Paris 4 days
 

We will be arriving in Paris around 9:20 am on a Friday. We will take a taxi to our apartment in the 6th a few blocks from the Seine. Our plan is to shower then head out to find the L'open bus. Take the bus to the Effil tower, ascend if the lines aren't too bad otherwise take pics then walk over do the right bank to see the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elyees, and the Opera House. Then we will head back to walk down the Rue Cleur to shop goodies for the apartment. We will stop for lunch when we need to of course....then will go back to the 6th and find a place to eat dinner and then sleep.
2nd day....we plan to see Montparnasse Tower, the Catacombs, Pantheon, and the Luxemburg Gardens
3rd day....we will do the historic Paris walk in Rick Steeves book then go to Sacre Coeur and walk over to the Louve...not to tour, just to see it.
4th day....Notre Dame, Ile de la Cite, and Marais.
We leave on the 5th day for Italy

How does this sound?

Why take that bus to the EF. The lines will be hours. Don't go to the top with that short a trip.
Why the Champs--there are SO many more interesting things in Paris--really. Or just take the bus down the Champs to the Concorde and then go to the Opera House.
I really find your "itinerary" odd from many points of view, but it is your trip.

Gretchen gives good advice about the Champs, it's basically a shopping street and not all that interesting.

A bus might be a good idea, I haven't done that and it would seem like a good way to get an overview of the city on your first day. Is it a hop on and off type of bus?

The 1st time I saw the Eiffel was on the metro to the Tocadero. I don't know how the bus approaches it on the metro it seemed to just pop into view and it was magnificent. I'm even tempted to tell you that if you'll be in Paris at a time when the sun sets early you may want to wait until early evening.

Other than that, your plan sounds fine.

AFAIK the only L'Open Tour route that hits the ET is the green line. If so, it travels counter clockwise so would take a pretty long time to get there from your flat in the 6th. You'd catch it somewhere along the Left Bank, cross the river, meander around in the 1st, then up the Champs Élysées, to Étoile/the Arc, to the Trocadéro and across the river to the ET. You could walk to the ET faster

I personally wouldn't do L'Open Tour on such a short visit. If you had several more days, then sure -- eat one on the open top buses. But I;d rather spend the precious time you do have actually visiting places -- not gawking at them from the top of a bus.

Forget about L'Open Tour. €64 for two persons for one day.

I suggest you consult Google Maps, because some of what you're planning isn't practical,

Well I cannot imagine going to Paris and not visiting at least a couple of museums. If for some reason you can;t find anything to see in the Louvre (but there are many departments - not just painting) and the d'Orsay - then head for a couple of smaller more focused ones: Rodin or Cluny.

There are many others I wold not miss - but these two are the most important IMHO.

And IMHO those bus tours are a waste of time and money - very expensive and just prevent you from actually getting a feel for the city. Feet and Metro are much better for getting around.

You can book a ET reservation to any level in advance, but well in advance.

Sure, you can walk from the ET to the AdT, and then to the old Opera but it will literally kill you. Take the Metro; it's easy peasy.

If I were to pick one small museum, it would be the Jacquemart Andre, for the mansion itself as well as the art. EF to Opera, take a cab, telling the driver what sights you wish to pass.

LSky your post reminds me of my sister's first visit to Paris. We decided to see the Eiffel Tower the first day but not tour it. As we were taking the metro across the Seine, the lights on the tower starting blinking. The look on her face was priceless and I didn't plan it. The funny thing was only shortly before this, the same situation was an episode on the show ER.

My advice is only do the bus tour if you really want to. Many people like them to get a feel of a place where there isn't much time to see everything. I did do this on my first visit. If that's what you want to do, it's not wrong and depends on what you want to do. Definitely book Eiffel Tower tickets online before you go but not sure how you could time this if taking the bus. The Champs isn't great for shopping but walking down it can be an experience. A trip to at least one museum you might want to consider. I do not like museums but it is Paris with lots of art. The Rodin is small that wouldn't take up too much time. The metro really is easy to use so if your feet hurt don't be afraid to use it. If the things on your list are things you really want to do, then just do them. It is your trip so have fun.

sassy, we went with my SIL and she was very excited to see it. It's just... well you know :)

I'm not big on buses but if it feels right do it..

This is your trip lyn-dahm and you know what you want to do. Art museums are top on my list but Paris is full of many wonders. Just walking around getting lost is a joy in that city. So enjoy.

The best advice I can give anyone for any vacation is to go and if you need to throw away your schedule or what you feel you must do then do it. You can always come back.

Sometimes when my husband and I are thinking about a trip, it's not the expected sites we reminisce about. It's a small detail on the side of a building, an unexpected something for lunch at a place we can't remember the name or someone we met who brought joy.

We can use the L'open combo ticket with the Seine river taxi for 54 euro for 3 days. I am traveling with two 24 year old fashionistas and therefore the Champs is a must for them!!
I am unable to get tickets for the Eiffil Tower online. They were gone in minutes. If the lines are not that bad then we will probably go up. I have read that the line is never bad to walk up. We are fit and I have no propblemsWe will be there in September.
I am saving a museum for a rainy day but honestly do not want to spend hours walking around a museum. If we had more time we would go to Versailes.

I didn't think I would get so much negativity, just wanted to see if this was a doable itinerary. I want to walk Paris , sit in some cafe's, and experience Paris. I have also found in other cities the HoHo is a good way to orient yourself to the city and get some great pics, see things that you may not otherwise see when in the metro.

That's a perfect plan.

When you visit Notre Dame and the Ile de la Cite, don't miss Sainte Chappelle and the Ile de St Louis.
If you want one small museum, don't miss the Orangerie.
Not sure the Champs is the best place for a 24-year-old fashionista unless their idea of fashion is car dealerships.

Lyn,

You might consider doing one of the ‘free’ walking tours on day 1 or 2. They depart from Place St. Michel near your apartment and provide a great orientation for wayfinding, a little fun history of the City, and personal recommendations from a very friendly tour guide. It would cover a lot of the ground you are planning on yourself, and get it done efficiently.
http://www.newparistours.com/daily-t...free-tour.html

Also if you are planning to walk around the Marais or Montmarte, take a look at Paris Walks. We did two and found them both excellent. We like wandering around on our own, but also occasionally like some structure. Here’s the link for their September tours:
http://www.paris-walks.com/cariboost...20tours_20.pdf

I have to agree with the concept of using the metro or bus to supplement your walking. Even with using it, it's still easy to put on 15-20K steps daily. Here's some info; take a look at the "carnet" which is a booklet of 10 individual tickets at a discounted price.
http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/a...ro-tickets.htm

Have fun!

lyn_dahm nobody was being negative just giving their option as everyone here who answered, I am sure, has been multiple times. We all just like different things and your plan sounds great. If you have time, the fashionstas might like to visit Galeries Lafayette (with a view of Paris) and Printemps. I admit to only buying cupcakes.

Thank you all for the positive input! I really appreciate it! ��

I'm not negative, I think your itinerary sounds pretty good, and it makes sense by bunching things together. I think you did a good job, actually.

And as for the Champs-Elysees, I don't agree at all with all those remarks. It is one of the most famous streets in Paris, the center of the city, actually, and has a lot of importance in terms of history and architectural planning. I can't even imagine someone going to Paris and somehow refusing to ever see it, if they have not been there (and in fact, it would almost be impossible if you are seeing some of the highlights--you cannot visit the Arc without seeing it , for example). And some good things are right off it, like the Petit and Grand Palais, place de la Concorde, etc. It fits into your schedule fine, and if you are walking, of course you want to see the Opera, it makes sense. Sure, you aren't going to spend hours just visiting the Champs-Elysees and you never said you were, just that it fits into your schedule and is on your way. It would be like someone refusing to see 5th Ave in NY (which is also hard to do) because it is "just a shopping street", even if it just happened to be on their way between places.

I don't see anything wrong with your itinerary and I've been to Paris dozens of times over a couple decades.

As for the open air bus -- I did that one day but mainly just because it was a fine day and I wanted to relax and kind of get a sightseeing tour. I didn't do it as a main method of getting around Paris as I am familiar with Paris. It was pleasant in the 7th arr and some areas, but around the Right Bank/Madeleine and that area, the traffic was so bad that you really wasted a lot of time. I finally bailed on it towards the end as I was getting tired of that. I don't know what to recommend to you about that, for a short visit, it might not be a good idea given you have a full itinerary of things you want to see/do and so it might waste time.

But the Green Line on Open Tour is only a couple blocks from where you are, it runs along the Seine. And it doesn't exaclty run counterclockwise, it runs along the Seine to Palais Bourbon, then over the RB around the Arc and back to the ET. It wouldn't be a bad trip just to see scenery (that is the part that doesn't take too long), but it isn't the most efficient way to get to the ET from St Germain, no. But on the next part of your day, you would take it and it would go back over to the RB but near the Madeleine/Opera, not the Arc where it's already been. So you could just do that part of your plan in reverse. Upon rethinking, that might not be a bad idea after all, that is kind of nice to see those parts of Paris from the top of the bus (if the weather is good). It's sort of east of the Madeleine/Opera where I don't think it makes a lot of sense.

I am one of those who does not like the Champs Elysees. Crowded and, for me, a bit too much like an outdoor mall. I was disappointed when I went there the first time and I still avoid it. ( I do love the view of the Champs Elysees from place de la Concorde).

For me, the best shopping for the fashionista is Rue Faubourg St Honore. Designer heaven and no where near the crowds of the Champs Elysee. For good shopping without the high price tags, take a look at rue du Commerce. Also, Avenue Montaigne is designer heaven.

My absolute favorite and a must is the original Chanel boutique on rue Cambon (Close to rue Faubourg St Honore and the Madeleine church. For department store, I am partial to Le Bon Marche and always want to visit their food hall!

>>I am traveling with two 24 year old fashionistas and therefore the Champs is a must for them!! <<

There is better and just as high end (and higher end) shopping in other parts of Paris.

rather than the bus on your first night, why not get a boat along the Seine? very relaxing and extremely scenic. The Batobus allows you to hop on and off along the route - which would enable you to go and see what the queues are like at the Eiffel Tower and give you the opportunity to get off and go up if they are not too bad.

Hi

I'm one who really likes the Champs Elysees.
The view from the Arc towards Concorde and vice-versa is superb.

I never buy anything however, and I garee that you have a mix of car dealers, cinemas, pubs, high end shops (is not Vuitton there ?). Still I often make a detour to just walk a few hundreds of meters of the avenue whenever I can.

Faubourg St Honoré is not for me, quite expensive shops and mostly for women, 2 reasons to avoid it for me. Especillay if I'm with my wife :-)

Le Printemps is quite nice, the 'verriere' (glass structure) is stunning and last time we went there we bought shoes, clothes and a stroller (I had forgotten ours for that trip) and ended up eating at a Japanese restaurant at the top - quite good.

Globally I find your trip well prepared and well balanced.
I would also add at least one museum.
On top of what's been proposed, I'd stop by 'le carnavalet' if you go by it - interesting and the building in itself is enjoyable to visit.

SO Enjoy Paris !!!
Don't forget to say 'Bonjour' it makes relation easier - I'm starting to not answer when someone comes to me and fires question in quick succession in a fast english.
And I'm not even French !

Your fashionistas will love those department stores (Galleries Lafayette, Printemps, Bon Marche)...they are stunning and well worth experiencing. I will also suggest strolling down rue Passy...lots of fabulous shops and not as crowded as other areas, with something for big wallets (Franck et Fils and other smaller chic shops) and not so big wallets (H&M and Promod and even Gap). You can take the Metro to La Muette and stroll down Passy toward Trocadero and voila...you are at the Eiffel Tower!

Boulevard Faubourg Saint Honore has the best high-end shops, and is not far from the Champs-Elysees, and while you're at it, you should walk down avenue Montaigne, which is where the shops you think you'll find on the Champs-Elysees are actually located. With the exception of Louis Vuitton and maybe Abercrombie and Fitch for the eye-candy waitstaff, you'll be really disappointed in the shops on the Champs-Elysees.
Check these two streets out on Google Maps and search for clothing boutiques - you will fall out of your chair.
I love the HOHO bus - but not sure I would get out and walk as much as you plan to - I prefer to use it as a photo-op and take good shots of most of the things I might not get around to seeing.

I've only done HOHO buses in Barcelona and London, never Paris, but I will share a couple of experiences that I think could apply anywhere.

In Barcelona, we began on the bus at the beginning of the route. Got good seats on the upper deck and enjoyed the ride until we got off on Montjuich to take the cable car. When we reboarded to continue, there were no more seats on the upper deck and we had to ride inside where the visibility was very limited. Not enjoyable.

In London, half way through the route the driver pulled over, announced that it was time for his lunch break and that we should all get out and wait for the following bus. When that bus came, it was full and did not stop. We, along with many others, waited about 30 minutes during which time several more full buses passed. Most of us abandoned that stop, and we abandoned the HOHO bus for the rest of the day.

If I ever again decide to take a HOHO bus, I would only use it as a tour, staying on for a complete circuit, and not as an efficient form of transportation around a city.

when we were in Barcelona you could buy the equivalent of a Parisian "carnet" to cover a number of journeys but that doesn't seem to apply any longer:

http://www.tmb.cat/en/bitllets-i-tarifes

However, they are so cheap compared to the cost of the HOHO buses that simply buying several at a time and using the normal buses and metro might be a better bet.

I'm afraid you have a misapprehension about the Champs. This is not a fashion district - it;s a mass of cafes, car dealerships, high tech shops, foo foo drugstores, - lots of toruist places, not fashion focused etc.

Fashion is in other areas - depending on if they want the major department stors, or designer boutiques or trendier lower cost places.

I have used L'OPen tour in Paris.. and liked it.. its not to be used to get around fast, you won't.. but you will get a nice view of each neibhorhood as you pass through it.. rather then popping up and down like a gopher using the metro.. ( I like metro.. but you do miss the inbetween bits ) With L,Open tour it is worth it to pay the extra few euros for the 2 day pass as you simply can't cover all four routes in one day unless you plan on never getting off bus to look around. One other thing that is fun with the hoho in Paris is the opportunity to go around the traffic circling the Arc.. its fun..


I did not like the Hoho in London.. we felt we totally wasted money there.

I see you have the Catacombs on your list. Unless you have already purchased skip the line tickets.. you must show up at least 45 -60 minutes before it opens,, or seriously.. you will wait for hours. I have been a few times ( with various travel mates who had never been) and one time we arrived at 10.30 ( it opened at 10) and waited over 2.5 hours.. in the hot sun.

Merci beaucoup!! Very much appreciated advise!!��

Lots of good advice here to make the most of your time in Paris. I would agree about walking up the ET if you're fit enough - saves heaps of queuing time. But I personally think the best way to view the Tower is from underneath when it lights up at night. I'm not sure you need to include Montparnasse Tower too if you are already climbing ET and Arc de Triomphe? You could use that time to see the famous Lady & Unicorn tapestries at Musee Cluny before you go to the Pantheon.

Also, pre-book as many tickets as possible online before you go to save on queuing time eg if you like Monet, the Orangerie is ideal in the late afternoon and doesn't take very long to enjoy (about an hour) when you have a pre-bought ticket. I agree the free or cheap walking tours are a really good idea, much more useful than the HOHO bus! If you want an easy way to see Paris from the river, have a look at the Batobus too - lots of stops, and you can buy a ticket to use it all day.

For transportation I would recommend the metro or cabs…. I made some suggestions for your itinerary based on your time.
If you are flying in the first day and going to an apartment my guess is that you won't be ready to see the city until around 2 PM. If the weather is good I suggest you walk to the garden Luxembourg. Stop off at a monoprix and pick up some wine and supplies for a picnic and a much needed nap. After that the pantheon is not that far away. You can spend the rest of the evening exploring the Latin Quarter. Day two I would start at the Louvre and work your way towards the arc. While walking from the Louvre to Concorde stop off and check out the museum orangerie.(I think it is closed on Tuesdays). Off the north side of Concorde is a really upscale area where everyone is high-fashion. you can go in to the Ritz and have a martini at bar Hemingway. On your way up to the arc if you get tired of the shopping and walking you can hire a rickshaw to take you the rest of the way. Go to the top of the ark and then from there take the metro to rue cler. After shopping rue cler there is a nice restaurant on one of the corners "du marche" for dinner. The Eiffel Tower is right next door and in my opinion much better observed at night. After that you can hang out on the Cham du mars with a whole bunch of wine and all the college students. Watching the Eiffel tower flicker in the night. There is a nice metro station at the end of rue cler to get back to your apartment.
Day three I would do Notre Dame the Ill de cite , Marais then take a metro or cab to sacure.
That gives you an entire day to do the tower montparnes and catacombs and more exploration of Paris.
I would also suggest finding a way to see the museum Rodin. All the museums I mentioned are quick in and out. And you'll have left Paris seeing original Monets, Van Gogh and Rodin. And a bunch of others that I would have no idea who they are. Lol.
I would also suggest taking a river cruise at night the last one leaves around 10 PM. I like Vedettes du pont neuf. Their boats all have Second floor seating open to the sky. And it gets on and off pretty close to your apartment.
-stephen

For your consideration: if the Opera House interests you, there are reasonably priced guided tours in English.

Also, for killer views of the city at night, the river cruises at twilight are wonderful, seeing the Tower in its sparkling grandeur, plus Notre Dame and all in between.

http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

http://www.operadeparis.fr/en/