Ok, to all you well traveled Fodorites...I need some help. Will be in Paris June 6th, leaving June 7th (heehee, yep thats 36 hours). Arriving via Air France from Atlanta at 6:30AM at CDG. Leaving for Stuttgart at 9:30PM the following evening. Heres my tentative itinerary...wondering what you all think, am I nuts or will this be do-able? We are staying in Marais at St. Paul de Marais (any comments on this hotel from someone who's stayed there?) <BR> <BR>After arriving and settling in hotel (figured about 10ish) walk to Notre Dame and tour it (tower included) then to Cafe Flore-en-I'lle (on Ile St. Louis) for lunch and hot chocolate. <BR>Afternoon will be either walking Place des Vosges or sleeping, whichever come first. <BR>Evening planned for dinner somewhere in the 7th (have gotten many good recommendations from this site) then on to Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe for night pictures of and from these sites. Does anyone know when they close (some books say 10 for Arc and 11 for Eiffel Tower, but these seem to vary from book to book) and what time would we need to eat to be able to get our only night shots of these (I know meals take longer in Paris). <BR> <BR>The next day is Metro to Arc de Triomphe with a walk down Champs Elysees to Avenue Montaigne to Ponte de L'alma (Princess Di memorial) to Eiffel Tower for day pictures of same. Lunch somewhere in 7th or 8th. Then back to hotel for RNR until time to go to airport. <BR> <BR>By the way, we are not museum people so I intentionally left this out. We are mostly looking for the "must see's" and TO EAT!! <BR> <BR>A few questions...how easy is the metro system to master for a "first-timer"? How far is the actual (or approx) walk I mentioned? We are in good shape but don't want to walk 10 miles or anything!! Anything I would need to ABSOLUTELY do that is not already mentioned given our time restraints? Would we have time in this schedule for a boat trip on Seine, if so when? Is that worth the money? <BR> <BR>Thanks to all of you (in advance!!) for your help.

We were in Paris in September. It is a shame you could not find more time for this incredible city. Your itinerary is ambitious, if everything goes perfectly right (which they rarely do). You assume your plane arrives on time with your luggage, you assume your room will be ready for your afternoon nap, sometimes they are not. You must be arranging late check out the next day, sometimes which will not be allowed. The times for access to towers does vary with the season, the batteaux mouche down the Seine (day or night) should not be missed. Metros are very fast but if you have to change systems there is alot of walking which sometimes makes just walking faster. I suggest you get a city map with streets as well as metros to see how they will work for you. Hope all works out for you.

Vanessa, <BR>Well I guess a few hours is better then no hours but I wish you had more time to spend in this beautiful city. As the last poster said assuming everything goes on schedule (and don't count on it) but we will be optimistic and assume you will be at the hotel at 10 a.m. you will absolutely need to contact them ahead of time to be sure you will find your room ready .. usually rooms are not available at that time of the day. You also need to arrange late checkout -- and since most hotels have 12 or 1:00 p.m. checkout you may have to pay for two nights. I'd get this really understood with the hotel before hand. I personally do not know this hotel but I'd definately talk to them on the phone (get the persons name you are talking too and have them follow up arrangements with a fax). You will surely have some jet lag and be tired so a nap and shower before you hit the streets might be worthwhile! <BR> <BR>Your plans are do-able, I think the Eiffel Tower is 11 p.m. by the way. I'd take the time to go up there at night, it's truly beautiful (and not as crowded as daytime.) The Metro is easy to use, but connecting stations can be long walks and frequently it's simply easier to stay outside and walk (you see more anyway). Get a map of the metro and study it carefully noting your stop (hotel) and exactly where you are going to. Your walk down the Champs Elysee and on over to the Diana Memorial is a fairly long walk, I honestly can't tell you how long it will take because everyone has a different pace and there are things to stop and look at, etc. (It also depends on your age and physical condition).We have walked what seems like miles in Paris and had no problem with it but with your limited time you may not want to spend that much time getting from place to place. The boat ride on the Seine is nice, but with your limited time I'd skip it on this trip. I'd spend that time going to the top of Eiffel Tower and maybe just walking around a bit, you are going to be tired that night. Be sure to take very comfortable walking shoes with you and there is a thread on that right now! <BR>

Itinerary is o.k. By a daily pass with the METRO so you can use all trains that day. You need 1 hour to go by train from GARE DU NORD to CHARLES DE GAULE-Airport, and this is the fastest. Do not take a taxi. You will be hold up in a road solid. ORLY is the same. Trains for ORLY do not go from Gare du Nord. Check with SNCF (French Railways)

Thanks for the info! Do the hotels in Paris not allow you to check out at the normal time and store your luggage for you like in USA? See, this is just the sort of information that would never occur to me taking the USA for granted. Keep the great info coming!!

Hi Vanessa, <BR>I just typed a reply to you, hit send and it vanished - or else is is going to end up tacked on someone elses questions ... what a day!! Anyway, most Paris hotels will hold luggage for you if you check out at noon-ish (don't leave valuables tho). I kind of thought you wanted to keep the room till late in the p.m. since your flight was so late leaving. If you do (nice idea, you can freshen up, etc.) ask about late check out i.e., hrly rate .. I know that sounds tacky, but it is basically what you need to do, keep the room for a couple of more hours! The last poster was right - take the train to CDG, normally I advice people to take the shuttle or taxi as we do, but at the time of the day you need to be there you will encounter horrible traffic (assuming you need to be out there by 7-ish p.m.) The train is you best option.

We all have different tastes and priorities, but since you are going to Notre Dame, a short walk away is Ste Chapelle. On a sunny day (or even on a cloudy day) the stained glass is glorious, and you needn't stay too long. Check to make sure the schedules there hasn't altered since the recent bad storm which caused damage both at Notre Dame and Ste Chapelle.

You should definitely have time to see Ste. Chapelle in addition to Notre Dame the first day. For your photos, I would suggest trying to go to the Eiffel Tower before dark. Unless you use a tripod, you may be disappointed with your shots in the dark. Often, the best photos of lit buildings are just after sunset, when there is still some color in the sky. Otherwise, you get a lot of dark empty space, and you have long exposures (therefore, need for tripod).

My wife and I did a 48 hr. trip to Paris this past Oct.Nov. In fact if you do a search you should find both our inteded itinerary and what we actually did. <BR> <BR>The metro is very easy and should not be a problem. <BR> <BR>I would definately visit St. Chapelle either before of after Notre Dame. <BR> <BR>I'd skip going back for day pictures of Arc and Eiffle Tower. You might want to consider one or even more of the Paris Walks waking tours (we took two or three while we were there - very good). You might want to visit Pere Lachaise cemetary - many famous people buired there - and it is a truly beautiful place (even if you aren't into graves of the famous). <BR> <BR>There is a wonderful litle resturante not far from the Eiffle Tower called Le Petit Nicois 10 rue Amelie I belive they are open until 10:30 or 11 pm. <BR> <BR>Do a night cruise of the Seine, many of them are onoff so you can use them to get from place to place. <BR> <BR>Have a wonderful trip and let us know how it went and what you did. <BR> <BR>MarkJ

We stayed in the Marais also. You'll find it a very convenient location for transportation. On your tight schedule, traveling by metro is a must. Making connections at Chatelet station will send you on a major hike. Sometimes it pays to backtrack in order to avoid this spot. By all means take comfortable walking shoes and you'll have a ball! <BR>Anita <BR>

Having just returned from Paris last week, I would say that your itinerary is not do-able. The problem is other tourists... your liable to wait up to 2 hours at Eiffel if you want to go all the way to the top. THERE IS TWO LINE-UPS to get to the top! Once you passed the first ground line to pay and reach the Second floor you must line up for another elevator to get to the third (top). Although this is worth it (especially at night, also when I went) it is very time consuming. Eiffel closes at 11pm in winter, Midnight in Summer. <BR> <BR>My advice is to combine your Arc D' Triumph visit with the Champs Elysees walk, since the Arc is at the end of the walk. The Arc, by the way, is excellent and provides and just as good a view (although different) as Eiffel. <BR> <BR>For speed, take the RER train to and from CDG airport, very reliable and costs about $10 US each way. <BR> <BR>I'm not a big fan of Paris restaurants and eat, instead, from sandwich shops on the run. Saves time and money and is good food. <BR> <BR>Most importantly, buy the cheap wines availible at Monoprix or any other grocery store... great wine and psychologically extends your stay! <BR> <BR>

<BR>...and skip the nap!

WOW!! What great info ya'll!! Keep it coming!! I'm taking notes! <BR> <BR>Vanessa

One more thought: Paris sunsets in June are very late (9 or 9:30 p.m.), so keep that in mind if you're interested in night photography.

Personally, I think your plan is easily done in the time you have. I have done twice or more in that much time. One key is to familiarize yourself with the metro ahead of time. It will be particularly handy on the second day when you will be running around a lot. Also, write down directions for how to walk from your hotel to Notre-Dame. My guess is that it will be hard to stick strictly to your schedule, so plan for things to take longer than expected. I agree with the person who said to only visit the Eiffel Tower once. I also like the idea of walking up the Champs Elysees from the Louvre, and only going to the Arc once. It has a great view, but I wouldn't try it twice in two days. I think you will get better shots during the daylight hours. You can also photograph the outside of the Louvre while there. Try going to the tower about 1 1/2 hours before sunset. For photos, the best view of the whole tower is going to be from the balcony of the Palais de Chaillot across the river in Trocadero. In the evening, the sun will be at your back, giving the tower and sky a nice glow (barring rain), and the colors of the tower will show well in this light. From the same location, if you are very serious about photography, you can get sunrise photos with a silouette of the tower (or of course go to the opposite side toward the Ecole Militaire in the evening for sunset). Completely agree with skipping the nap too!

Ok, I lost part of my post, apparently. I will try again. A little info about meals. One hour minimum. Two hours or more are common. I have had to rush a waiter (nicely of course) on one occasion to get somewhere on time. Try telling your waiter ahead of time that you have to be somewhere at ___ time. That may help. When you are ready to leave, get his attention, say "l'addition, s'il vous plait," and voila, the check will arrive.

1) Allow 1 1/4 hours for offloading, customs and luggage. You can cut that by 1/2 hr if you have ONLY carryon luggage. You go directly to customs while your fellow passengers are staring at the empty luggage carousel. <BR>2) Pick up the shuttle bus (free) that takes you to the RER station. The whole thing is about 1 1/2 hours. <BR>3) If you have only carry ons, then change to the metro at Gare du Nord or Chatelet to get to your hotel. website for all transportation http://www.ratp.fr/index.eng.html <BR>If you have more luggage, then get off at Gare du Nord and get a cab to your hotel. The RER is equipped for luggage (sort of); the Metro is not. <BR>4) If the hotel has a concierge, then s/he will hold your luggage until you return; if no concierge, the guy at the front desk will hold your luggage, usually right in the lobby (the caveat re 'leave nothing valuable' is a good one). If the hotel is upscale enough, you can ask to have your bags taken to your room when it is ready. <BR>5) It'll be around 10 o'clock and you can either walk to N-D (probably 15 mins) or take the Metro. I recommend the walk (clean, exhaust-filled air vs...dirty, exhaust-filled air). The tower climb may take a while, or it will not happen at all. There will be a line the length of the church, or the tower will be closed. Alter your plans if you have to (visit the Deportation Memorial or the Archaeological Crypt). Another stroll back to Place des Vosges and a nap (you'll be able to check in by now) should do you until dinner. Most restaurants don't start serving until 7ish - which means 9ish before you can head toward the Eiffel Tower of the Arc. You'll never be able to do both. It would be a shame to skip a nice restaurant meal to climb two edifices, so enjoy your dinner and do the Eiffel Tower. Each leg has a line (usually) and they can be long. You might get lucky and get in fairly quickly (tours don't usually do the Eiffel Tower at night) but you will have to wait for the elevators on each etage. It'll be two hours at least. <BR>6)If you can get a late check-out, do so; otherwise, check out when you leave for your sightseeing, once again asking to have your bags held. Take the Metro to the Arc, climb to the top, then walk down the Champs Elysees; the Diana memorial is walkable (1/2 hourish). You should have a great view of the Eiffel Tower from there. Take the metro to Ste Chapelle (hopefully it'll be put to rights by June) and then cross to the Left Bank for a wander along the Seine, and the bouquinistes. <BR>7)If our flight is at 9:30, you should be at the airport around 8:00, allow 1 1/2 hrs to get from hotel to the airport (taxi to gare du nord, RER to the airport)so you'll need to leave Paris around 6:30. Dinner will have to be at a bistro or cafe where they serve food all day - and fairly quickly. <BR>

1) Allow 1 1/4 hours for offloading, customs and luggage. You can cut that by 1/2 hr if you have ONLY carryon luggage. You go directly to customs while your fellow passengers are staring at the empty luggage carousel. <BR>2) Pick up the shuttle bus (free) that takes you to the RER station. The whole thing is about 1 1/2 hours. <BR>3) If you have only carry ons, then change to the metro at Gare du Nord or Chatelet to get to your hotel. website for all transportation http://www.ratp.fr/index.eng.html <BR>If you have more luggage, then get off at Gare du Nord and get a cab to your hotel. The RER is equipped for luggage (sort of); the Metro is not. <BR>4) If the hotel has a concierge, then s/he will hold your luggage until you return; if no concierge, the guy at the front desk will hold your luggage, usually right in the lobby (the caveat re 'leave nothing valuable' is a good one). If the hotel is upscale enough, you can ask to have your bags taken to your room when it is ready. <BR>5) It'll be around 10 o'clock and you can either walk to N-D (probably 15 mins) or take the Metro. I recommend the walk (clean, exhaust-filled air vs...dirty, exhaust-filled air). The tower climb may take a while, or it will not happen at all. There will be a line the length of the church, or the tower will be closed. Alter your plans if you have to (visit the Deportation Memorial or the Archaeological Crypt). Another stroll back to Place des Vosges and a nap (you'll be able to check in by now) should do you until dinner. Most restaurants don't start serving until 7ish - which means 9ish before you can head toward the Eiffel Tower of the Arc. You'll never be able to do both. It would be a shame to skip a nice restaurant meal to climb two edifices, so enjoy your dinner and do the Eiffel Tower. Each leg has a line (usually) and they can be long. You might get lucky and get in fairly quickly (tours don't usually do the Eiffel Tower at night) but you will have to wait for the elevators on each etage. It'll be two hours at least. <BR>6)If you can get a late check-out, do so; otherwise, check out when you leave for your sightseeing, once again asking to have your bags held. Take the Metro to the Arc, climb to the top, then walk down the Champs Elysees; the Diana memorial is walkable (1/2 hourish). You should have a great view of the Eiffel Tower from there. Take the metro to Ste Chapelle (hopefully it'll be put to rights by June) and then cross to the Left Bank for a wander along the Seine, and the bouquinistes. <BR>7)If our flight is at 9:30, you should be at the airport around 8:00, allow 1 1/2 hrs to get from hotel to the airport (taxi to gare du nord, RER to the airport)so you'll need to leave Paris around 6:30. Dinner will have to be at a bistro or cafe where they serve food all day - and fairly quickly. <BR>

THANKS to all of you for this great information!! I knew this sight was good but I don't know how anyone travels to a foriegn place without it!! Keep the suggestions coming!! <BR> <BR>Vanessa

Dear Vanessa, <BR> <BR>You MUST take the night cruise down the Seine. We took the Bateaux Mouche and it was the most beautiful cruise of my life. We were there in June so we had to wait till 9.30pm before taking the cruise as we wanted to see Paris bathed in the glowing sunset. And my, the wait was worthwhile. Everything was transformed during the sunset. Ths Musee d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower, everything. I finally understood then why they say Paris is the most romantic city of all. <BR> <BR>Another must see (tho' i wonder if you have time for it) is Montmatre. This part of Paris is very distinctly European. Very charming, with pretty little houses and of course, all the 'famous' portrait painters. It's also where the Sacre du Coeur is.