europeannovice - Yes, a two day pass makes sense :) I had a mental break there for a second... I'm also planning our one day in Barcelona and got a little mixed up!

Michel_Paris - It's really the Impressionists we are wanting to see, so perhaps we could go to the Orangerie in the Tullieres Garden instead of the Musee D'Orsay, especially considering that they are under renos and part of the display is missing. I was just really looking forward to the experience and architecture of the Orsay.
We never had any intention of going in the Notre Dame. We just were content to see the outside, in light of our time restraints.

THanks for your suggestions. I will do a better check of the Museum Pass. I didn't realize it also included the Catacombs.

Even though the Orsay is under renovation, they still show quite a selection of impressionist paintings which would be worth a visit. The renovations may be complete by the time you get there anyway.

With the museum pass, we practically waltzed into the Orsay mid afternoon but we had a different experience with the Orangerie where we waited quite a bit.

There they have two lines outside--general and passholder. So happened when we arrived, they let a big group of the general line through so we had a fairly long wait on the passholder line before they would let us in. That's okay because they have to let the general line in also--no big deal there. What bothered me was that once you were in you proceed to the cashier line to fork over 1.5 euro additional for their temporary exhibit whether or not you want to see the temporary exhibit.

We saw Monet's waterlillies in the oval room especially designed to display them, saw their collection of impressionist paintings and were out in an hour. To me if you had to choose one, unless you are a huge Monet fan, I'd vote for the Orsay. It has the architecture and ambiance of the old train station and that added some additional value to the venue.

Correction, the museum pass may not cover the catacombs. It covers the sewer museum according to their website.

It also does cover Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle, Louvre, Orsay, Rodin, Napoleon's tomb, Pantheon, Orangerie, among other things.

jtw,

You have four things you really want to do. I'd plan on two a day--Day 1, d'Orsay and catacombs, and Day 2, Louvre and Eiffle Tower. I'd plan to do the museums in the morning and the other sights in the afternoon, after lunch.

Then you can fill in the rest of your time with other things you hope to see.

On the first day, I'd go to the d'Orsay (still worth seeing even if partially closed for renovation) or l'Orangerie, then have lunch, then go to the catacombs. You can do the walk to Notre Dame and other things as seems feasible. Make sure you take care of your priorities because sometimes circumstances cause your plans to change.

Someone feeling sick, sore feet, heat, heavy rain--all of these things can affect your plans so if you focus first on the two things you want to see each day, you'll have a better chance of seeing them. For instance, if it's a cloudy day, it may not be the best time to see the stained glass windows at Ste. Chapelle.

Get a good map (I like Michael Middleditch's Paris Map Guide), map out your priorities and fill in with your "B" list. You won't see everything, so don't fret. It sounds as though you have a good plan of seeing a bit of Paris--enough to make you want to go back!

One other thing. I've read that you exit the catacombs at a different location from the entrance. You might want to check that out so you'll have a good idea where to head next.

Thank you! I feel hopeful once again! :)

I have been thinking about day one... due to the fact that we will not be entering Notre Dame, we may not need to walk to Ile D'Citie after the Musee D'Orsay after all. We will see the Notre Dame later on from the boat cruise.

Soooooo, day one could look like this:


Train from Disneyland Paris to Paris
Start at the Musee D'Orsay @ 9:30 - arrive perhaps an hour early so we can beat the line up?
Walk to Luxembourg Garden via Gerard Mulot Bakery for food for picnic at Luxembourg Garden.
Be at Catacombs between 2:00 and 3:00. Tour approx two hours. (closes at 5:00)
Early dinner somewhere in area
Vedettes de Neuf boat cruise in early evening
Train back to hotel.

Does that sound more reasonable, I hope?

If so, is there a suggested route from Musee D'Orsay to the Luxembourg Gardens? I think I remember seeing that the suggested bakery is on Blvd St Germain. Again, we truly do like walking and want to soak up the city. We just realize that the time restraints are dictating our day a bit.

We are contemplating the museum pass. We will just be going to the two museums, so we'd be paying twice the amount needed. We'd almost prefer to get to the museum early and beat the lines. Might that work?

jtw, as I was catching up on today's comments, I came to the same realization as you re: Notre Dame. :)

Not only will you be able to see N-D from the boat tour, but you totally can go walk past either before or after it!
- You'll take RER B from Denfer-Rochereau (near Catacombs) north to St. Michel. This places you in front of the pretty St. Michel fountain on the edge of the Latin Quarter, and mere steps from a bridge onto Ile de la Cite.
- Once onto the island, turn left to the tip of the island for the Vedettes dock*, or right to go over to Sainte Chappelle and N-D. Depending on how your day is working out by that point, you might even be able to go in one or the other! Or at least go catch some down-time in the little park behind N-D.
- After the boat tour, you'll cross over onto the other side of the river to catch the M1 at Chatelet en route to DLP. Before doing so, you could walk up to N-D then as well.

* The Vedettes dock is down a flight of steps at the tip of the island, facing the Right Bank. (You'll be heading there from the Left Bank.)

Oh, and didn't you say the Sunday will be the first one of the month? ...I was just thinking about whether or not getting the museum pass would be worth the added expense - but I think the free museum day changes things! Maybe someone else can chime in here about going to Orsay on that day. (I've done the Louvre then but not Orsay.)

Great suggestion, ggreen! I see St Chapelle is open until 6:00 on Sundays, so we may get there yet! Then we could do our boat cruise (probably 6:30) and then walk to Notre Dame to at least go up the tower!
Then we'll get to a train station and go back to the hotel.

I think we will go with the museum pass now that St Chapelle and Notre Dame are options.

I made an error - we are there on Sunday, July 31. I thought it was Sunday, August 1. :) Good news is we'll miss the extra crowds!

Are our children (8, 11, and 13) free at all museums, Notre Dame, Orangerie, and St Chapelle?

Entering and walking around Notre Dame does not require admission. Admission is charged for climbing the towers and for descending into the archeological crypt, and the museum pass would be useful for those activities, but just to view the interior of the church is free.

jtw, are you saying you are now including the Eiffel Tower for Sunday/Day One? I think I'm getting confused... I'm sure it must be at least that for you, with all the locations you're juggling the planning for right now!! :)

Just noticed in my Pudlo's Paris restaurant book that the bakery is closed for four weeks: "July-August," so have a plan B for lunch if you want to know in advance where you're eating.

I think your children are free at the museums but double-check their websites.

Maybe you could repost an updated itinerary?

Is the 8 year old ok with two 2hr visits to museums in 2 days?

OH! I'm getting confused! Eiffel Tower is for day 2 :). I will repost the itinerary.

My 8 year will love the museums. He loves art.

That's too bad about the bakery! I'm sure we'll find another. Any suggestions in the area?

Day One:
Train from Disneyland Paris to Paris
Start at the Musee D'Orsay (9:30) for two or so hours (have plan of what to see in hand!)
Walk down Boulevard St Michel to Luxembourg Gardens, stopping at bakery for food for picnic at Luxembourg Garden.
Be at Catacombs around 2:00-3:00. Tour approx 2 hours.
If timing works, visit Sainte Chapelle (it closes at 6:00)
Vedettes de Neuf boat cruise - 6:30?
Visit Notre Dame – towers open until 11:00?
Train back to hotel.

Day Two:
Train from Disneyland Paris to Paris
Get to the Louve first thing (9:00) and spend two or three hours. (with plan!)
Visit Angelina's, (hot chocolate/Mont Blanc).
Walk through the Tuilleries Garden
Crepe Stand for lunch
Visit the Orangerie, if time, to see Monet’s exhibits.
Go to Place de la Concord, which is the start of the Champs-Elysees. See the Arc du Triomphe.
Walk across the Pont Alexandre III. Then either: walk down the Esplanade des Invalides, onto Ave la Motte Picquet so as to enter the Champs de Mars "behind" the Eiffel Tower.
OR
Take Metro to Trocadero, then walk between the two Palais Chaillot buildings and bam...the best view of the tower in the city. Then walk across bridge to Eiffel Tower.
Eiffel Tower – prebook tickets for around 5:00? - (possibly later so we can definitely fit Orangerie).
Train back to hotel.

Is it sounding more reasonable? :)

We will get the 2 day musuem pass for my husband and myself.

Thank you all for your help!

Couple thoughts:

pre-book your cruise on their website http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/billet_en.php to save some money

Do you know of a crepe stand in that area? none come to my mind - the ones I remember are in the Latin Quarter and on B. Saint Germain - but perhaps someone can help you find one. It may be frustrating to wander around looking for one.

Thanks for the website! I will definitely prebook.

How ignorant am I... ;) I just thought Paris was filled with Crepe Stands! Maybe we'll do that instead of the Gerard Mulot bakery, since it will be closed and we'll be in the area of B. Saint Germain.

Thanks for the heads up!

Woo hoo, I think you've done it!! :D

Off the top of my head, after Orsay you could walk Blvd. St. Germain across to Blvd. St. Michel - you can see on a map that that route is quite straightforward. In addition to the boulevard itself, there are cafes etc. near Odeon, and the St. Sulpice church was used in the film of The Da Vinci Code (besides having a many-centuries long history in its own right!). I'm sure denisea and others will have more specific details to provide for the area!

[Or you might want to go Blvd. St. Germain to Lux. Gardens w/out going all the way over to Blvd. St. Michel - which you could walk in part after the Catacombs. Ack, so many options LOL. If you do walk down Blvd. St. Michel, see if you can poke your head inside La Sorbonne. It might inspire your young French students to see the beautiful and ancient university - I know it did me!]

Oh and guess what: remember (somewhere...) in your earlier comments you mentioned wanting to wander around the neighborhood? Well now by virtue of going from Orsay to Lux. Gardens, it's back in! :)

Ah, better.

In order to get maximum benefit from cruise, I might make that the last thing you do that day. St Chapelle, ND, walk over to Ile St Louis, have dinner on ISL, then walk over to cruise.

Around the Louvre, I might 'poke my head' into Place Vendome (Ritz Hotel, upscale jewellery stores) and/or Palais Royal, one of oldest squares in Paris, quiet oasis, neat architectural items that appeal to younger set.

Still thinking about how to get you to Place des Vosges, but that may be for another time. It's a wonderful square, oldest in paris, with restaurants and shops under arcades.

There are also arcades on street alongside Louvre, with many places to get souvenirs.

<i>There are also arcades on street alongside Louvre, with many places to get souvenirs.</i>

Very true! The street is rue de Rivoli, and you'll find the souvenir shops clustered close to the Louvre (and not so much at the end near the Place de la Concorde).

Yes, there are plenty of souvenir shops on that street. We bought some scarves and knick knacks there.

I think your plan is coming together. Be sure to write the trip report when you get back about what you actually did. Those are always fun to read. Enjoy your trip!

For Day 2, after the Louvre, you will find some cafes and kiosks selling food in the Tuileries Garden. It may not be crepes but you can find "fast food" on your way to the Tower.