I am now on 10-11 hour days and 7 days a week at work but need to start a trip report. I am not the writer or travel expert that some of you are but we really had great experience in Paris and I want to share a little. This site was so instrumental in our enjoyment of the trip that I feel I owe it to those that follow. If this is not of interest tell me and I will stop. Please pardon the spelling (or misspelling) of the French words. The English will probably be as bad.<BR>First: we arrived at 1130 (24 hour clock remember) on a Sunday. The trip through customs was a snap. I had reserved (at the last minute) a Paris Shuttle. I called when we arrived as instructed but we had a 45 minute wait for the driver and van. It took another 15-20 minutes to get away from the airport and about an hour overall to our hotel. We had an interesting companion most of the way that gave us some insights.<BR>We were booked at the Hotel Derby Eiffel on Rue Duquesne in the 7th. This is a short walk (three short corners from Rue Cler and across the street from the side of the Ecole Militarie and only about 400 feet from a metro station. The Staff was wonderful and the room was adequate -nicely decorated and clean as a pin but very small. The bathroom was elegant but tiny. the shower door was not wide enough for my generous behind. However, the water was hot, the toilet worked and lighting was good.<BR>We were also about 3 blocks from the head of mall in front of the Eiffel Tower. (We could see the Eiffel tower from our window -by craning our neck and looking sideways.<BR>We walked for a while that afternoon and then ate dinner in the neighborhood. We had been up, except for a nap on the plane, since 0600 central US time on Saturday. So we ended the first day.<BR>One note for you to hold in your mind is that I asked the Shuttle driver how much notice they needed to schedule the return trip to the airport--he may not have understood English very well but; he said to call that day and they would pick me up. DO NOT BELIEVE THAT!<BR>One more thing: We left home for Paris on the 14th of September.<BR>

Continuing : On day two (Monday) we decided to have breakfast in the hotel. It was quaint, the layout was good but it was very pricey. Our first trip was to the Eiffel Tower. We bought tickets to the top with a stop on the next to top level and then to the top. Do not miss this experience. It is fantastic. The city is so beautiful. We walked to the rail station and caught a train to the stop (D’ Orsay) across the river from the Louvre. I made the mistake of buying a all day anywhere pass halfway through a day with only time left to do one or two things. More on metro passes later. We walked to the Louvre and found that after 3 on Mondays the ticket price is reduced. Some of the museum closes at 5 but there is plenty to do. We ate lunch (very late lunch) and then stayed until about 8 pm. We were exhausted. There are stairs everywhere in Paris. In the metro in the Louvre, everywhere you go there are stairs. Metro back to our neighborhood and tried another restaurant. <BR>By this time I should mention we had not met a single rude Frenchman (person). NOT ONE. I speak only 10 words of French and do not pronounce them correctly. However, I started off every time with “Bon Jour m(whatever)” and “do you speak English” (in French) Everyone usually said either “no” or “only a little” but their English was far superior to my French.<BR>Day three, (Tuesday) I really wanted to do the D’Orsay but opted to start the day on the island. We went to the Cathedral Notre Dame. Here we bought the Museum pass. This pass may be a good deal for some but it is only good for 5 days from the first time you use it, so be prepared to spend all of your time in museums if you buy it as I think if I remember you have to do about 6 or 7 to break even and everything you want to see is not on the pass.<BR>We climbed the tower to the parapet (about 300 steps) I told you there are many steps in Paris. It was another 50 or so up to the Quisimodo (Sp) bell tower and the back to the parapet. Then it was another 100 or so steps up to the top of the tower. The view is wonderful from either place. Depending upon your age and condition you may want to limit this climb or rest a long time on the parapet. There is probably a good reason they have an aid station at the top of the 300 step climb. We went to Samartine’s saw the wonderful ceiling there and ate lunch in their caf&eacute; on the 9th floor. A little shopping, some alley walking and then dinner on the Island and back home to the neighborhood for desert and then to the room.<BR>

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Once again I question the sense of reserving a Paris Shuttle, having to call when you get there, and then waiting 45 minutes for the damn thing to pick you up, as well as making other stops before you get where you're going. All that to save just a few dollars (assuming two people) instead of walking out and getting a taxi for a direct route to your hotel. Just doesn't make sense to me, but hey if you enjoy the aggravation, more power to you!<BR><BR>Anxiously awaiting more of your report Mikex!

Interesting report so far, Mike. We could really relate to your comment about stairs being ubiquitous in Paris. As my wife said, &quot;I'm the only person I know who lost weight in Paris!&quot;<BR>I'll also have to agree with Patrick's comment. After an 8-hour flight, no waiting around for me. I just want to hop into a cab or a limousine and get to the hotel.

I am definitely not a believer in shuttles! We had a reservation with Parishuttle and missed the van as the driver left without us (we didn't call as planned so he took off); we were told to wait another 30 minutes. After a 14 hour transcon. flight from the west coast via Germany, we weren't going to wait another 30 minutes-if he showed up at all. So back upstairs to the arrivals hall and queued up for a taxi as many others and quickly got one. The drive was fast and our driver was courteous. The cost was the same as Parishuttle. Heck, take the taxi-not a shuttle!! Save time and patience.

When I say we didn't call as planned I meant we made the mistake of calling the shuttle co. after picking up our baggage instead of before we picked it up.

We just returned from Paris and used Parishuttle both ways and had absolutely no problems. We had five people so it was definitely cheaper than two taxis. Our van was waiting for us when we walked out of the door of the airport and on the return they arrived at the exact time specified. We did have to drop off and pick up other people but we were in no hurry and enjoyed seeing some other areas of Paris that we hadn't spent much time. We contacted Mark Harris directly at [email protected].

Great report. Can't wait for more.<BR>I wanted to know from Mikex or others if the museum pass is worth it just to bypass the lines. I am thinking of getting a three day and might not break even with the # of sights but if it avoids time in lines, could it be worth it?

Milex,<BR>I am loving your report--please continue! My husband and I are laughingly agreeing about the stairs everywhere--great workout!

Jen, in answer to your question, yes the museum pass is worth it just to bypass the potentially long lines at the Louvre and d'Orsay. A three-day pass is a good choice. Keep in mind, that the pass is good for a lot of other sites besides museums, including the Arc de Triumph and Ste. Chapelle. So, it may be easier than you think to get your money's worth.

Reading the comments here has brought back a lot of memories of the week we spent a week in Paris in May of '99. I loved every minute and vowed to return someday. And your comment regarding stairs..how true. We went to the Arc de Triomphe and the only way up were the stairs. She looked at me and advised against it and I thought, Hmmp, I can do this! Well, old overweight, heavy smoker me wished several times during the climb that I had heeded her words! (Just for the record, I've lost some weight and quit a 46 year smoking habit last February 12th!!). But back to Paris. We stayed at the Champ de Mars and the area was perfect. We saw some of the mentioned tourist attractions, and often just walked and looked. A near-by restaurant was our favorite (very simple fare and frequented by mostly locals) and where we ended up eating most of the time. I found the people to be friendly and helpful and I won't even entertain the idea that, on occasion, we may have had a NL European Vacation experience though - admittedly - it's a possibility. <BR>On one occasion we were on a corner (probably) looking very lost, consulting our guide book when a very nice english-speaking man stopped, gave us directions and offered a little advice. Then one night we were in a subway station, waiting for a train to take us to the station nearest our hotel. (It had been a very long day). Us and others had been waiting for a while when finally a uniformed man appeared to tell us that there would be no train and beckoned us all out of the station. He explained to each little group an alternative way to get where they were going. And then there was us! He didn't speak English but we told him the name of our hotel, he pondered a moment, chin in hand and then he lit up..he indicated we should walk!, this # of blocks, turn, then this # of blocks. He was really funny..and very nice!<BR><BR>Has any one been to the cemetery where some very famous people are buried. Someone told us that WHEN we go back we should make it a must see. We saw the D'Orsay but missed the Louvre, reason itself to go back!!

Thanks for your advice Howard.<BR><BR>Elaine: I have not been to the cemetery but my parents have and swear I have to go there. I really can't see spending/wasting time there to look at tombstones. I'd like to hear from anyone also who has been and thinks it is a must see and why they think it is a must see.

Elaine and Jen, If you are thinking of the cemetary pere Lachaise, its a great place, the crypts are often works of art, the statues are incredible and it will give you some fantastic photo ops, I don't go there everytime I go to Paris so I wouldn't consider it a must see, but its up toward the top of the list but then I also enjoyed the sewers of Paris tour!!!

Hi Deborah, Is the cemetery you named the one where Jim Morrison is buried(?) which is the one this person meant. I ask because I think she said there was another big cemetery, too. I'm making my 'list'..maybe 2003 is the year.

There are two major cemeteries in Paris with famous people -- Pere Lachaise and Montparnasse. There are some in Montmartre cemetery, also, but not as many. Some people really like looking at graves and some don't, it's a personal thing. I've been to all of them becuase I've been to Paris a lot, but I'm not as crazy about that as my sister is, for example. She really likes looking at gravestones, but I don't find most of it that interesting, either. Montparnasse is much closer in than Pere Lachaise, so is easier to see in a short time, but if there isn't anyone's grave in particular you want to see there, I wouldn't go.

Elaine, yes he is buried at Pere Lachaise, we have been to the cemetary on two or three of our trips and I still couldn't tell you where it is but it is there and there are probably people milling around it at all times of the day, there are some really eerie tombstones and many that are incredible works of art, guess that's what appeals to me, not many places can you see that which was so important in their life that they use it to mark their existence, what ever you do in Paris, you will have a good time Deborah

Definitely put Pere Lachaise Cemetery on your must-see list. It's fascinating and well worth several hours of your time. As a previous poster said, it's like being in a museum, and the photo ops are ubiquitous!

has anyone been on the bus operated by AirFrance rom CDG airport to the city centre? How much does it cost and I also hear there is a tour of Paris included

All responses are helpful. WE (4 of us) are going in July to cheer on Lance in the Tour De France. We would like to stay as close to the Champ Elysees (for the last race to end). Any suggestions? If anyone has been there for this tour any advice would be helpful.