Thanks to all for your encourgement. I have been out of town all day and it is past midnight. I will continue the report tomorrow if at all possible.

Love your report. Please continue. We are planning a trip in March and I am learning a lot. Thanks.

Mike - Thanks for a wonderful report. I was in Paris from Sept. 8th - Sept. 19th. I loved it. I guess the rude people were in hiding when I was there too. I got to see the wonderful, compassionate side of them as I was there during 9/11. They were nice before 9/11 and even more so afterwards.<BR><BR>Your postings of your adventures in Paris have been so pure, simple and refreshing. I love it.<BR><BR>I also love the new registration that Fodor's now has. It seems as though it has helped to rid this site of the joksters and hostility ridden people.<BR><BR>

Mike--your report is great! Sometimes, I think that people who are making their first trip report are a little afraid that those who have been here longer or have made several trips will see it as too elementary, but I feel that each person's experience gives us a fresh chance to &quot;see&quot; the things we've seen before. <BR><BR>I have used this site for a few years, planning and reporting(and re-living!) 2 trips to Paris(now I'm planning a 3rd) a trip to London, and a 3 city tour of Italy.<BR><BR> I found that most Fodorites are not only eager to share their insights for the benefit of others, but also enjoy the vicarious participation in travel that we all so obviously adore. Keep it up, we're eager to hear about your dining experiences.<BR><BR>By the way, I am looking forward to a visit to the Marmottan this trip. Thanks for the remarks.

The next day was sort of an “off-day” in the view that we did only two really “tourist” oriented items worth repeating. We did not rush out of bed this morning and when we did the trip was to the 14th Arrondissement and to the Catacombs. Now, I saw comments on this “attraction” that ranged up an down the scale from gruesome to fascinating to claustrophobic. My wife suffers a little from claustrophobia but it is more the type caused by crowds. She was not enthused about this venture but is a good sport and agreed to go along since I wanted too. She also was interested since the French resistance had used the catacombs for meeting and to evade the Germans during WWII. It was dark, it was a bit gruesome and it smelled a it dank and musty but it was fascinating. There were about 4 other small (2 or 3 people) groups that we met during our trek through the catacombs but they were all agreeable and for the most part American. The story as to the what, when and how of the catacombs is quite fascinating and well worth the few Euros to buy the little book at the entrance. One thing to note: You go down about 60 or so steps to get into the catacombs and then you walk for a long way and come up to the surface no where near where you descended. And don’t forget you must climb an equal number of steps to get back to the surface (my guess is around 65-70). We found a McDonalds (Yes we finally caved in) we went there and used the restrooms and had a coke each and rested.<BR>From this we went back to the Latin Quarter and browsed a bit and then went back to the 7th and had dinner early. Then we put on jJackets, walked back to the Eiffel Tower and went to the top again for our night time visit. The “City of Lights” really does justice to its nickname from the top of Mr. Eiffel’s tower. It is far too beautiful for my poor words to describe. It was a little blustery and the camera we took would not do night pictures. We exchanged with another couple and took each others pictures, so we have a nice picture of us framed in darkness &lt;G&gt;.<BR>That is all for tonight. <BR>

Another day at the Louvre. This time we went for the gold. We had picked a number of must see items so that was our goal and not much deterred us. We wanted to see Venus de Milo, the winged victory and the Mona Lisa and we did. After that we did a more leisurely tour of parts of the museum. For those of you following this, yes, it was our second trip to the Louvre. I could go back dozens of times and not see all I want to see. One of the real highlights is the sculpture gardens. The architects have closed in a couple courtyards by roofing over the top and made 3 or 4 story open galleries surrounded by open rooms for the smaller statuary. These sunlight filled courtyards would probably be a bit warm in the summer (they were in the Fall) but it was so pleasant after so many dark and gloomy corridors that it was very pleasing. We wanted to do the Napoleon apartments but found they were closed on that day. The museum is apparently somewhat understaffed so to compensate they close certain areas on different days of the week. It might be a good idea for you to stop by and get a closure list (you can get into the lobby for free –although I understand the entrance line can be very long at times.) Again I will mention the cafeteria as a great place to eat and relax for a while. The salads were superb as were the deserts. Since I cannot remember the entrees I either did not get one or they were not memorable.<BR>The old original ramparts in the basement were very interesting as were the artifacts uncovered while excavating. Other sites were just as interesting as those I have mentioned but again I need to warn you there are steps at every turn and not many elevators which are generally reserved for the handicapped. Be sure to go to the gallery of large paintings. This lies on the way from the Winged Victory to Mona Lisa. At the end of the gallery you will also find a very nice coffee shop and dinig facility tucked in the bend behind a grand staircase.<BR>That was all we did this day as again we stayed until closing.<BR>Hang on gang just a few more days to go.

Mike, thanks for your report! I'm really enjoying, and it's making me get more excited about my upcoming trip to France in May. Sounds like you and your wife really had a wonderful time, and enjoyed Paris to the fullest!

Thanks Sue and all others.<BR>This day we took the metro to Invallades station and changed to the RER for a trip out of town to Versailles. The train ride was pleasant but uneventful and only about 30-40 minutes in duration. We got off the train and luckily walked straight onto a local bus that took us to Versailles. It is an easy 4-5 block walk if you prefer to save a Euro or two but th edriver was plesant and we got to see a little of the town on the way.<BR>The line to get into the ticket lobby was long but moved quickly and we had our ticekts in a short time. We got basically the entire package including the guided garden tour which I wholeheartedly recommend. Our guide was a young French college student majoring in history. She was bright and cheerful and very informative about the gardens. We would have missed much of the detail had we gone alone.<BR>Next we went through the standard tour and here we made our biggest mistake. We should have rented the English language headset. I feel we missed 905 of the real history of the place for not getting this. There is so much to see in each of the rooms and so little description in the guide books and the booklet they give. The two most impressive features were the Chapel and of course the Hall of mirrors. You have all seen it in pictures and history books (signing of the treaty of Versailles) but no picture of movie can prepare you for the experience of being there. Do not miss this one.<BR>Next we ate a late lunch in the cafeteria in the basement near the entrance and moved on to the private apartment tour. Here we rented the cassettes and the tour was much better. This too was well worth the price. <BR>We were not through; we took the tram around to the outlying houses (mansions) My wife waited at petite palace while I walked the mile or so footpath to the little village that was built for Marie Antoinette. I enjoyed the visit but felt rushed. We were pretty well done in and it was nearly closing time, so we skipped the next house and went back to the main building and left. We waited for a while for the bus and gave up and walked back to the train station stopping at gift shops on the way. As luck would have it we walked into the RER train station and straight onto the train. This took us back to Invalides station where we switched back to the metro and to our hotel. All in all a very special day.<BR>

We are getting near the end of this trip and the interest has dropped off considerably. I will continue after tonight only if you are interested. This day was a clean up odds and ends day. We started the day by getting up late and then taking the Metro to Luxembourg gardens. I was very impressed with the park and am glad we got to go. It was pleasing in the sun and cool under the trees. Had I been a resident I would find myself drawn to this park on relaxing days. A good book and pleasant surroundings would be wonderful. From the gardens we walked the few blocks to the Panthenon, stopping along the way to shop for post cards and magnets. We did not go in the Pantheon as I has read it was OK but not a necessary stop. From there we walked side streets looking in shops and relaxing while we made our way to the river and over to the right bank. Our target was the Victor Hugo home &amp; museum. This was interesting and something to do on an “off” day. There is a garden (Park) across from his house and it was nice but not Luxembourg gardens. We also walked back to the Opera and to Galleries Lafayette for an item my wife wanted. Back to Samertine’s for a business card case for me. This was a tiring but fun day and since we were in the area we ate dinner on the left bank near Notre Dame. Then we looked at the bridges in the area with some care and got on the boats (Vendette??) at the end of the Isle de Cite for a nighttime cruse up and down the Seine. It was a pleasant tour with a guide who spoke very good English. We took the nearest metro home from there as we were very tired.

Mikex--Keep it up!

Mike - I've thoroughly enjoyed your trip reports......don't stop now.<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Melissa

Mike, we share your view of Luxembourg Gardens and spent parts of two afternoons there. And, after successfully managing to secure chairs (no mean feat), we just sat there basking in the sun and enjoying the view of others just enjoying the park.

Howard, I wish I had some place like the Luxembourg Gardens to go even ocasionally here. &quot;Barb in GA&quot; and &quot;Muddy Paws&quot; thanks I am glad to know some one is reading.<BR>This is not another day but an important visit that I failed to cover on a previous day (or rather actually two days) the second Monday we were there (or was it Tuesday?—check your guide book) we decided to go to the Rodin Museum. Since it was only a half dozen blocks from our hotel and we would have had to go hither and yon on the metro to get there we decided to walk. This was the only really cool morning we had and the wind was really bad. Well, (you who are familiar with the Paris museums already guessed) it was closed!!! So we went elsewhere that day. When we did go back it was well worth the trip. The museum is in the great mans house which even though in the middle of the city is light and airy and quiet pleasant. There were many of his sculptures on display in the house along with those of his mistress who in her own right was quite talented. The gardens and surrounds are also very nice. If I were rich (the heck with famous) I would love to have such a beautiful place. The house, while large was not ostentatious. We got a very good picture of the “Thinker” with the Eiffel tower in the background just showing through the morning haze. An eating hint for here. In the garden the (probably) stables have been converted to a cafeteria style dining facility. The food was excellent. Since the museum does not open until 9:30-1000, if you go first thing in the morning and do the house and the garden you will finish in time for an early lunch. The food is very serviceable and the price very reasonable.

Thanks so much for bringing back our wonderful memories of Paris. We loved the Rodin Museum, too, but sadly missed the Marmottan...next time.

Great report! You've brought back my memories of Paris. Just wish I had the time and money to return again soon. <BR>Tammy

Roseanne &amp; Tammylou. I really miss Paris. I would move there if it were possible. However, I am a big city lover and would also be happy in any big city. I have visited most all of the US large cities at sometime or the other and found only a few that I did not want to return to. However, the love of my life likes to visit but not to live so that is more important. Paris was really special and we were very fortunate to have long enough time to see most all of what was important to us, have a little time to lounge in parks and shop in the super department stores. We also had the time to look up at the architecture of Paris and wonder how so many of these grand buildings survived two world wars with such minimal damage.

Mike, your trip report is fascinating - thanks so much! <BR><BR>I realize that you visited in September, but we are considering a 2-wk trip to France in the Spring of 2004 -- any recommendations on visitng in April vs May? Also, we are thinking of spending about 1 week in Paris and the other in the countryside -- any comments/recommendations from anyone? We have never been to France before.

Mike,thanks again for the wonderful Paris report. I'm going to be there this May...can't wait.<BR><BR>Jeannie, I am going to be there in May. I've heard it's a great time of year to go. You will love it. I was there is Sept. 2001. What was suppose to be an eight day trip turned out to be twelve days. I was there during 911 and couldn't get home. The French couldn't have been nicer. I was treated beautifully and am hoping the same will hold true when I go in May.

Jeannie and Madison. I personally have no experience in May or April, however, one of my wife's friends was there in April 2000 and visited the city and Provonce. I did not hear about the weather being anything but nice. At least it was not severly cold. as she too is a FL girl and where ever we go it is always too cool &lt;G&gt; Have a wonderful trip -- both of your! I will try to finish this thread in the next few nights.

Jeannie,<BR>We were there for two weeks last May, and it was great. A little rain, but mostly sunny, comfortable weather. May 1 and 8 are French holidays. We were there on the latter--which is Liberation Day (the French version of VE Day)--and really enjoyed seeing the French at their leisure. Also, it is one of two special times each year when they fly a huge French flag inside the Arc de Triomphe, a most memorable sight.