A Month in Paris? too long?
Jun 21st, 2005, 06:04 AM
#1
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A Month in Paris? too long?
I'm planning my first trip to Paris and prefer the idea of renting an apartment for a more leisurely in depth experience. As an artist this sounds like a very good idea but I wonder if I might be pushing the envelope a bit for a first time visit. I'll be planning this entire trip on my own from apartment rental, airlines, tour guide etc. In fact, I have located an excellent apartment and am ready to sign the rental agreement...2 weeks or 1 month? While trips to other areas of France sound enticing, I'm not sure how stressed out I want to be with increased travel arrangements. Any feedback much appreciated. Thanks
Jun 21st, 2005, 06:14 AM
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Hi Art,
Lucky you - a month in Paris.
If Paris gets too boring, there are many daytrips you could do.
>I'll be planning this entire trip on my own from apartment rental, airlines, tour guide etc.<
Tour guide???
Also see Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236
Lucky you - a month in Paris.
If Paris gets too boring, there are many daytrips you could do.
>I'll be planning this entire trip on my own from apartment rental, airlines, tour guide etc.<
Tour guide???
Also see Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236
Jun 21st, 2005, 06:15 AM
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How can a month in Paris be too long?
Honestly, it depends on what you want. If my entire first trip to Paris was only a month, I'd think twice about staying the whole time in Paris, even though obviously you can do lots of day trips out. It's up to you. There's nothing wrong with a full month in Paris, just realize you won't be seeing many other further reaches of France if that might appeal to you. I'd probably opt for a week in Provence or a week in Nice as a nice break from Paris. Of course cost wise, a full month is usually a nice advantage, as you often get the fourth week free (or the same price as three full weeks in an apartment).
Honestly, it depends on what you want. If my entire first trip to Paris was only a month, I'd think twice about staying the whole time in Paris, even though obviously you can do lots of day trips out. It's up to you. There's nothing wrong with a full month in Paris, just realize you won't be seeing many other further reaches of France if that might appeal to you. I'd probably opt for a week in Provence or a week in Nice as a nice break from Paris. Of course cost wise, a full month is usually a nice advantage, as you often get the fourth week free (or the same price as three full weeks in an apartment).
Jun 21st, 2005, 06:18 AM
#4
I'd go to Paris for a month in a heartbeat. I love to stay in the same place rather than dash around Europe. and I loved Paris on my one and only visit to date.
As an aside a coworker rented a flat and stayed for two months last summer and had a ball. They are there again right now but could only squeeze out 3 weeks vaca time this year.
As an aside a coworker rented a flat and stayed for two months last summer and had a ball. They are there again right now but could only squeeze out 3 weeks vaca time this year.
Jun 21st, 2005, 06:25 AM
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A lifetime isn't enough time, but a month would be better than two weeks! 
Lucky you.
As others have advised, it would be to your advantage to travel outside of Paris. The train makes it very easy to get around.
Lucky you.As others have advised, it would be to your advantage to travel outside of Paris. The train makes it very easy to get around.
Jun 21st, 2005, 06:38 AM
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artt- You didn't say when you intend going to Paris but I take it that it's soon so you will be arriving in excellent weather. A month in a place you love is never too long but as you have never been you may not be as captivated by Paris as we are. Not many people dislike Paris but there are those rare few. I sincerely hope you can't get enough!
Jun 21st, 2005, 06:55 AM
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If I were blessed with this blessing of time and funds - I agree wtih the rest...2 weeks of pure joy in Paris ... I LOVE Paris...but Paris isn't the sum total of "France". 2 weeks after arrival and my stay in Paris, I'd take a leisurely taxi to (I think) the Gare de Lyon and pop on the TVG and go to Avignon or Nice, or 1 week in Lyon and then a 1 week in Provence. As an artist you might appreciate all of Provence.
Jun 21st, 2005, 07:02 AM
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What about a few days in Burgundy, Dijon, Beaune and around? Dijon is only 1h30 from Paris with TGV. If you're looking for a nice place to stay even for a couple of days..
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Jun 21st, 2005, 07:14 AM
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I'd consider landing in Paris, renting a car, and seeing the countryside for a week...then coming back to Paris for the remainder of the time. Loire, Normandy would be two good areas where you could see another side of France. After that, you could do some day trips from Paris...Reims/Epernay, Versailles, Giverny, Auvers-sur-Osie,etc...these could be spur-of the moment, so if you felt that Paris was keeping you busy, don't go...
Jun 21st, 2005, 07:23 AM
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Are you kidding? All that dog poop, all those people pissing in the streets, all those "small" hotel rooms we hear soooooooo much about on here...
and then there's the dreadful food, the lack of cultural diversions, those people who mostly speak French seeking to undermine the absolute preeminence of the US on the planet...
When does the plane leave and can I please come <b> with </b> you?
ENJOY your stay!!
and then there's the dreadful food, the lack of cultural diversions, those people who mostly speak French seeking to undermine the absolute preeminence of the US on the planet...
When does the plane leave and can I please come <b> with </b> you?
ENJOY your stay!!
Jun 21st, 2005, 07:25 AM
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A solid month in one place might become rather stifling, but having an apartment as a base of operations would be great.
With high-speed train service running in almost every direction from Paris, visiting the provinces becomes as easy and economical as grabbing the first train out, renting a car for a day, driving around, and coming back on the last train. In your case, a rail pass would probably be a good investment.
With high-speed train service running in almost every direction from Paris, visiting the provinces becomes as easy and economical as grabbing the first train out, renting a car for a day, driving around, and coming back on the last train. In your case, a rail pass would probably be a good investment.
Jun 21st, 2005, 07:32 AM
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Incidentally, this is a longshot, but I'm reminded of two friends who rented an apartment in Paris for a month. One person used the apartment the first and last week of the month period and traveled the middle two weeks. The other person only had two weeks vacation and came and used the apartment for the middle two weeks. They shared the savings of a month rental over each renting it for two weeks.
Jun 21st, 2005, 07:37 AM
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We did a month (actually five weeks) in Paris a few years ago and found it anything but "stifling." In fact, we had a lovely, relaxed time and ended up doing only two day trips out of town. When we're in Paris, we prefer to enjoy Paris; when we want to see other parts of France, we skip Paris.
That said, you could easily swing a few overnight trips to destinations reachable within a few hours by TGV. The nice thing is you can leave most of your stuff back at the apartment, carrying only a small overnight bag.
FYI, from experience, I hope your Paris apartment is not on the ground floor. If so, remember to roll down ALL your security blinds every single time you leave the apartment, even if it's just a 10 minute trip to the local mini grocery store.
That said, you could easily swing a few overnight trips to destinations reachable within a few hours by TGV. The nice thing is you can leave most of your stuff back at the apartment, carrying only a small overnight bag.
FYI, from experience, I hope your Paris apartment is not on the ground floor. If so, remember to roll down ALL your security blinds every single time you leave the apartment, even if it's just a 10 minute trip to the local mini grocery store.
Jun 21st, 2005, 07:55 AM
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It TOTALLY depends on your personality. I've been vacationing in Paris...almost annually...since the mid 70s and personally a month would be too long for me. I think I've stayed in Paris for as long as almost two weeks at a time and for many summers I would sometimes take two short trips there in the same summer since I used to rent a place in Scandinavia...for 11 weeks... every summer...and then leave all my stuff at my place....and then Eurail it to different places. If you stay in Paris for a month, then I would take some little trips...like to BELGIUM...both the French and Flemish parts. I have always just adored Belgium...especially the Flemish part... and have been there many times. You can catch the Thayls train out of Gare du Nord train station in Paris and it only takes 1 hour and 25 minutes non-stop to Brussels. I was just there in spring and did a day trip to Belgium from my base in Paris. Happy Travels!
Jun 21st, 2005, 08:09 AM
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It just hit me that you said something about planning a "Guide?". Why would you need a guide?I've never had a guide. Paris is a walking and exploring city. Just go and pick up the "Paris Walks"...map cards...by the Chronicle Book company of San Francisco. They are a set of 50 cards with walking tours on them. They came out in 2004 and are excellent. I've taken a lot of these walks as I've been to Paris over a couple dozen times, but there are many walks in these cards that have added things that I haven't done yet. There's always something new or different to explore in Paris.If you were to do these 50 walks, then you will have really seen the whole city. Happy Travels!
Jun 21st, 2005, 08:36 AM
#19
WOW it is hard for me to fathom that a month in Paris would be "stifling" for someone.
we live in our own home cities for years on end, now maybe i'd call that stifling, but certain not the pleasure of renting an apartment in Europe.
we live in our own home cities for years on end, now maybe i'd call that stifling, but certain not the pleasure of renting an apartment in Europe.
Jun 21st, 2005, 09:16 AM
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I don't think that a month would be too long. You could live like a local finding some of your favorite cafes, patisseries, grocery stores and markets. They have Monoprix stores all over the place to stock up on groceries, toileteries, clothes, etc. I think that a month in Paris would be wonderful. But I must say, having never visited other parts of France, that I would also love to spend a week or so in Provence.
