"Paris? Again?" And an odd pickpocketing
Apr 26th, 2017, 09:25 PM
#44
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The neighborhood has become our "home away from home".....we love it also. Wo, I was concerned about you riding that bike all the way back.....really glad you are okay and didn't fall...
Reading all this makes me wish we were still at the table having a great time.
Reading all this makes me wish we were still at the table having a great time.
Apr 27th, 2017, 04:36 AM
#45
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Just to clarify about the Navigo Card for any newbies...
It's really not a 1-week pass that you load onto your Navigo Card...it's a Monday-to-Sunday pass.
When we are in Paris, we ride the bus, metro, RER and local trains a lot, so, for us, it's a good deal even if we can only take advantage of it for four days, if one of those days is an airport day.
The convenience factor alone is attractive to us, even if we don't quite reach the break-even point compared to a carnet.
And we always take the Express RER trains to the city, not the local. Even if we have to wait to depart from CDG, it arrives center city only 3 minutes later. It's a much more relaxed ride.
ssander
It's really not a 1-week pass that you load onto your Navigo Card...it's a Monday-to-Sunday pass.
When we are in Paris, we ride the bus, metro, RER and local trains a lot, so, for us, it's a good deal even if we can only take advantage of it for four days, if one of those days is an airport day.
The convenience factor alone is attractive to us, even if we don't quite reach the break-even point compared to a carnet.
And we always take the Express RER trains to the city, not the local. Even if we have to wait to depart from CDG, it arrives center city only 3 minutes later. It's a much more relaxed ride.
ssander
Apr 27th, 2017, 09:16 AM
#46
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I did mention the dates <They are good from Monday morning to Sunday night. The last day to purchase for the week is Thursday. So you need to see if it works for your dates.>
But clarification is always good.
But clarification is always good.
Apr 27th, 2017, 09:19 AM
#47
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We left on Thursday and hopped in the taxi (at a taxi stand) and left at 11:15AM. Our driver who apparently was training for Le Mans dropped us at CDG 25 minutes later. I would not have thought that possible at that time of day. And then it took an hour and 1/2 to get through passport control. Allow enough time!! The rest was easy.
It was a wonderful time in Paris. But I have never not had a wonderful time in Paris and am looking forward to the next adventure.
It was a wonderful time in Paris. But I have never not had a wonderful time in Paris and am looking forward to the next adventure.
Apr 27th, 2017, 10:44 AM
#48
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gomiki--could you see if people in the ticket line for Vermeer exhibition were using the Paris Museum Pass? We always get these passes (regardless of whether they turn out to be a moneysaver)when in Paris (again). So I was wondering if it is OK to just make a reservation for the exhibition.
Apr 27th, 2017, 11:49 AM
#50
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SAB, I couldn't tell about the Museum Pass. But you have to make a reservation for a timed entry to the exhibition. And that includes the entry to the Louvre. So the Museum Pass wouldn't be helpful if you want to see the Vermeer.
If you want the audio guide it must be picked up on the second floor before entry. We didn't know that. And certainly did not want to stand in line again.
If you want the audio guide it must be picked up on the second floor before entry. We didn't know that. And certainly did not want to stand in line again.
Apr 27th, 2017, 01:14 PM
#51
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Thanks, gomiki. I just hate the idea of paying to enter the Louvre for the Vermeer exhibition when the museum pass covers the cost of entry, especially since the exhibition is not really a separate charge. Thanks for the tip about the audio guide, however I have never been a big fan of audio guides in museums but then I was an art history major!
Apr 27th, 2017, 07:16 PM
#52
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Hi SAB,
if your Museum Pass covers the entrance fee for Louvre, then it covers all exhibitions inside Louvre, including Vermeer. However, for Vermeer and Valentin exclusively, you need to reserve a specific time-slot to enter, either on internet or on spot, but better on internet in advance. It's not a separated payment. Hope it's clear.
if your Museum Pass covers the entrance fee for Louvre, then it covers all exhibitions inside Louvre, including Vermeer. However, for Vermeer and Valentin exclusively, you need to reserve a specific time-slot to enter, either on internet or on spot, but better on internet in advance. It's not a separated payment. Hope it's clear.
Apr 28th, 2017, 06:25 AM
#53
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FuryFluffy, thank you! I didn't realize that. Good info.
amyb, are you the Amy who has traveled to many museums to see all the Vermeers? If so, I love your reports. I thought the Vermeer, Valentin and the Leiden Collection exhibitions were excellent. As you read we didn't have the audio guide but the information posted was very good and informative. The layout was good and of course the art is wonderful.
Have a wonderful time in Paris! I hope you do a report.
amyb, are you the Amy who has traveled to many museums to see all the Vermeers? If so, I love your reports. I thought the Vermeer, Valentin and the Leiden Collection exhibitions were excellent. As you read we didn't have the audio guide but the information posted was very good and informative. The layout was good and of course the art is wonderful.
Have a wonderful time in Paris! I hope you do a report.
Apr 28th, 2017, 07:16 AM
#54
Yes, that's me gomiki! Thank you for the update. I have already bought the catalog and have read the preface to prepare, but am trying not to look at what else is included in the exhibition before I go, I want to be somewhat surprised. So glad you enjoyed all three! I fell hard for Valentin when I saw him at the Met, so I'm really anxious to see that again too! This will be the first time I've gone to the Louvre specifically for exhibitions, so I'm glad to hear you thought the info and navigation were good!
Apr 28th, 2017, 07:58 AM
#57
SAB I only have one in England and the one in Frankfurt (which I think is one in the exhibition) left although my "rules" are to see them in their home locations, so that won't count! And it crushes me as a native Bostonian that I never got to see the Gardner Vermeer before the art heist in 1997...hopefully we'll see that returned someday.
Apr 28th, 2017, 07:59 AM
#58
I will do a report, gomiki. As it's been 7 years since I've been to Paris, I've enjoyed getting reacquainted with it through your report here. Thank you for sharing! I have 9 exhibitions planned for the week, so hopefully I won't overload!
Apr 28th, 2017, 09:02 AM
#60
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Amyb, I am another reader who loved your art-centric trip reports and you really sparked my interest in Vermeer.
Was it your sister who was an art-lover as well, or perhaps I'm confusing different posters?
Was it your sister who was an art-lover as well, or perhaps I'm confusing different posters?
