Easter in Paris
Jan 18th, 2005, 02:50 PM
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Easter in Paris
Does anyone have suggestions on where we should attend Mass on Easter in Paris? What is the attire for middle aged women? We are thinking of Mass, luncheon at Bofinger and then the Louvre. Will we need reservations? We will have metro passes so transportation is not an issue...staying at the edge of 16/17 arron.if that matters..... thanking you in advance....
Jan 19th, 2005, 01:45 PM
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Go to St. Joseph's at 50 Ave. Hoche (sp?) if you want an English language mass. It's a block or two from the Arc de Triomphe. The parish has a website with mass times, which you should be able to find by googling it. Most people at the mass we attended there were dressed fairly conservatively. Can't help you on Bofinger. We found the museum pass (Carte Musee) useful at the Louvre and other museums to skip the entrance lines.
Jan 19th, 2005, 02:47 PM
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57Bel Air-thanks for responding- i was starting to think no one at fodors went to a french church! impossible! (maybe my problem was saying Easter in the heading!)I might repost if that is the case --i have a few more questions if you don't mind...is it anything special (the mass)? we understand french a bit and are looking for some pomp if possible or a beautiful church. i guess i also need to know if we need to pack dresses or if nice slacks will do...thanks again.
Jan 19th, 2005, 04:23 PM
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This doesn't answer your question, but thought I would put my 2 cents in. About 4 years ago we were in Paris for Easter- and everything was closed! Restuarants were tough to find. And the museums were all on strike. We did find a nice Mass- all in French, but close to our hotel, which was close to the unopened Louvre. Don't miss Ste. Chapelle church- it was stunning!
Jan 19th, 2005, 04:29 PM
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thanks! i checked the websites at the louvre and bofinger and they are both open according to the web...i hope it is right! do you know if they hold mass regularly in saint chapelle? guess i can check online!
Jan 19th, 2005, 07:04 PM
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I don't think they hold Mass in Ste. Chapelle. And the Louvre and other museums were supposed to be open. They all just decided to go on strike. I think France is like that. We also took a bus tour our to Versailles. That was fabulous!
Jan 19th, 2005, 07:13 PM
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The one time we were in Paris at the end of March and over Easter weekend, the Louvre was closed. We just walked all over the city and enjoyed it anyway. I hear it has changed though, it would be nice for you if it is open.
Notre Dame is packed on holidays so be there early. Everyone does dress more conservatively.
St Chapelle is closed on public holidays.
Notre Dame is packed on holidays so be there early. Everyone does dress more conservatively.
St Chapelle is closed on public holidays.
Jan 19th, 2005, 10:05 PM
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Hello,
Can't really help you with mass (though maybe you could try l'Eglise de la Madeleine?) but Bofinger is definitely open on Easter Sunday as I've had Easter lunch there a few times. Just make sure you book well in advance.
Can't really help you with mass (though maybe you could try l'Eglise de la Madeleine?) but Bofinger is definitely open on Easter Sunday as I've had Easter lunch there a few times. Just make sure you book well in advance.
Jan 20th, 2005, 10:19 AM
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STE Chapelle is a monument/museum, not a working church.
I suppose you want some special church for mass, Notre Dame certainly would do, although some churches closer to where you are staying -- I like the Sainte Trinite not far from Gare St. Lazare. Closer to the Louvre and Bofinger, and I personally think one of the prettiest churches in Paris (and not overwhelmingly large), is the one right on Ile St-Louis (St Louis church).
I couldn't tell you appropriate attire as I doubt you would be banned, but I would never go to church at Easter in slacks myself as that is one of the most important and festive holy days of the year. However, I think you could and would not be denied entry. It sounds fine to me if the entire outfit is quite nice and chic, not just plain slacks and a casual top and walking shoes.
St Louis en Ile usually has Sunday masses at 9:30 and 11, and Trinite at 9 and 11, but I don't know about Easter.
If it were me, I would go to St Louis for the service. They have good acoustics and often have special concerts in there, also, and it's much more intimate than Notre Dame.
I suppose you want some special church for mass, Notre Dame certainly would do, although some churches closer to where you are staying -- I like the Sainte Trinite not far from Gare St. Lazare. Closer to the Louvre and Bofinger, and I personally think one of the prettiest churches in Paris (and not overwhelmingly large), is the one right on Ile St-Louis (St Louis church).
I couldn't tell you appropriate attire as I doubt you would be banned, but I would never go to church at Easter in slacks myself as that is one of the most important and festive holy days of the year. However, I think you could and would not be denied entry. It sounds fine to me if the entire outfit is quite nice and chic, not just plain slacks and a casual top and walking shoes.
St Louis en Ile usually has Sunday masses at 9:30 and 11, and Trinite at 9 and 11, but I don't know about Easter.
If it were me, I would go to St Louis for the service. They have good acoustics and often have special concerts in there, also, and it's much more intimate than Notre Dame.
Jan 20th, 2005, 11:20 AM
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Why not attend services at Saint Sulpice? I'm told the organ is wonderful. That's where we're planning to attend services this year. Last year, we didn't go, but we did notice that the times of the services were posted outside the day before.
Sandy
Sandy
Jan 20th, 2005, 01:49 PM
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Dear Wondering,
We went to Easter mass at a small church outside of Honfleur. It wasn't a big production, but that may have been because it was rural. The mass was in French, and even though I speak only a little French, I didn't have any trouble following it in the missalette and responding with the congregation. The following Sunday we attended the English language mass at St. Joseph's in Paris. St. Joseph's is a modern church, so it definitely isn't charming, but the Irish priest, Fr. Anthony, was friendly and humorous. Most women at both churches wore dresses, but you'll probably be fine if you wear nice looking slacks. If you will be in Paris on Good Friday, you may want to attend the noon service at Notre Dame. It includes the veneration of the crown of thorns and two pieces of the cross that King (Saint) Louis got during the crusades. Although I'm skeptical about whether the relics are what they're claimed to be, the service was still impressive, and the Gregorian chants quite somber, an appropriate mood for the day. Worshippers are allowed to kiss the case holding the crown of thorns. In the meantime, tourists are still filtering through the perimeter of Notre Dame, so it gave me an animal in the zoo kind of feeling. "And on our left we have worshippers participating in an ageless ritual..." (You do not have to wait in the long tourist line to enter Notre Dame for the service. There was another door closer to the middle of the main entrance that was for the worshippers.) Enjoy your trip!
We went to Easter mass at a small church outside of Honfleur. It wasn't a big production, but that may have been because it was rural. The mass was in French, and even though I speak only a little French, I didn't have any trouble following it in the missalette and responding with the congregation. The following Sunday we attended the English language mass at St. Joseph's in Paris. St. Joseph's is a modern church, so it definitely isn't charming, but the Irish priest, Fr. Anthony, was friendly and humorous. Most women at both churches wore dresses, but you'll probably be fine if you wear nice looking slacks. If you will be in Paris on Good Friday, you may want to attend the noon service at Notre Dame. It includes the veneration of the crown of thorns and two pieces of the cross that King (Saint) Louis got during the crusades. Although I'm skeptical about whether the relics are what they're claimed to be, the service was still impressive, and the Gregorian chants quite somber, an appropriate mood for the day. Worshippers are allowed to kiss the case holding the crown of thorns. In the meantime, tourists are still filtering through the perimeter of Notre Dame, so it gave me an animal in the zoo kind of feeling. "And on our left we have worshippers participating in an ageless ritual..." (You do not have to wait in the long tourist line to enter Notre Dame for the service. There was another door closer to the middle of the main entrance that was for the worshippers.) Enjoy your trip!
Jan 20th, 2005, 04:53 PM
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Thank you all so much for your information! It looks like we have several choices! I knew Fodors would not let me down! I will let you know how it all unravels...and if anyone else has ideas...don't hesitate to chime in! Merci beaucoup!
