Help With Paris Itinerary
 

My husband and I will soon be heading to Europe for a month-long visit in Italy and France. Our last three days will be in Paris, and I'd love some advice on what to see and do while there. We arrive at 10:00 a.m. on Sat. Nov. 5th, and depart for the U.S. at 1:15 p.m. on Tues. Nov. 8th---so, really have only Sat. afternoon, Sunday and Monday to sight-see. We are staying at Hotel Dacia Luxembourg, 41 boulevard Saint-Michel (can't remember which district this is--5th?). Should we drop off our bags and then catch a tour? What about the next two days---what are the MUST-SEE things to do in Paris in two days, and how should we schedule them? Will some things be closed on the days we'll be there? Also, if anyone knows a good restaurant near our hotel, I'd love a recommendation. Thanks for your help!

Well, one suggestion would be, if you're interested, to visit the Louvre on Sunday. It's free the first Sunday of each month.

I just went to Paris this past May. I have to tell you I absolutely loved it. I always thought I would love Paris, but I was nervous right before I left, because I know several people who didn't like it there at all. Maybe it helped that I knew and expected the people would/to be rude. Having said that, I personally did not have that issue. I was there for one week and I feel like I got to see so much, but there is still so much more to see. I definitely reccomend the Eiffle Tower. If this doesn't really interest you then I would only reccomend going at night, you will get spectacular photos. Going to the top wasn't the biggest deal, but how often do you get to go to the top of the Eiffle Tower?! I definitely reccomend going to La/le Tertra. I might be off on the spelling. Anyhow it is this great sort-of square where there are tons of artist painting. I would just go and look at the art, maybe you will find something you have to have. Also, while you are there have lunch and drink wine and just enjoy the atmosphere. It is a bit hard to find, so here is a helpful it. It is right around the corner from the Sacre Coure (can't miss this) it is at the top of the hill along with the Sacre Coure. I went to the Picasso museam - I could have passed that up, unless maybe you are a huge Picasso fan. I definitely reccomend the Louvre. I wanted to go to the Catacombs, but they were closed when I was there, so I don't know how to rate that. My thoughts were maybe it would be something a little different. I did the river cruise on the Sienne. I would do that, however I think I would do the one with dinner and I think dancing. Especially since you will be with you husband - very romantic I would imagine. I think you can find a package deal on the river dinner cruise and then going to a show. I didn't go to a show and I think I would like to next time. However one of my good friends did and she said it was extremely racie. Just an FYI to research what you will be seeing. I can't remember any particular restaurant where we ate, we just popped in places when we were hungry. I definitely reccomend learning a some basic French. I speak a little, and maybe that is what helped my trip to be so wonderful. I would get a guide book for Paris not France, but specifically Paris. Since you will only be there for three days you really need to think about what you want to see. And do some planning out your day ahead of time. Don't rush around too much, relax and enjoy the atmostphere. The Notre Dame is quite a site as well. Paris is wonderful, enjoy it. If there are any questions or anything else I can help with I would be happy to.

We enjoyed Dacia Luxembourg Hotel a couple years ago for 5 days in Paris. It is in the Latin Quarter, the 5th near the Sorbonne.

I will recommend a wonderful restaurant we found near the hotel called Bouillon Racine at 3, rue Racine just off St Mich Blvd.

I can't help with tours or itinerary because we didn't have/do that. We just used a map and wandered around every day, planning as we went along.

Musee D'Orsay is eay to navigate and has wonderful art that is highly recognizable.

Sainte Chapelle known as the jewel box was built to house Jesus' crown of thorns (I believe purchased by a French king from someone in Turkey). Many think it much better than the more famous but less attractive Notre Dame.

Musee de L'Armee was a big hit with my son and I, neither war buffs. We loved the medieval guns and armour and seeing Napoleon's stuffed dog and horse was weirdly interesting.

Can anyone help me with this request? I'm posting a reply to my own message in order to bring it to the top (is there another way to do this?)

Have you looked at the Michelin Green Guide for Paris? The regional guides offer 3,4, 7 and more days touring, and the guide for Paris might do the same.

Replying to your own message is the only way for you to bring it to the top. But it sounds as if you didn't see the other replies that were posted.

In any event, the idea to take a boat ride on the Seine is a good one, but the recommendation to make it a dinner cruise is not so popular among people who have done that and reported back that the food is not that great. Better to go out to a nice dinner somewhere and take the boat before or after. The closest place to take such a boat ride near your hotel is near the Pont Neuf, on the vedettes de Pont Neuf.

Stores are closed Sunday and some smaller ones may open late on Monday. Many restaurants are closed on Sunday.

There are suggestions for short itineraries in Paris on this website under Destinations.

Some museums are closed Monday, and others Tuesday. So, if you have a particular museum you want to see and are thinking of Monday, you'd better check that out. That's the only thing I can think of that would be important in closings, other than large stores will be closed Sunday, as someone else mentioned.

It's only been a couple hours, maybe someone else will make suggestions. I think it's pretty easy to find out the must-sees in any large city like Paris, and that people need to decide those based on their personal interests. Many people might say the Eiffel Tower is a must-see for example, but it's not for me because I don't like going up in towers to look at views. So, I choose based on my personal interests. I think it's a must-see as an important point of Paris to just see it, in general, but you probably will if you are anywhere in the central area. A lot of people like a one-hour or so boat ride on the Seine.

Well, I think zeta's recommendation was to visit the Place du Tertre in Montmartre, although it's hard to tell from his posting . I wouldn't recommend that at all, it being a prime tourist rip-off area and not one you would want to visit if you only have a few days in Paris.

OK...it's PARIS...think of the basics...Eiffel, louvre, Museo d'Orsay, Notre Dame....Then think WALK...WALK...WALK. Paris is a city to enjoy by walking and seeing...take in the city by looking around you, go to the cafe's....Read up on the city, get to know it before you go and then when you get there it will be an "old friend". enjoy the sights but more than that, enjoy the cafes, pastry shops etc.

Yes, you are right---I had not seen any responses at the time I posted my second message. Anyway, thanks to all who answered my questions. I wll take your advice, St.Cirq, and visit the Louvre on Sunday. I will try to visit the Eiffel Tower, Museo d'Orsey, and Notre Dame, as well. Suze, we are staying at Dacia Luxembourg Hotel on the recommendation you made a couple of months ago, and we will definitely try the restaurant you suggested, too. amwosu, I will try to see Sainte Chapelle and Musee de L'Armee if time allows. Also, the boat ride on the Seine sounds like fun! Thank you, everyone!

If you e-mail me at [email protected], I'll send you my itinerary. We're leaving tomorrow morning for London and Paris and have built a decent itinerary for both.

Jules

I enjoyed a Fat Tire Bike Tour of Paris. You don't go in any of the museums but it is a great way to see the city in just a couple of hours. I did the day tour but you can also do a night tour which includes a boat ride. Google Fat Tire Paris and you should come up with the company website.