if you had three hours in Paris what would you do?
#1
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if you had three hours in Paris what would you do?
As part of a cruise excursion, we are taking a bus trip to Paris, including a tour of the city highlights, and then getting about 3 hours on our own near the Place de la Concorde. I figure grabbing a quick lunch and walking around might be all we can do, and that would be fun, but is there anything we can take in with that little time? I'm thinking there wouldn't be enough time to go in the Louvre. This will be a Sunday if that makes any difference. Thanks for your help.
#4
You'll have seen highlights from the bus. I suggest you locate a neighborhood that appeals to you away from Concorde, which I don't find particularly interesting. Have a quiet stroll and lunch. I think the general area of the Marais would be satisfying. One of the oldest and most atmospheric areas with the leafy Place des Vosges and loads of interesting boutiques along the Rue des Francs Bourgeois. It's close to the Ile Saint-Louis where your bus will likely not have taken you and finish with a coffee in a cafe beside the Seine.
#6
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I agree with a walk through the Marais and to the Place des Vosges will be nice. A lot of areas are a bit too quiet on Sunday, and the Marais has some shops, etc. that are open on Sunday.
Have you considered a museum?
Have you considered a museum?
#12
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If you only have 3 hours I would not leave the area or go to a big tourist destination as you'll waste all your time going back and forth or standing in lines. I would grab a sandwich and take a walk through the public Tuileries Gardens and take in the statues, terrasses, and fountains throughout. Or take a free seat near one of the basins, or sit at the cafe in the garden (http://www.louvre.fr/en/la-terrasse-de-pomone) where you can sit with a drink and do some people watching.
If you really want to visit a museum or the weather is bad, the Musée de l'Orangerie is nearby and is a great little museum that can be toured in an hour if you wanted.
If you really want to visit a museum or the weather is bad, the Musée de l'Orangerie is nearby and is a great little museum that can be toured in an hour if you wanted.
#14
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I also recommend visiting the Orangerie. It is right next the Place de la Concorde and can be easily visited in an hour or so. Monet's waterlilies are exquisite and something I want to see each time I am in Paris.
After the Orangerie, find a nice sidewalk cafe and have lunch or a drink.
Stay within a few minutes walk of your pickup place.
After the Orangerie, find a nice sidewalk cafe and have lunch or a drink.
Stay within a few minutes walk of your pickup place.
#16
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Thank you everybody for your replies. I would have responded much earlier, but I got a bad something and haven't had the energy. Finally the antibiotics took hold and, thankfully, the trip begins next Sunday, not two weeks ago. We will have a bus tour of the tourist sites before our free time, so I think we'll take the the suggestions to relax, eat, people watch, and just enjoy the atmosphere. The advice to stay near our pick-up spot is very good. We've been told that if we miss the bus, it's our problem and we would have to catch up with the cruise as best we could. Would not want to have to do that.
#18
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Don't discount deliberately missing the pickup - depending on where and how you could pick up the cruise if you missed it.
If you could manage it by a short train ride then taxi, I'd be looking to find a way to spend an extra few hours in Paris!
If you could manage it by a short train ride then taxi, I'd be looking to find a way to spend an extra few hours in Paris!