want to see it.<BR><BR>And don't forget that if you visit some of the out of town attractions, such as Versailles, Chantilly, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Chartre, Giverny, and Fontainebleau, 2 or 3 days can disappear like they were jet propelled.<BR><BR>Me? I am going back for the 4th time and there is always one item on my list that is revisited each subsequent trip: Musee d'Orsay. I also buy a ticket to any concert that I can find at Ste. Chapelle, or one of the other churches. <BR><BR>The chief thing about Paris that I find to be true is this: You must give the city time to unfold. There are surprises and unexpected events taking place that you find just by wandering and looking. <BR><BR>So how long it takes to "see" Paris is a function of how you want to construct your visit. Are you interested in visiting it in depth, and do you have any interest in visiting the many second tier attractions that are all over the city? For example, Hotel Rohan, H&ocirc;tel de Soubise, and the Musee Nationale de Ceramique de Sevres are all very worthwhile destinations that somehow escape top marquee billing. I have them at the top of my list for my next visit because I missed them last time.<BR>So you can see Paris while running and casting a superficial glance, or you can stay a while, and give the many attractions a close inspection.<BR><BR>It is your trip and your money, and you will spend it your way, but the potential before you is virtually boundless.<BR>

are

365 most years.<BR><BR>sometimes 366.<BR>

Jim Rosenberg

I would take more time in Paris and less in London, but that is just me. You will have a wonderful time in Paris for whatever time you spend there. Don't make the mistake of trying to fill out a checklist. Live it, experience it and drink it in. You can always go back. Happy Contrails!

xxx

How about the rest of your life????????????

Harriette

Spent 5 nights in London and 5 in Paris 2 years ago. Can't wait to return to Paris. London was great shows were wonderful and cheap compared to Broadway but Paris is definately a place you want to have more time to see

Heather

Hi Rose<BR>I am also going to be in Paris on the 8th and 9th. I was trying to find info on this mystery holiday and check about closures but had no luck. <BR>As far as having enough time at each place, my opinion is ANY time is better than no time. Unfortunately not all people can get a 14 day vacation, like me so I am going to settle for 4 days in London and 4 in paris. <BR>Please e mail me if you have any info on anything

parislover

Heather: Unfortunately, May 8and 9 are holidays: 8th Armistice (end of WWII) and 9th Ascension (European religious holiday observed in most countries). <BR>On both days, stores, shops, banks, etc. will be closed. Souvenir shops near the big sites will be there, as usual.<BR>As for the museums, most of them are open like the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Picasso, Centre Pompidou. Just checked their sites. However, Paris will be packed as always on long weekends. Most restaurants will be open. Big business for them.<BR>Have fun and plan to do your shopping on the other two days you will be there.

Heather

Parislover:<BR>Thanks for that information. Being that I will only be there for 3 and a half days I have a pretty good excuse not to go buy too much I checked the site for Versailles and it looks like they are open on the 9th. On the 8th I am looing to take a Hop on/off tour. I assume that will be ok. I guess I will save the shopping for Friday.... I will have a 7 hour layover at the airport in London so I guess I can finish up shopping there

elvira

National museums, like the Louvre, are closed Tuesdays. City museums, like the d'Orsay, are closed Mondays. A good guidebook will give you the correct information or<BR>http://www.paris.org/Musees/<BR><BR>You can certainly hit the tourist high points in four days if you plan out a good itinerary - be prepared to miss some things in order to stick to the itinerary (example: you plan 3 hours in the Louvre, but after 3 hours you still want to see more, you have to decide whether to continue on and blow off the Eiffel Tower, or leave to keep to the itinerary).<BR><BR>You'll need an efficient and planned itinerary; otherwise, you'll waste prescious time wandering around or arriving at closed sites.

dena

To Bob Brown: Well said!! I couldn't agree with you more. I look forward to a time when I can absorb all Paris has to offer. Though my next visit in July will only be for a few days with the children, I know I will someday return to leisurely wander the streets and let many surprises unfold where they may.<BR>So, my answer is 4 days...never enough, but better than none at all!

Beth

Bob, the statue of "Prozac." Surely you mean Balzac...but it was good for the chuckle of the day. Wonder what a statue of Prozac would look like - kind of all smooth and flattened out???

Bob Brown

I just ran across Beth's question to me about the statue of Balzac at the Rodin Museum. Yes, I know it was Balzac, but my blowtorch friend did not know any better. He was the one who brought it up! I just strung him along. I think his calling it Prozac says more about his level of artistic appreciation than anything I could ever describe. <BR><BR>He is also the same rightous type who got terribly upset over one of the lovely paintings of a nude female that hangs in Musee d'Orsay. He thought it was ugly, hideous, outrageous, should be banned, and the artist burned at the stake. <BR>Needless to say if I happen to spot him wandering anywhere in Paris when I am there in a few days, I will flee in the opposite direction. <BR><BR>Speaking of Rodin, does anybody recall that bust of Clemanceau? If I recall rightly, it was done in white.<BR>He even gave that last of the Jacobeans a top knot. I thought the sculpture captured well the character of Clemanceau, and that the characterization is so accurate and unflattering that it is funny!<BR>Anyone else know the sculpture I mean?<BR><BR>I noted it because my major prof in college wrote his Ph. D. dissertation on Clemanceau and made a valiant effort to get inside Clemanceau's head.<BR>We got an earful when I took a course in the history of Europe that started with the Treaty of Versailles in 1918-19.

Sherri

The first time I went to Paris I hated it; I was there on business for a week and I kept saying to myself I do not see what the big deal is about this city.<BR>On my third day of the trip I ditched a meeting and went to the Luxumbourg Gardens; the Musee d' Orsay; and walked around till I got lost(I think I was in the Marias) I had lunch in a small cafe and a sweet old couple asked me to join them. As I walked back I had a moment of pure joy and I realized I had fallen in love with Paris.<BR>The reason for sharing this story is... all it takes is an afternoon to fall in love with Paris.<BR>Viva la France<BR>Sherri

sabrina

have anyone heard hotel saint christonphe where located in 17, rue lacepede- 75005 Paris?? I may reserve this hotel for 7 nights alone. is room clean and in good location??Need to hear some opinions..<BR>sabrina

Melissa

I think I have a similar experience to Sherri's. At first, I wasn't too keen on Paris, but all it takes is a singular experience to flip the switch and suddenly you "get it." I can't get enough of Paris and have something new to see every time I go back.<BR><BR>Also, another reason I would spend more days in paris: It's less expensive than London. (although I love London as well.)