Four days in Paris, what to do?
Dec 24th, 2011, 11:35 AM
#21
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I might disagree a bit on going up the Champs Elysee and shopping there. While the view up the Champs from Place de la Concorde is photoworthy, i might metro from there to the Arc.
around Louvre add Palais Royal park and Place Vendome. You could also enter the covered passaages (18th-19th century covered shopping arcades)
A nighttime Seine cruise is a must, look at Vedettes du Pont Neuf.
to get out of guidebook only tourism,consider a 2hr Paris Walks tour.
Not sure if Montmartre is a mandatory stop, people mostly go for view from Sacre Coeur,but after that..maybe a bit of a wander, artists in Place du Tertre.
approach Eiffel tower from Trocadero metro stop across river, walking between the Palais Chaillot buildings.
with such a short time, maybe only small museums like Cluny, Jaquemart-Andre, Marmottan...Marmottan would also get you out of centre to a less touristy but upscale area.
Marais..Place des Vosges is mandatory
We really need a bit more info on your interests. Help us help you
around Louvre add Palais Royal park and Place Vendome. You could also enter the covered passaages (18th-19th century covered shopping arcades)
A nighttime Seine cruise is a must, look at Vedettes du Pont Neuf.
to get out of guidebook only tourism,consider a 2hr Paris Walks tour.
Not sure if Montmartre is a mandatory stop, people mostly go for view from Sacre Coeur,but after that..maybe a bit of a wander, artists in Place du Tertre.
approach Eiffel tower from Trocadero metro stop across river, walking between the Palais Chaillot buildings.
with such a short time, maybe only small museums like Cluny, Jaquemart-Andre, Marmottan...Marmottan would also get you out of centre to a less touristy but upscale area.
Marais..Place des Vosges is mandatory
We really need a bit more info on your interests. Help us help you
Dec 24th, 2011, 11:50 AM
#22
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Also, to help you, help us understand "4 days", is that land day1 leave morning of day 4?
Day 1 would then be jetlag/get to hotel day, and day 4 getway day.
another way to maximize "seeing all the sites" is either Hop On Hop Off as mentioned above or a 1/2 day coach tour by someone like Parisvision or Cityrama.
Like classical music..could do a nightime concert in a church
4 full days?
day 1 Louvre area/champs elysee/arc/eiffel
day 2 notre dame/ile st louis/ seine/Place des vosges, right bank
day 3 left bank, cluny,blvd st germain, luxembourg gardens, rue de buci, mouffetard market
day 4 the rest..marmottan,passages
Day 1 would then be jetlag/get to hotel day, and day 4 getway day.
another way to maximize "seeing all the sites" is either Hop On Hop Off as mentioned above or a 1/2 day coach tour by someone like Parisvision or Cityrama.
Like classical music..could do a nightime concert in a church
4 full days?
day 1 Louvre area/champs elysee/arc/eiffel
day 2 notre dame/ile st louis/ seine/Place des vosges, right bank
day 3 left bank, cluny,blvd st germain, luxembourg gardens, rue de buci, mouffetard market
day 4 the rest..marmottan,passages
Dec 25th, 2011, 02:33 AM
#26
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When you start thinking about accommodations, consider an apartment instead of a hotel. You'll generally get more for your money and you have the advantage of a kitchen as mentioned above. Plus, you're more likely to be in a neighborhood where you can get a feel for resident life. I compiled a list of Paris Apartment websites not long ago. You can find it if you click on my name. It may help you to start seeing what's available. Good luck with your plans.
Dec 26th, 2011, 11:36 AM
#27
loath though I am to disagree with CYESQ, for a first visit to Paris for just 4 days [therefore 3 nights] i would not suggest staying in an apartment. I doubt that the OP would want the trouble of sorting out a time for picking up the key, the deposit, buying in supplies, meeting the owner at the end, even if we disregard the normal lack of concierge facilities etc.
IMHO a 3 night visit does not normally make an apartment stay worthwhile, especially for a couple.
IMHO a 3 night visit does not normally make an apartment stay worthwhile, especially for a couple.
Dec 26th, 2011, 12:29 PM
#28
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The many suggestion about research are of critical importance. To make the process a bit easier, consider your tastes. What type of art do you prefer? If modern then Musee d'Orsay is a must. If you prefer older masters than the Louvre is the choice. Don't plan on doing "all" of either one. Catch some highlights and be satisfied that you have enjoyed a magnificent experience. Tourism picks up quickly in June, so early June will be better than later in the month.
What "must see" sights can you think of? The Eiffel tower? The Arc de Triomphe? The cathedral of Notre Dame? They are touristy, but they are icons of a great city. Just don't focus your stay on those centers of tourism. Get out your map and plot their locations. Paris is a wonderful city for strolling. Find the sight of interest and visit a famous landmark or museum and then move beyond the obvious. Plot a stroll up Victor Hugo to the Arc and stop at l'epicerie Foodhall(near 1 Rue de Presbourg) to pickup some items for a lunch on one of the park benches. The head down the Champs Élysées to see the crowds of people and shops. Find a side street to visit and you will discover secluded bars for a coffee or wine. Get away from the crowds when you can.
For a financial fling arrange for lunch or dinner at Le Jules Verne on the second level of the Eiffel Tower. A private elevator ride to the level adds to the experience. Then walk across the Champ de Mars from the tower to the the wall of peace and the war college École de Guerre. From there see the neighborhoods.
Identify your special interests, then research the area. To see Paris you need to see the neighborhoods between the icons of tourism. Michel_Paris, above, has some great suggestions that follow the basic approach.
I'm not much of a photographer, but us can see some neighborhood and tourist sites at http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaud2...7620870932547/ They are set up as Paris, Day 1 ... Day 2 and so one.
By the way, annhig has a good point about finding a central hotel to simplify your trip. On a future trip consider CYESQ's recommendation of an apartment.
What "must see" sights can you think of? The Eiffel tower? The Arc de Triomphe? The cathedral of Notre Dame? They are touristy, but they are icons of a great city. Just don't focus your stay on those centers of tourism. Get out your map and plot their locations. Paris is a wonderful city for strolling. Find the sight of interest and visit a famous landmark or museum and then move beyond the obvious. Plot a stroll up Victor Hugo to the Arc and stop at l'epicerie Foodhall(near 1 Rue de Presbourg) to pickup some items for a lunch on one of the park benches. The head down the Champs Élysées to see the crowds of people and shops. Find a side street to visit and you will discover secluded bars for a coffee or wine. Get away from the crowds when you can.
For a financial fling arrange for lunch or dinner at Le Jules Verne on the second level of the Eiffel Tower. A private elevator ride to the level adds to the experience. Then walk across the Champ de Mars from the tower to the the wall of peace and the war college École de Guerre. From there see the neighborhoods.
Identify your special interests, then research the area. To see Paris you need to see the neighborhoods between the icons of tourism. Michel_Paris, above, has some great suggestions that follow the basic approach.
I'm not much of a photographer, but us can see some neighborhood and tourist sites at http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaud2...7620870932547/ They are set up as Paris, Day 1 ... Day 2 and so one.
By the way, annhig has a good point about finding a central hotel to simplify your trip. On a future trip consider CYESQ's recommendation of an apartment.
Dec 27th, 2011, 08:07 AM
#30
I'd probably suggest a hotel in the 4/5/6th, ideally near St Michel RER stop ( or Luxembourg) for easy train access to CDG>>
michel - that's exactly what we have taken to doing. after a long gap in our visits to Paris, we were lucky enough to get tickets to the rugby at Stade de France, so as we were flying into and out of CDG, we had several reasons for wanting easy access to the RER. We solved that by staying near the Luxembourg RER stop, but I have to say that the walk up and down the boulevard St. michel got us down a bit after a while.
the next time we were coming into [and out of] the Gard du nord, so we tried a hotel near Chatelet [again, both on the RER B] but the time taken walking around the "correspondences' was a bit much.
so this time we've done exactly what you advise and have booked a hotel near the St. Michel RER stop. it has the added advantage of corresponding with the RER C for musee d'orsay and Versailles, both of which may be on our agenda.
michel - that's exactly what we have taken to doing. after a long gap in our visits to Paris, we were lucky enough to get tickets to the rugby at Stade de France, so as we were flying into and out of CDG, we had several reasons for wanting easy access to the RER. We solved that by staying near the Luxembourg RER stop, but I have to say that the walk up and down the boulevard St. michel got us down a bit after a while.
the next time we were coming into [and out of] the Gard du nord, so we tried a hotel near Chatelet [again, both on the RER B] but the time taken walking around the "correspondences' was a bit much.
so this time we've done exactly what you advise and have booked a hotel near the St. Michel RER stop. it has the added advantage of corresponding with the RER C for musee d'orsay and Versailles, both of which may be on our agenda.
Dec 27th, 2011, 09:40 AM
#31
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I am new to this forum but I have learned a lot just by reading the questions.annhigs answer to the mother an daughter 4days in Paris to stay central in a hotel.does anyone have the name of a reasonable hotel close to rail as I want to go to Amsterdam for the floriade.I am traveling along
Dec 27th, 2011, 10:27 AM
#32
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Tweezer,
welcome!
there is no need to locate yourself near rail. The Metro system is excellent and all of the train stations are on metro lines. So..find a hotel in your price range,hopefully near to some of the sites
you will need to give a price range..reasonable is a grey word
to help you do a search here for 'Paris Right Bank hotels'and 'paris Left Bank hotels'
this is a common question here and many suggestions to be found
welcome!
there is no need to locate yourself near rail. The Metro system is excellent and all of the train stations are on metro lines. So..find a hotel in your price range,hopefully near to some of the sites
you will need to give a price range..reasonable is a grey word
to help you do a search here for 'Paris Right Bank hotels'and 'paris Left Bank hotels'
this is a common question here and many suggestions to be found
Dec 27th, 2011, 11:41 AM
#35
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You have gotten a lot of good suggestions. Most of them are from people who have been to Paris many times. Keep in mind that for a first trip, there are things you will want to see and things you will not have time to see in 4 days. Everyone will have a different idea of what the "real Paris" is but for us walking and walking is what will allow you to see it.
Use the "Destinations" tab on Fodors for good suggestions; buy a good guidebook - most help with itineraries for short or long stays. Buy the Museum Pass; stay in a hotel on the first trip. Hotel staff are very useful to help you get around and find the things you want to see and do.
Lots of research will make your trip more fun for both of you when you finally arrive. Come back here for answers to the many questions you will certainly have as you plan.
Use the "Destinations" tab on Fodors for good suggestions; buy a good guidebook - most help with itineraries for short or long stays. Buy the Museum Pass; stay in a hotel on the first trip. Hotel staff are very useful to help you get around and find the things you want to see and do.
Lots of research will make your trip more fun for both of you when you finally arrive. Come back here for answers to the many questions you will certainly have as you plan.
Dec 27th, 2011, 12:39 PM
#36
tweezer - for the best rates, go to trip advisor and put in your dates, and then sort by price [lowest]. you can sort for location as well no of stars the hotel has [not many at your price point!] etc. etc.
this will bring up some booking sites where you can look at the competing rates [normally pretty close to each other, but there's the odd bargain]. then go to the hotel website and see what they can offer.
it's a bit long-winded but by the time you've done this a few times, you'll get an idea for where hotels are, and where you want to be. generally being centrally located makes the hotel more expensive, but makes it easier to walk to where you want to be, so is a good choice for the traveller who is new to Paris.
BTW, we too are headed for the Floriade - when are you going?
this will bring up some booking sites where you can look at the competing rates [normally pretty close to each other, but there's the odd bargain]. then go to the hotel website and see what they can offer.
it's a bit long-winded but by the time you've done this a few times, you'll get an idea for where hotels are, and where you want to be. generally being centrally located makes the hotel more expensive, but makes it easier to walk to where you want to be, so is a good choice for the traveller who is new to Paris.
BTW, we too are headed for the Floriade - when are you going?
Dec 27th, 2011, 02:01 PM
#37
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I have upped my price point to about 150 and I should be ok.Centrally located makes sense to me.The Eiffel tower is
top of my list as I remember seeing pics of it at nite as a child.Also added a day to do must sees that I can do if anyone has a suggestion.I am travelling alone.
ty
top of my list as I remember seeing pics of it at nite as a child.Also added a day to do must sees that I can do if anyone has a suggestion.I am travelling alone.
ty
Dec 27th, 2011, 02:17 PM
#39
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Floriade is the last week in May.Thats all I have planned so far in that part of my trip.I love the outdoors especially spring.I have been checking the sights and I am not sure of where to stay as yet but I am working on it and making lists.
Dec 28th, 2011, 09:06 AM
#40
Tweezer - we will be at the floriade in April so i will post here to say what it's like.
i think that your decision to spend a little more on your hotel in paris is a wise one - that U$50 should make quite a lot of difference. of course you realise don't you that you don't have to stay near the Eiffel Tower to enjoy it - indeed one of our nicest memories from our last visit was walking along the seine at night seeing it all lit up and you can't get that effect so well if you are up close. to get to it, you need only to get a boat along the seine or the metro - one ticket from your carnet will do it.
i agree that making your own thread would be a good idea.
have fun planning!
i think that your decision to spend a little more on your hotel in paris is a wise one - that U$50 should make quite a lot of difference. of course you realise don't you that you don't have to stay near the Eiffel Tower to enjoy it - indeed one of our nicest memories from our last visit was walking along the seine at night seeing it all lit up and you can't get that effect so well if you are up close. to get to it, you need only to get a boat along the seine or the metro - one ticket from your carnet will do it.
i agree that making your own thread would be a good idea.
have fun planning!
