I've said this before: if one does not like the topic of a posting then why bother opening it and commenting, unless life is really that boring.

Now to the question- To me this is like comparing Venice to Buffalo. I love viewing the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero, especially at sunset and then after dark when the lights go on and the fountains are lit. It is a very fitting symbol of a great city.

>What are we not allowed to ask questions here?

I guess not, you ignored answering mine.

Keith

Keith, confusing comment?- that's what this site is about, asking and answering questions!?

Well I have a stupid first time travel question. I am going to London (1st time) and excited to the the Eye. I have heard that you can take a train for the day to go to Paris? Is this true because if so then I so want to see both. Though this is my first time out of the country I think that they will both be awesome.

Yes, there are one-day tours of Paris that leave early in the morning and return late at night. Look on page 12 of the catalog:

http://www.britrail.com/doc/Britrail...4_brochure.pdf

Robespierre, I have a question ( again I apologize for the off topic) I looked at page 12 and it shows the unescorted pass and the escorted one. Is the unescorted one a roundtrip one like the escorted one. Also are the prices in $ or in GBP. Sorry for my ignorance.

Imauakupanda: Yes Eurostar train takes 2.75 hours between Paris and London and special fare of $94 return applies, but can be hard to book on the spot so reserve here thru RailEurope to be guaranteed such a great fare.

Ira: I appreciate your view but for the average traveler still think that this is what they come to Paris for - research says that the Tour Eiffel is i think the top single thing in Europe that tourists want to see, no doubt because they only know of it, and for the typical travler it's the first thing they want to see. I don't want to damper that enthusiasm that may lead them later to discover perhaps the types of things that turn you on in Paris. without the lure of the Eiffel maybe some folks wouldn't even come here, and it is a great orientation place. Would you actually want the Eiffel Tower torn down? Sounds like it. I greatly respect your posts in general but this slant is atypically myopic. Hopefully this is taken in the belief that neither of us can be declared right as it's realy a subjective belief. I respectfully disagree.

Hi Pal,
I am sure that there are millions of people who think that the ET is terrific.

However, if I had my way, the Tour Montparnasse, the Eiffel Tower and the Arch at La Defense would come down.

However, I know that they won't.

Just my own opinion.

Hi Panda,

>I have heard that you can take a train for the day to go to Paris?<

Yes. The cheapest tickets are at www.eurostaar.com.

If you choose your country as the UK, the fares (in GBP) are often lower than if you choose US (in $).

The cheapest tickets are the one-day round-trip ones.

You don't need a tour.

See the minigude to Paris under "destinations" at www.fodors.com.

For me there is little comparison. I like London and went to the London Eye the first time I visited after it was erected. It was a pleasant enough experience but I wouldn't go again. It makes a minimal impression on the London landscape.
I love Paris and love to see the Eiffel Tower from so many vantage points. It is beautiful at night with the lights and wonderful during the day from distance or close up. I have been to Paris 8 times, hope to return many more and love the first time I see the ET on each trip.

Cheapest fare on eurostar.com i can find is 69 pounds return, which at even an optimal exchange rate of $1.90=1 pound would be about $131 if bought in UK online vs $94 day return through RailEurope in US - and the 69 pound fare was good only on train leaving London at 6:30am - all other trains were 10 pounds, or $19 more whilst RailEurope's fare can be used on any train - all are subject to availability so reserve early. Even with RailEurope's $15 booking fee you, or especially two travelers can save plenty by buying here and being guaranteed seats which may be problematic once in London. Ira's right that it's often cheaper to buy in UK prices but that was several months ago before the decline of the dollar.
Ira: I agree with you about Monparnasse and Grande Arche de la Defense - that's why they say the best view of Paris is from Monparnasse Tower because from there you can't see it. I just read that a referendum i think of Parisians decided to not allow anymoore violations of the traditional five or so story building limit even though experts say this will stagnant the city's economy. Monparnasse is certainly an abomination. But the Eiffel? The first time I took my young French son to Paris the first thing he wanted to see and climb was the Tour Eiffel (Elle est Belle!). As for London's Wheel - nothing could possible degredate that city's skyline anymore than it is with all the tacky 60s blah buildings.

If cost is a primary consideration, here is the rock-bottom cheapest day tour of Paris from London:

Eurostar Leisure Day Trip: £59
Paris Mobilis bus/Métro pass: €5.30
A map of sights: $0 download the <b>Bus touristique*</b> from

http://www.citefutee.com/orienter/tous_plans_pdf.php

It shows a lot of the highlights and the bus lines that serve them. Get on the #42 bus at Gare du Nord, and ride it all the way to the Eiffel Tower. Get off and on as much as you like; just show your Mobilis to the driver. After you've seen the Eiffel tower, go down to the river and get on the <b>Balabus</b>. It will take you past many sights all the way up the river to Notre Dame cathedral. Again, jump off any time to take a closer look, then get back on and continue. From Notre Dame, take the #85 bus to Jules Joffrin, then get on the <b>Montmartrobus</b> and ride it around Montmartre until you get to Sacre Coeur. When you're ready to leave, take the <i>Funiculaire</i> down the hill, then either walk to Anvers M&eacute;tro or get back on the Balabus to Pigalle. From either of those stops, a #54 bus will get you to within a short walk of Gare du Nord. Of course you could also take the M&eacute;tro direct to the train station, but the bus involves much less climbing. The <b>Bus Paris (avec rues)</b> map shows all the routes.

Enjoy!

<b>*</b> The items in <b>bold</b> are other maps on that same page.

Hi Pal,

Fr a random date, Feb 7, I get 29.5 GBP on the 08:12 train out and 29.5 GBP on the 20:43 return. At todays rate of $1.94 thats $114.

Looks like RailEurope has a good price at this time.

Can't say my opinion counts, as I've never seen the Eye in person, but from pictures - it looks like the Fair/Circus is in town in London year round. &quot;Ooh, Dad, stop the car!&quot; It's a Ferris Wheel - a carnival ride - albeit a very big one. Doesn't have that same monument quality as the Eiffel Tower.

And I do like the twinkling lights.

I like them both, but I must vote for the Eiffel Tower. There's something romantic about it that just isn't found in the London Eye.

Eiffel Tower, which (IMHO) looks good from the ground and the air. The Eye is interesting to ride, but appears (again in my opinion) from the ground to be a traveling carnival ride on steroids.