Paris - input requested on 5-day itinerary for first-timers
Jun 29th, 2014, 09:20 AM
#21
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The Cluny and Pantheon are just two completely different things, so you have to decide which you are interested in -- Medieval art or the resting place of some historical figures. If you aren't interested in those persons in there (I was as I'm a Voltaire fan), I would choose the Cluny. On the other hand, you can see some Medieval art in the Louvre, anyway.
Three major museums in one day sounds literally like torture to me, and I like art and museums. I also can't spend more than 3 hours in one, which is why 3 in one day sounds horrific. I never go to two in one day, if they are both major art museums. I just don't enjoy that kind of thing, just cramming stuff in because you think you must go there.
The only thing that sounds bad to me is that Friday, otherwise looks good. The Eiffel Tower thing is really not to see the Eiffel tower itself (as you can't when you are in it), so if it is lit or not is really irrelevant in terms of why you go up in it. It's how you want to view the city from it, day or night.
Three major museums in one day sounds literally like torture to me, and I like art and museums. I also can't spend more than 3 hours in one, which is why 3 in one day sounds horrific. I never go to two in one day, if they are both major art museums. I just don't enjoy that kind of thing, just cramming stuff in because you think you must go there.
The only thing that sounds bad to me is that Friday, otherwise looks good. The Eiffel Tower thing is really not to see the Eiffel tower itself (as you can't when you are in it), so if it is lit or not is really irrelevant in terms of why you go up in it. It's how you want to view the city from it, day or night.
Jun 29th, 2014, 09:40 AM
#22
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the suggestion about mapping out the Louvre -- will do this next.
I suggest strongly getting the Michelin Green Guide to Paris and using it to choose your "wings". AND have a backup plan because some are not open when you get there.
As for Cluny and Pantheon being different, well, yeah. But for the overall impact, I'd still take the Cluny, although I think the Tapestry is still on tour. But we loved its collections.
AND one of my favorite museums is the Carnavalet. Someone mentioned the Conciergerie--well the floor of the Carnavalet dedicted to the French Revolution is a continuing joy to us every time we go. I particularly love the room of "cartoons" of the day depicting the Revolution and its events. To be succinct--the Carnavalet is the museum of the city of Paris as depicted in art--so the painting of the bridges with the houses on them are as it was in that century. And so it goes into the 20th century.
For 5 days, I would not invest the time it would take to go up in the Tower unless you can buy an advance ticket==or you decide to eat at Jules Verne.
I suggest strongly getting the Michelin Green Guide to Paris and using it to choose your "wings". AND have a backup plan because some are not open when you get there.
As for Cluny and Pantheon being different, well, yeah. But for the overall impact, I'd still take the Cluny, although I think the Tapestry is still on tour. But we loved its collections.
AND one of my favorite museums is the Carnavalet. Someone mentioned the Conciergerie--well the floor of the Carnavalet dedicted to the French Revolution is a continuing joy to us every time we go. I particularly love the room of "cartoons" of the day depicting the Revolution and its events. To be succinct--the Carnavalet is the museum of the city of Paris as depicted in art--so the painting of the bridges with the houses on them are as it was in that century. And so it goes into the 20th century.
For 5 days, I would not invest the time it would take to go up in the Tower unless you can buy an advance ticket==or you decide to eat at Jules Verne.
Jun 30th, 2014, 07:30 AM
#23
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Thank you everyone for the ongoing suggestions! I like your list approach, AJ; we usually structure our mornings and consult our list for after lunch activities, depending on neighborhood and mood. I believe Adrienne posted a list on another thread -- do you also have one to share?
We’ll plan to visit Carnavalet on our Marais walk Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately the Eiffel tower tickets on-line sold out far in advance, so we may need to save that for next time. And we are still deciding whether ‘to Versailles’ or not; it certainly would allow us to decompress the busier days and fit in a Saturday market visit.
Any specific suggestions for Sunday lunch and/or dinner in Marais?
We’ll plan to visit Carnavalet on our Marais walk Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately the Eiffel tower tickets on-line sold out far in advance, so we may need to save that for next time. And we are still deciding whether ‘to Versailles’ or not; it certainly would allow us to decompress the busier days and fit in a Saturday market visit.
Any specific suggestions for Sunday lunch and/or dinner in Marais?
Jun 30th, 2014, 09:40 AM
#24
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Here's a list of open on Sunday places http://parisbymouth.com/paris-restaurant-open-sunday/
Jul 1st, 2014, 02:26 PM
#27
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To Versailles or not Versailles--my 2 cents. I went to Paris for the 5th time this May and had Versailles on the schedule. Never made it, even though I was in Paris for 7 days. Got up in the am that we were scheduled to go and decided that I wanted a lazy day in Paris instead.
Add me to those who say they would never combine the D'Orsay, Orangerie and Louvre on the same day. Orangerie and some of the Louvre in one day, yes; the D'Orsay and the Rodin on another day, is more my speed.
Add me to those who say they would never combine the D'Orsay, Orangerie and Louvre on the same day. Orangerie and some of the Louvre in one day, yes; the D'Orsay and the Rodin on another day, is more my speed.
Jul 1st, 2014, 02:36 PM
#28
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Gretchen, the Unicorn tapestries are in residence at the Cluny as we speak. They were recently re-hung and they look great. It was one of the highlights of our may trip to Paris.
We had 10 days in Paris and decided not to go to Versailles.
The D'Orsay and the Orangerie are a good combination as they have Impressionist works and are right across the bridge from each other. The Louvre is huge. We coped by having limited goals and visiting only those sections. It worked great for us.
We had 10 days in Paris and decided not to go to Versailles.
The D'Orsay and the Orangerie are a good combination as they have Impressionist works and are right across the bridge from each other. The Louvre is huge. We coped by having limited goals and visiting only those sections. It worked great for us.
Jul 3rd, 2014, 04:34 PM
#33
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We have decided to skip Versailles this time around, and I must admit I am rather relieved and excited to have the extra time in Paris. We have moved the Cluny up on our list, and will plan to decompress Friday. Thanks again, everyone, for your input.
