4 Days in Paris May 2014 - Can we do all this?
 

We only have 4 days in Paris and would like to make the most of the short time we have. It would help us to get some advice on how to best organize the things we would like to do. We are staying very centrally at the Hotel Saint-Louis en L'Isle. We like to balance indoor museum visits with outdoor gardens, etc.

MARAIS: We love to walk and love interesting neighborhoods. I'm particularly interested in the Marais and would appreciate any advice on specifically where to walk to see some of the old winding streets we've read about.

CHURCH CONCERTS: We would love to attend any evening concerts in cathedrals. I've had a hard time finding specifics, in spite of several great threads with links. There is a concert at Notre Dame mentioned on one site, but when I click the link to buy tickets it says nothing is scheduled that night.

Does the following make sense? This is our first trip to Paris.

SUNDAY MAY 4:

(arrive CDG 9:40 am; drop off bags at hotel and walk locally)

Isle D'Cite walk:
Notre Dame
St Chapelle
Conciergerie

Evening: walk along Seine or boat cruise (Vedettes de Paris?)

MONDAY May 5:

Louvre
Tuileries Gardens
Champs Elysees
Arc d'Triumphe
Eiffel Tower
Evening: church concert?

TUESDAY May 6:

Musee D'Orsay
OR Musee de Cluny (medieval)
St Sulplice
Grande Mosque for tea
Luxemborg Gardens
Pantheon
Evening: Cantigas de Sancta maria concert NotreDame (how to get tickets?)

WEDNESDAY May 7:

Marais walk
Picasso Museum
Place des Vosges
Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Memorial de la Shoa
Evening: Evensong at Notre Dame 5:45 pm
OR Louvre open until 9:45 pm Wednesday night

Any other general advice would be most welcome. I have spent hours searching the Forum and have gotten so much great information already from many of you.

Merci! Leslie

Because st Chapelle has security bag checks, the queues to get in can be very, very long and slow. A couple of suggestions are: visit it much later in the day when the queues are shorter OR combine it with an evening concert and kill 2 birds with one stone. We saw a concert there in May 2006 and it was magical listening to beautiful music and taking in the beautiful glass at the same time.

If you're anything like me by the time you want to go to The Louvre in the evening you will be very tired and your feet will be killing you and those floors in The Louvre are very unforgiving.

You haven't mentioned Musee Rodin which is one of my favourites and the gardens will be beautiful in May. It's only small and if you don't fancy the house, the gardens are worth a stroll to see the sculptures.

It's a very ambitious schedule, and you should be prepared to cut many things, unless you don't mind being totally exhausted by the end of your trip. You can play it by ear, and cut things as you go along. I know I wouldn't be awake for any evening concerts with days like those.

The Musée d'Orsay is much larger than the Musée de Cluny; of the two, I would greatly prefer the first, and I'm quite interested in medieval art and architecture.

You could easily spend four hours in the Louvre, and you might not want to do anything else the rest of the day. I myself wouldn't bother going to the Eiffel Tower; you can see it from many parts of the city, and climbing it doesn't interest me very much.

I agree that the Rodin Museum is very nice; the entrance fee to visit the gardens only is much less than that for the museum and the gardens. There are many sculptures in the garden, although I do think it's worth visiting the museum as well.

In a city like Paris, you should allow plenty of time just to experience the city rather than "see" things. Less is more.

Bvlenci, I loved the interior of Musee Rodin, but we had 9 days to explore Paris on that particular trip thank goodness.

I agree with you that the OP's itinerary will be a case of ticking things off a list if they don't slow it down a bit.

I suggest for your seeing the Champs (if you must) then take the bus that goes from the Arc down the Champs to Pl. Concorde.
To start paring, Picasso museum, Pantheon, and Pere Lachaise.
We have loved the Ste. Chapelle concerts. While the windows are beautiful any time, daytime is preferable for looking at them in particular.
Maybe have a picnic on the Champs de Mars and just take in the Eiffel Tower and don't go up.
As others have said in a way, Paris is more than just ticking off the sites.

You have lots of stuff and not very much time for exploring cute neighborhoods and/or sitting in a cafe for an hour watching the world go by. I urge you to fit in some time to relax and not run around so much.

Also - you might note it is Ile de la Cite (sorry can't get accents here) - which will make finding it on the Metro, bus and street signage easier.

I don't think your itinerary is too ambitious at all. It looks very doable. You have things nicely grouped geographically and a nice mix. Unless you plan on spending hours and hours in the museums. Obviously you could spend four days in the Louvre alone, but most people find a couple hours is more than enough.

Standing in lines to get into things can eat up time. Do you know the tricks about the Louvre (don't wait on the line outside the pyramid, either go down the stairs next to the small Arc - as you are heading toward the Tuileries, or enter from the side on Rue du Rivoli - in either of these cases the security line is much shorter). Do as suggested above for St Chappelle. For Musée d'Orsay go very early, if there is still a huge line do the Cluny instead. I also wouldn't bother waiting in line to up the Eiffel Tower or the Arc d'Triumphe. They are both great viewed from below.

Here are my photos of Paris, I have labeled most of the pic with specific street names, etc. You might get some ideas as to which areas you want to take walks in. www.pbase.com/annforcier/paris

There are many books with descriptions of walks in Paris. Type in "Paris Walks" in amazon. These give descriptions of neighborhoods and walks rather than just the big sites that most people concentrate on.

I agree that your trip is very busy and doesn't allow much time for "experiencing" Paris. As recommended, skip the Pantheon and Pere Lachaise. Also skip the Picasso Museum which, I believe, is still closed for renovation. Skip the Conciergerie.

Given a choice between the Musee D'Orsay and the Cluny, I highly recommend the Musee D'Orsay. For a river cruise we like the Vedettes du Pont Neuf which leaves from and returns to the Pont Neuf. Take the trip just before dusk so that you can see the lights come on all over Paris.

To avoid waiting in line at museums, etc., get a Museum Pass which normally allows you to avoid the longest lines. An exception is Ste. Chapelle for which you must go through a security line.

Have a wonderful time! May is a lovely time to visit.

You only have 3.5 days in Paris. It will be noon on day 1 before you check into your hotel.

Marais - you can't miss the small winding streets - they're everywhere in the Marais. You might consider a Paris Walks walking tour. There is a Marais walk every Tuesday and Thursday and there may be more in May.

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

Church concerts: There is a concert at Notre Dame on May 6.
http://www.musique-sacree-notredamed...php?rubrique46

I would buy tickets when you get to Paris. There is an information booth inside the church, to the right.

From the Notre Dame web site: Ticket sale at the reception desk of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, every day from 9.30 am to 6 pm and on concert evenings at 8 pm.

The ticket purchase site doesn't seem to be working. The church is so large that you will have no problems getting a last minute ticket.

Ste Chapelle has concerts most nights. You can try this site for tickets. It seems that the May schedule has not been loaded yet so take a look in a month.

http://www.ampconcerts.com/

St-Julian-le-Pauvre also has lots of concerts.

Sunday: Itinerary looks fine - not too much to do. You might want to have a couple of other things to do that are leisurely such as the Luxembourg Gardens or Ile-St-Louis (next to Ile-de-la-Cite).

Monday: Packed. You won't get through all that and still be able to do a church concert in the evening. I would take off the Arch of Triumph and the Champs Elysees - not at all interesting.

Tuesday - I would go into the Mosque as well as having tea in the garden. It doesn't take long and is interesting. Walk along rue Mouffetard - a market street which is actually the best on Sundays.

In the Luxembourg Gardens don't miss the statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial (very small) at the southern end.

Wednesday - the Picasso museum is not scheduled to reopen until June. I would skip the cemetery as it's large and beautiful and requires a couple of hours plus the time to get there and back. Since you're very interested in the Marais, I would focus on that area. The Carnavalet Museum is free and there's a lovely garden in front of it. It's large but you can walk in and spend a bit of time there. Don't miss the Stravinsky Fountain. If you're interested in Jewish history, the Jewish Museum is wonderful. You should also visit the Deportation Memorial behind Notre Dame. Allow a good hour for the museum but the memorial won't take long.

To find the Deportation Memorial walk behind Notre Dame and either alongside the back garden or through it, cross the small street and look for the gate in the fence. Go down the steps. There's a smallish sign low to the ground marking the entrance.

Evensong - this is Protestant! The Catholic version is Vespers.

When you get to Paris stop at any newspaper kiosk to see if there are copies of Pariscope which comes out on Wednesdays (if I remember correctly) and lists events going on for the week. There's a large listing of concerts.

Your schedule is full but Paris is so exciting you'll probably keep moving. Here's a few of my thoughts on our favorite city.

Lux. Gardens is great every day but best on Sunday---usually music, etc. Cute cafe to relax a bit.
Carnavalet Museum in the Marais is my favorite--small,easy to navigate, pretty garden & building.
Biggest disappointment--walking the Champs E. take a bus to the Arch
Vedettes? Yes. Take it late on the 1/2 hr. so you're at the Eiffel when it glows.
Love "L'ilot Vache" restaurant on ISL--great lamb chops if you like
Love the pedestrian streets near St. Michel left bank
Love "Lereminet" restaurant, left bank across from N. Dame, book on The Fork and get a discount
See the Louvre courtyard (stunning) skip inside for now--too overwhelming.

See Paris once and you will want to return. After many trips we still have things left on our list.

We've gone to Paris twice. The first time we ran ourselves ragged as I never thought I'd get there again. We still didn't get everything done on the list. The second time got "B" list things - some of which I enjoyed more than "A" list items the first time around. While we still hoofed it, there was more time to relax and enjoy Paris. I strongly urge you to slow down and just be in Paris, as everyone does. All that being said, your list to me looks doable. We didn't run into long lines at St. Chappelle (we went in late Aug-early Sept when we went to that stunning site). I would take a tuk-tuk (a motorized contraption with seating in the back for two - catch it at Place de la Concorde) down to the Arc. Personally, we love going to the top of every structure, so I would go to the top of Eiffel and the Arc. And Notre Dame. Fantastic to have been on top of that beautiful building. Have Berthillon ice cream in a seat at the window at Soleil D'Or, just down from Notre Dame (near Place Saint Michel, where there are beautiful little streets to explore). Find the Passages throughout the City and explore them. Montmartre and Sacre Coeur are not to be missed. The I Love You wall and The Man Who Could Walk Through Walls sculpture in Montmartre are fun. Have a falafel in the Marais District. I personally didn't find much at the Place des Vosges to see, and the little streets are prettier around Place St. Michel and Montmartre in my opinion. You could skip Marais and get a falafel at Moaz, in the Latin Quarter (or thereabouts). Musee D'Orsay gets my vote, altho I loved the Cluny, too. We enjoyed Pere Lachaise cemetery - take a map of your highlighted spots to see. It's a ways from everything else. Paris at twilight is unlike anywhere else on earth. I'm so envious of your trip and hope you post details upon your return. Wear comfortable shoes!

Fantastic responses...just what I had hoped. Didn't know the Picasso Museum was closed, thanks for that info.

Musee Rodin - several mentioned this. I didn't have it on the list as I work at Stanford University and we have an incredible Rodin sculpture garden that I walk to often.

In spite of what it might seem, we are definitely not "list checkers," and the list was more to see what might be possible and how to group things. The comments above help me sort this out. We start out and if we enjoy something, we stay with it and don't get to the rest of the "list."

We don't plan on going up the Eiffel Tower and I would personally skip Champs and Arc de Triumphe, but hubby wanted to see it. Several posters above made great suggestions about how best to see this.

Based on the comments above:

- Maybe do either the Louvre or Orsay, but perhaps not both to get more time to just walk around and enjoy the neighborhoods.
- Skip the Conciergie and the Pantheon.
- Come back to St Chapelle if the lines are too long (we're staying on the Isle)
- Look into the Museum Pass
- Check out Carnavelet Museum in Marais; maybe skip the Place des Vosges
- See if hubby will skip Champs!

For the evening concerts: Funny, I copied the Notre Dame Evensong comment from a guidebook. I had wanted to get tickets to the May 6 concert in advance, so thanks for the reassurance that we can do this when we get to Paris. Sounds like I don't have to stress about getting church concert tickets in advance anywhere else, but check in Pariscope?

We're hikers and used to walking, so sitting in an evening concert will be relaxing and not exhausting. We did this in Florence after hours of walking and loved it.


I can't skip Pere Lachaise! Am obsessed with historical cemeteries and have been interested in this one for a long time. I don't care about Jim Morrison, BTW! Am going to research what I'd like to see and spend a few hours there. Looks gorgeous and atmospheric. Maybe I should plan this after lunch after a morning museum visit? If I saw the Louvre all morning and the Pere Lachaise in the afternoon that would make a great day.

For the Louvre and Orsay, also plan to map out what most interests us and concentrate on that only. We spent four hours in the Uffizi in Florence last year and didn't regret a minute.

We've been hesitant to visit France due to not speaking French (we're working on getting some basics, though). I speak German and hubby Spanish, so we've been more inclined to visit places where we can use those languages. Reading through previous posts on this subject makes me realize we shouldn't worry about this.

Merci to everyone who responded. This forum is invaluable and your comments much appreciated.

Depending on whether you have a preference for a particular art period, I would suggest musee d'orsay. It's smaller and you will be able to see more of that collection. The Louvre is fantastic, but it's huge!

I love the place des Vosges, it's great for people watching for a little while, and the trees are so pretty. Victor Hugo's house is there and that's worth a quick look while you are in the area (it's free).

The Champs Elysées is very touristy, that's true. But I love the walk up it with the Arc du triomphe getting closer and closer. If you do that, then go to the top of the du Triomphe, the queues are short and the view is excellent.

If you are walking in the Marais, don't skip Place des Vosges and do visit the Victor Hugo house. The Carnavalet is a good Paris history/art museum in the Marais and free. I wouldn't try to do so many museums, but would include the Carnavalet if you do any.

Our first trip to Paris was 4 nights and we had a wonderful time, but didn't see half of what we thought we would. We have been back a dozen times since and still find something new to see on every trip. Now we have the luxury of just taking in the atmosphere of Paris and rent apartments and try to "live" in the city when we are there.

lots of what i would have said has been said already, but i couldn't resist seconding the suggestion about going to Victor Hugo's house. it's as if he just stepped outside!

I'll expand on what is said about the Carnavalet--it is the history of Paris in art and an opportunity to see Paris of 1500 through the eyes of an artist of the time--or 1920, etc. it is fascinating. I particularly enjoy the French Revolution "cartoons" of the time.
Don't entirely miss the Louvre. Get the Michelin Green Guide and pick a wing or part. Actually the basement is pretty interesting for seeing how the chateau was constructed.
No one has asked, but why do you have only 4 days? What is the remainder of your trip?

I also will chime in again and say don't miss Place Vosges. Just sit in the sq. awhile and enjoy the architecture or have lunch or a quick coffee in one of the cafes.
Victor Hugo's house is a quick see and The Carnavalet is very close by.

Again based on the latest comments, think we'll visit the Musee d'Orsay instead of the Louvre this time. After looking more into the collections, see that this is where hubby can see the Van Gogh that won't be in Provence (our last stop in our two week trip).

Have not run into suggestions about the Victor Hugo house...sounds great. Will try to see this when walking around in the Marais.

Fantastic! Am so happy with the responses all of you have so kindly given us.

Just an update for those of you kind enough to give me your advice...we decided to cancel our two night stay at the Chateau de la Caze (I'm very sad about this) in order to have one more day in Paris. I could tell our stay was just too rushed. We'll have another day to just wander around.

Instead I'm taking Stu Dudley's advice and heading to Provence via Carcasonne (from the Dordogne area, our next stop after Paris). Going to plan another trip to the Gorges du Tarn when we can stay awhile.

Thanks again. Leslie

I hope you have plenty of time in the Dordogne, with a car.

StCirq,

We will have a car, but certainly not as much time as we would like! Just finished reading several of your trip reports and thoroughly enjoyed them. This is our first trip to France, but certainly not the last. Know you speak fluent French...we were intimidated slightly by not knowing any French (I speak German and hubby Spanish so we had concentrated on German or Spanish speaking countries). Trying to learn as much as we can by early May when we leave and then continuing when we get back for future trips.

how long is the rest of your trip, leslieq?

I highly recommend a concert in St Chapelle, as suggested above. We bought the tickets from a café/restaurant(?) across the street a couple of days in advance. If you like ballet, I would suggest an evening performance at the Opera Garnier. You will enjoy the performance and see the interior, which is very worth seeing. They have a good website and you can buy your tickets in advance.

I’ve read online that the Musée Marmottan will be having an exhibit “Impressionist Works from Private Collections.” Evidently, various works from around the world will be shown, then be retired again from public viewing.

http://www.marmottan.fr/uk/expositio...xposition-2538

location:
https://maps.google.com/maps?client=...&ved=0CLMBEPwS

annhig - we have 5 nights in Paris, 5 nights in Sarlat, 1 in Carcassone and 3 in St Remy. Leave home May 3, leave from Marseilles airport Sunday May 18. Too short, but all the time we could manage away from my job and my husband's law practice.

Gina, I absolutely do want to hear concert in St Chappelle...walking distance from our hotel Saint-Louis en L'Isle. Thanks for advice on how to get tickets. I had tried to get them awhile back online but think it might have been too early. Ballet is sold out at Opera Garnier, darn!

propita, super suggestion for the Musee Marmottan Impressionist exhibit. Just checked out the link and will try to go on the additional day we now have in Paris. Looks like it's over by the Bois du Boulogne, a park/woods I had just read about today. Do you know this park? It looks lovely.

leslieq, I’ve never been to Paris. This will by my first trip. Pretty excited.

There’s also an exhibit of Gustave Doré at the Musée d’Orsay. The first retrospective of his works in 30 years. I know nothing about art, more of the like-this-don’t-like-that person.

http://int.rendezvousenfrance.com/ev...gination-paris

If you’re into trains, the Arab World Institute is hosting an exhibition dedicated to the Orient Express, and you get to go inside a few of the cars.

http://int.rendezvousenfrance.com/ev...orld-institute

And a bit late for your trip, but maybe not for others, there is European Opera Days on May 10-11.

http://int.rendezvousenfrance.com/ev...n-opera-days-1

propita, when are you going? Are you going just to Paris, or elsewhere? Thanks so much for the tips!

<< I can't skip Pere Lachaise...Looks gorgeous and atmospheric. >>

It is a beautiful cemetery; one of the best I've been to. It's huge so get a map when you arrive. They're available at the information center that is just inside the main entrance. I once did a Paris Walks walking tour of the cemetery and found it informative but it's also nice to just walk around looking at all the beautiful tombstones.

I go to classical music concerts a lot in Paris, as that's one of my main interests. I never buy tickets in advance, there is no need to, there are so many going on all over Paris. And few of them would even be mentioned online anywhere or sell tickets that way. Some are free, but usually they may be around 10 euro. I just look in the entertainment guides when I get there to see what appeals (you mentioned Pariscope, so that is one). The ones in Sainte Chappelle are rather expensive and are for tourists who are mainly going because of the venue, not the music, so they have the same light repertoire repeatedly (Vivaldi, etc). They have good ones in St Germain church, St Julien le Pauvre, St Eustache and many other churches (also in the Madeleine which is an impressive interior).

FYI there can be only one Catholic cathedral in a city as it is the seat of the bishopric. In Paris it is Notre Dame. I believe there is an Episcopalian one, also, but no one goes there as a tourist much, it's not that old, relatively.

leslieq, we'll be in London April 23-May 5, then Paris May 5-13.

I finally got Husband to look at some info. To max our Navigo Decouverte and Museum Pass, we're probably going to Disney before the museums. That'll also avoid "closed days" at museums and let us use 6 days for the museum pass. Even 1 museum/day will make it worthwhile for us. Ymmv. As Christina posted, we'll worry about concerts there. Our interests are just walking around museums, the city, etc. We look at things, we don't have to DO things.

The first two days look great but the second two look a little overbooked. Based on my experience you always get more tired than you think you will. :) I would have in your mind what your priorities are and be OK cutting the rest out if you get tired. Remember to leave time for the wonderful Paris experiences of relaxing at a park and having a lingering lunch at a cafe.

Unless you sleep well on the flight, i would advise you to not plan anything much for the evening of day one.
We too loved Rodin and D'Orsay
As for tickets our apartment rental agency obtained ours for sainte Chapelle's concert so you might check with your hotel. Frankly, if you are a serious classical music aficionado you will probably be disappointed with the commercialization.
The Eiffel Tower lights up for about ten minutes on the hour, every hour, beginning at 10pm. We took the 9:30pm Vedettes and missed the lightings! They began twinkling as we rounded back towards i'le de la Cite and we could only see the very top. The boat does not linger! How disappointing. You might take the hop on, hop off, Batobus beforehand with a late picnic at the Trocadero to view the lights.

propita, maybe we'll cross paths in Paris!

Adrienne, have been looking for a map of Pere Lachaise online and have a general one now, but glad to hear of the detailed ones at the cemetery. I want to spend quite awhile there. Not interested so much in ticking off famous graves as just wandering around. Lucky that hubby humors me in these cemetery outings.

Christina, you make me feel a lot better about just getting concert tickets in Paris and not worrying about reserving in advance.

sanderskn, to solve the too long list we decided to rearrange our trip so that we now have an extra day in Paris. We do love to just wander around in neighborhoods and gardens and realize we won't get to do everything. If something is captivating, we stay with it and just can't worry too much about what we might be missing...hope to be back!

MarySteveChicago, great advice about the lights on the Eiffel Tower! Sounds gorgeous.

We're getting more and more excited about the trip and trying to learn as much French as possible before we go.

leslieq--wouldn’t that be fun!

Ok! Two things you shld def do. Take a night boat tour from pont d'alma. It takes just over an hour, the light are really beautiful and you see everything. Don't eat on boat. Take the simple 12.50euro tour. Under 12's 1/2 price.
Secondly, go to the Orangerie. The 2 rooms with Waterlilies are v beautiful and downstairs is a really fantastic small collection of Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso, Matisse etc.
other advisory points!
Go up the Arc de Triomphe, not the Eiffel Tower, better views and less crowded.
Do not bother with the Champs Élysées. Tired, tatty and full of chain stores.
Louvre. Vv big and exhausting so only see what u want to see!
Be v careful about the museum passes etc.
Teenagers are free to 16 I think so wasted for them. And only but it for yrself once there as plenty if scams online.
Buy a carnet for metro travel (10 tickets for approx 13 euros).
Plan yr metro trip as not that clear inside and lots of stairs.
Important!
Be vvvv aware of pickpockets. I love Paris but it has huge issues with poverty, immigration, and unemployment. Be wise to the petition scammers and gold ring scammers and street artiste scammers. They will take yr stuff in a second!
Make sure you visit les Deux Magots cafe at St Germain des Pres. Yes expensive, yes touristy but pretty, nice area, and food still good!
Paris is expensive but remember the best sights are free! Walking and taking a baguette sandwich with you is still the best!
Gd luck!

susiereid, wow...great stuff!! Good advice on boat trip; want to do a night one but wouldn't have known to take from pont d'alma.

Glad you mentioned that the Champs Elysees is not as wonderful as it sounds. We have limited time in Paris and not a priority of mine, but hubby seems entranced. We're probably going to just look at Eiffel Tower, not spend all the time going up. Maybe Arc de Triomphe instead.

Thanks for note also about museum passes. We'll get them in Paris, not online.

So many folks have told me the same thing about just walking everywhere and enjoying the "free" side of Paris. Added an extra day in Paris (by cutting out the Chateau de la Caze/Gorges du Tarn...which I just HATED to do!) so that our visit wouldn't be so rushed.

Thanks so much for your super advice. Oh, and we ran into the petition signers scammers in Italy. They must be everywhere now.

I was searching the forums before posting my questions for my own trip to Paris in may. I could have written OP's post; I had the exact same questions and are heading there in May as well. Just wanted to chime and say thanks to all the responses; you've helped more than one person! I'll be posting my remaining questions in another thread so I don't hijack this one (looking to add a couple of day trips; we have a bit longer than 4 days but not much).

Thanks again!

Leslie--Are you in Paris now, hope you will share the fun things you have been doing.
We will be there in few days, thus looking for the latest things to do to add to my plans.
Have you taken a boat trip to see the sights in the evening? If yes, which one did you take?
Have a safe trip.