Bonjour,<BR>Practicing...We will be spending a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Paris in September. We sill be staying a 10 minute walk from Notre Dame. In theory, it seems like a great deal to do these bus tours for 26 euros for two days. Ride when you want and hop back on when you want.<BR>We loved these in Dublin and London. Each time we have been in Paris we have always outdone ourselves walking more than we should have(you just can't stop). Also...My husband has a yet to be diagnosed properly problem with the nerves in his feet. He is often in pain after the first day in Paris.<BR>We will be joined by my sister who loves tours and having someone tell her about what she is viewing. These sound great.<BR>Now, has anyone done these L'Open Tour as they are called. Love em? Hate em?<BR>Merci!

Just did a text search for &quot;open tour and paris&quot; - 54 threads. Lots of people seem to like it, and if you've enjoyed similar things in other cities, you might, too.

Emily,<BR>Not on subject, but did you take the Big Bus tours in London?<BR>I am going there in a few weeks and plan to do so.<BR>Just wondering.<BR>I will also be trying the L'Open Tour when I am in Paris on the same trip. I will give feedback upon my return.<BR>

I'm afraid I can not give feed back on the big bus tours but we did two days in London to meet us and two days to chill after our trip to France from there. We like to feel independent and we thought the hop on hop off filled our needs. Our problem was we kept wanting to hop off.&quot;There's an Open Air Market&quot; my husband would shout...and off we'd jump. We would end up purusing and then have to look at the tour route and see where we should hook up again.<BR>We didn't see every sight on the route but it's hard for me to spend and hour our and hour and ahalf in European cities. They are wonderful from every corner of your visual perspective.<BR>If my sister(who loves tours)wants the whole tour, we can hop off and tell her to write down our hop off place and get off there and we'll meet her in the nearest cafe to the right.<BR>bonvoyage!

<BR>Bonsoir<BR>L'open tour bus is a good deal especially if you have a foot problem. Took it on our first visit to Paris and the first day just rode the entire route to get the layout as it was getting late in the day. Second day we used it to visit attractions the furthest away from our hotel.<BR>IMHO a good deal!

WE will be in Paris for 3 nights in April, prior to a riverbarge cruise. This sounds like a good idea for us, because I do have a foot problem-plantar facitis. Can we get these tickets prior to leaving the US, or do we get them in Paris, and if so, where? Thanks. Helaine

John, that is our plan exactly.<BR>I'm glad it worked out for you. <BR>Thanks!

We did this last year in Paris during April - LOVED IT! It's a great way to get around. Plus you have the nice little earphone commentary thingies (or if you get tired - take a nap). And there are 3 different routes with a couple of connections among the 3.<BR><BR>Funniest moment - we're waiting for the green/yellow bus to pull up at the stop near Notre Dame and one of the British hop ons remarked &quot;Look, dear, they drive on the wrong side&quot;. My friend &amp; I, being from the U.S., just cracked up. Different perspectives and so unexpected!! : )

TO Boatgirl<BR>As I remember you can buy the tickets as you board the bus.

Highly recommend L'Opentour for getting around to all the major sights (stops are closer than metro or regular bus stops). Particularly convenient is the stop right at the finicular below Sacre Coeur (which usually requires two or more metro connections and a hike uphill). On a nice day, the views from the open air upper deck are magnificent. You can get a map of the routes at www.ratp.fr. Tickets can be purchased right on any of the buses. It's best to have cash as not all buses have credit card machines (or didn't on our last visit. <BR><BR>Tell your husband to try Deer Stags shoes. About $50 and feel like a dream. You can enter your zip code at their web site for stores near you or you can order online. My husband LOVES these shoes. Best, they come in &quot;dressy&quot; styles that are really, really comfortable (like walking on pillows). (They run large, husband takes 1/2 size smaller.)<BR><BR>I love the ladies versions as well, though not as many (or as attractive) styles. But, for that comfort - who cares?

Thanks, John. Helaine

Definitely do the hop on hop off tour. Well paced, lots of fun.