Paris day trips
Nov 2nd, 2012, 07:26 PM
#21
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All of the ideas are great...I think we'll probably do Christina or Sandy's ideas. Like them both. Thanks so much.
Coquiiot - is biking in Nov a possibility? I was guessing it'd be too cold/ icy....
Gretchen - we will definitely take day to just do the casual/ wing it day of dropping into cafes, sipping wine, people watching etc...
Justinparis - I'm looking forward to my solo day for all the reasons you mentioned... I will probably spend that day just "wandering"....I am hoping to find something close to our hotel in champ ellysees..
Thanks again to everyone. Your information is invaluable.
Coquiiot - is biking in Nov a possibility? I was guessing it'd be too cold/ icy....
Gretchen - we will definitely take day to just do the casual/ wing it day of dropping into cafes, sipping wine, people watching etc...
Justinparis - I'm looking forward to my solo day for all the reasons you mentioned... I will probably spend that day just "wandering"....I am hoping to find something close to our hotel in champ ellysees..
Thanks again to everyone. Your information is invaluable.
Nov 2nd, 2012, 08:07 PM
#23
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Hi couquelicot - I love the bike tours. I hope the weather is such that we can do it! I looked thru several of the trip reports... I have no clue how I will choose one - they all look fabulous! Given our limited time, I suppose one way to choose would be the one that's easiest to get to ....
Nov 2nd, 2012, 09:51 PM
#24
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I am also looking for mid priced dining options.... We generally like to just grab something to eat while out and about so we would not be dressed for fine dining. In a perfect world I would like a place that has the local charm - maybe off the beaten path- small good wine ... Yummy food for my husband to be able to eat local cuisines - and finally a place where I can get something healthy - steamed veggies and grilled fish, salad, etc...I know I know that going to Paris and not indulging in the fantastic food is criminal but ....that's just not how I eat! Saving my calories for wine 
Our hotel is in champ. Ellysees area and we will try to see many of the major sites so restaurant in those areas would be helpful.
Our hotel is in champ. Ellysees area and we will try to see many of the major sites so restaurant in those areas would be helpful.
Nov 3rd, 2012, 04:36 AM
#26
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Unfortunately the Champs is not the best area for just enjoying the "life" of Paris. And fortunately the transportation system allows you to be anywhere you want in a short time.
There are umpteen wonderful places to eat that will not require dressing up or busting your "diet". France has "caught up" as well.
La Florimond in the 7th is a favorite here--and of ours. It is at the Ecole Militaire metro stop. Make reservations. And making reservations for your dining is STILL the best idea so you aren't limited to just dropping into a "serviceable" cafe, but not a really memorable meal that would be possible with advance planning.
There is a bus that runs down the Champs to Pl. Concorde and then crosses the river. It is a good "sightseeing" method--and would get you to the 6th (?) easily.
As for the cafe suggestion I made--not just as a "day", but as a way for a time out--every day.
There are umpteen wonderful places to eat that will not require dressing up or busting your "diet". France has "caught up" as well.
La Florimond in the 7th is a favorite here--and of ours. It is at the Ecole Militaire metro stop. Make reservations. And making reservations for your dining is STILL the best idea so you aren't limited to just dropping into a "serviceable" cafe, but not a really memorable meal that would be possible with advance planning.
There is a bus that runs down the Champs to Pl. Concorde and then crosses the river. It is a good "sightseeing" method--and would get you to the 6th (?) easily.
As for the cafe suggestion I made--not just as a "day", but as a way for a time out--every day.
Nov 3rd, 2012, 04:36 AM
#27
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Hi swanner,
I admit I have not read all of the posts but just wanted to add that this past summer we spent 7 nights in Paris for the first time, and the only day trip we took was to Versailles. I think we arrived back in Paris around 4PM, so we also visited the Rodin Museum, which was sort of on the way back to our hotel in the 6th. We also had a delicious lunch in Versailles before heading back to Paris. You can click on my name if you wish to read my trip report & I give names & addresses of restaurants we ate at. We didn't eat at expensive places.
I admit I have not read all of the posts but just wanted to add that this past summer we spent 7 nights in Paris for the first time, and the only day trip we took was to Versailles. I think we arrived back in Paris around 4PM, so we also visited the Rodin Museum, which was sort of on the way back to our hotel in the 6th. We also had a delicious lunch in Versailles before heading back to Paris. You can click on my name if you wish to read my trip report & I give names & addresses of restaurants we ate at. We didn't eat at expensive places.
Nov 3rd, 2012, 05:48 AM
#28
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I know it's been mentioned before but I will mention it again, that if you want to do a bike riding tour, then FrenchMysticTours is your guy for it.
You say that you'd love a bike tour if it were warmer, but if the weather when you're there isn't too cold (dress in light layers), check with him - he most likely could come up with a solution for you. His tours are very interesting and will show you a side of France you might not otherwise see.
You say that you'd love a bike tour if it were warmer, but if the weather when you're there isn't too cold (dress in light layers), check with him - he most likely could come up with a solution for you. His tours are very interesting and will show you a side of France you might not otherwise see.
Nov 3rd, 2012, 06:42 AM
#29
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Hi again. Thanks Gretchen . We will try that place you recommended and yes agree w your daily cafe idea. That was our plan for a portion of ea day... Unplanned mindless wandering and impromptu kind of stuff too.
Koo - thx for your post. I will def read your trip report.
Matthieu - yes we have the bike tour as our biggest priority after some of the Paris must do's like Eiffel tower, Louvre, Sienese riverboat ride, etc....
Anybody have any opinion of the Champagne Houses? Thumbs up or thumbs down given our limited time is it something worthy of fitting into our schedule?
Koo - thx for your post. I will def read your trip report.
Matthieu - yes we have the bike tour as our biggest priority after some of the Paris must do's like Eiffel tower, Louvre, Sienese riverboat ride, etc....
Anybody have any opinion of the Champagne Houses? Thumbs up or thumbs down given our limited time is it something worthy of fitting into our schedule?
Nov 3rd, 2012, 07:04 AM
#30
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Gretchen- you got me thinking maybe we so switch hotel locations. We can stay at any marriot or renaissance in Paris. Does anyone have a better suggestion?
Also we plan to do the siene sunset / evening river boat tour. Any suggestion on which one is best?
Also we plan to do the siene sunset / evening river boat tour. Any suggestion on which one is best?
Nov 3rd, 2012, 08:12 AM
#32
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Thumbs up for the Champagne tours, Swanner.
It's an easy 45 minute train ride from Paris to Reims, a 10 minute walk from the train station in Reims to the town central square, and lots of Champagne houses to visit (you'll pick one or two I imagine - look them up online).
You'll even have time for a nice lunch and stroll in Reims if you want to, and can be back in Paris in another 45 minutes. There are lots of daily trains in both directions.
Having done it twice myself very recently, I'd recommend this trip. Click on my name for more details on other similar threads.
It's an easy 45 minute train ride from Paris to Reims, a 10 minute walk from the train station in Reims to the town central square, and lots of Champagne houses to visit (you'll pick one or two I imagine - look them up online).
You'll even have time for a nice lunch and stroll in Reims if you want to, and can be back in Paris in another 45 minutes. There are lots of daily trains in both directions.
Having done it twice myself very recently, I'd recommend this trip. Click on my name for more details on other similar threads.
Nov 3rd, 2012, 12:47 PM
#36
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So far we've narrowed it down to something like this:
Day 1- me doing reim champagne houses solo. Husband arrives in time for dinner - will do restaurant recommended by gretchen la florimond
Day 2 - Paris all day ... Just wandering and hitting a few sites - louvre Norte dame etc....
Day 3 - Versailles ( or maybe chantille) the Siene River boat ride at night to see Eiffel Tower etc at night
Day 4 - bike ride ( maybe fountaineblae bike tour - not sure yet - awaiting advise from French mystic tours as to which tour
Day 5 Paris wandering/sight seeing
Day 6 Paris wandering/ sight seeing
Day 3 is the questionable one- do we stay in Paris or take a day trip and if so, where? Also day 1 - still need to work out if that's what I want to do.
Thoughts on the plan? Given our brief visit is this a good "first visit" itinerary?
Day 1- me doing reim champagne houses solo. Husband arrives in time for dinner - will do restaurant recommended by gretchen la florimond
Day 2 - Paris all day ... Just wandering and hitting a few sites - louvre Norte dame etc....
Day 3 - Versailles ( or maybe chantille) the Siene River boat ride at night to see Eiffel Tower etc at night
Day 4 - bike ride ( maybe fountaineblae bike tour - not sure yet - awaiting advise from French mystic tours as to which tour
Day 5 Paris wandering/sight seeing
Day 6 Paris wandering/ sight seeing
Day 3 is the questionable one- do we stay in Paris or take a day trip and if so, where? Also day 1 - still need to work out if that's what I want to do.
Thoughts on the plan? Given our brief visit is this a good "first visit" itinerary?
Nov 3rd, 2012, 01:17 PM
#37
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Are you ARRIVING on day 1? If so, it will never work. AND if your husband is arriving from the US that evening, he will not particularly want a very nice lingering meal--IMO.
For a first visit, you are spending a lot of time outside of Paris, IMO. I honestly don't think you have given enough thought to "seeing" Paris.
Are you only seeing one museum--the Louvre? If so, I could suggest a different "one" museum to see.
I know you say you love to "wander", but wandering with a purpose in Paris is SO rewarding.
If you get the DK Eyewitness Guide to Paris, it is arranged so that you see what is in an "area" and can be sort of linked together.
For example, I would hope you are seeing St. Chapelle--and maybe even going to a concert at night there for another nice experience.
People always talk about unstructured visits as being SO good. Overplanning is one thing--but underplanning is something else again, and may be regretted.
If you're going to leave to see a chateau, make it the big one-Versailles.
One thing you haven't mentioned, and the ONE big thing I love wandering around is the street markets--even though I'm not cooking. They are not to be missed.
For a first visit, you are spending a lot of time outside of Paris, IMO. I honestly don't think you have given enough thought to "seeing" Paris.
Are you only seeing one museum--the Louvre? If so, I could suggest a different "one" museum to see.
I know you say you love to "wander", but wandering with a purpose in Paris is SO rewarding.
If you get the DK Eyewitness Guide to Paris, it is arranged so that you see what is in an "area" and can be sort of linked together.
For example, I would hope you are seeing St. Chapelle--and maybe even going to a concert at night there for another nice experience.
People always talk about unstructured visits as being SO good. Overplanning is one thing--but underplanning is something else again, and may be regretted.
If you're going to leave to see a chateau, make it the big one-Versailles.
One thing you haven't mentioned, and the ONE big thing I love wandering around is the street markets--even though I'm not cooking. They are not to be missed.
Nov 3rd, 2012, 01:30 PM
#39
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What Gretchen said:
First day won't work. At all.
Too much time outside of Paris. One day trip is sufficient for a week's trip, two at the very most. You're going to Paris for the first time. See Paris.
Many things you mention are weather-dependent. Lining up outdoor activities on specific days ahead of time often doesn't work.
Wandering is fine if you have destinations. You haven't even mentioned many of the major ones most folks go to Paris to wander to.
First day won't work. At all.
Too much time outside of Paris. One day trip is sufficient for a week's trip, two at the very most. You're going to Paris for the first time. See Paris.
Many things you mention are weather-dependent. Lining up outdoor activities on specific days ahead of time often doesn't work.
Wandering is fine if you have destinations. You haven't even mentioned many of the major ones most folks go to Paris to wander to.
Nov 3rd, 2012, 01:46 PM
#40
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Ok guys thanks . I was probably a little too brief in my agenda cuz you are talking to the most planned over organized woman you've ever met. I guess I was attempting to be a bit looser because I'm notorious for being over planned . So on the Paris days when I said wandering and sites I will have an itinerary of things we will do that day. I just didn't call them out here but it will be all the biggies plus a few " off the beaten " path items. I have several guide books I will use to develop the in Paris days. My husband is coming from Poland not the US so a dinner on night one is feasible I believe. I agree with the advise on my solo day - I will be too tired so will just stay in Paris.
The bike tour sounds awesome to us so that will be our one definite day trip and Versailles will be a maybe day trip - will decide once we get there if we do another day in Paris or go to Versailles .
I'm still waiting to hear back if anyone knows of Renaissance Paris Le Parc is a good area for us to stay in.
The bike tour sounds awesome to us so that will be our one definite day trip and Versailles will be a maybe day trip - will decide once we get there if we do another day in Paris or go to Versailles .
I'm still waiting to hear back if anyone knows of Renaissance Paris Le Parc is a good area for us to stay in.
