Paris Pass: small warning!
 

We had the Paris Pass (DH bought it w/o my knowledge). In it there was a 'Notre Dame Tour'. We though it meant a tour of the Cathedral. WRONG! After waiting in line at the side for nearly an hour, we entered a small doorway only to discover that we were inside a very narrow, spiral staircase which was ONLY ONE WAY! We were actually in the stairway going up to the TOWER at the cathedral.

In the Paris Pass book, it mentions the TOUR. We think it must be a translation error, as TOUR in French means TOWER. Whoever translated it into English missed that bit.

Anyway, it's a very l-o-n-g way up, and something we never would have done had we known that is what was offered in the Paris Pass.

So, this is just a warning to people who do buy the Paris Pass that there is this error in translation. The Notre Dame Tour is actually the Notre Dame Tower.

Unless you can easily walk up over 400 steps, DON'T GO! We had to then come back down another narrow, winding staircase after this.

Thanks for the information but...

1. I don't consider this to be a trip report because you're only writing about a very small part of your trip and a very small part of Paris.
2. Many people already know that the line on the side is for the tower.
3. Many people do not buy the Paris Pass since it is very expensive for what it offers and on this forum advice is given not to buy it.
4. There is a free Notre Dame tour given 3 times a week by church volunteers. It's a great tour.

Thank you so much! I'll be sure to never post here again. Because you are all so darn smart!

This is a useful piece of information. If I ended up in that situation with my bad knees and ankles, it would not work out well for me.

That said, this sounds like one of those unplanned travel moments where unexpected things happen and you ended up with a stupendous view of Paris and a story to tell forever.

Hi td,

Thanks for the heads up.

((I))

I'm glad some of you appreciated my post. It's really a nasty experience to post an advisory to help others and then get criticized in a comment by someone like adrienne.

I deactivated my account because of this. But your comments, ira, and Nikki, have made me sign up again as tinydancerll.

Fodor's would be a much better site and much nicer to participate in without all the snobs who seem to get their egos pumped up by knowing so much.

TinydancerII, how was the rest of your trip to Paris?

Many people DO NOT know that the line on the side is for the tower. Thanks for this information.

"Many" people may know that the line on the side is for the Tower, but I did not so thanks tinydancer. I have some health issues and it would not be a good thing for me to be in that line.

If someone already knows information that is posted, then they can
1. acknowlege it
2. agree with it
3. correct possible misinformation
4. add to it

If you can't do that, then you don't have anything to say. and no, "everyone" does NOT already know that.

<Fodor's would be a much better site and much nicer to participate in without all the snobs who seem to get their egos pumped up by knowing so much.>

ah the Fodorgarchs - at least the downright rude and cold ones - chase another newbie poster away - be very PROUD of yourself - this happens over and over again and it drives folks like this away - folks who actually buy things from advertisers here and Fodor's itself - again FodorGarchws - you know it all FodorGarchs be very PROUD of yourself.

tinydancer posts a thoughtful tip for others and gets lambasted like this:
<1. I don't consider this to be a trip report because you're only writing about a very small part of your trip and a very small part of Paris.>

WHO the heck are you to determine what is or is not a trip report? to me it is a trip report or a report from a trip. Lose the attitude! Very disgusting.

I am going to Paris the first week of Sept. I DID NOT know this. I DO want to tour the cathedral, but probably not the tower. I appreciate the warning

Climbing the tower at Notre Dame is one of my favorite things to do in Paris! We've done it each of our 3 trips. LOVE seeing the gargoyles up close!

~Liz

TD, you have given me an idea for my next trip. How does the Notre Dame tower compare with climbing to the top of St Peter's dome? I must admit that was a bit of a struggle for me with the sideways tilt.

I also applaud the OP for bringing this to the attention of others. I speak enough French and am used to poorly translated text but this would have caught many non French speakers unawares.

Let me add a small warning about the free tours of Notre Dame Cathedral.
We tried it twice and failed both times.

First time, the guide was so low-voiced and the sun so soothing, we were almost lulled into a doze. We left that tour before she led us into the Cathedral.

Second time, the guide had a missionary complex, and seemed more intent on soul salvation than the history of Notre Dame.

Perhaps the third time would be the charm, but I'm not planning another try.
IIRC, the free English tours are 2pm Wed and Thur, 2:30pm Sat.

OTOH, very much enjoyed the Towers climb!

the towers climb is not for the weak-kneed - some rather steep narrow stairs - quite a climb literally.

TinyDancer, you made my day! Back in ancient times when I took a little French in High school (a VERY little French!), we were warned about "false friends," words that looked like words we knew but had a rather different meaning. They cost me exam points, let me tell you.

Don't let the snipers get to you. They can bark but they can't bite.

Tinydancer,

I hope you rewarded yourself with extra desserts for climbing those stairs!

I did not know about the line.

I thought it was a good piece of information.

great info! Don't let a few louts ruin what for many is a fabulous forum with many genuinely helpful folks that do know everything just about IMO but do not try to show off their knowledge and smartness as some way above have.

Thank you, I appreciate knowing that!

Hi to everyone,

Thanks so much for all your kind words and support. It really does make a difference. And I'm glad I'm back!

The tower (tour) should not be attempted by anyone with problems walking up stairs (492) or with knee problems. That's why I posted this.

HOWEVER! If you are young and fit, or not so young and fit, it's well worth it for the views and the gargoyles! Even in my exhausted, out of breath misery, I could appreciate that. But I was concerned for people with more serious problems than I getting stuck in that stairway.

Unfortunately, because the weather was so awful during our 9 days in Paris, we had to dress in layers. It was bucketing with rain, dark, and very, very windy on this day. Although it actually was the worst once we were up there. The result of walking up there, dressed for cold weather, and being exposed to the rain & cold wind at the top, caused me to come down with a terrible cold. I ended up staying in bed for 2 of our 9 days :-( Sadly, the chest cold lasted the duration of our 3 weeks in France. However, I was lucky enough to still have my sense of taste for our best meal!

I will begin my trip report soon, because so many of you have been so kind ;-) I want to be able to share my experiences with you (although I'm not the same kind of traveler as many here are.)

“I will begin my trip report soon, because so many of you have been so kind I want to be able to share my experiences with you (although I'm not the same kind of traveler as many here are.)”

Hi Tinydancer,

Please do share your trip report. Everybody’s TR is different – that’s what’s fun!

:)

We are ALL different in how we travel, what we like, what we need, etc. Don't be intimidated.

Thank you very much for posting this. We are going in October and this does not sound like a fun accident.

Tinydancer is not new to the Fodors Boards, and this was not listed as a trip report.

I am also glad this was posted, because even though my French is pretty good, I am also pretty good at making mistakes and sometimes I get thrown by words just like this, because I'm putting my English thinking cap on rather than my French cap!

And since my most recent trip was somewhat physically challenged by my sprained ankle, this would have been just the advice I would have welcomed! Because I generally do like climbing up the tour to see the gargoyles, being reminded of all those stairs would have put me off doing that this trip!

Thanks, TD!

Tinydancer...

Thanks for the info.

I am flabbergasted that anyone would think this is not VERY useful information for posting. The "tour" "tower" confusion seems to me to be one that many English speakers would experience...especially on a "tour"-ist pass that is written in English.

I look forward to your trip report.

SS

I appreciate it too, tiny dancer. Even though I speak and read French, I might have been confused - the mind tends to toggle between languages when confronted with something like this.

It was good information, don't let Adrienne turn you off Fodor's. Hopefully she will have the good grace to come back and apologise.

A bit of useful info can't hurt...there are lots of people on the forum who can't wait to jump on posters for things they think are irrelevant. I could name several posters who are chief offenders, but that would be giving them too much recognition for their nastiness.

Don't ever let the "nasties" run you off the forum. This happened just a few days ago with anther new poster and that's a shame. If you don't find the info useful, you can just move on without blasting someone who is trying to help some one else. Why do so many feel the need to teach others a "lesson" by trying to embarrass them?

While climbing the towers was very enjoyable for us, with a fantastic view of Paris, I did know what I was in line for...but that was on my fourth trip to Paris. Not sure I knew Tour and Tower are the same thing until a few trips and a little better understanding of French.

While many do not like the Paris Museum Pass, there are many who do like it for time savings/convenience rather than money saved....especially for those who will be visiting multiple museums on their trips to Paris. It's all a matter of preference. Please don't present your opinion as a fact. That's why the forum is here, to present advice and opinions and let the reader decide what is best for them.

Good for you tinydancer

Tinydancer, thank you! One person can't speak for many on here (as I found out recently). Please DO post your trip report. There is always something we can glean from a report, regardless of how much we already know. Besides, it's a lot of fun to relive the trip through a report!

Thanks again.

Tinydancer
Thanks for your feedback. I was actually interested in climbing the stairs on our upcoming trip. Now I know what to expect.
I have also experienced the rudeness of some on this forum and it made me not want to ask questions or post, but I have to remind myself that there are rude people everywhere you go and 99% of the people on this forum really do want to help/appreciate the input.
Look forward to your report. I will be there in about three weeks and will also report back.

It is sort of unsettling to not realize that you are in for some extreme exercise, with not even an idea of how strenuous it will be.

Recently in Austria we took the gondola and climbed the mt path to the Eisreisenwelt Ice Caves. We knew it would be exhausting and it was, but we were mentally prepared for it.

What we were not prepared for was the 700 steps INSIDE the cave. We kept climbing and climbing and climbing. I thought it would never end.

It really is mentally tiring as well as physically to be doing something strenuous like that with no idea what all it entails, or when it will end.

The views from the top of Notre Dame were beautiful and I'm glad you got to experience it, even if it was against your will. :-d

We literally just returned from France, and we did purchase the 4-day Paris Museum Pass and thought it was well worth it because we were allowed to skip several very very long lines! I think we may have broken even on the cost; haven't added it up yet. I think we used it for 7 museums/monuments. Will post a trip report, hopefully soon.

Tiny dancer- I too was driven off the forums and deactivated my account because of many comments like Adrienne's on every question I would post, like they were following the newbies just to criticize and condescend. I found your post incredibly helpful, I did not know that about the Notre Dame Tour/Tower or where the line was. Good travel information for me, so thank you! Would love to hear more about your trip to Paris!

PS: because you "reactivated" so did I :)

Ignore the bullies who think they are better than everyone else, I say. This site is to be able to ask your travel questions and get useful information back, or to post tips that you feel might benefit other travelers (and even if it doesn't, at least you are being nice and trying to help).
Just come back from Paris and found that if you don't know/haven't read up on where each line starts/finishes it can be hard to work out. There were sooooo many people lining up everywhere.
Thanks

First off, lets get off the "poor tinydancer" thing, she wasn't axe murdered by Adrienne,, let it go folks. I agree Adrienne did not need to post as she did, but I too am a tad surprised that Tinydancer did not appear to understand what she was doing , she is not a new poster here so she has had the opportunity to learn about Notre Dame before she went.

Secondly I find someone who deactivates their account( or threantens too, or says they did etc) because of one abrupt or rude post a tad on the silly sensitive side. This is not a schoolyard,, just ignore the bully , they can't "get you" . I also think tinydancer showed that she was/is more then capable of a sensible and firm retort,, not exactly shivering in her boots.

Lastly, please people we need to be clear about the "Paris Pass" and the " Museum Pass" they are two different products. The Museum Pass can be well worth it, the Paris Pass not so much.

Agree on all counts, justine. And let's face it, Adrienne is a first-class source of information 99% of the time. We all get cranky from time to time. I certainly do.

I certainly didn't know this. I know about three words of French, and tour/tower isn't among them.

I always appreciate a hint that will help me avoid a travel glitch.

There are all kinds and all levels of posters on this board. Occasionally we can get a bit smug, since we are pretty much experienced travelers, but it's important to remember that there are new posters/new travelers who deserve to be heard with respect.

I agree pegonhead,, but if you click on tinydancer and read her posts you will see she is neither new to the board nor is she an inexperienced traveller .