Paris in Late August/Early September
Jul 14th, 2015, 07:00 AM
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Paris in Late August/Early September
Hello to all.
Husband and I will be in Paris the last two weeks of August and first week of September. Is there any reason to hope that the summer crowds might start to diminish a bit by late August/early September? I'm wondering for example if there would be any benefit to saving a trip to Versailles til late in our visit. Or is Versailles always crazy crowded?
Also, since we'll have three weeks, any recommendations for perhaps lesser known museums or other spots we should visit? We both enjoy art and history.
Thanks in advance!
Husband and I will be in Paris the last two weeks of August and first week of September. Is there any reason to hope that the summer crowds might start to diminish a bit by late August/early September? I'm wondering for example if there would be any benefit to saving a trip to Versailles til late in our visit. Or is Versailles always crazy crowded?
Also, since we'll have three weeks, any recommendations for perhaps lesser known museums or other spots we should visit? We both enjoy art and history.
Thanks in advance!
Jul 14th, 2015, 07:08 AM
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The end of your trip MIGHT be slightly less crowded since I think european kids are back in school - as are almost all kids from the US.
There are a million places to visit beyond the usual 8 to 10 major spots most tourists see. I would start with a Michelin green guide which has wonderful and detailed information on a host of sights - including about how long you should allow for a visit.
Cluny Museum is one most people don;t get to which we love - has the famed Unicorn Tapestries as well as many other medieval relics.
I would also consider a couple of other short day trips, including Chartres and Reims.
There are a million places to visit beyond the usual 8 to 10 major spots most tourists see. I would start with a Michelin green guide which has wonderful and detailed information on a host of sights - including about how long you should allow for a visit.
Cluny Museum is one most people don;t get to which we love - has the famed Unicorn Tapestries as well as many other medieval relics.
I would also consider a couple of other short day trips, including Chartres and Reims.
Jul 14th, 2015, 07:29 AM
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The Cluny is wonderful. Don't know if the Unicorn tapestries are still on tour.
Using the Green Guide you could go to the Louvre several times and see different areas. The Orsay also--art, furniture, good dining room.
With that much time are you going to Normandy? Provence? If so you might put your "Normandy" trip at the beginning, stopping in giverney en route and perhaps seeing Versailles at the end before returning to Orly with the car (or the train from Versailles. Then some time in Paris. Put Provence at the end of your trip and return directly to CDG.
These are suggestions just to consolidate your time and not checking ina nd out of hotels.
Using the Green Guide you could go to the Louvre several times and see different areas. The Orsay also--art, furniture, good dining room.
With that much time are you going to Normandy? Provence? If so you might put your "Normandy" trip at the beginning, stopping in giverney en route and perhaps seeing Versailles at the end before returning to Orly with the car (or the train from Versailles. Then some time in Paris. Put Provence at the end of your trip and return directly to CDG.
These are suggestions just to consolidate your time and not checking ina nd out of hotels.
Jul 14th, 2015, 07:35 AM
#4
My 2 favorite small Paris Museums are:
The Marmottan (excellent selection of Monet paintings)
The Carnavalet (interesting art in a beautiful building with a photographic courtyard & garden)
With 3 weeks I'd also do some out of Paris by train quick day trips---besides Versailles. It's easier than you would think.
The Marmottan (excellent selection of Monet paintings)
The Carnavalet (interesting art in a beautiful building with a photographic courtyard & garden)
With 3 weeks I'd also do some out of Paris by train quick day trips---besides Versailles. It's easier than you would think.
Jul 14th, 2015, 07:55 AM
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Thanks for the advice! The Cluny is on my must see list. Haven't gotten there on my two previous (short) trips to Paris.
TPayt -- the Marmottan and Carnevalet both look outstanding.
We are planning some day trips by train besides Versailles -- I think we've settled on Chartres, Mt St. Michel and Strasbourg (stay overnight there), but open to suggestions.
TPayt -- the Marmottan and Carnevalet both look outstanding.
We are planning some day trips by train besides Versailles -- I think we've settled on Chartres, Mt St. Michel and Strasbourg (stay overnight there), but open to suggestions.
Jul 14th, 2015, 07:56 AM
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+1 on TPAYT, and I've yet to see Cluny.
Saw it several times from outside but outside opening hours too.
Early september WILL definitely be a little bit less crowded, but of course don't go on a week-end.
Saw it several times from outside but outside opening hours too.
Early september WILL definitely be a little bit less crowded, but of course don't go on a week-end.
Jul 15th, 2015, 12:22 AM
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The Unicorn Tapestries have been back in the Cluny for several months now.
There's a whole room dedicated to just these tapestries, which is up a fairly long flight of stairs. Good to know for anyone who has mobility issues. In fact, the Cluny has lots of little "ups and downs", and isn't the easiest to negotiate, but still worth it for anyone who doesn't have joint problems.
There's a whole room dedicated to just these tapestries, which is up a fairly long flight of stairs. Good to know for anyone who has mobility issues. In fact, the Cluny has lots of little "ups and downs", and isn't the easiest to negotiate, but still worth it for anyone who doesn't have joint problems.
Jul 15th, 2015, 01:29 AM
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We like:
Carnavalet - previously mentioned - we always drop in when we visit Paris.
Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris - small but really good art museum with an excellent collection from the first half of the 20th c.
http://www.mam.paris.fr/
Basilica of St Denis - Incredibly mystical cathedral with the tombs of many French kings back to Clovis (5th century); this is arguably the very first Gothic church in Europe. Because it's never crowded and has an interior bathed in natural light, in some ways (IMHO) it's a better experience than Notre Dame.
http://saint-denis.monuments-nationaux.fr/
SS
Carnavalet - previously mentioned - we always drop in when we visit Paris.
Musée d’Art moderne de la Ville de Paris - small but really good art museum with an excellent collection from the first half of the 20th c.
http://www.mam.paris.fr/
Basilica of St Denis - Incredibly mystical cathedral with the tombs of many French kings back to Clovis (5th century); this is arguably the very first Gothic church in Europe. Because it's never crowded and has an interior bathed in natural light, in some ways (IMHO) it's a better experience than Notre Dame.
http://saint-denis.monuments-nationaux.fr/
SS
Jul 15th, 2015, 03:20 AM
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The only thing you have to be concerned about at this time is the Rentrée, the time when vast numbers of French people return from vacation at the last possible minute to get their kids into school.
It isn't the end of Western Civilization, as you might think from the French news, but there are often epic traffic jams on the highways and trains may be unpleasantly full.
If I were doing excursions outside Paris, I would try to do them before or after this weekend. The date itself this year is September 1, I believe.
It isn't the end of Western Civilization, as you might think from the French news, but there are often epic traffic jams on the highways and trains may be unpleasantly full.
If I were doing excursions outside Paris, I would try to do them before or after this weekend. The date itself this year is September 1, I believe.
Jul 15th, 2015, 04:38 AM
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I would do MSM as more than a day trip--combine with a small tour of Normandy.
The Carnavalet is the museum of the city of Paris. Hence its art and artifacts are all connected to the history of Paris. I love it.
The Marmottan is an Impressionist museum, with wonderful Monets and usually has an addtitional exhibit of an artist. And of course, the Orangerie.
The Carnavalet is the museum of the city of Paris. Hence its art and artifacts are all connected to the history of Paris. I love it.
The Marmottan is an Impressionist museum, with wonderful Monets and usually has an addtitional exhibit of an artist. And of course, the Orangerie.
Jul 15th, 2015, 02:47 PM
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Some suggestions for Paris:
1. Take a tour of the Palais Garnier or Opera House
2. Petit Palais
3. Musee Marmaton for more Impressionist art
4. Musee Jacquemart-Andre, one of my favorites. And, have lunch there.
5. Walk down the market street, Rue Mouffetard on a Sunday and join in on the singing and dancing at it's southern end. Fun!
6. Go to the roof of the Institut du Monde Arabe for gorgeous views of the Seine.
7. Visit the Grande Mosquee de Paris, enjoy their lovely gardens and then go down the street and around the corner to enjoy tea and a sweet at their courtyard garden restaurant.
8. Stroll Les Jardin de Bagatelles.
9. Musee Rodin and especially the gardens.
10. Visit Galleries Lafayette and marvel at it's stained glass dome. Then go up to their rooftop deck for the view.
11. Stroll the gorgeous Pere-Lachaise cemetery.
12. Stroll the banks of the Canal St. Martin.
13. Chateau de Vincennes.
I could go on and on. But, I'll let others chime in with their suggestions.
1. Take a tour of the Palais Garnier or Opera House
2. Petit Palais
3. Musee Marmaton for more Impressionist art
4. Musee Jacquemart-Andre, one of my favorites. And, have lunch there.
5. Walk down the market street, Rue Mouffetard on a Sunday and join in on the singing and dancing at it's southern end. Fun!
6. Go to the roof of the Institut du Monde Arabe for gorgeous views of the Seine.
7. Visit the Grande Mosquee de Paris, enjoy their lovely gardens and then go down the street and around the corner to enjoy tea and a sweet at their courtyard garden restaurant.
8. Stroll Les Jardin de Bagatelles.
9. Musee Rodin and especially the gardens.
10. Visit Galleries Lafayette and marvel at it's stained glass dome. Then go up to their rooftop deck for the view.
11. Stroll the gorgeous Pere-Lachaise cemetery.
12. Stroll the banks of the Canal St. Martin.
13. Chateau de Vincennes.
I could go on and on. But, I'll let others chime in with their suggestions.
Jul 16th, 2015, 02:46 AM
#12
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Dee-Dee, that's a nice list, but if I were recommending a Sunday market, it would be Richard Lenoir, hands down. Huge variety of stalls and a huge variety of people!
The Moufffetard is open several other days if the week if you want to see the kind of market where stalls mainly front permanent shops, though the Rue Cler (infamous here) and the Rue Daguerre and many other places are similar.
The Sunday Bio market on Boulevard Raspail is all organic and very interesting, though you may need an armored car to carry enough cash to buy anything.
There are also enclosed markets like Rouges Enfants and Aligre that are open [almost?] every day.
The Moufffetard is open several other days if the week if you want to see the kind of market where stalls mainly front permanent shops, though the Rue Cler (infamous here) and the Rue Daguerre and many other places are similar.
The Sunday Bio market on Boulevard Raspail is all organic and very interesting, though you may need an armored car to carry enough cash to buy anything.
There are also enclosed markets like Rouges Enfants and Aligre that are open [almost?] every day.
Jul 16th, 2015, 03:03 AM
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I'll be eating at l'Institut du Monde Arabe next week (week after).
Mostly for the view, but a friend of mine told me the food is excellent (Lebanese) so hope it turns out ok.
Eating at Montparnasse Tower is also quite fun, and I still have to go to Georges or Kong - been told food was bof but view waw. I've been for a glass of wine at Melia Hotel at La Defense, the view is nice too and there is a balcony.
The interesting thing is that it can be during the evenings...
Mostly for the view, but a friend of mine told me the food is excellent (Lebanese) so hope it turns out ok.
Eating at Montparnasse Tower is also quite fun, and I still have to go to Georges or Kong - been told food was bof but view waw. I've been for a glass of wine at Melia Hotel at La Defense, the view is nice too and there is a balcony.
The interesting thing is that it can be during the evenings...
Jul 16th, 2015, 03:50 AM
#14
So many good suggestions and an a tour of the Opera Garnier is one of the best things we've done in Paris. We booked an English tour ahead of time.
The opera house is beautiful & fascinating. You can tour it on your own but the tour really adds so much interesting info.
We usually don't do organized tours and MDH complained all the way over there only too agree that it was excellent.
The opera house is beautiful & fascinating. You can tour it on your own but the tour really adds so much interesting info.
We usually don't do organized tours and MDH complained all the way over there only too agree that it was excellent.
Jul 16th, 2015, 02:11 PM
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Ackislander, I wholeheartedly agree with you about the Richard Lenoir market. It is my favorite too! I was just suggesting Sunday on Mouffetard more for its vibe and specifically the singing and dancing. I had great fun there trying to sing along and watching the locals dance. A nice gentleman even invited me to dance! I had too much respect for his toes to take him up on his offer.
Jul 16th, 2015, 02:31 PM
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Thanks so much for all the suggestions! We may need to stay more than 3 weeks to do them all (I wish).
Certainly will be checking out the markets. I heard about the singing on Sunday at Mouffetard. Had not heard of Richard Lenoir, but looks wonderful.
May have to check in with a trip report!
Certainly will be checking out the markets. I heard about the singing on Sunday at Mouffetard. Had not heard of Richard Lenoir, but looks wonderful.
May have to check in with a trip report!
Jul 18th, 2015, 03:55 AM
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trigtrig - I was in Paris for 2 weeks last August (my 11th time in Paris) and didn't take a day trip out of the city. I didn't see or do everything on my list. You'll have plenty to do for 3 weeks and wonder how the time flew by. Enjoy!
