Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - never been to paris

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never been to paris - help

i am taking my adult daughter to paris for 4 days in janurary. neither of us have ever been there and would love some advice on maximizing our experience. we love great food and art and shopping. heard there is also a famous flea market. thanks!

To reduce encountering closed stores and museums, avoid Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday.

Are you going to be there for four full days? My adult daughter and I were there last March for nine days(first time for both of us) and we still didn't get to all that was on our "must see and do" list. I would suggest getting a couple of guidebooks and each deciding on your top two or three things to do.

My daughter and I love to shop, but devoted very little time to that in Paris. There was so much else to do, and the exchange rate was not favorable and everything was so expensive.

We went to the Port de Vanves flea market very early Saturday morning (not the big one at Clingancourt) and each bought something--but only because we had made the effort to go there. I didn't think it was nearly as good as the ones in Sevilla and Barcelona--or New York City. But it was interesting to see, and since we went so early, it didn't interfere with other sightseeing.

Our main purchases were scarves (easy to pack and one size fits all) at Bon Marche. Another store I liked was Nitya at 40 rue Bonaparte(Saint-Germain).

Greg is making a valid point that if you only have 4 days then watch out for closures on the days he mentions. However, if you find that The Louvre is closed on the day you want to go there, then plenty of other galleries will be open that day, you just need to be flexible. They don't all close on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday which is how Greg's post could be read.

Make sure you take some time to wander the streets and enjoy just 'being in Paris'.

In total, I've spent three weeks in Paris, which is nothing compared to many other posters, and I still haven't seen everything there is to see in this fabulous city, I hope you and your daughter love it.

Just read Kerouac's ethnic walk--thanks for posting the link, Ira!
Nice way to spend a cold morning.

If you are only there four days, I wouldn't bother going to a flea market, especially in January when the weather could be cold and dreary. I don't know what you are expecting from it, but I bet anything you would be disappointed. You are probably talking about the Clignancourt one on the far northern edge, it's the most well-known. But you aren't going to get any great bargains there, and it will take a lot of your time going to/from it.

The good news is they have the annual winter sales in January, when stores have markdowns. They usually start in the second week of January and continue a month, so you should be there for that. that would be a better use of your time, all the major dept. stores participate, as well as smaller shops. I think they are to begin Wed., Jan 7th this year. Dept. stores are open every day but Sunday.

Hi Bella,
I'd also look at the Destination guide for Paris at this site, to get a good overview.

Are you arriving directly from N.A. (?) or leaving directly back to there? The answer to this question will determine how much "real" time you will have to tour. If jet-lagged...first day could end up being more of a half day.

Consider perhaps a bus tour of the city, to at least 'see' all of the sites, and then pick the ones you want to visit during the rest of the trip. Parisvision and Cityrama are two of the bigger tour companies.

And, as someone else said elsewhere, it is never a bad time of year to take a cruise on the Seine. Vedettes du Pont Neuf is one I like, Bateaux Mouches and Bateaux Parisiens are two others.

What kind of art interests you? The Louvre is an obvious choice, but the Orsay, Rodin, Jaquemart-Andre,Cluny, Marmotan and Orangerie are smaller and more conducive to a "quick" visit.

I would get a guidebook or look under the Destinations tab here on Fodor's. And have you and your daughter both make a list of 1-2 things per day that interest you most... and plan around that. Allowing some time for wandering (although this is less optimal because of your time of year).

We spent a week in Paris one summer and found that "Rick Steves" Paris guidebook was indispensible. He hit everthing right on the money. AKA: how to slip in a side entrance at the Louvre and avoid a long entrance line. In my mind, of course, Eiffel Tower, The Arc, Notre Dame, Montmare, Versailles, and the Louvre. Having said that my favorite museum hands down was the "orsey". We did do some shopping but, very expensive and not really out of the ordinary. Enjoy!

Hi Bella,

I am in Paris right now. I also wonder where you are traveling from. Will you have a full four days? Where are you staying in the city?

A few things that we have noticed:

1.Do take sometime to just "be" in the city. I think one of the things I have enjoyed most is strolling, picking up wine, cheese, bread, cooking in our apartment. Nothing too special but I love it.

2. We are glad we purchased the Paris Museum Pass for the simple reason to avoid to lines. Some of the lines are VERY long to get the tickets to go in the entrance and you can avoid the que if you have a pass. They sell them for 2,4,6 days. While I am not sure the entrance fees would add up to what I paid for the pass - not standing in line? Priceless when it is "feels like 24 degrees" outside! Every muesum we went to had a very long line to buy tickets and aside from the Musee d' Orsay (a must see imo) we did not wait in line any place due to the pass.

parismuseumpass.com

3. Metro - a great way to get around the city - not sure where you are traveling from but do not be afraid of it. Works fabulous, is fast, warm and cheap. I have not figured out the day pass system vs. point to point or the metro card. Maybe someone else can help you out.

4. FleaMarket - well, I got a fleamarket to go to out of the Fodors guide and it was a horrible experience. I took my 15 year old dd by myself in a cab - it was out in the 18th and I did not feel safe at all in the area - and we left. I could have been a nervous nelly but I do not think so - two men started to follow she and I. I will have to grab the book to tell you which one it was or maybe someone knows here.

5. If you get off the Metro when going to the Eiffel tower - do not get in the first que - there is a second que towards the back and the line was MUCH shorter (the museum pass is not included in the Eiffel). I asked the information booth why the line was so much shorter and he LOL at me and said "Because people are STUPID" There you have it. :)

6. Please bring warm clothing and an umbrella (or be prepared to purchase one) - it has been VERY cold here - VERY - it even snowed today.

7. Michael Orsman as a guide. If you can book him do it! He is a wonderful man and so kind, funny and bright. I highly recommend him.

I guess that is enough for now. I hope you enjoy this amazing city as much as I have fallen in love with it!

I do recommend more then 4 nights if possible. We have 10 nights and I still want to come back to do more that I have not seen or done.

I want to say a word in favor of the Marche aux Puces Clingnacourt. I actually think this is the most amazing antiques market anywhere. I've made a point of going back when in Paris. Are there "bargains"? Well, no, but it is not that kind of place.

If you are interested in antique type flea markets, you will probably love this one. The market is vast, filled with beautiful items.

Days and hours are very limited. Please get a good guidebook if you are interested. The one I like the best is Flea Markets of London and Paris, because it lists all the vendors and their hours. I believe there is also a website for the Clingnacourt market.

If you are going by Metro, it can feel sketchy. When exiting the Metro, you have to walk through an area that can also feel sketchy. There are a couple of blocks of really crappy flea market stands, with tube socks and other junk, before you come to the entrances to the "real" markets.

This is one of those times when research can really pay off. I have heard of people before who were completely discouraged by the area, and turned around before the market.

You could also take a taxi, but be sure to tell them which of the markets you want to go to (there are a few there) and the address.

IMO, it is time well spent if you love markets.

Forget to mention that you can read the directions and more on the very good link that cigalechanta so kindly posted.

Darn Tuscan! I wish you were here with me, as I was the one who was so discouraged by the crummy stands and the element of people that I turned around. I felt like it was a swapmeet of cheap knockoff stuff with a not great crowd and was concerned being there alone with my 15 year old dd.

bookmarking!

Monica ((F))

Link to a 2 hour guided tour of the flea market; might be just the thing for a first time visitor.

I did some of the other "business" tours last April and found them to be fun and certainly well worth the cost which for those was usually under 10 Euros.

http://www.meetingthefrench.com/anti...af02821500ce39

The Clingancourt is the big one. But there are great things to find near at the Montorgueil market (in the 2nd). We stayed here in the 1st, which was just a short walk away and loved every minute of it:

http://www.welcome2france.com/?apartments=8

Bon voyage!

I concur with those advising the Paris Museum Pass - if only for the line-jumping and rest room privileges. A four-day might seem somewhat pricey at 45€, but the second time you bypass a 30-minute queue, you'll forget what you paid!

If your arrival and departure days fall between a Monday and the following Sunday, and you're coming and going via CDG airport, a 5-zone Carte Orange sur Pass Navigo Decouverte for 33€ is probably your best transport ticket. This will get you unlimited travel to and from Paris on the RER, plus all around town by bus, Métro, tram, and train.

You will need to present a 1" square photo for each pass when you buy them at the CDG RER station in Terminal 2. While you're at it, ask for Le Grand Plan de Paris, a combined bus/Métro map.

While one of you is getting the tickets, the other can go to one of the three Tourist Information Areas in Terminal 2 to pick up your museum passes. Details at parismuseumpass.com

Here is some advice about using the extensive bus network: fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?tid=34987572