Adrienne, thanks so much for your very detailed reply! I actually have a day reserved with Michael and I am looking forward to it very much. Everything I have read about Michael has been superb.

The reason I asked you how you spent your day with him is that I'm not sure exactly what I would like him to show us. We have definitely decided on the Louvre. I would love for him to show us the d'Orsay as well, but I think 2 big museums in one day would lessen the experience. There's just so much that can be absorbed in one day. I have already been to the d'Orsay, but I love impressionist art and it would be wonderful to see it again with an artist who can add further insight. Maybe next time.

So, the question is, what to do after the Louvre. Originally, I thought it would be wonderful for him to show us the different neighborhoods, like St. Germain and the Marais. But we will be with him on a Saturday and the Jewish Quarter in the Marais, which I was really looking forward to seeing, will be very quiet on that day.

Michael suggested Montmartre for later in the day since everything is open later there. That seems like a good idea since I am very unfamiliar with that area. So I'd like to have one more activity planned between the Louvre and Montmartre. I know that most people spend a whole day just in Montmartre, but it isn't a priority for me.

If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks again, Adrienne!

Hi Happy2travel,

Glad I could be of some help to you. I agree that the Louvre and Orsay on the same day would be too much.

I went to the Marais on Saturday and it's very quiet. On Sunday it's a different experience.

How much time were you planning to spend in the Louvre? If it's 4 or 5 hours then I think just one other agenda item would be enough. I'm not sure Montmartre warrants an entire day but there is the Montmartre Museum, Sacre Coeur, that delightful church next to Sacre Coeur (I forget the name), and some interesting streets to walk around.

If you want to do something short between the Louvre and Montmartre I would suggest the Madeleine church or the Opera Garnier. If you want another museum how about the Cluny (although not in the direction of Montmartre). One of my favorites.

Another suggestion is the Delacroix Museum and St-Sulpice which has 2 Delacroix frescoes. If you're lucky there will be a late afternoon Mass and you can hear the fabulous organ.

Or, let Michael make a suggestion of his own - he's full of ideas.

Please post when you return.

adrienne

Adrienne,

Great report.

Could you provide a bit more on the Jacquemart-Andre museum:

-What art does it feature?
-Days it is open?
-Is the luncheon place as good as I have heard?
-How would you go from the Marais District?

Je vous remercie en avance.

Anthony

Hi Anthony,

The museum's web site is http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/jandre/index.htm

It has one of the best collections of Egyptian art in the world, among a whole lot of other stuff.

The building is itself a work of art.

It is a very nice place for lunch, or better, Sunday Brunch.

The Jacquement Andre is really something to see. The architect who designed the mansion, was a compeditor of Charles Garnier, and his plan for the Opera placed second. It is said that the innovative double staircase in the winter garden was an attempt to outdo his rival.

That is a good lead about Paris Walks and the Vaux-le-Vicomte tour. However I don't see the difficulty of going on your own. Just get a round trip ticket to Melun, check the schedule for express service back to Paris, take a cab to the chateau and have the gift shop call you one when you are ready to leave.

One thing we learned on our trip there was to check the train schedules in advance. We expected a short train ride, but following signs for Melun, we ended up on the RER when we should have been on the regular train. The RER stopped at every station, then stopped and everyone got off. We sat there wondering what to do. Then the motors and lights were turned off. We got off and found out that we had to change trains. At Melun we wised up and looked up the express back to Paris.

Adrienne...thanks for the great report. I am going to send you my day trip file.

Adrienne, I don't know how I missed this the 1st time going 'round but great trip report!! I like the highlights & lowlights format!

I didn't see anyone selling lily of the valleys but I did buy some lilacs from a guy at the entrance to one of the metro stations on Montmartre. The lasted only a day but they were beautiful and smelled wonderful while they lasted. :)

Your pear, dark chocolate, whipped cream crepe sounds delicious. Mmmmmm.

Thanks for reviving some very nice Parisian memories for me. Although I had a few more "downs" than you did - mainly in the form of an unpleasant hotelier and a verbally abusive wino on the Metro - your travelogue brings out the many nice remembrances I have of this lovely city.

On the subject of crepes, I recall on the first evening of my Paris soujourn strolling along the streets of the Left Bank at twilight while eating a freshly made crepe drizzled with sugar and Grand Marnier.

Next time I hope to visit Versailles and maybe even Vaux Le Vicomte, which was so grand that it made Louis XIV envious!

ira, are you sure the Jacquemart-Andre has "one of the best collections of Egyptian art in the world"? I've been there twice, and I don't remember seeing any Egyptian art. Of course, it's always possible that I missed it, in which case I have a great excuse to go back to the museum the next time I'm in Paris!

Hi RonZ - I did receive your file; thanks so much for sharing. I didn't know that bit of info about the Jacquemart-Andre architect - that's interesting.

You're absolutely correct about checking train schedules. I've been stranded more than once.

About Vaux - once there I can see that it would be fine going on your own. However, for a bit more than the train and taxi fare we had a wonderful guide so it was worth the extra money.

Hi again Mary - the lillies of the valley were only on May Day - people everywhere were selling sprigs; not only florists but people walking around the street.

Rebecka - Glad I supplied some good memories, like those crepes, and sorry that your Paris trip had some ugly moments. My view on travel is that the sometimes less desireable moments are what makes a trip really noteworthy (like the last time in Venice when I and my niece were escorted off the Vaporetto because of an expired pass and I claimed I had no money for the fine - 45,000L!!)!

Bree - I missed the Egyptian art also!!! I'm sure Ira is thinking of someplace else.

To anyone who is interested, I have the full-blown report typed up now. Did much more than my highlights show. If you're interested I'll email or post here on demand.

adrienne

Please, Adrienne, send me the trip report!! In case you've forgotten, the e-mail address is [email protected]! :)


p.s. I think you should share it here as well.