We arrive CDG 7:50AM Sat 9/18/04, depart 10:13AM Thurs 10/7/04. During our 4 days in Paris, we plan to see Louvre, D'Orsay, and 1 more plus sightsee and absorb ambiance. Any reason(s) to put Paris at beginning or end of trip? Thanks in advance.

If you put Paris at the beginning - you'll be there Sat-Tues. Most museums are very crowded on weekends, and closed on Mondays.
My preference would be put Paris at the end.

yk has a very good point. Do Paris at the end of your trip.

For me, it would probably depend where you are on the other part of the trip. Since you are departing from CDG, though, that pretty much means you have to be there at the end, doesn't it? I would never want to try to get to an airport in a totally different city, especially with a 10 am departure, I don't think you could.

Definitely at the end. You want to bring the romance of Paris home on the flight. Besides, if you start in Paris you'll never leave!

You may be pretty tired at the end of the trip, and just want to either go home or stay in the hotel. So, that's one reason why you may want to do Paris first when you have the energy.

But that's assuming the other destinations of your trip is more leisurely. And I don't disagree with yk and others about crowds during the weekend.

There really isin't a bad time to do Paris. In my opinion in the beginning would be better. ifIf you are leaving from cdg stay at the airport and take the rer in to Paris for a last hurrah before flying out.

ttt

I think the answer should also dependent on where else you're going.

I mean, the other places you want to visit may be seasonal. Who knows? And maybe you can even put Paris in the middle, depending on whereelse you're off to. You should tell us more.

I am doing a similar trip in October. We are putting 2 nights in Paris to begin, travel in the middle and then the last 5 nights in Paris. We are staying in in 2 different areas of Paris for different sightseeing, ease of travel etc. I guess if you only have 4 days though I would say Paris at the end also especially since you leave from CDG. If I did it in the beginning and did not know I was returning I couldn't stand to leave.

I always like to end trips in Paris. It is easier and more predictable getting to the airport for one thing. I also don't like staying a little at the beginning and at the end. It takes time to get re-settled in other places, etc.
And gee, now that I re-read your time period, ONLY 4 days in Paris? 'Way too short. What is the rest of your itinerary.

Hi t,

I think that they have the clothing convention around Sept 21.

Is it possible to add more time to Paris - 4 days is not much to see this fabulous city when you have 16 days at your disposal. Ira is right - the fashion shows are in late September and early October. In fact, they coincide almost exactly with the time you will be in Paris. You had better make your decision soon has hotels are often difficult to reserve during this time. We had some difficulty in March getting the hotel we wanted for late September and early October.

Well, my wife always says I'm too succinct.
We're in our 60's. She was last in France on a tour when she was 23---I think she saw Paris on a Tuesday afternoon. I drove thru France in 1981, on the way from Germany, thru Strasbourg on the way to the channel ferry. So you might as well say it's our first time.
In 2002 we spent 3 weeks in Bavaria and the Czech Republic. In 2003 we spent 3 weeks in Austria, Slovak & Czech Republics, and a little Bavaria.
So we thought we'd see Paris, some Normandy, Alsace, Burgundy, Loire, maybe some Bordeaux (using maybe 4 villages as hubs), leaving Dordogne, Rhone and Provence for another time. Large cities have their attributes (among them museums and art collections), and we were raised in Chicago and Detroit, but we prefer the smaller towns and countryside. Wurzburg vs Munich; Lake District vs London; Durnstein vs Vienna.
I appreciate your thoughts and contributions here; maybe since we arrive on a Saturday morning, we should see a small museum, dine, then sleep. See another (Louvre?) on Sunday, then on Monday depart for the provinces, then return at the end for a few days.
Of course, Sunday is a free day in the Louvre, I think; how mobbed does it get? Would the D'Orsay be AS mobbed? We thought we might also see the Rodin, and now my wife wants also to see the modern museum (I see a museum card in our future).
Otherwise, we just thought we'd absorb the Parisian ambiance on the streets. This would include eating, altho we're not $60/plate dinner people, nor would we appreciate breast of squab baked in truffle skins. Just give me a good cassoulet!
Hope this defines us and our desires better.

We did a five week trip around France starting and ending in Paris at the same dates roughly you are talking about. Not much difference really ..you will enjoy either time. By the way for your cassoulet, book into Allard (41 Rue St Andre des Artes in the 6th..ph.0143264823).MMMMMM!!! Can you take another two in their sixties? Enjoy your trip!

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