Please check my THREE (3) day PARIS itinerary
Jun 9th, 2008, 06:33 PM
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Please check my THREE (3) day PARIS itinerary
We will be staying at the Paris Marriott Champs-Elysees. (my wife and I are 26 years old)
DAY ONE:
We will arrive via the Eurostar from London on a Wednesday around 2:15pm local time. Will get checked into the hotel, maybe grab a quick bite to eat. Maybe do a bus tour or Seine boat cruise. Will walk around some and then we will head over to the Louvre since they will be open until 10pm.
We only plan on spending a few hours in the Louvre though...even though I know you could spend days and days. We are not big into viewing art. Sorry.
DAY TWO:
We will walk along the Seine starting around the Louvre area. Will walk south and cross the Pont Neuf bridge. This will bring us to Square du Vert Galant.
Then, we will continue east and will pause at the Place Dauphine square and then will move east along the Quai des Orfevres quay until we come to Sainte-Chapelle. We will stop in for a visit.
Then we will continue east along the quai des Orfevres until we come to the Pont St-Michel bridge and will cross to the left bank.
We will walk through the Place St-Michel square and will eat lunch around this area.
We will then continue along the quai St-Michel until it becomes the quai de Montebello. At the park/square Rene Viviani, we will take a picture of Notre Dame and will then cross the bridge Pont au Double to actually visit Notre Dame.
We will then take the Metro to the Place de la Concorde and will walk the Champs-Elysees (or if we are really tired, we will take the Metro to the F.D. Roosevelt stop and will walk the Champs-Elysees from there).
We will end up at the Arc de Triomphe and will climb to the top.
We will then head over to Tour Eiffel and will go up to the top if we can stand the long line. By this time, it should be getting close to sunset maybe....
DAY THREE:
We will take the Metro to the Pont-Marie stop and will walk around the Ile St-Louis island for a couple of hours.
Will then take the metro to the Musee d’Orsay and will spend a couple hours here.
Time for lunch – will eat at the Restaurant du Musee d’Orsay
Will then take the metro to the Abbesses stop and will wander around the square place du Tertre.
Will then visit the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur and will ascend to the dome for a great view.
Will then take the Metro to the Opera Garnier for a tour.
Will stop by the Galeries Lafayette mall….
DAY FOUR:
Wake up and head to the airport for a 11am departure….
When would be a good time for us to walk through the les Jardins du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens)?
DAY ONE:
We will arrive via the Eurostar from London on a Wednesday around 2:15pm local time. Will get checked into the hotel, maybe grab a quick bite to eat. Maybe do a bus tour or Seine boat cruise. Will walk around some and then we will head over to the Louvre since they will be open until 10pm.
We only plan on spending a few hours in the Louvre though...even though I know you could spend days and days. We are not big into viewing art. Sorry.
DAY TWO:
We will walk along the Seine starting around the Louvre area. Will walk south and cross the Pont Neuf bridge. This will bring us to Square du Vert Galant.
Then, we will continue east and will pause at the Place Dauphine square and then will move east along the Quai des Orfevres quay until we come to Sainte-Chapelle. We will stop in for a visit.
Then we will continue east along the quai des Orfevres until we come to the Pont St-Michel bridge and will cross to the left bank.
We will walk through the Place St-Michel square and will eat lunch around this area.
We will then continue along the quai St-Michel until it becomes the quai de Montebello. At the park/square Rene Viviani, we will take a picture of Notre Dame and will then cross the bridge Pont au Double to actually visit Notre Dame.
We will then take the Metro to the Place de la Concorde and will walk the Champs-Elysees (or if we are really tired, we will take the Metro to the F.D. Roosevelt stop and will walk the Champs-Elysees from there).
We will end up at the Arc de Triomphe and will climb to the top.
We will then head over to Tour Eiffel and will go up to the top if we can stand the long line. By this time, it should be getting close to sunset maybe....
DAY THREE:
We will take the Metro to the Pont-Marie stop and will walk around the Ile St-Louis island for a couple of hours.
Will then take the metro to the Musee d’Orsay and will spend a couple hours here.
Time for lunch – will eat at the Restaurant du Musee d’Orsay
Will then take the metro to the Abbesses stop and will wander around the square place du Tertre.
Will then visit the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur and will ascend to the dome for a great view.
Will then take the Metro to the Opera Garnier for a tour.
Will stop by the Galeries Lafayette mall….
DAY FOUR:
Wake up and head to the airport for a 11am departure….
When would be a good time for us to walk through the les Jardins du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens)?
Jun 9th, 2008, 06:44 PM
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<<Maybe do a bus tour or Seine boat cruise.>>
I recommend doing the boat cruise first. The most magical part of Paris is along the river.
<<take the Metro to the Place de la Concorde and will walk the Champs-Elysees>>
The Champs-Elysees is overrated and only interesting at the 2 ends. I'd see Place de la Concord, then take the Metro much closer tho the Arc. There are much more fascinating ways to spend your short, precious time in Paris than walking the boring middle part of the Champs-Elysees.
<<walk along the Seine>>
Don't miss the Pont Alexandre III and Grand Palais area.
The rest of the plan sounds good.
I recommend doing the boat cruise first. The most magical part of Paris is along the river.
<<take the Metro to the Place de la Concorde and will walk the Champs-Elysees>>
The Champs-Elysees is overrated and only interesting at the 2 ends. I'd see Place de la Concord, then take the Metro much closer tho the Arc. There are much more fascinating ways to spend your short, precious time in Paris than walking the boring middle part of the Champs-Elysees.
<<walk along the Seine>>
Don't miss the Pont Alexandre III and Grand Palais area.
The rest of the plan sounds good.
Jun 9th, 2008, 06:47 PM
#3
only time for a short response now -- Why are you visiting the two islands on different days? They are literally next door neighbors - across a very short bridge from each other. You are crossing back and forth across all of Paris much too much for such a short visit. You'll do better if you organize things geographically.
Jun 9th, 2008, 07:03 PM
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Janis - thanks for the input. I will look at this a little more closely. I just went to Frommer's and did their three day itinerary almost exactly.
YK - I thought about getting a museum pass.....but wasn't sure. Do you recommend it in my case?
Also, no..I do not have a tour booked yet for the Opera. I thought we would just walk around ourselves (their site says: The great staircase, the foyers, the auditorium*, the museum and the temporary exhibition hall can be visited freely every day from 10:00am to 5:00pm (last admission 4:30pm).)
YK - I thought about getting a museum pass.....but wasn't sure. Do you recommend it in my case?
Also, no..I do not have a tour booked yet for the Opera. I thought we would just walk around ourselves (their site says: The great staircase, the foyers, the auditorium*, the museum and the temporary exhibition hall can be visited freely every day from 10:00am to 5:00pm (last admission 4:30pm).)
Jun 9th, 2008, 07:06 PM
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http://www.operadeparis.fr/Calendrier/
Instead of a tour, see if you can get cheap tickets for a performance. Then you can see the opera house at night, and leave more time for sightseeing during the day.
Instead of a tour, see if you can get cheap tickets for a performance. Then you can see the opera house at night, and leave more time for sightseeing during the day.
Jun 9th, 2008, 07:16 PM
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My next suggestion may not work with your planned itinerary, but here it goes:
Since you and your wife aren't into art (and/or don't know much about art), it can be very overwhelming when visiting huge museums such as Louvre and Orsay.
Your "best bang for the buck" to tackle these museums would be to take the guided tours (usually called masterpieces tour; or highlights tour) offered by the museums. Here, you follow the docent who points out to you which are the important paintings; without you getting lost yourselves. I've taken the tours at both museums and highly recommend them. Since then, I've been back to the Louvre several times, and the sheer size of it remains overwhelming at times.
These tours are usually offered in the morning, so that's why I said it may not fit in your schedule.
One more comment: I tend to visit museums early in the day. I find myself with most energy and concentration in the morning. Sometimes I can visit a small-ish museum in the afternoon, but my attention span would only last 1 hour. It is very, very difficult to visit Louvre in the evening, AFTER a long day of traveling, luggage schlepping, and sightseeing. By the time you get to the Louvre, you probably just want to leave.
If you still want to visit Louvre on Day one, I suggest you go there after checking in/lunch; and do the Seine cruise afterwards. Sunset in Paris in June is around 9:30pm... wait until it's dark and all the buildings are lit up before you take the cruise.
Since you and your wife aren't into art (and/or don't know much about art), it can be very overwhelming when visiting huge museums such as Louvre and Orsay.
Your "best bang for the buck" to tackle these museums would be to take the guided tours (usually called masterpieces tour; or highlights tour) offered by the museums. Here, you follow the docent who points out to you which are the important paintings; without you getting lost yourselves. I've taken the tours at both museums and highly recommend them. Since then, I've been back to the Louvre several times, and the sheer size of it remains overwhelming at times.
These tours are usually offered in the morning, so that's why I said it may not fit in your schedule.
One more comment: I tend to visit museums early in the day. I find myself with most energy and concentration in the morning. Sometimes I can visit a small-ish museum in the afternoon, but my attention span would only last 1 hour. It is very, very difficult to visit Louvre in the evening, AFTER a long day of traveling, luggage schlepping, and sightseeing. By the time you get to the Louvre, you probably just want to leave.
If you still want to visit Louvre on Day one, I suggest you go there after checking in/lunch; and do the Seine cruise afterwards. Sunset in Paris in June is around 9:30pm... wait until it's dark and all the buildings are lit up before you take the cruise.
Jun 9th, 2008, 07:24 PM
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Musee d'Orsay is open until 9:45pm on Thursdays. http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/visits/welcome.html
Jun 9th, 2008, 07:24 PM
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< DAY TWO:
We will walk along the Seine starting around the Louvre area. Will walk south and cross the Pont Neuf bridge. This will bring us to Square du Vert Galant.
Then, we will continue east and will pause at the Place Dauphine square and then will move east along the Quai des Orfevres quay until we come to Sainte-Chapelle. We will stop in for a visit. >
FYI, the line to get into Saint Chapelle is always VERY long. A recent trip report someone noted waiting in line for over 1 hour? Even when I went couple of years ago in FEbruary, the line was long. I can only imagine what it's like in June.
My suggestion would be start you DAY 2 very early, so by the time you get to Saint Chappelle, it's still before opening time.
You can certainly go visit Ile St Louis after Notre Dame. Don;t forget to get ice cream from Berthillon (?sp).
In your case, I think you will benefit from the museum pass. You should do your math and see if it saves you money.
We will walk along the Seine starting around the Louvre area. Will walk south and cross the Pont Neuf bridge. This will bring us to Square du Vert Galant.
Then, we will continue east and will pause at the Place Dauphine square and then will move east along the Quai des Orfevres quay until we come to Sainte-Chapelle. We will stop in for a visit. >
FYI, the line to get into Saint Chapelle is always VERY long. A recent trip report someone noted waiting in line for over 1 hour? Even when I went couple of years ago in FEbruary, the line was long. I can only imagine what it's like in June.
My suggestion would be start you DAY 2 very early, so by the time you get to Saint Chappelle, it's still before opening time.
You can certainly go visit Ile St Louis after Notre Dame. Don;t forget to get ice cream from Berthillon (?sp).
In your case, I think you will benefit from the museum pass. You should do your math and see if it saves you money.
Jun 9th, 2008, 07:26 PM
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I agree with the others who have suggested that you combine your Ile St. Louis time with Notre Dame. I love the Ile St. Louis, but it's very tiny and doesn't take that long to stroll through. I would save Montmartre for another visit and spend more time perusing the Left Bank. The Luxembourg Gardens are wonderful, and winding your way there from the Seine is delightful. St. Chappelle is magnificent; an evening concert is a great way to experience its beauty.
I think the Louvre is definitely worth visiting even for the quickest of "highlight" tours. Starry Night is at the MoMA in NYC, so if that's the only reason you're doing to the Orsay, you might save that for another time as well. If you do decide to visit the Orsay (which is a really neat building, in my opinion), go straight to the top floor to see their Impressionist collection.
Have a wonderful time! Paris is my favorite place in the whole world, and the thing I love the most there is just walking around and soaking in the atmosphere. I think it's positively magical.
Eloise
PS For a fun overview of the city, you might check out Fat Tire Bike Tours' bike or Segway tours.
I think the Louvre is definitely worth visiting even for the quickest of "highlight" tours. Starry Night is at the MoMA in NYC, so if that's the only reason you're doing to the Orsay, you might save that for another time as well. If you do decide to visit the Orsay (which is a really neat building, in my opinion), go straight to the top floor to see their Impressionist collection.
Have a wonderful time! Paris is my favorite place in the whole world, and the thing I love the most there is just walking around and soaking in the atmosphere. I think it's positively magical.
Eloise
PS For a fun overview of the city, you might check out Fat Tire Bike Tours' bike or Segway tours.
Jun 9th, 2008, 07:31 PM
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Found it! Trip report of Paris where the poster had a 2-hour wait to get into Sainte Chappelle
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35130149
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35130149
Jun 9th, 2008, 07:43 PM
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My suggestion is to zero in on what it is you really want to see and do.
You aren't that interested in art, but you are going to both the Louvre and the Orsay. If that is what you really want to do, then I agree with the suggestion of taking a tour. If it isn't what you really want to do, don't feel guilty about saving those museums for next time.
I agree with the suggestion of looking into getting tickets for a performance at the Palais Garnier. Usually cheap seats are available for 20€ a pop.
You might want to see the Eiffel tower, arch de triumph, and area on your first afternoon/evening, since they are close to your hotel.
Day 2 and 3 you could do musuem tours at the Louvre and Orsay in the mornings. Then dedicate one afternoon to the islands, and another afternoon to either Montmartre OR the Latin Quarter and Luxembourg Gardens. One evening you could go to a show at the Palais Garnier, and if you felt the need you could do a boat cruise thing the other night.
You aren't that interested in art, but you are going to both the Louvre and the Orsay. If that is what you really want to do, then I agree with the suggestion of taking a tour. If it isn't what you really want to do, don't feel guilty about saving those museums for next time.
I agree with the suggestion of looking into getting tickets for a performance at the Palais Garnier. Usually cheap seats are available for 20€ a pop.
You might want to see the Eiffel tower, arch de triumph, and area on your first afternoon/evening, since they are close to your hotel.
Day 2 and 3 you could do musuem tours at the Louvre and Orsay in the mornings. Then dedicate one afternoon to the islands, and another afternoon to either Montmartre OR the Latin Quarter and Luxembourg Gardens. One evening you could go to a show at the Palais Garnier, and if you felt the need you could do a boat cruise thing the other night.
Jun 9th, 2008, 07:47 PM
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I wouldn't say tour of Opera a priority on your schedule.
Definitely night time bateau mouche for incredible views of Notre Dame, underbelly of medieval Paris bridges, Tour Eiffel.
Definitely Definitely meander on Ile St. Louis (Bertllion ice cream!) and walk through Jardin du Luxembourg.
Agree walking Champs overrated and for me, it felt like Michigan Avenue in Chicago compared to the rest of the charming city.
Definitely night time bateau mouche for incredible views of Notre Dame, underbelly of medieval Paris bridges, Tour Eiffel.
Definitely Definitely meander on Ile St. Louis (Bertllion ice cream!) and walk through Jardin du Luxembourg.
Agree walking Champs overrated and for me, it felt like Michigan Avenue in Chicago compared to the rest of the charming city.
Jun 9th, 2008, 07:56 PM
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The Fat Tire Bike tours are a great way to get an overview of Paris and might be something fun to do your first night there. The evening tour starts (at least in March it did)at 6 p.m. and lasts until 10 or 10:30. You meet at the Eiffel Tower--if you get there early, you could already have gone up in it. The tour takes you to the Berthillon ice cream shop and includes a Bateaux Mouches Seine tour. You also see Notre Dame and Sainte-Chappelle (from the outside) and ride in front of the Louvre.
I agree with a previous suggestion that getting tickets to an evening performance at the Opera Garnier is a good way to see it without taking away from daytime sightseeing. We also saw Sainte- Chappelle the same way--evening performance of Vivaldi.
Also I agree to go immediately to the top floor of the Orsay, and to take a "hit the high points" tour of the Louvre. The museum pass was definitely worthwhile. You can use it at the Arc de Triomphe, too.
I also wouldn't waste time at Galleries Layfayette, and the Champs Elysees is not somewhere to spend much time, either. I much prefer walking along the Seine.
I also agree that the museums are best first thing in the morning, especially if you have a short attention span when it comes to art.
I agree with a previous suggestion that getting tickets to an evening performance at the Opera Garnier is a good way to see it without taking away from daytime sightseeing. We also saw Sainte- Chappelle the same way--evening performance of Vivaldi.
Also I agree to go immediately to the top floor of the Orsay, and to take a "hit the high points" tour of the Louvre. The museum pass was definitely worthwhile. You can use it at the Arc de Triomphe, too.
I also wouldn't waste time at Galleries Layfayette, and the Champs Elysees is not somewhere to spend much time, either. I much prefer walking along the Seine.
I also agree that the museums are best first thing in the morning, especially if you have a short attention span when it comes to art.
