Christina

well, yes, you are looking right at it when you are at the Trocadero -- you have a better view than when you are at the tower, actually, because you are across the river.

If you love the Eiffel Tower, sure go to see it twice (day and night), I just meant that you don't need to go to the tower itself and then cross the river to the Trocadero for other reasons as you'll see the tower from the Trocadero.

flygirl

The Trocadero has the best view! just magnificent. I insist on taking my friends there for their 'first viewing'. if you are pressed for time, just do the night time visit. much more satisfying.

actually, let me change that slightly. try to make the Trocadero at night your FIRST time view of the Tower, if you find you can go both times. it's amazing.

my favorite story in re: showing off the Eiffel Tower was with two friends... we got off at the metro stop near the Place, and I made them close their eyes and hold my hands as I led them through the crush and around the corner and up to the wall, in full grand view of the Tower. it was an experience, to say the least. I don't know who was more moved - them, for seeing it the first time, or me, for being able to show it to them like that. TADA! here it is!!

Travelnut

My thought on the Eiffel Tower thing was a) go UP the tower (Paris overviews) then go to Trocadero for b) photo ops of the tower itself (the traditional viewpoint). This combination would be the 'day-time' view.
The 'night-time' view would have to be made at another time, perhaps Sunday evening. (Does it still 'glitter' at night on the hour for 10 minutes?)

dudi

Thanks mamc, Christina, flygirl and travelnut for the great tips and for sharing all those feelings about the Eiffel and Trocadero.
Didn't know the Trocadero was so amazing! You all really opened my eyes!
Can't wait!!

About veddetes, I saw that the departure is from Pont du Neuf (the romantic one!) and does anybody know if the the arrival is also there (the site is not clear about this)? Can I just jump near the Trocadero instead of going back?

Thanks! dudi

DougP

If you want to see the view of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero in a film, rent " Forget Paris". In one scene the director has created an outdoor restaurant on the Place Trocadero and the camera catches the view of the tower from the Trocadero, table and all!

allisonm

The vedettes from Pont Neuf don't stop to let you on and off the boat, it's about an hour's ride, heads toward the Eiffel Tower, then turns around and goes up past Ile de la Cite and turns around again. We took it one very chilly evening in Feb and it was so much fun, shivering and huddling with my hubby!

Christina

If you want to take a Seine cruise and then go to the Trocadero, there are boats right near th3e Eiffel Tower and ou could then walk across the river from there easily. I haven't taken them but I don't think any of them are that different.

You can't miss them, there is a big sign right near the bridge pointing to them. they are called Vedettes de Paris and here's their web site:

http://www.vedettesdeparis.com/franc...croisieres.htm

You cannot jump overboard on any of these cruises, at least not without causing problems.

Robespierre

If you're a hard-core Eiffel Tower aficionada, go here:

http://217.174.199.22/teiffel/uk/

And here:

http://www.abcparislive.com/

Bon voyage!

dudi

Hi, everybody!
Thanks for the new tips! Robespierre, you are right: I'm really an T.Eiffel afficionada. Loved the site!
I made some changes on my itinerary, any comments are really welcome! Thanks everybody, you helped me a lot!

24th Friday
Check in
Explore St Germain area
If possible go to Bon Marche to buy some food!
Take Vedettes du pont neuf at 7pm
Dinner

25th, Saturday
Star walking tour...
T. Eiffel (up - very early in the morning)
Trocadero
Arc
Champs Elysee
Palays
Place de la Concorde
Pont Alexandre III
Musee D'orsay
Dinner on a restwith a view (maybe la ciel)

26th, Sunday

Notre Dame (very early to go up the towers)
Conciergerie (just outside)
St Chapelle (inside!)
Explore Ile St. Louis
Louvre (2-3 hours)
Jd Tuilleries
Overview of Marais +Place des Voges
T. Eiffel at night (if we need to go there again...)

27th - Monday
Jd Luxembourg
Rue Cler + Bon marche
Qt Latin overview
Opera
Lafayette + shopping (covered shops near Metro Richelieu)

Mark_va

You overlooked the Rodin. With the beautiful gardens where the Thinker and other sculptures are (only one euro fee for the gardens only), you're missing out on one of the quieter, quainter, romantic spots.

bardo

Your revised itinerary looks fine. Unless they are already quite active, your in-laws may want to sit out a few places on your lists and just hang at a park, cafe, concert, or somewhere.

Christina

You will be busy, but you've grouped things fairly well. I'd definitely delete rue Cler from that last day as there doesn't seem any reason to go there, it's out of your way and you have a lot other stuff to do and it's not that interesting. If you are going to Bon Marche, you can shop in their food market section if you want.

dudi

Thanks, Mark!
Really forgot the Rodin and I believe the Monday, 27th is a good day fot it. I'm not doing too much things on this day, once the shopping time will be very fast (everything is gonna be too $$).
As Bardo advised me, hope my in laws can do all this!
Just to check with you, the better way for transport is using the mobillis or taxi (once we wiil be in 4) is ok?
Thanks, Dudi

Robespierre

You can stop by Rue Cler on your way to the Eiffel Tower in the evening (it's close by). There are lots of little restaurants where you can grab a bite.

I'll put in one more commercial for the Arc de Triomphe at sunset, then shut up.

travelbunny

..yor 2nd itinerary is still very busy..let Paris capture your imagination..please relax and enjoy..if you "see everything" fine but if you dont you may acutally see more.

SwimChick

Dudi + dln, we are on your schedule, arriving on Friday and were planning on doing the evening cruise as well. We will be yet another middle aged (ugh, first time I've used that to describe myself) couple with a bottle of wine.....

dudi

Swimchick, very possible we find each other and dln there!
If you find 4 people speaking portuguese there (if you don't know how does it sound, it's quite similar to spanish and italian) with a bottle of wine, that's my family!
It would be very funny to find you all there!!

crackles

My wife and I also arrive in Paris on 24th and that boat ride is sounding very good. Perhaps another bottle of wine on the table. Look out for the two "middle-aged" Aussie's.
Our second time to this lovely city. You mentioned a walking tour. We accidently joined a walking tour on our first trip and enjoyed it so much, did three more and already planning some for this trip. Web site for you. http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pariswalking/
We may also see you on the Eiffel at sunset. Our daughter has been to Paris five times, and advises this is -the- best time.

Happy holidays.

dudi

Hi crackies, thanks for the Eiffel trip!
Hope to find you on the vedettes!
It's gonna be funny to the search for everybody (and their bottles of wines)...
Dudi

wanderer

dudi -
You make me want to go back to Paris!

My husband and I spent 6 days there a few years ago - our first trip to Europe and fell in love.

We stayed at Clos Medicis also and loved it! You will be able to walk everywhere.

If you have time, I would add a night-time "City Tour". A small van picks you up in the evening, and drives all around Paris, showing all the monuments, buildings, etc. lit up at night. It was very romantic and beautiful. The hotel gave us the info on this. We had about 4 other people with this, but I believe they also do private tours. It was amazing to see Eiffel Tower at night. We also did the day tour - amazing!

There is a wonderful little restaurant within walking distance of the hotel called La Mediterrane (?sp) that the hotel recommended. Very reasonable, superb food and best service. We were also there in Sept., and they had these intimate little tables lined up on the sidewalk, with awning over them, lit by candle. It's on a little side street, so very private. It was one of the highlights of our trip!

Have a great time.