PeaceOut

I don't know if you are going to the Louvre, but we discovered there was practically no waiting line for the museum, where the subway drops you off. It is underground, of course, and I think people must line up outside more often.

annhig

sorry if this is repeating info you've already had, but if you felt like it on DAy 1, you could see the musee du moyen age [aka the cluny] which is in St. Germain - very pleasant and uncrowded.

also, I know that scorn is heaped upon the Champs Elysees but following Monty Don's programme about Gardens of France, i am looking on it with new eyes or rather old ones, because it was part of the redesign of the Tuilleries by the great C17 gardener Le Notre who also designed Versailles for Louis XIV. this was subsequently extended out to La Defense, which extends the "allee" out to over 5 kms [or was that miles?]

darlenef17

TPAYT - I'm drooling on the keyboard having seen the lamb chops. One of my favorite things! Great to know that Paris does them well! Thanks so much for the RER ticket tip. After a trans-atlantic flight, nothing worse than a long line . . .

PeaceOut - Thank you for the restaurant and line-skipping tips.

Annhig - Have not received that suggestion. Making a note of it now. ty! I will be starting an Italy topic soon. I'm sure you will be weighing in and look forward to your expertise and opinions. I see you on many of the Rome threads.

annhig

darlene - when are you going to Rome?

I'm off there on Sunday along with 5 others from my italian evening class, 5 A level students [they're 17-18] and our italian teacher. w're doing italian classes in the mornings, excursions in the afternoons, and hopefully, eating in the evenings. We'll be staying near the Vatican nearby to the language school.

I'll certainly be reporting back!

darlenef17

Ann- Itinerary is:
Paris - 13May - 18May
Florence - 18May - 22May
Rome - 22May - 27May

I'm looking forward to your report! We will be staying in an apt. in the Pantheon area. Looking at booking tours for the Vatican and Colosseum since they are so massive. Good idea? I've looked at Context and while highly rated, seems like more information than we need. Any opinions on Walks in Italy versus Through Eternity? I've got it narrowed down to these two, but nothing is cast in stone yet.

Will wait until you get back to post itinerary so it doesn't get buried. There's still plenty of time.

PeaceOut

For the Vatican, you can reserve on their website. It will be least expensive, and you will have an entrance time, so no long line.

Do museum tour first, then exit the Sisteen (sp?) Chapel through the door that takes you to St Peter's without going outside to stand in line again. You can ask which door. I think it is on the left. Rick Steve's book mentions it, too.

latedaytraveler

Hi Darlene, you certainly have done your homework and are getting excellent advice above. I would suggest that you check out Shakespeare & Co when you “do” Notre Dame – it’s right across the street. Although I did not buy anything there, a poster mentioned that she bought Hemingway’s MOVEABLE FEAST with the Shakespeare & Co stamp – that would be a great souvenir.

Like you I planned my five day visit to Paris carefully but could not do everything – especially missed not getting to the Opera Garnier. But that is only another reason to return, n’est ce pas?

I did combine the Orsay with the Orangerie because the latter is a doable walk across the bridge – don’t miss the great collection on the lower level.

Enjoy Paris…

annhig

Looking at booking tours for the Vatican and Colosseum since they are so massive. Good idea? I've looked at Context and while highly rated, seems like more information than we need. Any opinions on Walks in Italy versus Through Eternity? I've got it narrowed down to these two, but nothing is cast in stone yet. >>

Darlene, I've not done any guided tours in Rome [or anywhere else] but so far as the Forum is concerned, I wish that I had. I've had a number of kind people here try to help me make it seem more than just a pile of stones, but so far, no luck. if you're going to spend money on a tour, this is the one I'd splash out on.

as for the Vatican museums, the problem is that they are so vast, it's difficult to know what to miss out. In fact, all we did was follow the signs to the Sistine Chapel, and about 5 hours later, and two circuits of the Egyptian exhibit later [don't ask] we found it, by which time, I found it difficult to raise the requisite enthusiasm.

as we are going to be with a tour group from our college, our guided tours are not going to be the sort of thing that you can book. [I think] but I'll happily report back on what I discover, and my thoughts about tours in general.

darlenef17

Annhig - I agree with everything you've said - I'm certain it would look like rocks, and the Vatican is just overwhelmng. I've decided to go with Walks In Italy - they offer several tours that appeal to me. I contacted them and will receive a small discount for booking 3 tours. We are doing the Colossuem, Vatican, and an "overview of the city" type tour called the Twilight Tour, which looks like it will be a great orientation to the city.

http://www.walksofitaly.com/tour_boo...l_listing/1/85

http://www.walksofitaly.com/tour_boo...l_listing/1/40

http://www.walksofitaly.com/tour_boo...l_listing/6/43

I've also sent a request to the Vatican for the Scavi Tour. I should hear back from them within 48 hours. Waiting to book the other tours until I have a time (or don't) for the Scavi, so we can do all the Vatican stuff on one day.

I'll be sure to report back, and I look forward to the information you bring back from your trip!

annhig

Darlene - that looks like a good plan.

on your "Vatican" day be prepared for a long and possibly tiring day - seeing the Scavi, the museums, and St. Peter's all in one day is quite a lot to do and to take in. however a guide should help to make sense of it.

kja

> was wondering how I would decipher an all-French menu

Here's a source that I found invaluable:

http://www.patriciawells.com/glossar...d_glossary.pdf

adrienne

<< but was wondering how I would decipher an all-French menu >>

In Paris it would be difficult to find a menu that is not in English. Sometimes restaurants use the British English translations but I find that's only confusing when ordering vegetables - courgette (zucchini), aubergine (eggplant). The latter is easy since it's also a color and there aren't many vegetables that are that color purple.

I can only remember one central Paris restaurant where the menu was written only in Italian and French.

I still remember the poster who decided that she would not patronize restaurants where the menu was written in English and wondered how many hours each day it would take her to find a restaurant and if she would starve.

Keep in mind that English is the common language for tourists in Europe.

Gretchen

The Patricia Wells guide is good, and can be printed--or probably downloaded to a phone these days. There is also the Marling Menu Master.
One thing that will NOT work is just a French English dictionary--food terms are different. But I agree that many menus are in English.
I ordered liver in a restaurant in Avignon which did not have an English menu. the server was very concerned that I be sure I knew what I was ordering--in our halting French and english. He was very cute and nice.

TPAYT

darlene--here's the website I used to book Le Reminet for dinner.
http://www.thefork.com/2_restaurant/...taurant/17504/

When I booked it, it was for a Sat. night which didn't show a discount. So when were given a 40% discount anyway we were happily surprised.

darlenef17

Once again, THANK YOU ALL for the wonderful suggestions and kind responses! I'm feeling a whole lot better about dining now.

TPAYT - What an AMAZING website with the potential to save a significant amount on dining. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

One more question has come to mind:

There are more things to climb/ride to the top of in Paris than I'm willing to spend time on. So, if you were to chose only one or two from this list, which do you recommend?

Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triomphe
Notre Dame
Sacre Coeur - I've read that Montmartre itself provides a great view, so skip the climb . . .??
Montparnasse Tower

I have heard that Arc de Triomphe is wonderful for night views.

adrienne

Just an FYI on the Arch of Triumph - do not attempt to cross the street to get to it. There's an underground passageway. You buy your ticket just underneath the Arch.

Yes - you can get good views from just in front of Sacre Coeur.

I would do the ET at night. I've only done the AdT in the daytime but I would think the views at night would be good.

kja

The close-ups of the Notre Dame's gargoyles from its tower are IMHO stunning.

TPAYT

Recently someone posted some outstanding photos from the Montparnasse Tower. After all of our adventures in Paris, including staying right down the street from MT, we have never done this. The photos were so stunning that this will defitiely go on our "next" list.

We enjoyed the Eiffel Tower at night but remember if you're on the Eiffel Tower you can't see it glowing in the distance. For us it would depend on the lines.

imaginaryjazz

You mentioned earlier that your apartment is a couple of blocks from the Saint-Michel Metro stop, off rue Saint-Andre-des-Arts. We have stayed in an apartment there multiple times in the last six years. You will be coming in on the RER from CDG and you will get off the train at the RER Saint-Michel Notre-Dame stop; however, the exit from the tunnels that is closest to your apartment will be the Metro exit, pl. St-Andre-des-Arts (#4, according to the RATP map). This will bring you up to street level between a souvenir shop (to your right) and the outdoor seating area of a restaurant; go to your left around the restaurant and you will be on rue Saint-Andre-des-Arts. There are indeed many eating establishments along that street; we have eaten in quite a few of them, all pleasant. My favorite ice cream place in Paris is on the right side of the street, Deliziefollie -- yes, even better in my opinion than Berthillon and Amorino -- and my favorite creperie and boulangerie is a few doors farther. Have a great trip.

Mrs, ImaginaryJazz

darlenef17

Mrs. IJazz - THANKS SO MUCH FOR the metro tip! One of the worst things about a new city where you are using public transportation is figuring out all of the "little" things that make life more convenient. What a great tip. After a trans-At. flight, the shortest route to the apt. the better, especially with luggage!

I do appreciate the ice cream and restaurant tips too. It does seem we are well-located. =) Since you have stayed in that area, could you please tell me where the closest supermarket is? Thank you!

TPAYT: We were leaning toward skipping the ET for that reason.

ND is definitely calling me - just trying to decide now between AdT and Montparnasse for #2.