Overwhelmed by all to see and do in Paris. Leaving in four weeks. Can someone help?
Apr 14th, 2007, 01:59 PM
#21
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With 7 days I'd recommend 1 day trip. I've visited Versailles and Giverney and enjoyed them both.
I am very much a museum person and have seen many that I love in Paris. Orsay, Orangerie, Petit Palais, Marmottan, Louvre, etc.
That being said, one of my favorite things about Paris are the gardens. Luxembourg and Tulieres in particular.
I also love walking in the Marais/Place des Vosges, as well as the 5th and 6th and by the Seine. So be sure to "budget" time for just wandering.
I am very much a museum person and have seen many that I love in Paris. Orsay, Orangerie, Petit Palais, Marmottan, Louvre, etc.
That being said, one of my favorite things about Paris are the gardens. Luxembourg and Tulieres in particular.
I also love walking in the Marais/Place des Vosges, as well as the 5th and 6th and by the Seine. So be sure to "budget" time for just wandering.
Apr 14th, 2007, 02:43 PM
#22
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I spent a month in Paris and the first week my sister visited me so, of course, we saw all the biggies. I had two weeks by myself to delve into the smaller sites. Then the last week a friend visited me and we visited all over (she had been to Paris before). If you'd like my trip diary, please e-mail me at [email protected].
You can definitely take one day trip out of Paris. Just have to decide what sounds the most interesting. You're going at a great time of year. Have a wonderful time in my favorite city.
You can definitely take one day trip out of Paris. Just have to decide what sounds the most interesting. You're going at a great time of year. Have a wonderful time in my favorite city.
Apr 16th, 2007, 05:09 PM
#24
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Three big items for me were these:
1. You will never see it all, so don't try to visit Paris with that objective. Instead, enjoy what you see. Prioritize, visit your #1 objectives first, and let the #2 objectives fall in where they may.
2. Get a good map. I like the big Michelin map. I use it with the little freebies you can often get at the hotels. I use the big map to mark up the little ones and carry those.
3. Get a good idea of the Metro routes and the bus lines with respect to where your #1 objectives are located. I prefer the bus to the Metro for several reasons, the first one being I can see where I am going.
I also suggest not trying to cram it all into one day. Paris will unfold as you go, and often sights you never knew about come up to lure you into something unexpected and interesting. I learned the hard way to leave time for the sights and sounds of Paris.
If you have your objectives prioritized, whatever the may be, or where ever they may be located, and go to see them as planned, you will not feel empty when you leave.
I have been there 4 times and still have places to see that I have not yet visited on my next trip.
So plan the biggies; let the lesser ones fall in where they may. Above all, don't rush it and enjoy it.
PS I speak about as much French as your average cat.
1. You will never see it all, so don't try to visit Paris with that objective. Instead, enjoy what you see. Prioritize, visit your #1 objectives first, and let the #2 objectives fall in where they may.
2. Get a good map. I like the big Michelin map. I use it with the little freebies you can often get at the hotels. I use the big map to mark up the little ones and carry those.
3. Get a good idea of the Metro routes and the bus lines with respect to where your #1 objectives are located. I prefer the bus to the Metro for several reasons, the first one being I can see where I am going.
I also suggest not trying to cram it all into one day. Paris will unfold as you go, and often sights you never knew about come up to lure you into something unexpected and interesting. I learned the hard way to leave time for the sights and sounds of Paris.
If you have your objectives prioritized, whatever the may be, or where ever they may be located, and go to see them as planned, you will not feel empty when you leave.
I have been there 4 times and still have places to see that I have not yet visited on my next trip.
So plan the biggies; let the lesser ones fall in where they may. Above all, don't rush it and enjoy it.
PS I speak about as much French as your average cat.
Jun 8th, 2007, 09:55 AM
#27
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My husband and I just got back from a week long trip to Paris. It was our first time. Spring/summer days are long, the sun doesn't really set until 9:30 or so. So we planned some of our sight seeing around that. We went to the Eiffel tower at 8:45 p.m. unlike what most guide books will tell you...to get there early in the morning. And stayed for the sunset and night lights. We did the same for the Arc de Triomphe.
We ended up seeing a lot of places twice..during the day and at night because the atmosphere is so different and everything is beautiful lit up at night. Have fun!!
We ended up seeing a lot of places twice..during the day and at night because the atmosphere is so different and everything is beautiful lit up at night. Have fun!!
Jun 9th, 2007, 04:27 AM
#28
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I am currently in Paris with a 4 other gals, most of whom have never spent much time (if any) here. It is wonderful to see the joy on their faces as they discover this magnificent city.
It is, as others have said, a great walking city. Other modes of transportation may get you around faster for long distances, however. The transportation system here is efficient and integrated (bus and rail). Get a good city and metro map.
The hop on, hop off bus gave the gals a good overview of the city and was relatively inexpensive: www.paris-opentour.com/en/open.htm
In a week, my lists of "musts" would be:
•Eiffel Tower: If you can, take the metro to the Trocadero and walk through the Palais de Chaillot to a glorious view of the tower. This is a great photo opportunity (high and far enough away from the tower that you can be in the foreground with the entire tower in back).
•Musee du Louvre: You can spend many days to just a few hours seeing the highlights, but it is a must see.
•Seine boat ride: many are offered, and it is not necessary to book a tour to get one. We like the one just below the Eiffel Tower. Just line up, pay your money, and you're off. I like this ride best at night when the sights are lit up, especially the Eiffel Tower, which twinkles every hour, on the hour.
•Sacre Coeur: At one of the highest points in Paris, the views are glorious. Just note, however, that you need to be at least in fairly good shape to walk up as the funicular is not working right now (found out, thankfully, from this Fodor's site). You can however, get a metro, bus, or taxi fairly close and walk the rest of the way. And if you're in good shape, no problem!
•Notre Dame and St. Chapelle: Two famous, different churches (if Notre Dame can be called just a "church"
that are located close together.
•Champs Elyssee and the Arc de Triomphe: Quite touristy, but an easy walk up from the Place de la Concorde.
I have been to Paris several times, but enjoyed being "guided" by an expert in the history and nuances of specific neighborhoods. Enjoyed the Marais I walk, but I'm sure others are also good and, again, relatively inexpensive: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pariswalking
I am not a Paris expert by any means, just a Paris lover! There are wonderful people on this forum that can answer your every question. Without them I'd be dead in the water here. Count on them for advice and directions. You name it, they can tell you!
Have a wonderful time!
It is, as others have said, a great walking city. Other modes of transportation may get you around faster for long distances, however. The transportation system here is efficient and integrated (bus and rail). Get a good city and metro map.
The hop on, hop off bus gave the gals a good overview of the city and was relatively inexpensive: www.paris-opentour.com/en/open.htm
In a week, my lists of "musts" would be:
•Eiffel Tower: If you can, take the metro to the Trocadero and walk through the Palais de Chaillot to a glorious view of the tower. This is a great photo opportunity (high and far enough away from the tower that you can be in the foreground with the entire tower in back).
•Musee du Louvre: You can spend many days to just a few hours seeing the highlights, but it is a must see.
•Seine boat ride: many are offered, and it is not necessary to book a tour to get one. We like the one just below the Eiffel Tower. Just line up, pay your money, and you're off. I like this ride best at night when the sights are lit up, especially the Eiffel Tower, which twinkles every hour, on the hour.
•Sacre Coeur: At one of the highest points in Paris, the views are glorious. Just note, however, that you need to be at least in fairly good shape to walk up as the funicular is not working right now (found out, thankfully, from this Fodor's site). You can however, get a metro, bus, or taxi fairly close and walk the rest of the way. And if you're in good shape, no problem!
•Notre Dame and St. Chapelle: Two famous, different churches (if Notre Dame can be called just a "church"
that are located close together.•Champs Elyssee and the Arc de Triomphe: Quite touristy, but an easy walk up from the Place de la Concorde.
I have been to Paris several times, but enjoyed being "guided" by an expert in the history and nuances of specific neighborhoods. Enjoyed the Marais I walk, but I'm sure others are also good and, again, relatively inexpensive: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pariswalking
I am not a Paris expert by any means, just a Paris lover! There are wonderful people on this forum that can answer your every question. Without them I'd be dead in the water here. Count on them for advice and directions. You name it, they can tell you!
Have a wonderful time!
