Paris story
 

Has anyone seen the show, "Paris Story" near the Opera? I am trying to decide whether it would be a worthwhile stop for me and my family. We are only in Paris for 4 nights, but is it entertaining/educational enough to spend an hour on? My kids are aged 8-14. Thanks!

There are probably many opinions on the film. I already love Paris so I thought the film was a good reminder of the extensive history and literary culture from which the "romance" of Paris stems. It's a bit of a crash course in the development of Paris over many centuries. The kids will probably be bored (but I don't have children so who knows). At any rate, it lasts about 45 minutes - you buy the ticket, go sit in the small theater, and tune your headsets to English or whatever (headsets are at each seat).

My kids loved it so much they went back to see it three years in a row - and they already knew Paris pretty well.

I think it's very well done. It's a great thing to do at the beginning of your stay in Paris because it helps you winnow down what you want to see. And the photography and music are great. I highly recommend it.

oh, I've seen it twice and really liked it. It's only 45 minutes or so, I'd definitely stop in. I think the younger kids may not enjoy it, though. It's a little too atmospheric and abstract for that age, perhaps. But, they may just enjoy seeing the film and it's not long.

We saved this for the last day of our first trip, but wish we'd gone the first day for the wonderful overview of the city - we could have better planned our time. Second trip, we went there first. It's so "atmospheric" that it put us to sleep (after an overnight flight).

As others have mentioned, it's very well done - multi-media with wonderful music.

PS Check around - there are discount coupons everywhere in the free literature books and brochures for other sights and attractions.

Thanks, I'm going to put this on our to-do list for our first day!

This is one tourist attraction I had never heard of! But, I personnally think this sort of thing belongs at Epcot in Disney. I would much rather get my overview of Paris riding the L'open tour bus, fat-tire bike tour or a Seine cruise. Although I am not a huge tour fan either, I do find these tours do give a great overview on the first day especially for a first visit to help get you oriented. And, you are seeing it all in person- my preference. Just a suggestion for an alternative method!

While not the sort of thing I usually favor, we took this in while visiting with my niece and must say it was enjoyable and nicely done.

If you've never even heard of Paris Story, it seems a bit far-fetched to suggest where it belongs or doesn't belong. In fact, it would be quite an anomaly at Disneyland.

And what's mutually exclusive about going to a beautifully done historical overview movie and riding the Open-Bus?

It isn't an overview of what can currently be seen in Paris, or some kind of guide book on film.
It is more like a poetic documentary that discusses the <i>historical</i> background of the development of Paris over <i>centuries</i>, thus enlightening one as to why/how those monuments, literary references, etc. came to be.

You don't know anything about it, wtggirl, so why suggest where you think it should be when you've never seen it? It's just a nice film, basically (a very good travelogue, sort of). Saying that a film only belongs at Disneyland doesn't make any more sense than saying you shouldn't go to the opera because it only belongs at Disneyland. I have a feeling you are thinking it is some &quot;ride&quot; or attraction with characters in costumes or something, like the Its a Small World Thing. It's just a film and takes an hour or less. It's a good place to take a break and sit down for a while.

The historical context was exactly what I was hoping to find, so the kids (and all of us!) could have a better sense of how the things we see fit in to the culture of France. I am glad to hear that it is well done! We are all reading up on the history and art of France before our trip, but a multimedia can be easier to absorb, especially if it is entertaining!

I did not say the film belonged in Disneyland. I said it &quot;sounded&quot; like something that belonged in EPCOT. Have you been to EPCOT in Orlando? The documentary films there on China, Canada and many other countries reperesented are fantastic. They have both educational and historical quality. So, I was not comparing it to a ride in Disneyland. I also said I &quot;personally&quot; prefer to see things first hand when I can and I would probably do the educational film on my own time rather than my time in Paris. Personal preference here!