Paris-most disappointing sites/activities
 

We often talk about our favorite things to do and see in Paris but what about the things you wish you hadn't wasted time or money on? Was there something that could have been great except....you went at the wrong time of day? didn't do your homework before you went?would be fine if it was free? Just curious to hear everyone's experiences, mishaps, mistakes.

For me two come to mind...the Conciergerie, just not much there and was expecting it to be more sinister like the Tower of London.
The second is the Louvre...it is so massive that you really need a plan of attack or you just wander around aimlessly. I should have picked a few things that I wanted to see there and planned for where they are located. (and that is after I paid for a cab to go there on Tuesday...d-oh, closed on Tuesdays dummy!

Yes, planning DOES make a trip more enjoyable. The Louvre is not my favorite museum by a long shot, but using the Michelin Green Guide I can choose a wing to see, etc. and spend a few hours of education. And knowing that the national museums are closed on Tuesday and the city of Paris museums are closed on Monday is also a boon (and I always have to check). Versailles is also closed one day.
Why call this disappointing when it is really up to you to decide what to see.

When I visited the Louvre I focused solely on the Egyptian Galleries, which made it very 'manageable'. I combined that with a light lunch in the cafe and half an hour or so in the bookshop, and really enjoyed it.

I've since employed this 'method' in quite a lot of museums - picking a particular collection or exhibition in advance and not feeling I have to see everything else just for the sake of it. Assuming you are not paying an extortionate entrance fee that makes you feel you have to get your moneysworth by seeing a ton of stuff, it works really well. There is also the slight 'treasure hunt' aspect of selecting a few key pieces in advance and having fun trying to find them - that also works well for me.

For me, the Champs-Elysees was something of a disappointment. I'm not sure just what I might have been expecting, but an ultra-wide street lined with various commercial buildings, movie theatres, and restaurants didn't exactly take my breath away.

So, I'm now on about my 999th visit to Paris, in a gorgeous hotel just off the Place Vendome, and I'm getting ready to head off to the Tuilleries and the Seine and any of a dozen dozen other places that did exceed my expectations.

The Conciergerie bored me. It's just a couple of halls and rooms, some of which might or might not have held Marie-Antoinette for a while. The Saint Chapelle is more impressive, although it's as hot as an oven in high season.

The Paris catacombs aren't a big thrill, either. It's a one-mile walk ten stories underground. There are indeed lots of bones, but that's it. The catacombs work really well for kids, though, especially around age 9-12, as they are spooky enough to be interesting, but not spooky enough to scare them.

The Champs is popular with people watchers. Teenagers like it because it's a place to hang out, which is all teenagers ever want to do on European trips, anyway (apart from shopping). It's always busy and there are places to sit and eat and talk. The shopping is so-so overall, but there are several flagship stores for those who like brand names.

I took my teenage sons to see the sewers - les egouts. They were not as interesting or smelly as anticipated.

I agree with Gretchen.
Louvre is a very big museum and all of us know this. So you have to plan what and when to see. Once, we made 4 visit in a week at Louvre , to cover as much we can. And enjoyed it.

Almost all museums in the world have a day or at least a half day when they are closed. So you have to make your plan before you go there, I make this before I start my trip.
It is not the only big museum in the world. Metropolitan, V&A, Ermitage... any of them can not be seen in three-four hours. You will decide what is most important for you. Even if you do not plan in advance, you receive the plan of museum when you buy the ticket and then you can choose what wing to visit. I say "wing" and not a specific picture or statue, as this is more difficult to find running from a room to another in an unknown place.

Now about your question: I was disappointed by Rue Clair, but it is only my fault because I should know that I'll not be interested at all to see it, but could not resist when I saw the recommendations in this forum.

I dislike catacombs anywhere, with sewers a close second. Can't understand interest in the first, apart from morbid curiosity, nor in the second beyond perhaps an interest in structural and sanitary engineering. But, neither have disappointed me as I've managed to avoid both for many years.

Interesting responses. I can't imagine how many people on this forum have reported being disappointed in the Champs Elysees. Since I've never cared for it, I'm not disappointed if I find myself there.

The Louvre I find wonderful. I can sit and stare at the Winged Victory for ages but a couple of hours at a time is about all I can manage in the Louvre - small bites.

I find Montmartre a little disappointing. The view of Paris is great but we almost never go these days. It is a bit crowded and just not appealing. I'm sure most will disagree and will look forward to hearing why.

The only thing I can think of is the Zadkine Museum. There was a special exhibit there so there was a fee (normally free) and there was little of Zadkine's work. Not worth the walk nor the money.

Oh yes...Chartier which I went to based on Pauline Frommer's glowing review. What a complete disappointment. I now do not give any credence to Frommer's recommendations.

There have been so many highlights in Paris, and I'm still discovering them, that one or two disappointments are not memorable.

Cathinjoetown - the sewers were high on my list for my first Paris visit because Jean Valjean escaped through them and I had to see what he went through to avoid capture by Javert!

I'm on the Champs Elysees list---way too commercial.

Also we found Invalides to be huge, gray, and boring. Many people post that they enjoyed it though, so I guess it's just a question of taste.

I must add that of all the places we have visited, Paris has the most to offer. After 7 visits, we can't wait until our 8th.

I would just stand over a sewer grate, take a shallow breath and use my imagination.

Javert killed himself by jumping into the Seine but I don't need to experience it! ( insert smiley face here).

I find Beaubourg as an area disappointing, and the museum looks badly dated.

The Champs Elysées - huge bore.
Place du Tertre - annoying.
Catacombs - wet, damp, dark, ugly.


I love the Conciergerie.

For me:

Napoléon's Tomb (but <b>not</b> the Musée de l'Armée)
The Tuileries
The Rodin Museum

Interesting so far, so about the Tuesday/Louvre thing, I knew it and then forgot it...one of those absent minded moments while jet lagged! I will say that I did enjoy the Egyptian antiquities but have never really warmed to the art work, as I much prefer Musee d'Orsay and the Impressionistic artists.

I also agree re: Champs Elysees, from afar, a beautiful tree lines avenue but the crowds and lack of any truly interesting shopping was disappointing. that's one where I wonder what I was expecting.

I look forward to my 4th trip to Paris this Fall...the post is strictly a curiosity. Don't get me wrong, I love Paris and the good far outweighs the bad.

I am amazed that anybody would even think for a moment that the Champs Elysées is a place for shopping -- unless their normal shopping streets are the Ginza, 5th Avenue and Rodeo Drive. Of course, I do believe that McDonald's is missing from that last address.

don't confuse shopping with purchasing :-)

Love the Conciergerie because I love French history.

Champs Elysees - non, merci.

Eiffel Tower - never have been up it, never will. But I love the parc and the neighborhood, was just there Friday and will be back again in two weeks.

I find the Grands Magasins to be a pain in the...especially Bon Marche. There are some good deals to be had during the soldes but the crowds - oh, I'll just stay away.

I love the Louvre but I always go really early. The crowds can just be out of control. The same goes for the Musee d'Orsay and la Place du Tertre in Montmartre.

I've actually had my best experiences in Paris just walking and discovering.

No accents, desolee, I have a new computer and cannot figure out how to get the international keyboard. Zut!