Paris Itinerary - invitations to review
Jan 15th, 2009, 06:51 PM
#21
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THanks! Napoleons tomb is for my DH, Cluny is for me, I'm intrigued by the Roman ruins...and because it's museum of the middle ages, I think (perhaps naively) that I may be able to SEE how people lived then & hopefully make my visit to the Loire & Dordogne more educated. I've read Caro and greatly enjoyed it and Follett also, ....perhaps Cluny is more middle ages artwork than 'how they used to live' though? Musee d'Orsay is under consideration, (just to see the BUILDING inside even!) but in Canada, we are taught virtually nothing about Art, so I'm afraid I would be like a pygmy watching watching a cricket game, ie I would certainly NOT appreciate what I'm seeing & would feel a bit badly about that! I'm amazed at the choices...I've also of course been researching the 2nd 1/2 of our trip, with our French friends, and again, am amazed at how much to see that there is....Canada is huge, compared to France, but there are such great distances between sights that it's much less concentrated
Jan 16th, 2009, 12:07 AM
#22
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Since you are interested in roman ruins, you may want to see the Arenes Lutec, remnants of a roman amphitheater in the 5th at rue Monge, not far from your apartment. There are also remnants and artifacts featured in the archeologique museum at the parvis of Notre Dame, a church built over the site of a roman temple.
Jan 16th, 2009, 01:37 AM
#23
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There is a nice cafe at Napoleon's Tomb and a pretty park right outside of it for your picnic lunch.
To save time if you go to the top of the Arc, which I prefered to the ET, ask to use the elevator.
To save time if you go to the top of the Arc, which I prefered to the ET, ask to use the elevator.
Jan 17th, 2009, 10:28 AM
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Hello fellow canuck,
Some good advice so far.
I'd agree to avoid any plan that involves sitting and watching stuff go by on the first nig....zzzz....
Your hotel area is good, I've stayed in that area a few times. Some good restaurants. As an idea for a nice evening on Friday, walk to the Seine from your hotel. You are east of Notre Dame. Along the Seine there are plenty of restaurants, so you could eat then walk above and below (at river level) of the Seine.
For the Seine cruise, there are several (Bateux Parisiens, Bateaux Mouches,etc.) I've used Vedettes du Pont Neuf last couple of times. Located at west end of Ile de la Cite. Also a nice park right there(Vert Galant) with views of Seine. I would recommend skipping the dinner cruises. From what I've read, overpriced and average food. There is a discount coupon for VdPN at their website.
If you get lonely for some Canucks playoff games, the Great Canadian Pub is just west of Notre Dame on Left Bank, road running along Seine.
Your Friday is good. I might do it like this...sunny day...go to St Chappelle first. Conciergerie is a quick visit (dual ticket). It advertises the Marie Antoinette angle, she was there for 3 months only, but thousands of others were taken to trial there, condemned same day and to leave via cart, crossing over to Place de la Concorde for the final chop.
Then Notre Dame (climb tower?), Deportation Memorial at the back of the catherdral. I might consider lunch before or after Ile St Louis. The Brasserie de L'Ile St Louis is right at the bridge between the two islands. Ate outside there last trip. You'll like Ile St Louis.
After lunch, assuming time is OK, I would cross over and walk Boulevard St Germain. This will expose you to a nice slice of Parisian life. Check out Rue de Buci, Le Procope (oldest restaurant in Paris..Ben Franklin ate there). Cafe de Flore and Le Bonaparte where french intellectuals hung out, St Sulpice for a Da Vinci moment. And you will arrive at Musee Cluny/Moyen Age. Nice building, nice collections.
This may be the end of your day. If you kept walking you would arrive at the Orsay, but unless you are real troopers...
Dinner...and maybe the boat cruise tonite?
Some good advice so far.
I'd agree to avoid any plan that involves sitting and watching stuff go by on the first nig....zzzz....
Your hotel area is good, I've stayed in that area a few times. Some good restaurants. As an idea for a nice evening on Friday, walk to the Seine from your hotel. You are east of Notre Dame. Along the Seine there are plenty of restaurants, so you could eat then walk above and below (at river level) of the Seine.
For the Seine cruise, there are several (Bateux Parisiens, Bateaux Mouches,etc.) I've used Vedettes du Pont Neuf last couple of times. Located at west end of Ile de la Cite. Also a nice park right there(Vert Galant) with views of Seine. I would recommend skipping the dinner cruises. From what I've read, overpriced and average food. There is a discount coupon for VdPN at their website.
If you get lonely for some Canucks playoff games, the Great Canadian Pub is just west of Notre Dame on Left Bank, road running along Seine.
Your Friday is good. I might do it like this...sunny day...go to St Chappelle first. Conciergerie is a quick visit (dual ticket). It advertises the Marie Antoinette angle, she was there for 3 months only, but thousands of others were taken to trial there, condemned same day and to leave via cart, crossing over to Place de la Concorde for the final chop.
Then Notre Dame (climb tower?), Deportation Memorial at the back of the catherdral. I might consider lunch before or after Ile St Louis. The Brasserie de L'Ile St Louis is right at the bridge between the two islands. Ate outside there last trip. You'll like Ile St Louis.
After lunch, assuming time is OK, I would cross over and walk Boulevard St Germain. This will expose you to a nice slice of Parisian life. Check out Rue de Buci, Le Procope (oldest restaurant in Paris..Ben Franklin ate there). Cafe de Flore and Le Bonaparte where french intellectuals hung out, St Sulpice for a Da Vinci moment. And you will arrive at Musee Cluny/Moyen Age. Nice building, nice collections.
This may be the end of your day. If you kept walking you would arrive at the Orsay, but unless you are real troopers...
Dinner...and maybe the boat cruise tonite?
Jan 17th, 2009, 10:42 AM
#26
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Lots to cram in your itinerary!
On Saturday, first thing, go to the Napoleon museum. I've been, quite impressive. From there, scoot over to Louvre and do either tour. Lunch in the area, then metro to Abbesses. Then walk over to funicular to get you to Sacre Coeur.
Place du Tertre, and wandering until dinner.
I might consider the Eiffel tower, but not to go up. Take the Metro to Trocadero (right bank) cross street and walk between the two large buildings and...booom, there is the Eiffel tower all lit up.
How do this all sound? You have lots in your plans and won't be able to see it all. You are also 'constrained' by having dinner reservations.
On Saturday, first thing, go to the Napoleon museum. I've been, quite impressive. From there, scoot over to Louvre and do either tour. Lunch in the area, then metro to Abbesses. Then walk over to funicular to get you to Sacre Coeur.
Place du Tertre, and wandering until dinner.
I might consider the Eiffel tower, but not to go up. Take the Metro to Trocadero (right bank) cross street and walk between the two large buildings and...booom, there is the Eiffel tower all lit up.
How do this all sound? You have lots in your plans and won't be able to see it all. You are also 'constrained' by having dinner reservations.
Jan 17th, 2009, 07:59 PM
#27
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This is exactly how I have been thinking about 'tweaking' the plan... & you word it all so beautifully too! I had been trying to re-work the tomb visit in & you have done it for me...I'll also consider replacing something with the Lutece suggestion, as it is only 300 m from the hotel. As for dinner reservations, we will be there Friday & Saturday night and had assumed we'd NEED reservations to get into La Pre Verre at least, and it has been highly recommended, (on these boards, I think) I have no objections to winging it, but do want to have at least one nice meal out & be able to count on it. Michel, I so appreciate everyone's feedback. I have also emailed Fat Tire again & Lisa has been so kind as to say "when you arrive, remind us of your reservation on the TGV, and we'll be sure to take care of you!" How cool is that? People can be so kind to reassure me....just like you all have been...I also found a really cool link for teh Montparnesse station, which is HUGE....http://parisbytrain.com/gare-montparnasse-photo-tour/
Jan 17th, 2009, 08:25 PM
#28
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I second the suggestion for a quick walk through the Arena de Lutece - it's 1/2 way from Cardinale Lemoine to the Place Monge metro stop. Picturesque and relaxing & Very interesting Roman ruins there. May want to start your Sat AM with such a walk.
Jan 18th, 2009, 11:29 PM
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I second the suggestion to see Arenes Lutec - is a good idea if it is close to where you are staying. Don't allocate too much time, it is only a very small site. You must also be close to Rue Moufftard, if that's the case then it might be fun to squeeze in a stroll along Rue Moufftard for a quick look at a fabulous food market.
