Paris- need suggestions for itinerary
Apr 8th, 2010, 07:22 AM
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Paris- need suggestions for itinerary
I know this can be a tiresome question for some but I need your expertise. We have been to Paris twice but it has been about 10 years. We are renting an apartment in the 7th with my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, who have never been to France. I am trying to make some loose plans, which I can adjust based on weather, etc. We arrive on a Saturday morning at 9:30 but cannot get into our apartment until 3, although we can leave luggage. I was thinking we would get the Navigo weeklong metro pass but since that doesn't begin until Monday, I thought we could start on Saturday and Sunday by exploring the 7th - Eiffel Tower, Invalides, etc. Is there a street market in the 7th on the weekend?
But here is the problem - what do I plan for the rest of the week. In past trips we sort of wandered, saw the D'Orsay, Louvre, Notre Dame, St. Chapelle. I would like to put together more of a plan since I am the 'tour guide". I know that we want to go to Sacre Coeur since we have never been. Can the experts give me a quick general itinerary? We aren't huge museum people, although we for sure will visit the D'Orsay. Can anyone help? Should we go to Versailles? Thanks!!!
But here is the problem - what do I plan for the rest of the week. In past trips we sort of wandered, saw the D'Orsay, Louvre, Notre Dame, St. Chapelle. I would like to put together more of a plan since I am the 'tour guide". I know that we want to go to Sacre Coeur since we have never been. Can the experts give me a quick general itinerary? We aren't huge museum people, although we for sure will visit the D'Orsay. Can anyone help? Should we go to Versailles? Thanks!!!
Apr 8th, 2010, 08:12 AM
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Apr 8th, 2010, 08:12 AM
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Excellent.
You are there for a week?
What are their interests?
My current theory, is to do two visists at most a day. One in morning, one in afternoon. I like to start my day at a cafe, to have breakfast and plan day. Lunch will be at an outdoor patio, dinner will be 7:30Pm or later.
Somewhere in trip, do a nightime Seine cruise. Make it late, so can have nice dinner then catch last tour. I like Vedettes du Pont Neuf, but there are others
A possibility, depending on jet lag, is to do a 1/2 day bus toru of the city. This allows you to see"everything" so if you do not get to visit something (say...Scare Coeur), well at least you saw it.
Good idea to break into areas.
7th...Eiffel, Rodin, Invalides, Napoleon's tomb,Orsay, Trocadero/Palais CHaillot for views, Rue Cler for nearby street market (there are many others, and better)...
Left Bank
St Germain area. Luxembourg Gardens, Cluny Museum, Lutece roman arena, Moffetard market, Buci street and area, banks of the Seine, into the narrow streets of the area, St Sulpice...
Right Bank
Marais area. Old mansions, Place des Vosges, falafel, Carnavelet museum, village St Paul....
Louvre area
Louyvre, Tuileries, Palais Royal, Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysee, Arc the Triomphe, rue Rivoli, Place Vendome, Opera Garnier.....
The Islands
Notre Dame, St Chapelle, Ile St Louis, Deportation Memorial, Square du Vert Galant, crypts of Notre Daem, tower of Notre Dame, flower/bird market, Conciergerie, lingering over Seine.
I'd also consider a walking tour. Interesting, good stories, and gives you a break for touring the group around.
Sacre Coeur, going up funicular, going to Place du Tertre, walk down to Abbesses metro, Moulin Rouge...There is also the Montmartrobus that takes you up to S.C.
Versailles...on your own or bus tour. On your own you could give them a ride on train through bit of countryside, get there before crowds, spend as much time as want on grounds. Or tour for simplicity.
This scratches the surface...
You are there for a week?
What are their interests?
My current theory, is to do two visists at most a day. One in morning, one in afternoon. I like to start my day at a cafe, to have breakfast and plan day. Lunch will be at an outdoor patio, dinner will be 7:30Pm or later.
Somewhere in trip, do a nightime Seine cruise. Make it late, so can have nice dinner then catch last tour. I like Vedettes du Pont Neuf, but there are others
A possibility, depending on jet lag, is to do a 1/2 day bus toru of the city. This allows you to see"everything" so if you do not get to visit something (say...Scare Coeur), well at least you saw it.
Good idea to break into areas.
7th...Eiffel, Rodin, Invalides, Napoleon's tomb,Orsay, Trocadero/Palais CHaillot for views, Rue Cler for nearby street market (there are many others, and better)...
Left Bank
St Germain area. Luxembourg Gardens, Cluny Museum, Lutece roman arena, Moffetard market, Buci street and area, banks of the Seine, into the narrow streets of the area, St Sulpice...
Right Bank
Marais area. Old mansions, Place des Vosges, falafel, Carnavelet museum, village St Paul....
Louvre area
Louyvre, Tuileries, Palais Royal, Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysee, Arc the Triomphe, rue Rivoli, Place Vendome, Opera Garnier.....
The Islands
Notre Dame, St Chapelle, Ile St Louis, Deportation Memorial, Square du Vert Galant, crypts of Notre Daem, tower of Notre Dame, flower/bird market, Conciergerie, lingering over Seine.
I'd also consider a walking tour. Interesting, good stories, and gives you a break for touring the group around.
Sacre Coeur, going up funicular, going to Place du Tertre, walk down to Abbesses metro, Moulin Rouge...There is also the Montmartrobus that takes you up to S.C.
Versailles...on your own or bus tour. On your own you could give them a ride on train through bit of countryside, get there before crowds, spend as much time as want on grounds. Or tour for simplicity.
This scratches the surface...
Apr 8th, 2010, 08:40 AM
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There is actually a street market in the 7th on Sat -- the one on ave Saxe. They tend not to be as good by afternoon, but in theory, some vendors should be there until around 5 pm. It's near metro Segur. there is a very good market in the 15th on Sundays, it's one of my favorites -- Grenelle which is under the metro tracks (get out around Motte Piquet stop).
Don't limit yourself to the 7th on Sat and Sunday. It's fine if you find enough to do, but metro/bus tickets don't cost that much. The 15th is right on the border, anyway.
YOu could also go take a Seine cruise on Sat, there are some boats down near the Eiffel Tower.
Don't limit yourself to the 7th on Sat and Sunday. It's fine if you find enough to do, but metro/bus tickets don't cost that much. The 15th is right on the border, anyway.
YOu could also go take a Seine cruise on Sat, there are some boats down near the Eiffel Tower.
Apr 8th, 2010, 08:40 AM
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On the first day you can visit the Saxe Breteuil market, which is open on Thursdays and Saturdays. http://www.parismarkets.net/Saxe-Breteuil.html
One end of the market is right at Avenue de Breteuil, a wide avenue which leads right up to Napoleon's tomb at les Invalides. It's open until about 2:30 according to that link. Maybe you could swing by there on your way to pick up your luggage and pick up some supplies for the apartment. There are also all the food shops on Rue Cler, but the Saxe Breteuil market on Saturday is a wonderful experience.
One end of the market is right at Avenue de Breteuil, a wide avenue which leads right up to Napoleon's tomb at les Invalides. It's open until about 2:30 according to that link. Maybe you could swing by there on your way to pick up your luggage and pick up some supplies for the apartment. There are also all the food shops on Rue Cler, but the Saxe Breteuil market on Saturday is a wonderful experience.
Apr 8th, 2010, 10:29 AM
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Do you have a large bookstore near you? Ask them if they have "City Walks - PARIS 50 adventures on foot" published by Chronical Books - www.chronicalbooks.com
This will save your life and make you their 'Tour Guide Par Excellance'!
Your say you have never been to Sacre Coeur up the butte of Montmartre? Well, this is the walk they advise:
Metro: Blanche
Head up rue Lepic. Be sure to pop into the TABAC DES DEUX MOULINS at No.15, the cafe` now famous for it's role in the French film AMELIE. Rue Lepic loops around to the left here and begins to climb noticeably uphill. You'll pass funky boutiques and youthful cafes along the way . Van Gogh lived ant N0.54 for two years, and Toulouse-Lautrec lived just down the street at Rue Tourlaque and Rue Caulaincourt, near the MOULIN ROUGE, the sunject of so many of his paintings. You'll pass the MOULIN DE GALETTE on your left, a windmill-turned-dancing club that inspired Renoir's 'Le Bal du Noulin de la Galette'.
Turn left onto Rue Girardon, CINE` 13 at no.1 Avenue Junot, a small theatre operated by Claude Lelouch, has restored glamour to going to the movies with its small size, red leather couches and armchairs, cocktails, and swanky lighting.
Across the street is a sculpture of a man coming through a wall, named after Marcel Ayme's short story "Le Passe Muraille" (The Walker through the Walls).
Continue over to Rue Abreuvoir, then up rue des Saules to admire Paris's last remaining vineyard. (Not so really - there is a brand new vineyard planted on top of the metro station Esplanade La Defense - it overlooks the Arc de Triomphe and has views to the Eiffel Tower itself! I know, because I see it evertime I stay there!) Well, the old books can be wrong sometimes?
Anyway, going back to Montmartre. The locals harvest the grapes every year and sell the small yield for more than its worth, but all proceeds go to charity.
Local artists, among them Picasso, and Renoir once gathered at THE LAPIN AGILE, an old cabaret just below the vineyard on the corner. From here you can decend to the metro Lamarck-Caulaincourt by continueing down Rue des Saules and turning left onto Rue Lamarck. OR, head to the top of the hill to the Sacre Coeur.
Theres much more to involve this tour........ you need to get these handy little cards which fit into a purse and are light as a feather.
This will save your life and make you their 'Tour Guide Par Excellance'!
Your say you have never been to Sacre Coeur up the butte of Montmartre? Well, this is the walk they advise:
Metro: Blanche
Head up rue Lepic. Be sure to pop into the TABAC DES DEUX MOULINS at No.15, the cafe` now famous for it's role in the French film AMELIE. Rue Lepic loops around to the left here and begins to climb noticeably uphill. You'll pass funky boutiques and youthful cafes along the way . Van Gogh lived ant N0.54 for two years, and Toulouse-Lautrec lived just down the street at Rue Tourlaque and Rue Caulaincourt, near the MOULIN ROUGE, the sunject of so many of his paintings. You'll pass the MOULIN DE GALETTE on your left, a windmill-turned-dancing club that inspired Renoir's 'Le Bal du Noulin de la Galette'.
Turn left onto Rue Girardon, CINE` 13 at no.1 Avenue Junot, a small theatre operated by Claude Lelouch, has restored glamour to going to the movies with its small size, red leather couches and armchairs, cocktails, and swanky lighting.
Across the street is a sculpture of a man coming through a wall, named after Marcel Ayme's short story "Le Passe Muraille" (The Walker through the Walls).
Continue over to Rue Abreuvoir, then up rue des Saules to admire Paris's last remaining vineyard. (Not so really - there is a brand new vineyard planted on top of the metro station Esplanade La Defense - it overlooks the Arc de Triomphe and has views to the Eiffel Tower itself! I know, because I see it evertime I stay there!) Well, the old books can be wrong sometimes?
Anyway, going back to Montmartre. The locals harvest the grapes every year and sell the small yield for more than its worth, but all proceeds go to charity.
Local artists, among them Picasso, and Renoir once gathered at THE LAPIN AGILE, an old cabaret just below the vineyard on the corner. From here you can decend to the metro Lamarck-Caulaincourt by continueing down Rue des Saules and turning left onto Rue Lamarck. OR, head to the top of the hill to the Sacre Coeur.
Theres much more to involve this tour........ you need to get these handy little cards which fit into a purse and are light as a feather.
Apr 8th, 2010, 10:57 AM
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I went to Paris with my husband 2 years ago (we've been there several times before) and I sought the help of people on this site. I can't begin to tell you how many great ideas I was given, and I'd like to pass along some of them to you.
We took two Fat Tire Bike tours -- one in Giverny (took the train to Vernon and biked to Giverny) and one at night in Paris (this included a boat ride on the Seine at around 10 p.m.). Fabulous. In fact, this summer we are going to London and my entire family will go on the London bike tour.
We also went on a few of Paris Walks walking tours. Again, highly recommend them. Inexpensive and very informed guides.
I took a short cooking class at the Ritz. My husband wasn't wild about it, but he was a good sport and went along for the ride. Lunch was included.
We attended an evening concert at Ste. Chapelle. Again, it was great. After that we had dinner on Ile St. Louis and walked back to our hotel, the Bonaparte (that was a recommendation from Ira -- thank you!). We also went to Le Lapin Agile for some entertainment. It was a lot of fun, and all in French. Not too many non-French speaking tourists were there that evening.
We ate "nice" dinners four of the six nights we were there, and all of the restaurants came highly recommended by Fodorites.
Good luck.
We took two Fat Tire Bike tours -- one in Giverny (took the train to Vernon and biked to Giverny) and one at night in Paris (this included a boat ride on the Seine at around 10 p.m.). Fabulous. In fact, this summer we are going to London and my entire family will go on the London bike tour.
We also went on a few of Paris Walks walking tours. Again, highly recommend them. Inexpensive and very informed guides.
I took a short cooking class at the Ritz. My husband wasn't wild about it, but he was a good sport and went along for the ride. Lunch was included.
We attended an evening concert at Ste. Chapelle. Again, it was great. After that we had dinner on Ile St. Louis and walked back to our hotel, the Bonaparte (that was a recommendation from Ira -- thank you!). We also went to Le Lapin Agile for some entertainment. It was a lot of fun, and all in French. Not too many non-French speaking tourists were there that evening.
We ate "nice" dinners four of the six nights we were there, and all of the restaurants came highly recommended by Fodorites.
Good luck.
Apr 8th, 2010, 12:07 PM
#9
hi rbn,
if you click on my screen name, you'll find my trip report from our recent weekend in Paris. I know it's not a week ,but it might give you an idea aof things you can group together, getting aroudn between places etc.
one thing i agonised about was whether or not to get a museum pass - as we were only there for 48 hours, and wanted to see things that weren't on it, like the grand palais exhibition, I thought it would be a waste of money, but when we saw the queue at the musee d'orsay, I realised I'd been wrong. I believe you can buy them at the information desk at CDG, and although you might not want to pay for ones that last the entirety of your stay, a 3-4 day one would be good, if you plan your museum visiting for those days. other days you could do things like day trips, or the grand palais, notre dame, st. chapelle etc, which aren't covered by the pass.
have a great trip,
regards, ann
if you click on my screen name, you'll find my trip report from our recent weekend in Paris. I know it's not a week ,but it might give you an idea aof things you can group together, getting aroudn between places etc.
one thing i agonised about was whether or not to get a museum pass - as we were only there for 48 hours, and wanted to see things that weren't on it, like the grand palais exhibition, I thought it would be a waste of money, but when we saw the queue at the musee d'orsay, I realised I'd been wrong. I believe you can buy them at the information desk at CDG, and although you might not want to pay for ones that last the entirety of your stay, a 3-4 day one would be good, if you plan your museum visiting for those days. other days you could do things like day trips, or the grand palais, notre dame, st. chapelle etc, which aren't covered by the pass.
have a great trip,
regards, ann
