Hikrchick & Hikrguy back from (cool & rainy but) fabulous Paris
 

A quick note to thank everyone who helped and gave me great advice over the past few months as I dealt with details about our October week in Paris. This was Hikrguy's first visit, and I hadn't been there since 1986 when I was a university student. A more detailed trip report will come soon but here's the highlights:

1. Citadines Bastille-Marais looks great after construction. It was a perfect place to stay; and we would stay there again. I was happy to have a reception/concierge desk to help with any questions, a secure entrance, and Hikrguy was thrilled with the unending coffee in their breakfast area (we didn't eat there, only had coffee and fresh filtered water). It's a couple blocks down to the main Bastille metro stop, but a 5-minute walk over to Blvd Beaumarchais where there was a very nearby metro stop (Chemin Vert). Grocery store one block away, also pharmacie. Excellent boulangerie 2 blocks away. I think we went there twice some days .... ;-)
2. Hikrguy got the wedding present for his friend -- not a tablecloth but rather a large olive-wood cutting board/serving platter at the Bastille/Richard-Lenoir market. He is happy.
3. Bastille/Richard-Lenoir farmers' market is AMAZING. We went Sunday morning, which was fun and festive and crowded, and also on Thursday morning, which had fewer stalls and fewer people. Even more wonderful was being able to shop, not only take photos, since we had a kitchen at the Citadines. (yes, I cooked dinner twice)
4. I was successful in the adventure to go to a Parashop to get skin moisturizers and La Roche Posay Anthelios sunscreen. I am happy.
5. we both caught colds because of the chilly and rainy weather, which we didn't expect (though we were prepared). Hikrguy was so miserable we went to above-mentioned pharmacie to get him cold meds, which cleared him up in a couple days.
6. We kept saying to each other, "could you imagine this in July?" Even with the cold and drizzly weather, and our colds, we were so happy to be there off-season. Especially at Versailles, which still seemed crowded. Our guide at the "Behind the Scenes Eiffel Tower" tour (which Hikrguy loved) said tourism is off 40 percent this year. I can believe it.
7. We bought the 6-day museum pass, and the weekly Navigo metro pass. Both were worth it for us. We went to one and sometimes two museums a day.
8. Being there during the cultural season meant we were able to see 3 temporary exhibits. You MUST go to see the "Age of Anxiety -- American Painting in the 1930s" exhibit at Musee de l'Orangerie. Holy cow it was stunning! Also, "Picasso-Giacometti" at the Musee Picasso. That was also fascinating.

would we go again? Yes, but not in October because of the weather. Either May or September, though this is hard for us because of timing of the Jewish holidays.

Again, thanks to everyone for help and suggestions and advice. More to come!
best,
hikrchick

Sounds like a great trip and looking forward to more. For the past three years we have gone at the very end of September into October for about 10 days. Not to jinx myself but the weather has been great at that time.

Also looking forward to more. We lucked out with four gorgeous Paris days Oct 3 thru 6.

((H))

maitai, I wish we had gone just 2 weeks earlier, like you. Last week it was about 45 degrees in the mornings and warming up to the high 50s or low 60s. The days changed from sun to clouds to rain to back again. We lucked out at Versailles when it was clear and somewhat sunny but still low 60s. On the rainy days it was colder. I had only a leather jacket, though I did have gloves, a fleece hat and a wool scarf. I should've brought my winter coat. The irony is that here in NYC last week was a heat wave!

We were in Paris October 21-23. Had cool but sunny weather. I was recovering from a nasty cold I caught in Budapest, so spent most of the first day napping and reading at the hotel, but we had enough time to wander all over, spend a long time at the Richard-Lenoir market, have one nice meal and one mediocre and overpriced one, but we thoroughly enjoyed the neighborhood (and the hotel),and it was a nice, comforting, familiar end to another far-flung jaunt of ours on the Continent.

"Our guide at the "Behind the Scenes Eiffel Tower" tour ,,,"

That sounds interesting.

((H))

joining in with the fun...

Nice report. I appreciate the info on the exhibits. We will be there in December. Probably cold and rainy also but who cares, it is Paris.

Colds are caused by virus and not by "the chilly and rainy weather" Why do people continue to believe that?

fmpden, it seems Hkrchick and Hkrguy are living proof...;)

fmpden, Hikrguy was already fighting off a cold during Yom Kippur a couple days before we left. He unthinkingly packed the zicam in his checked bag so by the time we got to the hotel and he could take another the cold was on the way. And I caught it from him. But I do believe the weather -- plus the overheated Paris shops/museums -- made us feel more miserable.

Glad you enjoyed Paris in spite of colds and bad weather. I was supposed to be there from October 10 - 27 but had to cancel because of some health issues. I've been to Paris several times in October, as well as other Octobers to Alsace and Burgundy and it was beautiful. So that's always been my preferred month. But one never knows!

I've rescheduled my trip for May, which I've also had luck with the weather in the past. I was there 3 1/2 years ago in May - weather was great, but seemed so crowded. I was looking forward to this Oct. trip, with maybe less crowds. Well, if tourism continues to be off 40%, I guess next May will be great (not that I'm hoping for that). When I booked my hotel for the October trip there were real bargains. Not so much now for next May. Guess the hoteliers are more optimistic.