Just got back
 

My husband and I just returned from our trip to London and Paris. We arrived in Paris from London by plane. I think next time I would try the chunnel. We just got a great deal on the airfare. We took the RER train to Gare Nord directly from CDG. At Gare Nord we purchased our musuem passes and carte orange passes for the week. Both costs less than 100 dollars for both my husband and I. The passes were great since we arrived on a Monday and left on a Sunday. We found it very easy and very inexpensive. We then took a taxi to our hotel, the Caron de Beaumarchais. We did have a hard time flagging down a taxi and they really scoff at luggage. Anyway, we finally made it and loved our room. It had a little balconey and the street was right off a main one so it wasn't too noisy. The room had A/C, mini bar, wonderful soaps, bathrobes and a nice sunken tub. I would stay there again. It was 810ff per night (115us). After a pastry, we then took a stoll around the Seine and took a boat ride to get oriented. <BR> <BR>Day 1: Since we were close to Notre Dame we started there. A must is a climb to the towers. We then went to Sainte Chappel, also a must. We decided to stroll the steets after and make our way to the Orsay. We ate lunch in the wonderful, ornate,truely French restaurant with great food. Caution, order from the menu and avoid the salad bar. After this we saw the wonderful musuem. For me it was a highlight of the trip. We then wandered to the seventh area and went to Invalides and saw Napolean's tumb. I really like the seventh area and would also stay there. We did see the eiffel tower, but decided we wanted to go another day. We ate dinner at a little bisto and then went to the Arc d'Triumphe. Again, go to the top and see the musuem on the way. After this we went back to sleep... <BR> <BR>Day 2: We went to Versailles. We did make a major mistake and took the wrong train, Fortunetly, we were not alone. There were 4 other people with us as our train went to the rail yard. It was very humorous and after an hour or so we managed to make it on the right train. We enjoyed Versailles and it is a grand palace. I think I was a little dissapointed in the gardens, but I did enjoy the carraige ride we took. We did eat in town at Quai 1. This was a great meal and we were the only tourists there. How nice after the bus loads at Versailles. In Paris, we did go to the Rodin Musuem. This was great and we loved the gardens. Another must see...We then zipped over to the Diana tribute at point Alma and onto the louvre. It was Wed. night and they stay open late. Wow, I was floored by the masterpieces. I especially enjoyed the Rembrandt exhibit going on. It wasn't very crowded and you could spend days in here. We really did the big things and just those were overwhelming. We then went to the Place des Voges area to eat. We ate at a wonderful restaurant on the square. It was still light out so we took the metro to the eiffel tower to see it at night. Go there on the hour and it lights up. After this I was ready to sleep again. <BR> <BR>Day 3: We went to Charters this morning. It is a very scenic ride and we enjoyed the quite time. We did catch the early Malcolm Miller tour and it was very imformative. We had a nice lunch in the town and took the train back. Our dinner that night was Champagne and escargots. How French is that! It was also our most expensive meal. At night we went to the top of the eiffel tower. It was great and no lines at night. <BR> <BR>Day 4: We shopped a little in the morning and then headed for Giverny. It was wonderful. It lived up to everything I had expected. The flowers in May were fantastic and the lilly pond is breath taking. One tip- hail a cab after the train ride to his house instead of taking the bus. You save 4 dollars by busing it, but you lose a lot of time. We did this and shared a cab both ways and were able to make it on the next train back with no problems. We then went to Montmartre and Sacre-couer. I enjoyed the steets around here and could spend more time exploring this area. We again climbed to the top of Sacre-Couer and saw the city from another beautiful angle. Quite night wandering the steets and ate at another wonderful restaurant. <BR> <BR>Day 5: Our last day, we went to the Marmonttan Musuem this morning . It had alot of Monet's and I strongly recommend this musuem. We then wandered over to the Champs Elyees area and to the Petite Palace. I think I was tired of musuems and we did not stay very long. We decided to re-visit the Orsay and shop a little afterwards. We ate in the Latin Quarter ater a stroll around the Island of Saint Louis. I enjoyed the latin area, but would not stay there because of the noise. I would have liked to gone to the Picasso Musuem and had a picnic lunch at the Jardin du Luxemborg park. Next time. <BR> <BR>Day 6: We left the next morning and I promised that i would return to this fabulous city. Well, I hope this helped a little and if you have any questions please ask me. Also, thanks for everyone's imput in planning a wonderful trip.

Great report! You guys were definitely busy, but it sure makes for great memories! You mentioned you liked the 7th and would consider staying there next time, I stayed at the Muguet very close to Les Invalides, couple streets behind the Rodin museum. I recommend this hotel. <BR> <BR>What about London?

Great travelogue, Sondra. Maira, we have reservations at the Muguet in July. Do you recall if it is air conditioned? Have gotten confusing reports. Some sources say it is, another one says only the 6th floor has AC. <BR> <BR>Thanks

Hi Maria and Betsy, <BR> <BR>I think the Muguet would be a place I would consider staying. I love the location and think Betsy will be happy. I also would stay at the Caron de Beaumarchais again. Lots of little extras like the soaps and the robes. I think the Muguet is air conditioned, but you can always fax them to make sure. Also, our room did not have a clock, although they did provide a wake up call and hair dryer. Also, I just posted my London notes. Betsy, have agreat trip....

Betsy--- I stayed in the fourth floor and we had an A/C, although never used it (April). To make sure, e-mail them. I made my reservations over e-mail and remembered getting a prompt, courteous reply. Their e-mail address is [email protected]. The name of the manager back then was Ms. Catherine Pelletier. Their website is http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/h75007muguet.htm <BR> <BR>ENJOY PARIS!!!

Thanks, Sondra and Maira. We will be in Europe for six weeks and just found out two weeks ago that we were going to be able to make the trip (it's a LONG story). This message board has been a life saver as I have tried to plan an itinerary and book a few places to stay along the way. We fly into London and out of Paris, so are staying in Paris for the last 5 nights of the trip. It's my third trip to Paris and I can hardly wait. <BR> <BR>