Thanks Robes, I printed it and will study the report on the Eurostar trip there...along with some maps.

thereyet

I also like Sacre Coeur, both as a great viewpoint over the city, and for the interior, which is quite understated relative to the more usual gothic church architecture - think mosaic filled alcoves, candles and incense, instead of gargoyles and dark wood. It's easily reached by Metro plus a brief walk (and isn't far from Gare du Nord, anyway), and tends to have smaller queues than Notre Dame, which could be useful on a quick day trip.

I'd also skip the Louvre and Versailles - go for the Musee D'Orsay instead, or pick a cafe for lunch, then just stroll around, and get a feel of the city. A river trip will take you past the Eiffel Tower - and, if you find one that goes far enough, (I can't remember whether the river buses do this, or whether you'll need one of the special cruises) you'll also see the other Statue of Liberty. Rue Mouffetard market is now quite touristy, but nonetheless is archetypal Paris for those who've never been before (foody market stalls on cobbled hills, with the odd diminutive shady square and fountain thrown in).

Flying to Paris for a day trip is a non-starter - you'll lose too much time. It has to be Eurostar, or not at all.

I've twice had just one long day in Paris on my way out of Europe. The first one was at age 17, and made me a Paris lover from just that one day. Both times we started with buying Metro passes which were a big help and got us around easily.

First trip (1974)
Eiffel Tower (view)
Arc de Triumphe, climb to top--nice photo op
Tuilleries gardens/Louvre
Sacre Coure--great view

2nd trip coming into town from CDG with my DH and teen-age daughter (2004)
*Notre Dame, self-tour, bought lunch (quiches) at patiserrie and eat outside on one of the bridges over the Seine
*Eiffel Tower; waited at least an hour in long line to go up--not my cup of tea; I'd skip it unless you REALLY want to go up
*Tuilleries and Louve (strolled thru gardens with snack, then "jogging tour" of the museum, but in two hours still saw the Mona Lisa, Rembrandts, Byzantine reliefs, and Greek/Roman statuary--went late in afternoon, no lines)
*Walk to Rive Gauche, got feel for neighborhood, and had dinner in outdoor cafe. These days I might do this part in the Marais instead.

Recs: 1) Use the Metro to get around between major sites. 2) To save time at lunchtime, buy food in the omnipresent patisseries--they all sell pre-made sandwiches, quiches, and of course pastries for yummy, inexpensive and fast picnic meal. 3)Eat dinner at an outside cafe and people watch and 4) If you run across a street stand selling crepes, buy one!

Thirty years (1974 and 2004) between first and second trips to Paris?

Sacre Coeur is way out of the way of the other sites along the river.

Instead look around the Invalides/Musee Rodin and then across the way, the Petit Palais and the Grand Palais.

Scrb--RE: my feelings exactly about Sacre Coeur--we deleted it when I was in charge of the itinerary. Was simply listing what was possible to do in a long day, based on experience, and if SC was really important, you could do it.

The 30 years? Just goes to show how long one could nurture a love for Paris based on a one day visit. Fortunately, DH and I have 8 days there next month, so no more jogging tours of the Louvre.

Happy travels, everyone.

''Sacre Coeur is way out of the way of the other sites along the river.''

Paris is a relatively compact city (certainly in terms of tourist sites), and Sacre Coeur is easily accesible by Metro. In fact, I walked from the city centre to SC, so that's doable too, unless you are very unfit or elderly (though with a short visit, public transport is admittedly, probably a better idea).

If you don't like the basilica and wouldn't visit again, that's absolutely fine, but please stop making it sound as though it's unattractive, hours from anywhere else and completely inaccesible - it isn't. The fact you are uncomfortable with its history isn't a reason to misportray its potential attractions to others.

Just got back from our "day in Paris"! No jogging. Metro from the Eurorail to the Orsay, walked to Notre Dame and Isle St. Louis along the Seine and had lunch but no ice cream...crepe instead. Cabbed past the Louvre and down/up the Champs ellysee and over to the Eifle Tower for a cruise. Walked around the Tower. Metro to Montemartre and up the stairs to the Sacre Couer. Metro back to the train station. Viola!

Again, sorry for the atrocious spelling. :)

thereyet

So, did you love it?!

^ditto!
Well did you??? I didn't realize your trip was so close to the time of your OP. Let us know. (Sounds as tho you covered alot in one day!)

Good show! Hope all went well and that you can return soon for leisurely enjoyment of this wonderful city!

How did your family like Paris??
Did they enjoy themselves?

Were the pre-conceived notions debunked or reaffirmed?

Debunked!

Loved it! Will return for a more leisurely visit next time. My son even ran into a school mate and facebook friend while at the Orsay. Small world....huh?

thereyet

Hi ty,

At worst, leave them in London and spend a day in Paris. An overnight would be even better.

The Eurostar uses the Gare du Nord station.

Get out your "Streetwise" map of Paris.

I suggest taking the no. 4 metro Direction Clignancourt one stop to the Rochechouard stop. Transfer to the Line 2 direction Dauphine and get off at Etoile.

You are now at the Arc de Triomphe. (OOOOH, AHHHH).

Walk down the Champs Elysee to the Place Concorde. (AHHHH, OOOOH)
Head toward the river and stop at http://www.musee-orangerie.fr/ for the Impressionists.
Walk down to the river and go right to the Palais complex.

Buy a day pass for the www.batobus.com and take it to the Eiffel Tower. (OOOOH, AHHHH).

Go across to the Trocadero, for the best view of the ET. (Take pix).

Take the Batobus to the d'Orsay stop. Visit the Museum.

Stop off at the Pont des Arts. (Take pix)

Walk East along the Seine (buy souvenirs at the book stalls) to Notre Dame.
Cross the river, see ND. (OOOOH, AHHH)

Cross the Pont St Louis onto the Isle. Have some gelato at Amorino, 47 rue Saint Louis en L’Ile. It is better than the ice cream at Berthillon. (or do both)

Cross back to the left bank on the Pont Tournelle and go left to the Batobus stop at the Jardin des Plantes (well worth a look, if you have time).

Take the Batobus to the Louvre stop. See the Louvre and the Tuileries.

Go North through the Louvre to the Rue de Rivoli. Window shop while walking East to the Louvre metro stop.

Take the no. 1 line dir Vincennes to the Bastille stop. See the monument.
Go West to the Place des Vosges. Walk through the park and follow your map to the Rue Rosiers. (Get some felafel). Follow Rue Bretonnerie to the Pompidou. Continue on to Les Halles.

Au Pied de Cochon (15, Rue Montmartre) is open all night.

Take the No 4 metro from Les Halles dir Clignancourt back to the Gare du Nord.

www.ratp.fr will give you travel times on the metro.

Enjoy your day.

((i))

hI TY,

>...the hotel found train tickets available through a tour agency that were unused for 297 GBP for the three of us.<

I found tickets at www.eurostar.com (2 adults,, 1 youth) for 167 GBP RT.

glad it all worked out!

glad you enjoyed your visit.

Sounds like a fun day! I bet they'll remember it their whole lives.

sooo glad you enjoyed your visit!!! I LOVE Paris!

Hi ira, that is a nice tour. Most of those things we saw and Oooohhhh, Ahhhhh'd. :)

The boy is no longer a boy by Eurostar standards. And I know the tickets could be had for cheaper with more advanced planning , but I felt I did pretty good for last minute and the package came with metro one day, and boat tour!

thereyet