laurenzo

My 15 yr. old daughter and I leave this Sun. for Paris. Here is a rough itinerary-
Mon: arrive 9:30 AM no plans-staying in St. Germain neighborhood
Tues: 9:00 head to Eiffel Tower (just to see it, not going up) Musee d' Orsay, explore St. Germain-church, Jardin du Luxembourg
Wed: 9:00 Louvre(I know you can spend days and not see everything in the Louvre), Angelina's for hot chocolate, Arc de Triomphe
Thur: Versailles
Fri: Bastille Day no plans
Sat: day trip to Belgium
Sun: Montmartre, Sacre-Coeur
Mon: Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame
Tues: open
Wed: fly home

Does this seem ok? I'd like to take an evening river cruise one night too. Any suggestions are welcome! I don't know if my plans are too ambitious or just right. It's hard to understand distances from point A to B without having been there. I have made any specific meal plans either. Thanks in advance for your help.

murphy89

laurenzo,

I love your itinerary - your really give yourself time to relax, enjoy and go with the flow.

I would go to D'Orsay first thing in the morning (even arrive just before opening), as there was always a long long line when I tried to go (I eventually when 1st thing in am and still waited an hour). Eiffel will always be busy and the crowds don't matter anyway if your not going to the top.

As for distances - everything is Paris is sooooo easy to get to (and fast) due to the wonderful, user-friendly metro so no worries. I think you get to see even more than is on your itinerary, but you've got what is most important to you alotted nicely.

Other sites if you have time:

-I really enjoyed the Pantheon (lots of people don't but I really did).
-You can get a combined ticket to St. Chapelle that also allows you enterance to the Concergerie which is near by. Neither take long and though I thought the Concergerie had disappointing access, it does have some interesting points (Marie Antoinette's cell).

Oh do write a trip report and tell us what you thought of everything.

Cheers,

Murphy

cammci

Highly recommend "Fat Tire Bike Tour," the night version. Inexpensive and it comes with a boat cruise on the Seine at night. You could do this on your first night or on the open Tuesday night. Best part of my last Paris trip was riding around the Lourve courtyard at 9pm. http://www.fattirebiketoursparis.com/

laurenzo

I forgot to mention we'd plan on doing a fat tire night tour recommended by starrsville. I may be too wiped out to do it the 1st night but we'll fit it in somewhere! Thanks for the reminder. Thanks, murphy, for your input

JoeTro

I think your Sunday and Monday are a little light (I'm not big on Monmarte, but that's just me) and then you have open time your first Monday and Friday. You could add in some sights like the Marais and Place des Vosges, or the Marmottan and huge park nearby, or the Tullieres and Orangerie or ... you get the drift.

laurenzo

wow, I didn't realize the pass worked for monuments too. I will rework the itinerary some to take advantage of that.
Joe, some days are light to allow for whatever comes along. I wasn't sure what would be open on Bastille Day either although I just checked parisinfo.com and most are open.

laurenzo

topping for kamark

SAnParis

Not sure where you are going in Belgium, Brugges perhaps ? While visiting the Montmartre area I always try to time it around lunch. Grab a table on the square where the artists gather (at one of the restaurants). Have some mussels, some pomme frites a good bottle of wine & people watch. I had my daughter sketched there a few years ago & plan to do the same w/my son when we next visit (this Winter). Of course the artist was from San Francisco...lol

laurenzo

the sketch idea is great. What a nice souvenir that would be! We're going to Brussels, BTW.

mvor

Hi Laurenzo, here are some general comments:

You could visit the Church of St. Germain des Pres on your first day since you'll be staying in the neighborhood. There's a great crepe stand adjacent to the church and you can eat in the church's gardens.

The museum pass is now 2/4/6 days so factor that in to your decision making (under 18s are typically free).

http://www.museums-of-paris.com/

Plan to visit Sainte Chapelle on a sunny day (preferably in the late afternoon when the light is best). Bring binoculars.

I like Brussels a lot but if you only have one day and no specific agenda, I'd add the extra time and go to Brugge (or Bruges).

For a cruise, try to time yourself for the twilight cruise (see sunrisesunset.com). The Vedettes du Pont Neuf boats are good and the closest to St. Germain, here's a coupon:

http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/english/

Two kid-friendly restos in St. Germain include:

Cosi (rue de Seine): great sandwiches and salads
Mezza Luna (rue de Buci): awesome pizza and Italian food (looks a little like a tourist trap but the food is the real deal)

Without knowing your specific interest(s), I'd think the Marais might appeal to your daughter, especially the area around the Pompidou (great museum too). If you're shoppers, there are lots of little boutiques here.

Lastly, if you have the time and it fits with your plans, the newly re-openend Orangerie is wonderful.

Have a terrific trip~

chicagolori

I think its great. Lots of flexible time and leaving days open is a great idea.

Some suggestions:
On your first day in St Germain, or another time, do try to wander over to St. Sulpice church.

Also, if you can see the Eiffel Tower up close at night, its awesome. We ate dinner in the 7th at a street that runs right up to the tower, walked under and around the tower to the Trocadero, and hopped the metro back. There are cafes and restaurants around the Trocadero too and the view from that side is so thrilling. I bet your daughter would love it.

Agree that the Marais is one place you might wander around on one of your free days.

Also not a fan of Montmartre/Sacre Couer. Three hours at the most probably.

Sainte Chapelle, Notre Dame. Might want to throw in the Conciergerie which is right there. Marie Antoinette was imprisoned there as were many other people during the revolution before they had their heads whacked off. Its kind of spooky and cool.

Sounds awesome. Have a blast.

kwren

I love you itinerary - you're not cramming too much in, but you'll still be busy. I'm not sure what days these are open, but there is a beautiful flower market and the bird market within walking distance of Ste Chappelle and Notre Dame. I'll be taking my kids there in a few weeks!

laurenzo

thanks for all the suggestions. They are great and helpful. I love the idea of going to the church in our neighborhood and eating crepes-yum! We really are looking forward to this trip.