How Reasonable Is This 8 Day Paris Itinerary?
Dec 4th, 2007, 09:59 AM
#21
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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!
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!
Dec 4th, 2007, 10:33 AM
#22
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
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.
Dec 4th, 2007, 11:38 AM
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
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
Dec 4th, 2007, 12:23 PM
#24
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.
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.
Dec 4th, 2007, 03:12 PM
#26
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tcreath
Europe
20
Jul 1st, 2005 01:43 PM
