Guides at Paris museums
 

In other Euopean cities, we've hired guides at the entrance to museums, usually college students or art students, or perhaps museum guides. Is this the same in Paris at the Louvre, d'Orsay, etc.? Remember how much you paid? How about the audio cassettes at those museums? Additionally, are guides available at Versailles? We've considered taking a Paris Vision trip to Versailles, but would prefer our own schedule. Thanks in advance.

I will be in Paris in November and have never before gone to Versailles. I have been told that if you go to Versailles, get the audio tape/cd/package. For a guide, maybe at the Louvre it would be worthwhile, I would think so at the d'Orsay. I always read before I go and follow the quides, but then again, I always find that I miss things. Have fun

At the d'Orsay, I WOULD NOT use a guide. That is what I meant to write.

We rented the audio guide at the D'orsay and found it to be fine. You can turn it off when you want to spend more time in an area.

I recently went to Paris and visited D'Orsay and Versailles. <BR> <BR>For Versailles, we took two English language tours. The first was called something like "A Day in the Life of Louis XIV," at about 60-90 minutes. I don't recall the price. It was super, because without some explanation, the place is just kind of big and pretty. The second tour was different, but I don't recall the name. Not as interesting, but it took us to different rooms, so it was fine. Get there early. <BR> <BR>Second, we toured D'Orsay, focusing on the impressionist paintings on the upper floor. We used the CD guide and found it very good. It seemed to skip some pretty famous works, but I guess they can't include everything. I have little background in art, so it was just the thing I needed. Again, I wouldn't go unless I had a book, person or AudioGuide because there are no explanations near the works. <BR> <BR>Good luck!

Versailles have wonderful audio guides if you don't want to follow a tour guide. They come in different languages and are very easy to use. Not sure about d'Orsay.

At both the Louvre and Orsay, I used the CD audioguides that are available for about $5-10. They allow you to go at your own pace, and skip the areas that don't appeal to you. I recommend them both. <BR> <BR>At Versailles, we used one of the live guided tours (we chose the Royal apartments) and enjoyed it very much. They are easy to reserve once you arrive at the Palace, and are generally small.

At D'Orsay they have english speaking guides (you buy an extra tkt). I found it most useful in that a) I'm the sort who is amused by others stupid questions & b) took it after a quickish-self tour & so I was able to get some of my own questions answered. I found it worthwhile; the audio tapes are also good; did those at Pompidou & Rodin. <BR>I hear the Louvre hightlights guides (human) are good.

Karen, <BR>I just got back from a 2 month back-packing excursion around Western Europe. Here's a few points for your consideration: <BR>1)The Louvre is great, but all the information on exhibits is in French only. I would suggest renting an audio guide if your French is not really good. <BR>2) Human tour guides are "hit and miss". Unless you are a serious art fan, I would suggest exploring the Louvre on your own. There's miles and miles of interesting stuff, but unless the tour guide is doing the whole museum (which will take 8+ hours), it could be arduous to say the least. <BR>3) The "Day in Life of Louis XIV" tour at Versailles sounds good. I did not go on it, but I had several freinds that did and they were pleasantly surprised. Any tour more than 1.5 hours is probably too long anyway. Another note on Versailles: depending on the time of year it may not be so nice outside. The gardens are incredible, but if you're going in the winter, be prepared for rain, cold and possibly spending more time inside the palace. I was there 4 weeks ago and we had an incredible day. <BR>Let me know if you want to know how to get there on your own (it's easy) and I'd be happy to give metro directions. <BR>I did not go to d'Orsay so I can not comment. As an aside, I did have a terrific tour guide for St. Peter's and the Vatican musuem when I was in Rome. The best guide/tour I have ever had, but it was a 9 hours.... <BR>

Ian, <BR> <BR>My husband and I want to visit Versailles in mid-November. We are hoping to get there on our own and then either go on a tour with a guide or rent the audio guides. I'd appreciate the metro directions you mentioned. We'll be staying near the Odeon metro stop. Thanks! <BR> <BR>

Ian, <BR>I'd appreciate directions to Versailles on your own, too. Thanks.

To get there, take the RER line C to Versailles Rive Gauche (R.G.). The RER lines are suburban trains to and from Paris. Make sure your C train goes to Versailles Rive Gauche as the end destination.You'll have about a half-mile walk to the Chateau. You don't want any other Versailles stops as you will be farther from the chateau. There is a clean bathroom at the MacDonald's near the RER station-be nice and buy something. <BR> <BR>When you leave the Rive Gauche station you will be on Avenue General de Gaulle. Head right on Ave. G deG and then left on the big Avenue de Paris which goes straight to the chateau. <BR>Tourist information offices: across the street from the Rive Gauche Station (tel 01 39 50 36 22), also on the approach to the chateau and one at the chateau at the entrance. <BR> <BR>You can take a taxi from Paris to Versailles for about 100 francs (1999) which saves money if there are four of you. To save a long walk, have the taxi drop you at the Petit Hameau, which is in the Gardens. <BR>

Elaine/anyone else, If you buy a standard 3 day Metro pass, does it allow you to go to Versailles? I do not think it does but want to confirm.