How Reasonable Is This 8 Day Paris Itinerary?
 

Hello, This is my second time in Paris and my DH's first. We are wondering what you think of this itinerary. We are looking forward to walking around, being outside, dabbling in photography. I liked the Louvre a lot, but don't fancy spending too much time in museums. Are there any areas we are missing or not giving enough time for? So much to do! Its overwhelming - even the second time!

Sat: Fly to Paris

Sun: Arrive in Paris:
-Notre Dame w Towers
-Walking Ile de la Cite
-Walking Ile St-Louis

Mon:
-Louvre+Gardens (am)
-Forum Des Halles + rooftop garden
-Eglise St. Eustache (pm)

Tues:
-St. Chapelle +Conciergerie (am)
-Catacombs (am)
-Marais Area and Place Des Vosges
-Memorial De La Shoah
-Fat Tire Bike Tour, night tour (pm)

Wed:
-Day Trip Disneyland Paris

Thurs:
-Sorbonne area
-Pantheon
-Jardin Des Plantes
-Mosquee De Paris
-St Germain, Odeon+Luxembourg area
-Eglise St. Germain
-Eglise St. Sulpice
-Jardin Du Luxembourg

Fri:
-Day Trip to Rouen
-Paris covered archades (pm)

Sat:
-Chateau de Vincennes (am)
-Montmartre + Pigalle area
-Sacre Coeur
-A Paris Walk (pm)

Sun:
-Day Trip to Troyes (day)
-Place Concorde + Madeleine area (pm)
-Arch de Triumph (pm)

....then a final Friday 11 days later)

Fri:
-Afternoon train from Metz
-Galeries Lafayette
-Opera & Grands Boulevards area
-Final Walk Around

Any Thoughts?

Thanks,

MollyBrown

Hello Molly. I think that your monday and friday are too hectic?
you can easily spend a few hours walking in the Marais, its beautiful with its boutique shops etc.
You should see monets lillys, at Musee O'rangerie, its closed mon and tues I think and it opens for the public at 12.30. Its in the tuiliries, close to the concorde stop.

I think you can add something to your sunday, like Jardin des plants and the mosque. Do visit the roof top of the institute de modern arabe, for views of the city. ( I live in this area, its great). From here a walk to St Germain , is 25 mins..

you are also seeing a lot of churches, is that something that you like?

Look at http://www.concierge.com/ for ideas as well.

If you need some suggestions for places to eat, I would love to recommend you some!

Bring a good map, I recommend the "Streetwise" brand, its easy to use, laminated and has all the major streets.

How abt Champs Elysee? are you coming here christmas time??

Thanks ash - good suggestions! We will be in Paris at the start of May.

Its not that we are interested in churches per se....I figured we'd mostly just "pop" in and out of the majority and take a look around the outside architecture.

I notice I forgot to list the Latin Quarter in there too. We will want to walk about that area too.

I think we could use a book that focuses in just on Paris and various walking routes. Its hard to visualize how much ground we will cover. I know in my first trip I was not planned enough and found myself wandering in a very unorganized fashion that seemed to not maximize the time available.

Thanks!

MB

If you don't mind spending a lot of time planning you can put together some very nice "walks" yourself. There are several entire books devoted to "walks in Paris", plus all the major guidebooks (in print and online) will have some walks. I usually take several and add and subtract things that interest me and end up with a personalized "walk" for each area. It looks like you've already started to organize your time geographically which is good. Once you have a rough idea you can google map it to get exact lengths, etc. But how much you can cover at one time depends more on how long you stop at things, more so than how many miles the walk is.

You have quite a few day trips planned, you might be short changing your time in Paris itself. While most of your daytrips are only an hour or so by train outside of the city, you have to figure in waiting for trains, and schedules, etc. Every trip to Paris (I've been 5 times) I've planned for day trips and most of the time I've ended up skipping them in favor of more time in Paris itself. If I were you I'd drop two of the four (and Disneyland Paris would be the first thing I'd skip, but that's just me).

My photo gallery is arranged sort of geographically, starting on the Ile de la cite and Ile St Louis, then going to the 5th, 6th, 7th, 3rd-4th, 1st-2nd, and then Montmartre and the outlying areas. You might get some ideas from looking at it, it's at pbase.com/annforcier

Just asking..is Disneyland a must? I have been to Paris three times..the first visit was on a tour so was short but I did see quite a bit, the second was for a week, so had six days actually, and last year was nine days. I really thought that nine days would be a lot of time, and I'll tell you the time just flew and I didn't do at least a third of the things I had planned. It takes time to get places, to find places, and then you find something interesting and you're only going to be a minute and pretty soon you've spent an hour. I think some of your days seem a bit full.

I just returned from my seoond trip to Paris, nine days but seven full considering flight time.

Gosh, your itinerary sounds very ambitious to me. But then there were six of us. Six women, and somedays by the time we all got gathered in the lobby after going back for umbrellas or cameras, etc., and then stopping into each Monoprix for batteries or gloves...well, you get my point. We did waste a lot of time, but we also did a lot of stopping during our foot excursions for a coffee or lunch or wine, etc. Lots of wine. :) And those were the best times. Lots of people watching and relaxing.

We were there over the metro strike so we had to foot it to most places, but even so we easily took in a lot: Louvre, Notre Dame, Eustacia, Montmarte (walking up and the funicular down), Eiffel Tower, Arch, Champs, Opera Garnier. We only took one side trip and that was to Versailles. And for evening entertainment we took the Seine boat trip and the Moulin Rouge. Yikes, I know...so very touristy, but most of our group was there for their first time.

But even with our limited agenda, we were busy every minute of the day and evening but we didn't feel unduly rushed. But like I said, we took a lot of bistro and shopping breaks.

I don't see any major problems with an ambitious itinerary if you have the stamina to keep up with it. In any case, the details will work themselves out once you arrive.

Age and energy have a lot to do with it. Many people are looking at your list through eyes that are 60 years old or more. If you are significantly younger than that, I wouldn't worry about it.

Your itinerary is hectic but certainly doable. But I do question taking 4 day trips (if one includes Vincennes) out of your 8 days in Paris. That may be fine for you since you have been before. But your DH has not been to Paris. I might think about dropping one or two of the day trips and spend that time in the city.

Hi MB,

I think that you realize that you are overplanned, but that's OK as long as you realize that you can't see everything in one visit.

Why Disneyland?

Why so many daytrips?

You might find these threads helpful:

Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236

100 Great Things to Do in Paris
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...mp;tid=1277898

Degas’s Paris Walks
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34712768

Jacquemart-Andre’ Museum http://tinyurl.com/p9pol

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Its quite fun to just wander, and discover things, as you walk, rather than plan every minute, for me personally!

if you want ot do the latin quater, than you can do the pantheon, walk from throught he latin quater, then come to Jardin des plants, mosque etc.
Or do latin quater when you do Cluny..

I love rides, but disneyland here is ok, if you dont really have it, just spend it in Paris!!

just a suggestion.
May will be a great time to visit.

When you visit the Pantheon and the Sorbonne area on Thursday you will be in the Latin Quarter, no need to add it in somewhere else.

On Tuesday, you are hopping around a bit by throwing in the catacombs. Sainte Chapelle and the Conciergerie are close to the Marais, and you could pass the Deportation Memorial in between them, but the catacombs are in a different direction entirely. If you really want to leave the catacombs in, maybe you could go there first.

Ash, even if Molly doesn't ask for your dining suggestions, I would like to see them.

Thank you all for your replies! I think we are seeing the wisdom of cutting one day trip. Decisions, Decisions.

Florida in the United States is not convenient, nor on our list of travel destination musts.... although we would like to see Disneyland. We know its not cultural, but thought it would be a lot of fun.

Rouen or Troyes....I agree that one daytrip need to go - but which?

Great links and great suggestions - thank you all! Ash we are always open to restaurant suggestions - being budget travelers mind you.

As I turn to the pile of work on my desk, May seem so far away....hmpf.

Cheers,

MollyBrown

The French version of Disneyland is indeed fun. I will not criticize you for including it.

Molly:
I'm looking at your itinerary with great interest as we're also going for a week next May and you gave me some more good ideas.

Isabel, your Paris photos are fantastic!

If you are a photographer, you might want to consider Pere Lachaise cemetary. We just got back a few weeks ago and were there during the transit strikes and walked an average of 8 miles a day. Our photos from Pere Lachaise were taken on a cold, rainy day and they turned out gorgeous. The cemetary itself is one of the most fascinating and beautiful I have ever seen. Then again, I am a graveyard lover!

Well, I am sitting here revising our Paris plans and I just have to say thank you Ira for posting the link to that "Degas Walks" thread - how fantastically helpful! And of course thank you Degas if you happen to see this!!

You have all give us some great ideas. I am a photography nut nolefan - thank you for the cemetary suggestion.

Best Wishes,

MollyB

Did I overlook it or is a daytrip to Versailles not included?

Perhaps you visited Versaille on yoru first trip. I'd say it definately deserves at least a half day.

Agree with CathyM about Versailles, and you can see it only in France.

Hi Molly
In the Marias, ( I just love this area), there is a place called Chez Jenou, its a small cute place, if you are on a budget, do the lunch there. Its provincial food.
The address and tel # are :
2 Roger Verlomme
75003 tel 01 42 72 28 41

Also, in the Marais,
L'As du FallafelAddress 34 rue des Rosiers, Paris, 75004
Phone 01-48-87-63-60
Price Complete meals for under $10
Reader Rating
(5 stars, 12 votes)Rate This


New York Times Review

The falafel sandwich here contains the requisite super-crisp, garlicky chickpea fritters, with creamy hummus, lightly pickled red cabbage (something between slaw and kraut), salted cucumbers, fried eggplant and just-hot-enough harissa. This is all piled into a pita in such quantities that eating it is an adventure in napkin management. You can make for a slightly neater experience by eating in, but aside from the cramped tables and the brusque though not unfriendly service, there is something about this sandwich that begs for it to be eaten outdoors.

You could pretend to be a European teenager and get fries on top, but then you would definitely need extra hummus and harissa, and the mess is further compounded. You might also think about a shwarma — a similar sandwich with lamb (6 euros) — but this is your chance to go meat-free and love it, so why not?

One thing you should know: You have to order from and pay the cashier on the right (a falafel is 4 euros, about $5.35 at $1.34 to the euro) before offering your receipt to the guys on the left, who produce your sandwich — a process that is fun to witness.


A must eat is ice cream in Berthillon, in Île St.-Louis .

I would suggest that you look at the newyorktimes.com
as well as concierge.com

just for ideas! :-))

I've been on a lot of day trips from Paris, and if you have to choose between Rouen and Troyes, I would choose Rouen. I think there is more of interest to do and see, and more historical interest. At least for me, you could feel differently. Troyes is a nice town but I wouldn't consider it a must-see for anyone who hasn't been to France many times. If you are not at all interested in Joan of Arc history or the Hundred Years War, you might not think so.

It appears that you will be leaving Paris after a week for 11 days elsewhere in France. Did you indicate where you will be for that time? For this reason, among others, I agree with those who think you may be spending too much time outside Paris.

Some thoughts from the vantage-point of 9 trips to Paris:

Even though you don't like spending too much time in museums, you should visit the Orangerie for the Monet water lilies. The Musee D'Orsay is also magnificent - both the building itself and the art.

Consider cutting a couple of day trips out of the schedule. I note that you don't plan to visit Versailles, Giverny (exquisite in May) or Chartres, all of which would be higher on my list than Disneyland, Vincennes or Troyes. We have been to all but Disney (although we have been to Disneyland in Calif).

One of my favorite sites in Paris is the garden at the Rodin Museum in the 7th eme. You don't mention anything in the 7th - the Rodin, des Invalides and the Eiffel Tower are all must-sees for us.

An evening cruise on the Seine is a lovely way to see Paris from a different perspective that the walks.

You indicate that you will be in the Opera area on your last day. The Opera has been renovated and the building is magnificent inside - the tour, which must be arranged in advance, is wonderful.

Enjoy your planning and your trip. Paris is fabulous!

The Saturday looks a bit stretched. To see Vincennes and then go to the other side of Paris to see Montremartre/Pigalle and Sacre Coeur...all in the morning, then have lunch and do a (I assume) organized walking tour might be tight. Have a look at Paris Walks, you could do a morning/afternoon walk with them, combined with lunch and further exploring in the area.

If you don't like museums particularly, I would leave the Louvre as an outside visit, then perhaps do one or more smaller museums. Jacquemart is popular, Nissim Commondo, Cognacq Jay, Musee de la Moyenne Age, Rodin, Organgerie, Marmottan,etc...would be ones that you could spend an hour or two in then move on to see the rest of the neighborhood. I'd also reconsider the number of day trips outside of Paris, just so you can give H a good overview of the city and not feel you have rushed around the city, nor that you feel you are getting on one train too many.
Versailles might be good, you could use up half a day, or Chartres if churches seem to be your interest, Reims if you want to combine a cathedral with champagne house, or Giverny for the Monet Gardens. Linking a visit to the Marmottan/Orangerie with a Giverny trip would be nice bookends, similarly seeing Versailles (summer home of Kings) and Louvre (winter home) is a potential idea.

Night Seine cruise to me is a one time must. I like Vedettes du Pont Neuf, central location, smaller boats (get there bit early for optimum seating). You could being food on board, or be able to make a 8PM dinner on Left Bank and still get last cruise.

You guys are a wealth of info thank you all!

I have been to Versilles and I must admit though awed by the history I found the throngs of other tourists a bit much. I rain didn't help.

Other than Paris we are going to Angers for 3 days, then Strasbourg for 6, then Metz for 2.

We've decided Vincennes can go as can the day-trip to Troyes. We will keep Rouen as I've always wanted to go there.

We are really enjoying all of your suggestions and are putting a speadsheet together (yes, we are that geeky)to help us organize our Paris plans. We will repost the final product for more feedback I'm sure - lol!

Thanks Guys!

MollyBrown+Shy DH

In Metz, a very simple but excellent place to eat is the ABC right across from the train station.

The wine bar built into the front of the station itself is also very good but somewhat pricier, especially in terms of the wine offerings.

If you just want a sandwich, my family has always sworn by the "saucisses grillées" with mustard sold by Steinhoff, 2 locations across from the train station and several others around town, including on the corner of rue Serpenoise and rue Coëtlosquet, just across from the Virgin Megastore, and a little kiosk on Place Saint Jacques, where the chic cafés are, near the cathedral. These white sausages are a regional speciality of Lorraine and Luxembourg.

The café closest to Steinhoff on Place Saint Jacques also serves an Irish Coffee to die for.

For Versailles, consider going on your own via RER. That way you could be there before the buses start pulling up.

Molly, each time I am in Paris I plan less but see more. I would suggest that you plan 1 must do each day and have things or places around a must do that you are interested and play it by ear. Buy Pariscope as soon as you arrive. You might find a concert or exhibition that you will add to things you wish to see. Allow the weather to modify your itinerary. Do your homework so you know which museums are closed when. Try a Pariswalk (by that company). Wander and explore. I have been 3 times this year and each time I just add more to my list of things I want to do.