antbry

Going to Paris in April - staying at Hotel de castiglione - any comments on hotel? Also, after reading on Paris, there seems so much to see and do? any tips on where to go and what to see - please help
4 adults - ages 50-65

Scarlett

We looked in the lobby one year when in Paris, a friend had said that Club ABC tours used the Castiglione. It is a very nice hotel (at least the lobby) the staff was very friendly and the location is excellent.
Best answer for where to go and what to see is read everything you can about Paris and pick out what interests you. Read all the posts here and get some really good guide books.

Mikex

you might also try searching under paris trip reports. there are several trip reports there that cover the gaumet.

DonTopaz

Keep your goals simple. You can't possibly see everything you'll want to, so choose just a few things, and be sure to leave yourself extra time for unplanned or spur-of-the-moment things to do. For example, you might find that you enjoy just strolling and exploring the streets, stopping for a coffee and a little pastry whenever your feet get tired.

Assume that your first trip to Paris is both to have fun and to collect information for your next trip to Paris.

suze

I have never done this but often seen recommended -- take one of the narrated bus tours of the city when you first arrive. This way you can quickly cover alot of ground/sites and have an idea of the lay of the land and the various neighborhoods.

Personally my first/only Paris trip, we saw the Eiffle Tour, walked the Champes Ellese, went thru the Tuilleries and Luxembourg gardens, walked both sides of the Seine... and spend aLOT of time sitting in outdoor cafes drinking wine!!

(please pardon my terrible french misspellings)

NYGirl

Suze,
your French spelling can't be any worse than my French speaking
I would make a list of all the things I have always wanted to see in Paris, and work out a plan to see each of them each day. And walk everywhere that you can. While walking from one museum or whatever you wish to the next, you will see Paris too. Which is the best sight of all!
Take a bateau mouche.
Go to Sacre Coure and climb to the top of the stairs and look out over Paris.
Lists!!make lots of lists!

krpp75

Regarding the hotel, I've stayed at the De Castiglione a few times. It is a lovely little hotel in a wonderful area, the staff is very nice, the buffet breakfast is great (terrific coffee)the rooms are clean, (a little on the small side) and I would go back there in a minute.

nancy

I would like to recommend that you get the Streetwise Paris map (Borders Books or any other) - I used it almost exclusively for my month in Paris. It shows all the metro stops, museums, streets, etc. Also, Access Paris is great for seeing what is in each arrondissement. Rick Steves' Paris and Steinbickers' Day Trips have good city walks. Try not to miss the Rodin and Cluny museums - two favorites. If you'd like my daily diary of my stay, please e-mail me at [email protected] Have a wonderful time; I can't imagine you won't.

Beatchick

Oooh, Nancy, I LOOOOOOVE the Streetwise Paris map. Not only does it tell you where practically everything is, it shows you what everything looks like: bridges, square, parks, churches, etc.. Plus it has that laminated feel to it.

klondike

I didn't catch how long you would have in Paris, nor what your interests were.

With four adults, it would be best if everyone made their own list of top 10 sites/things they want to do and in which arrondissement (city districts)they are located. Then get together and see what you can do to make sure everyone gets what they expect out of the trip.

You could see the "common interests" together and then branch off separately for those "special interests".

My personal favorites are the Musee d'Orsay, the Sainte Chapelle, Luxembourg Gardens (in good weather)Cluny Museum, walk along the Seine across Pont Alexandre III (after the three "biggies" : Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel tower) And I'm a sucker for the night seine cruise which leave from Pont Neuf everytime I go. Great when the feet are too tired to go on.

It is also helpful to do a variety of interests each day. Too many churches, or musueums or parcs in the same day all start to blend together.

Bon voyage!

elaine

Hi
I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me.
[email protected]

You will still need a good general guidebook (Fodor's is one). Also, look elsewhere here on Fodors.com
there is a lot of free Paris info.
good luck

Kay

I would definitely take a guided bus tour of the city to get a feel for where things are and to see how beautiful the city is, in one shot. And as efficient as the Metro is, taking the bus gives you views of the city and I am told people are more apt to talk to you on the bus ... don't know why that is. My favourite places are the Musee d'Orsay because of the way the daylight reflects on the Impressionist art, and I like to just sit in the Tuilerie gardens by the fountain and think how lucky I am to be there. May you get "hooked" on Paris like the rest of us. Have a wonderful trip, all of you. Kay