Paris advice
 

Our family will be in Paris for a few days in July. Sadly, we will only have two days to explore the beauty of Paris. We will be in the city on a Sunday/Monday.

I have done some research and have ideas of what we'd like to see. I've also asked my children what they would like to see to make sure they are included. I've read many itineraries and looked at many sites/books about traveling to Paris with children. Ours are in the "tween" age frame, are good walkers and interested in museums and history. They have studied Paris at school and will be keen for the two days. However, I do not want to overload the days so they are exhausted and do not remember the experience!

Two priorities are the Luxembourg Gardens and the Eiffel Tower. I've heard the gardens are beautiful. My children definitely want to tour the Eiffel Tower.

I would also like to visit Musee D'Orsay and the Louvre, although it would be brief. I know that hours could (and should) be spent in both, but this is not doable. We will just be afforded a visit to each to see a few items pre-chosen. I would like to factor 2 hours each museum, one per day. This is highly controversial on this forum, but it is something our entire family wishes: a brief glimpse is better than none.

We would also like to do the walk to see the Champs-'Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. We would also like to see the outside Notre Dame but understand a tour takes a long time.
Lastly, we would love to do a Seine River cruise. Possibly this cruise covers the sights just listed?

Our hotel is a 30 minute train ride from downtown Paris, so we will factor this into our day. Realistically we will have from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm in the city for two days. Any courageous souls want to take a stab at some suggestions of how to organize our days?

Thank you in advance.

I don't see anything wrong with spending two hours in a museum, I do it all the time. It just can be expensive that way as some Paris museums aren't cheap (ie, the Orsay and Louvre). But at least your kids won't pay.

You can't see much of any sight from a Seine cruise. You are on the river which is much below ground level. So you can see some big buildings right along the Seine, like Notre Dame, and the bridges. You should get a view of the Eiffel Tower. You certainly can't see the Champs-Elysees from the Seine, nor the Arc (if you see the top of the Arc, it's pretty far away, but I rather doubt even that). I suppose you can see the Louvre or Orsay from the Seine, I don't recall, but if you do, it won't be that impressive due to the distance and perspective and would be the top of the buildings.

Why only 10-4 if you have two days? In July it's light out till after 10pm in Paris. I can see not wanting to exhaust yourselves but you are only talking half days. When my daughters were "tweens" we did a couple days in Paris and they were able to go from 8 or 9 am till well after dark.

Another question - you say you want to "tour" the Eiffel Tower. See it from up close definitely, but to go up in means waiting on a long line in July and is just not worth it in my opinion. Total waste of half of one of your precious days. Same for the Arc de Triomphe. Do you need to climb up it, or just see it?

My suggestion would be get to the Louve first thing, spend your two hours, then walk through the Tuilleries Garden to Place de la Concord, which is the start of the Champs-Elysees. You get a great view of the Arc du Triomphe from there. Then I'd walk along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. If you still want to go up in it, and you really only have till 4pm that will fill that day.

The other day start at the D'Orsay for your two hours, walk along the Seine to Ile de la Cite and see Notre Dame. You can just walk in it without a tour. If you want to climb the tower (in my mind that is better than either the Eiffel Tower or the Arc du Triomph for a "climbing" experience) then you do have to wait in line. Then walk down Boul St Mich to Luxembourg Gardens.

If you can stay in Paris till after dinner at least one of your days, an evening cruise is wonderful.

Personally, I think the best part of Paris is walking through some of the neighborhoods, my favorite is the 5th (Latin Quarter), but the Marais and St Germain are nice too. And Montmaratre and Sacre Coeur are also wonderful. If you can stretch your time till dark each night and forgo climbing any towers you'd have time for those things.

Thank you both for your replies.
*Christina - thanks for the words on the brief museum tours. I was bracing myself for harsh words on only 2 hours in the Louvre!
Thanks also for the thoughts on the Seine cruise. I thought we'd see more sights.

*Isabel - thanks for your suggestions. I'm not sure how late the transportation runs to the area we are staying, so I thought I'd pick 4:00 as a safe bet. Plus, our Paris exursion is at the tail end of 4 days in London and then a very port-intensive 10 night Mediterranean cruise. I'm prepared for a tired family!

We just want to see the Arc de Triomphe. We don't need to climb it. I'd love to, but I hear the lines are long.

Thank you for the advice on Notre Dame. That's good to know!

If we prebook tickets to the Eiffel Tower, does it save time? Our kids have their heart set on actually going in it. I'd hate to spend half a day in line, but I wish to respect their biggest wish of the entire European vacation :)

One big wrinkle in our plans... we will be there Sunday and Monday. I understand the Musee D'Orsay is closed on Monday, so we will have to reverse the days you suggested. That would have us at Notre Dame on a Sunday... is it still possible to walk in and climb the tower?

How close are the neighborhoods to walk through? I'd love that. Our children are in French Immersion and are really looking forward to being immersed in the true French culture!

So, if we follow this suggestion:

Sunday:
Start at the D'Orsay for your two hours, walk along the Seine to Ile de la Cite and see Notre Dame. You can just walk in it without a tour. Then walk down Boul St Mich to Luxembourg Gardens.

Monday:
Get to the Louve first thing, spend your two hours, and then walk through the Tuilleries Garden to Place de la Concord, which is the start of the Champs-Elysees. You get a great view of the Arc du Triomphe from there. Then I'd walk along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower.

Unless we decide to tour Notre Dame, I think we could fit something in after the Luxembour Gardens on the Sunday? Anything suggested within walking distance? Perhaps a neighborhood to explore?

Also, I forgot to ask... which Seine River cruise is recommended and where do you find it?

Thanks :)

>>>is it still possible to walk in and climb the tower?<<

Very long lines/ In Sept/Oct when we were last there, people were sitting on the sidewalk reading books/magazines while they were waiting.

We've spent many months in Paris, and really enjoyed the Seine cruise on our Sept/Oct trip (were there this past Christmas too). Great views of Orsay & Louvre, bridges, Notre Dame, buildings along the Seine etc. I would definitely try to fit it in. It was much better than I expected. My wife took lots of great pictures from the cruise.

We stay close to the the Eiffel Tower & pass by it many times on the way to/from opther venues. Monsterous lines mid-day. Don't know about reservations. Go VERY early in the day for the best chance of minimum lines.

Stu Dudley

IMO, a Seine river cruise is a good thing. It gives you a good view of some of the monuments and after walking so much, it's nice to sit down for an hour and see the city.

Luxemborg Gardens is the best on Sunday,there is always a lot going on.

D'Orsay is much more doable than the Louvre for a short time span, although a walk through the Louvre plaza is memorable.

We loved The Eiffel Tower at night, much shorter lines and stunning when it lights up.

Notre Dame is also a must and there is some great street entertainment there. Then also walk down Rue St. Louis en Isle to Amorino---fabulous gelato and they make each cone in the shape of a flower. There is a lot of controversy between Berthillon and Amorino, after many trips to Paris we just prefer Amorino.

The Arch de Triumph is another good monument for a 1st visit, but we find The Champs just a huge, long, wide boulevard with stores you would see in N.Y. or Chicago, very uninteresting IMO.

The Marais and Place Vosges are both wonderful as is The Carnavalet museum(quite small and lovely).

An example itinerary would be:

Sunday---D'Orsay in the morning, then Luxemborg Gardens, maybe with lunch at the cafe in the park, then a walk in the St. Germain, St.Michael area, followed by a river cruise and the Eiffel Tower (again we prefer it at night, but maybe you would prefer to go during the day).

Monday---The Arch de Triumph and, if you must, walk down the Champs to The Tuilleries and the Louvre Plaza, then along the Seine to Notre Dame, down Rue St. Louis en Isle (maybe grab a burre,succre crepe at the window and a cone at Amorino) then through The Marais to Place Vosges for a bite to eat.Followed by The Carnavalet.

Again, just my suggestions of someplace to start on an itinerary. There is so much to see in Paris, whatever you do will please you.

be forewarned that the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower is very claustrophobic..if you are that way inclined

if you are counting on no lines at the Louvre because you are there early...I wouldn't count on it. That said I think oyu can see "highlights" in 2 hours, especially if (as we did) you choose what you want to see beforehand and have a plan

Very near Notre Dame is Sainte Chapelle. I still remember the slides my French teacher showed us in high school of the gorgeous stained glass windows there, and it was one of my top priorities when I first went to Paris. Very worth the visit, although you will have to wait in line at security, since Sainte Chapelle is located in the same building complex that contains the courthouse.

Nothing wrong with two hours in a museum. Just take a look at the web sites and plan where you want to go so you don't waste your time looking around at the parts you are not interested in. This is especially true at the Louvre, where some galleries are closed on certain days. You should check the schedule to make sure the things you want to see are in galleries that are open the days you want to visit. The schedule of room closures is on the web site:

http://www.louvre.fr/llv/pratique/ho...86&bmLocale=en

In the Musee d'Orsay, if you are mostly interested in the Impressionist paintings, they are on the top floor. There is an escalator at one end of the ground floor that will take you directly to the top.

The Latin Quarter is on the left bank directly across the Seine from Notre Dame. I suggest you look at some guide books to get a sense of the neighborhoods.

http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/

This is the boat tour that we like . It leaves from the Pont Neuf. We have done this both day and night.

http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/lang-pref/en/

Here's the website for the popular Bateau-Mouches boat trip that leaves from the Eiffel Tower. We've never done this one, but many people do.

You can read trip reviews on both river cruises on Trip Advisor to help make your trip.

I have to add, the one we didn't like was Bat'O bus. Yes, you can off and on at different places, but there is no commentary and it really is just a bus with people pushing to get in and out at all the stops.

If you Google Seine River cruises you can find more.

The Vedettes du Pont Neuf referenced above leaves from a spot close to Sainte Chapelle, and could easily be combined with your tour of Notre Dame and your stroll through the Latin Quarter.

On the website there is a discount coupon you can print at home to bring with you.

I'd do the Seine tour at night...bridges, buildings and Eiffel lit up. You will see the Louvre from the Seine.
For Louvre, I'd arrive first thing in the morning, entrance via Metro station.

Ditto for early morning to Eiffel.

Champs is... unimpressive IMHO. Nice views from Place de la Concorde end, and views from top of AdT, but apart from that...

As an itineray, perhaps...

Louvre/Tuileries, Champs and Arc are geographically well bunched. Add in Palais Royal time permitting. I would skip lunch on Champs, maybe just Metro to St Paul and walk over to Ile St Louis for lunch (Brasserie de L'Ile perhaps)

After lunch St Chappelle and ND. Diner...then cruise from Vedettes du Pont Neuf which is nearby. Some good dinner places on Ile St Louis also (Tastevin perhaps).

This is a FULL day...

Next day Eiffel, RER to Orsay, then walk into St Germain area. Lunch, wander...and end up at Luxembourg gardens

Another full day

We have done the Vedettes cruise several times. They have an online discount coupon, but you can also prepay online which is an even deeper discount. You don't need a set date or time for that either. You just take your printed out tickets and show them when you want to take the cruise.

I might also do my first approach to Eiffel via Trocadero metro stop on the Right Bank.Walk in between the Palais de Chaillot buildings...magical

Thank you all so much for your wonderful advice!! This is such a great forum.

I just looked online at the Eiffel Tower webpage and apparently they have a new service of prebooking tickets online over the computer. You need to state your time and date. That sounds much better than waiting in line for hours!

If we choose to do the Orsay and then walk along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower (via a glimpse of the Arc at the start of the Champs), how long a walk would we expect? It's hard to judge from the map, having never been to Paris. TY.

Agree that with so little time you don't want to waste it standing in lines if it can be avoided. Here is the website for Eiffel Tower reservations: http://ticket.toureiffel.fr/index-se...-pg1-lgen.html

Also, plan to enter the Louvre through the metro station as Michel_Paris suggested, or the Carrousel entrance (you can exit through the pyramid if you want the chance to be "inside" that).

Walk from ET to Orsay....20 minutes??

Nah...longer than that. 45 mins -1hr

Mappy.com is a good site to calculate walking times

My first time in Paris was just for 4 hours. But, it was worth all the trouble. Have been back 5 times since then and
enjoy it more each time. The last trip was in April and it was beautiful, the weather was outstanding, we did nothing but walk, enjoy and eat. Lovely, do nothing trip. In fact I'm sitting here in one of my Paris sweatshirt souviners, and loved reading about other peoples plans.

you've gotten some great advice above. I'll chime in with thoughts... I've been to Paris with kids, although mine were younger.

Here is a trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ttle-girls.cfm

quick thoughts:
=> Eiffel Tower. I agree that it feels like a lot of time to go all the way to the top. But I know my kids wouldn't feel like they went to Paris if they didn't do it. It frequently is the one thing that people ask, "Did you go up in the Eiffel Tower ?" Let them say 'yes'!

As for pre-booking tickets... I guess it is the way to go. Obviously, you are taking a risk that you've chosen the bad weather day, but since you are on such a tight schedule, I think I'd take that risk also. What about booking them at dusk - everyone says sunset is great from up there ?

=> Musee d'Orsay. I think I read somewhere that much of the 5th floor is closed due to renovation. 5th floor is where the Impressionists are, so this may actually be skip-worthy.

ftr, I'm also a fan of 'fly by' museuming with kids. I would rather leave them wanting more and interested than the death march, too. We used the Museum Pass to great success last time and will do it again.

=> Notre Dame. One of the things my kids still talk about was climbing to the top. Downside is that lines form quickly, so this would suck quite a bit of time out of your schedule. Is very cool to be up close and personal with the gargyles and chimeras though!

=> Have you thought about a bike tour ? We did one and it was great! While I understand why you may not want the afternoon one due to your tight timing, I would consider the evening one. It is not strenuous but is a wonderful way to see Paris.

=> I also echo the need to skip Champs Elysees. I would rather go to the Marais or what about a pedestrian only street for them to explore ?

=> We have eaten at Chez Francis a few times and had good meals. While there are those that don't consider it haute cuisine, with kids it is great especially if you can get a table with a window or sit outside. It is fun to see the Eiffel Tower 'twinkle' every hour. I also found them extremely kind to my kids and very accommodating. For that, I will go back. http://www.chezfrancis-restaurant.com/

You can buy Eiffel Tower tickets online before you even leave home so no waiting for tickets. I prefer the view from the top of the Arc, but kids would probably go for the tower. It was jammed up when we went there on what must have been our 15th triop to Paris! On the Arc you can walk freely about and you don;t HAVE to climb tell them you nned to use the eloevator!

Eiffel Tower tickets site

http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/uk/

I walk between the Tour Eiffel and the Musée d'Orsay nearly every time I'm in Paris. I'm a VERY fast walker and it normally takes me at least 30 minutes.

I too would skip the Champs Elysées unless it's on your route from say the Tuileries to the Arc de Triomphe.

Some other random thoughts: The Batobus is a good way to travel between areas with major attractions and also just to get around Paris above ground (buses are also great for that). The Place Beaubourg is usually full of street performers that kids love (and the Pompidou Center is a lot of fun even if you don't want to visit the museum). The Cité de Science is a bit of a métro ride, but a great place for kids who are into science - also the nearby music museum is fun. You can go paddleboating in the Bois de Boulogne. And the Conciergerie, which doesn't seem to make it on the radar screen of many visitors to Paris (even though it's included in the ticket to Sainte-Chapelle), was always one of my kids' favorite places to visit.

hi med,

some other posters are being a bit sniffy about the vedettes, but actually, they make a very good way of getting from, say, the eiffel tower to Notre Dame - used just like a bus! that's what we did when we visited on a day when everything else was on strike, and they were a life-saver.

do try to get to the top of the eifel tower too - when we took our kids, it was one of the things they liked most. that and the lunch we had in a little restaurant near Notre Dame.

have a great trip,

regards, ann

Here are our pictures from the Seine Boat cruise

http://tinyurl.com/Cruise-on-Seine

Stu Dudley

The Vedettes du Pont Neuf are a round trip cruise on the Seine. The Batobus is a point to point service like a regular bus, only on the Seine.

The Louvre is open Monday, closed Tuesday. The Musee d'Orsay is closed Monday, open Tuesday.

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. We took an English language tour which lasted about two hours and covered the most famous parts and was very interesting. The Louvre is so large that it is overwhelming on a first trip. Even with maps, it is hard to get where you want to go. The tour saves a lot time as you are not wasting time looking for those famous items. Then you can stay longer after the tour if there are still other must see items that weren't on the tour. According to the website, the tours are not available on Sundays, so you would need to see the Louvre on Monday if you were interested in a tour. If you are interested, do some research to see if you can book ahead. We booked at the Louvre after entering, but had to wait for the 2nd tour, as the lst was already booked. This is a real time saver if you only have a couple of hours to spend.

If you plan your time wisely, you will be able to see a lot of Paris in two days. That's all we had on our first trip, and we managed to see quite a lot. However, the crowds will be heavier in July - we were there in April.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful advice and encouragement!

As someone who has taken kids to Paris a couple of times, and who has taken kids on a port intensive Med cruise, my advise is to keep it simple. My kids did not want to visit a single musuem after the cruise, there is only so much culture kids some kids can handle, but wait and see. I would suggest something like visiting the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, walking through the latin quartier at night, eating crepes off the street, walking down the Seine, getting gelato at Amorino on the Ile Saint Louis and sitting in the park behind Notre Dame to eat it, the seine river cruise, and maybe a bike tour with www.fattirebiketours.com, and Montmatre is always fun. If the kids really would like a musuem, mine especially liked the Cluny. I would suggest to just wait and see. Have a great trip!

Where is it you are staying? You probably have a good reason for staying a 30 min train ride outside of Paris, but if you tell us where you are staying and why maybe we can make some suggestions. I can't think of anywhere in the region that wouldn't have a later train than 4pm. You must have your reasons, but staying more central would really enhance your experience. Paris is so lovely lit up at night it's too bad you'll miss it, plus all that time commuting.

re Notre Dame on a Sunday. It's still open they just ask you not walk around during services, but most of the day will be fine.

My photos of Paris are here: www.pbase.com/annforcier/paris

I would strongly second TPAYT's suggestion of the Musée Carnavalet, which is dedicated to the history of Paris, in the Marais. It is free, I have never had to queue and it doesn't just have paintings and sculpture but all sorts of objects of interest - including furniture, ceramics and models and reliefs - to interest children who have studied the history of Paris. There is a bookshop and the loo is downstairs. It's not far from the Place des Vosges and it is closed on Mondays.

We are staying near Disneyland Paris. We got a great deal on a hotel for booking four nights. Because there are five of us, it is always a challenge to find a big enough hotel room.
Our third day in Paris will be at DLP.

I'm sure the train goes much later. I'm just trying to plan on being back at the hotel around dinnertime in case we are tired. We'll have been traveling for over 2 weeks at this point. I'm just preparing myself for exhaustion! :)

Thanks again for all the suggestions!

hi again, med

as you are near DLP, would you consider a visit to parc asterix? the time we went, our kids loved it. loads of fun, and very french, even the food. [which is much better than at Disney, IMHO].

I'm pretty sure both the Louvre and the Orsay are closed on Monday, so you might have to just chose one of them.

Also, I think that if you are prepared to walk up the Eiffel Tower then you don't have to wait in the same line. You can't go to the very top, but I have read the views are better this way anyway.

I haven't been to Paris, yet, just doing my own research for a trip in May. :)

Two hours in a museum is more than enough with children. If they are young enough, a puppet show would be fun in the Bois de Bologne.

Orsay is closed Mondays
Louvre is closed Tuesdays

Stu Dudley

Isabel - your photos were wonderful. I think they illustrate exactly why everyone recommends that you allow time each day to just walk around and explore. Paris is just so much more than the sum of its must see sights. The street scenes in your photos show that so well, and all the little detail photos are great. I particularly enjoyed your wonderful night scenes. Will make a point to take more night time photos when I'm there next. Thanks for sharing.

I wouldn't recommend walking up the Eiffel Tower. It's crowded and cramped and will take up a LOT of your time. Sure, it's cheaper, but the views aren't any better (how could they be, unless you think a different view every ten steps is something special?).

Two hours in a museum is enough for me, too.

Stu's right about the opening/closing days.

Don't think anyone has mentioned the Jardin d'Acclimatation, which has been entertaining French children (and adults who never grew up, like me)since 1860. There is a mini train, an archery range, a miniature-golf course, a house of mirrors, pony rides and a puppet theater. There are shooting galleries, a miniature farm, cafes and restaurants, a great playground, a miniature road system for children operated by the Paris police (week days only I suspect) and the Musée en Herbe, which is an art museum for kids, etc. Rarely seem to be tourists at the Jardin. The French site - with English option - is at http://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/ and you need flash player. A real treat for the kids and another side to life in Paris. Sadly the Museum of Folk Arts, which was wonderful, has now moved from this site.

I most definitely recommend taking a guided tour of the Louvre also if you chose that museum - I had a very difficult time finding some of my personal 'must sees' and wish I had taken such a tour.