Paris - 5 sunny autumn days
 

We made a short visit to Paris, five days, starting from October 6th. It was like a dream.
We were in Paris several times, so we did not go now to the places and museums where the first time visitors go in the city of lights.
But I think no matter how many times you will be there, every time you will be there, you still have something to see, admire and enjoy.

As usual, we stayed at a small hotel near the Louvre. We love the area, it's nice to have short walk to Place Concorde, Place Vendome, Notre Dame, Hotel de Ville, the Louvre ..

We consider ourselves lucky that:
- The weather forecast shows rain and fog. But we had a splendid time, sun and about 25 degrees C.
- I found the Monet exhibition (thanks Fodors), I ordered tickets online and we had this wonderful possibility to see a well-organized exhibition, which includes worldwide paintings and exposed them by themes, periods, giving opportunity to make comparisons between the pictures on the same theme, etc..
- I left France on October 11 and 12 began a general strike today.

We walked near the Seine and on the Champs Elysee, among autumn red and yellow leaves in the light of the sun . We walked in asleep Marais early morning Sunday , and then in afternoon, in Marais full of tourists . We walked through St Germain de Press, with its little restaurants with tables on the street, with locals and tourists having lunch in the afternoon sun . We walked in the park near the Bercy Sports Palace, the paths among the fallen leaves and trees with golden leaves and the autumn sun.

Some museums visited:
- Museum of Decorative Arts (in the building of the Louvre, the Rue de Rivoli). Interesting, not very big, and not among the major objectives of a tourist.
- Petit Palais, which is a beautiful building and exhibits remarkable paintings and statues . Now was also a temporary exhibition of photography - Pierre and Alexandra, photos taken around the world, from countries at war time, beautiful real but artistic images.
- Museum Carnavalet, about I had a false impression, thinking it was a history museum of Paris displaying documents only. It is a great museum, in two buildings linked together, and exhibits objects, paintings, sculpture, reproduces rooms, facades of stores in different time periods. A very rich and beautiful museum. We especially liked the painting from the end of 19 century-early 20th century,like of Louise Abbema and Trouchet.
- Manufacture Gobelins - there were not many tapestries exposed here, but was an exhibition titled (not sure) "Time, Light and Fire", which included many very beautiful and ornate clocks, chandeliers, fireplaces. I did not know that this place is only used for temporary exhibitions, but we liked the exhibition we saw. The building is very beautiful, is one step from the Place de Italie.
- At the Grand Palais - Monet exhibition, which is a delight for the eyes and soul .
- We were at Sevres, where there are exposed big collections of ceramic and porcelain. Also this building is beautiful and the museum is very well organized.
- Guimet Museum, the largest museum of Oriental art in Europe. Located not far from Alma Bridge, with the reproduction of the flame of the Statue of liberty at NYC. This flame became an unofficial monument to the memory of Lady Di , as it is located above the tunnel where the accident occurred.
-We went to Compiègne (by train). It was the preferred summer residence for French monarchs, because the proximity to Compiègne Forest. Napoleon created the vast garden for his second wife, Marie-Louise. ,From 1856 on, Napoleon III and Eugénie made it off their autumn residence. We visited the royal apartments with a guide who gives us explanation about decorations and building.

Compiègne has a beautiful 16th Century Town Hall, with famous 'picantins' statuettes at the top of the tower . They strike every 15 minutes. The carvings and stone work on the town hall is fantastic, telling of many relationships and events in the history of 16th Century Compeigne.
Church of St. Jacques Compiegne, this is where Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, came to pray and she was arrested.


A restaurant where we went for its stunning decorations and the atmosphere is Le Train Bleu in the Gare de Lyon. You think you're in the most sumptuous palace hall. Decoration - statues, chandeliers, paintings on the walls evoking places where the train passed through the riviera .
The meal is good, the waiters know their job.But we enjoyed mostly about the decor there.

One evening we had dinner near our hotel (Montpensier) beside the Palais Royal, Le Grand Colbert. I think this is a very popular restaurant, not so luxurious and sophisticated as Le Grand Vefeur, but prices are more affordable than at Vefeur. The menu is rich: meat, fish, vegetables, seafood, frog legs. It is advisable to book in advance.

None of the restaurants at which we were are asking for a formal outfit, the people wear all kind of clothes all seemed to feel good.

One evening we entered famous Ladurée cafeteria on the Champs Elysee , where we had a Kir Royal in honor of the second anniversary of wedding of our son. The cakes were good, but we did not find them to be so special so I can not recommend them to anyone. People stood outside waiting for a table. For me, the cake and chocolate at Angelina are much better.

In conclusion, we had 5 beautiful days, we were totally disconnected from the daily problems.
Paris is beautiful and has infinitely places waiting to be visited!

Like usual, this forum has been very useful, I took from here a lot of good advices and info. So, I would like to thank to all you for the help in preparation of special vacations!

Thanks for bringing back memories of my favorite city in the fall!

Nice report. Like hearing about some less visited attractions. Thanks!

We must have passed you in the Marais on Sunday afternoon amongst the zillions of people that were there!

And I'm impressed by how quickly you have posted your trip report... mine is still in draft status - we returned on the 11th!

Thanks for your wonderful report. I'm going to Paris in November and am adding Compiegne to my list of places to go. How close is the Chateau to the train station? Did you need to take a cab to get there or was it close enough to walk? Was the tour in English?

That was lovely valtor! I see you went to lots of places I still have to get to like Manufacture Gobelins. I would also hope to get to Sevres one day.
Thanks for the lovely report and taking the time to do it!

I also enjoyed your report of Paris. I wish I was there right now. The Carnavalet is our favorite museum in Paris so I'm glad you mentioned it.

iowamom----I'll be watching for your report also.

Really enjoyed your report. Thanks!

Dancergirl, the Chateau in Compiegne is 10-15 minutes walk from train station. It is a nice walk, you pass near some shops and near the Town Hall. In front of the Town Hall is a beautiful garden with many flowers (but I don't think they will be there in November). Near the Chateau is also the church.

Thanks for your report. Hard to decide if Paris is more beautiful in the Spring or Fall. Both are such special times in a very special city.

Valtor, we experienced a similar dream since I was in Paris the same time as you. The weather was warmer than predicted and I didn't think I'd be eating gelato from Amorino in short sleeves! Glad to read you had a fantastic trip as well!