How long to stay in Paris?
May 22nd, 2005, 05:45 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How long to stay in Paris?
So my father-in-law lives in Amsterdam. We are going to fly in there on a Friday in August and then either drive / train to Paris. We will then go back to Amsterdam and depart on the next Saturday. We want to spend a couple days in Amsterdam but most of the time in Paris...any recommendations on the best days to go and how long to go for? We are in our mid 20's if that makes a difference.
Thanks!
Thanks!
May 22nd, 2005, 05:50 PM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You could easily spend months in Paris--how long you can actually spend depends on what you want to see and do. It sounds as though you'll have perhaps six days, which should be just right. I don't think the days of the week will matter at all.
Click on "Destinations," above, for highlights of the city and then start deciding just what interests you. Of course, you'll need to start looking at hotels very soon.
Click on "Destinations," above, for highlights of the city and then start deciding just what interests you. Of course, you'll need to start looking at hotels very soon.
May 22nd, 2005, 06:11 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Friday - Arrive in Amsterdam
Saturday, Sunday - enjoy Amsterdam
Monday - train to Paris via Thalys (4 hrs)
Tuesday, Wed, Thursday - Paris
Friday - return to Amsterdam via Thalys (4 hrs)
Saturday - fly out
Saturday, Sunday - enjoy Amsterdam
Monday - train to Paris via Thalys (4 hrs)
Tuesday, Wed, Thursday - Paris
Friday - return to Amsterdam via Thalys (4 hrs)
Saturday - fly out
May 22nd, 2005, 06:16 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have been to Paris only 4 times,but the first one does not really count because I was not adequately prepared.
The last 3 visits have gone by very fast.
We have been there a total of 13 days and there are still places of interest on our list that we have not seen.
If you mix in trips to such places as Versailles, Fontainebleau, Giverny, St. Denis, Chartre and perhaps a day tour to the Loire valley, you can make 12 days disappear in a flash it seems.
Based on my experience, I would say that 16 to 18 days would give you a good shot at seeing most of the principal places.
Right now I am hoping that the famed Water Lillies at the Orangerie will reopen before I am too old to make it there.
But that excavation project seems interminable and it may be another year before the place reopens.
The last 3 visits have gone by very fast.
We have been there a total of 13 days and there are still places of interest on our list that we have not seen.
If you mix in trips to such places as Versailles, Fontainebleau, Giverny, St. Denis, Chartre and perhaps a day tour to the Loire valley, you can make 12 days disappear in a flash it seems.
Based on my experience, I would say that 16 to 18 days would give you a good shot at seeing most of the principal places.
Right now I am hoping that the famed Water Lillies at the Orangerie will reopen before I am too old to make it there.
But that excavation project seems interminable and it may be another year before the place reopens.
May 22nd, 2005, 07:09 PM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
L'Orangerie - We were told in August 2003 that it would re-open in 2004. Back to Paris in September 2004 and still not open. I was sad too. Is there anywhere online where I can read up on this and see what is the delay and what they are doing that is taking so long?!
I hope to go back this August/ September, taking my husband for his first visit to Europe, and I was hoping this would at last be open.
I hope to go back this August/ September, taking my husband for his first visit to Europe, and I was hoping this would at last be open.
May 23rd, 2005, 05:03 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi ozzie,
Too bad that you have only a week this trip.
Your arrival day and departure days are gone. You have 7 full days.
Training to/from Paris is another day lost.
Your wife will want to spend some time with her father - 3 days.
That leaves you 3 days in Paris.
I suggest that you spend your week in Holland and save Paris for its own visit when you have more time.
See Amsterdam, Den Hague, Haarlem, Gouda, Alkmaar, even Brussels and Brugge. You won't be bored.
You will go back.
Too bad that you have only a week this trip.
Your arrival day and departure days are gone. You have 7 full days.
Training to/from Paris is another day lost.
Your wife will want to spend some time with her father - 3 days.
That leaves you 3 days in Paris.
I suggest that you spend your week in Holland and save Paris for its own visit when you have more time.
See Amsterdam, Den Hague, Haarlem, Gouda, Alkmaar, even Brussels and Brugge. You won't be bored.
You will go back.
May 23rd, 2005, 05:17 AM
#8
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suspect some would say I am quibbling but I somewhat disagree with Ira that your travel day between A-dam and Paris "will be lost." You can actually get to Paris before noon <b> if </b> you make sure you are a "morning person" on that day and you take the first available train that leaves just before 7:00 AM.
Since I, personally, would want to absolutely maximize my time in Paris I would definitely get an early start and you can get that coffee on the train!
Since I, personally, would want to absolutely maximize my time in Paris I would definitely get an early start and you can get that coffee on the train!
May 23rd, 2005, 05:56 AM
#9
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I seldom disagree with Ira, especially about Paris but I think Travelnut's suggestion is good. Travel by train to Paris early on Monday and leave late on Friday and you will have 4 days - not long enough to see and do everything but any time in Paris is wonderful.
May 23rd, 2005, 06:02 AM
#10
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With some good planning, I think you can see the major sights of most any big city with 3-4 days. That said, Paris is the cultural Mecca of Europe --and deserves a good 4-5 days, but you could always do more.
You certainly won't see it all, but you'll get a good feel for the city and swear you're coming back. We only had 3-4 days in 2003, and we're going back for a week in September (we could have seen more than we did last time, but I got sick there, unfortunately, and that cut into our sightseeing time).
If I were you, I'd leave early to get to Paris by noon or so, see what you can and then have a good solid 3-4 days there before returning to Amsterdam.
Check out the Paris 2005 book by Rick Steves. I have it and use it as my main source of information...he has some good walking tours and tips on when to go where that can't be beat.
Don't miss seeing Ste. Chappelle near Notre Dame. It doesn't look like much more than a Gothic cathedral in a strange spot (surrounded by the headquarters of the police department that was built around it), but it will blow your mind.
Happy travels,
Jules
If you're planning on going this August, book a hotel ASAP, as many will be filled by now.
You certainly won't see it all, but you'll get a good feel for the city and swear you're coming back. We only had 3-4 days in 2003, and we're going back for a week in September (we could have seen more than we did last time, but I got sick there, unfortunately, and that cut into our sightseeing time).
If I were you, I'd leave early to get to Paris by noon or so, see what you can and then have a good solid 3-4 days there before returning to Amsterdam.
Check out the Paris 2005 book by Rick Steves. I have it and use it as my main source of information...he has some good walking tours and tips on when to go where that can't be beat.
Don't miss seeing Ste. Chappelle near Notre Dame. It doesn't look like much more than a Gothic cathedral in a strange spot (surrounded by the headquarters of the police department that was built around it), but it will blow your mind.
Happy travels,
Jules
If you're planning on going this August, book a hotel ASAP, as many will be filled by now.
May 23rd, 2005, 01:55 PM
#13
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This like asking a car salesman if he thinks it is time to trade in your car. For those of us who love Paris the answer to how long you should stay in Paris will always be about three weeks more than you have to spend.
I like a quote from the Rick Steves Paris book that says "people will advise you that you couldn't live enough lifetimes to truly explore all of Paris....but unfortunately we tourist just don't have that long." We just have few days. He then goes on to tell you what to do if you only have one day and what to add if you have two days or three days.
However long you spend in Paris, and for that matter, in Amsterdam, it will be just enough to get you hooked like the rest of us. After this first visit the curse and the blessing is ... you'll be back. Enjoy the trip and enjoy the magic of both cities.
I like a quote from the Rick Steves Paris book that says "people will advise you that you couldn't live enough lifetimes to truly explore all of Paris....but unfortunately we tourist just don't have that long." We just have few days. He then goes on to tell you what to do if you only have one day and what to add if you have two days or three days.
However long you spend in Paris, and for that matter, in Amsterdam, it will be just enough to get you hooked like the rest of us. After this first visit the curse and the blessing is ... you'll be back. Enjoy the trip and enjoy the magic of both cities.
May 25th, 2005, 05:20 AM
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks everyone for all your help. I think we are going to do the Amsterdam on Sat - Sun, Paris Mon - Fri thing. A week is not enough but I just don't have enough vacation time to take 2 weeks...maybe in a few years.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
May 25th, 2005, 06:55 AM
#15
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will add my usual advice about train travel:
When you get on a train in the morning, you use up valuable daylight watching cows go by.
When you depart on the last train in the evening, you can use all of your daylight exploring.
Also: when planning a journey that requires a change of trains, always choose the shortest elapsed time that meets the criterion above. Sitting in stations waiting for connections is not a good use of your valuable touring time.
When you get on a train in the morning, you use up valuable daylight watching cows go by.
When you depart on the last train in the evening, you can use all of your daylight exploring.
Also: when planning a journey that requires a change of trains, always choose the shortest elapsed time that meets the criterion above. Sitting in stations waiting for connections is not a good use of your valuable touring time.
May 25th, 2005, 03:42 PM
#17
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That sounds like the right price (even with unleaded regular at US$6), but remember that driving is a drain on your energy and daylight.
If you take evening trains, the time isn't lost because there isn't anything else you can use it for. You probably don't want to drive at night, so you lose whatever daylight the drive consumes.
A compromise might be to drive into Belgium, stopping at points of interest, then take the train from Antwerp to Paris and back.
If you take evening trains, the time isn't lost because there isn't anything else you can use it for. You probably don't want to drive at night, so you lose whatever daylight the drive consumes.
A compromise might be to drive into Belgium, stopping at points of interest, then take the train from Antwerp to Paris and back.
