3 nights in Paris
 

My partner & I have won a trip for 3 nights in Paris staying at the Citadines Paris Opera Boulevards. Having never been to Paris we are looking for advice on what to see during our short stay.

Check the Destinations box above for starters, then come back with more questions.

Congratulations on your London/Paris win. With three nights in each city you will have just enough time to catch the fever for a lifetime of return trips.

No one can possibly tell you what to see in either city w/o some info about what you enjoy, what time of year you are going, etc.

There are literally hundreds of threads on here about both cities so I'd read over a few of them, check the Paris and London "destinations" links and then give us a bit of an idea what sorts of things interest you.

Have looked at the destinations box, but there is so much! Just looking for suggestions on things not to miss from the obvious tourist things to perhaps more unknown places or things. Our interests are very broad, so anything and everything will be taken on board!

Get out the tra el books from the library..then look and dream. On a more practical side, I would suggest a half day bus tour of each city. It will orient you and you will have at least glanced at the usual tourist destinations. Then have a list of places you want to go back to or see. Don't try to do too much! Try to get in a mindset of appreciating what you have seen not what you have missed. Look at this as just the start of many future travels. I am so jealous re your win..My last "win" was a duck doorstop at the hospital auxillary!

Trinee:

Based on the little information you've provided, it's impossible for us to say how you should spend your time. Do you have 3 full DAYS and nights? Is shopping high on your list? What about street markets? Theater/Opera? What do YOU want to do/see?

Do you love art? If so, the Louvre and Musee D'Orsay will be must-sees. But the Louvre is HUGE...research in advance which galleries you want to see, including studying the layout so you know where to go once inside. You might consider visiting the Louvre on two mornings for 2 or 3 hours each time. You can cover Musee D'Orsay in a couple of hours.

Consider the Batobus---a kind of water taxi that provides views of all the monuments along the Seine. That first day you might stroll through Place de la Concorde to the Seine then along the Tuilleries Gardens down to Ile de la Cite/Ile St. Louis (charming area to just browse around). Then an evening boat ride on the Seine.

Don't overload your agenda. With such a short visit, you'll barely have time to hit the highlights (Louvre, E Tower, Notre Dame). Leave yourselves time to simply wander around absorbing the ambience of Paris and stopping for coffee or wine at little sidewalk cafes.

I just returned Thursday from my first visit to Paris (3 full days in the city). There are sooooo many interesting things to see. I can't wait to go back!!

-I like getting acquainted with a city when I first arrive. Paris is huge! I would highly suggest the hop on/off bus. You can get a one day pass or 2 days for just a few more euros. Or at least take a 1/2 day city tour.

-The Eiffel Tower is a must in my book to any visitor because it is such a recognized icon in the city. But you can decide if you want to go up any of the levels. We went to the top- it was great!

-Notre Dame, St. Chappelle, Sacre Coeur are great to visit. Prioritize them so you don't feel bad if you have to drop something from your schedule.

-The Louvre is open from 6-9:45pm on Wednesday. That was helpful to us. You will never see the entire Louvre, so again decide on what you want to see and go for that. My daughter made a plan of travel for us which worked well.

*I used a travel book called Top Ten Paris. It is small to carry with you on the trip and has good information to read at the sights. It includes top attractions, walks, nightlife, food. Good book. Cost was $10.99

Lucky you for winning such a great prize! ENJOY!!

Incuded in our trip is dinner at the eiffel tower, cruise on the Seine and show at the Moulin Rouge, so that is a start. Thinking of going in June or July, is that a good time? Also would like to see some of the more non-touristy Paris if possible -quiet walks or gardens, out of the way eateries maybe. What would be the most suitable style of clothing to take?

..just me- I would prefer May or early June...or mid Sept to mid October..if July the first week. I would avoid August.

You did not say when you are going.

Here are a few of the many evergreen things you might consider:

-Classical music concert at St. Chapelle
-Visit Musee D'Orsay. If Impressionists are your favorites go right to the 5th floor (to save time)
-Marais District, 4th arrondissement, on right bank across from Notre Dame, is a Bohemian part of Paris. Visit Place des Vosges, beautiful park; dine at Le Pamphlet not far from there. Lunch at Mariage Freres.
-Visit Ile St.Louis then walk to Notre Dame.

Marais no longer the Bohemian district..it has become too expensive.

What a wonderful prize to win! I would go end of summer....like September or eally october (for two reasons the weather is a bit cooler, tourist season is a wee bit slower and when I travel in September/october i don't agonize over summer passing too quickly like I do on years that i don't have a special treat to end the summer with)

The hop on/hop off bus should be a must for a first time traveller. You can jump off anytime something intriges you and then climb back on as you wish. It's just perfect for helping you get around and making up your mind what you feel like doing each day.

Whatever you decide have a really good time!

Hi trin,

>Incuded in our trip is dinner at the eiffel tower, cruise on the Seine and show at the Moulin Rouge, so that is a start. Thinking of going in June or July...<

Is that dinner, cruise and show all on the same evening?

If not, don't pay the extra for dinner at Moulin Rouge.

June is much better than July.

Mid-Sept to mid-Oct is my favorite time.

((I))

3 days, so little time. Save some by having lunch in the Louvre or Musee D'Orsay along with your visit. There are nice restaurants in both with beautiful surroundings and service.