on our first day in Paris, after an hours nap i would like to take my friends to Sacre Coeur for the afternoon and early evening. will the artists still be set up in the evening? we will be ther the first week in december. i am also wondering if we should take the hop on hop off bus to get there and back.
thanks.

Can't help you on where the artists will be but using the on-off bus would be a mistake and an expensive one at that. The bus snakes and crawls in its traveling and aside from that who knows if it is convenient to where you are starting and returning to.

The bus is a good way to start your visit in Paris but isn't the deal over two days? Don't know how long your stay is in Paris and why it is so important for your Montmarte visit to be that first afternoon.

The bus seems to be a good way to start your stay especially since sitting on the bus for good portions works well with a tired physical state.

The artists will be out during daylight hours, but during the first week in December the sun will set before five o'clock.

You don't say where you're coming from, but a daily transit pass will get you to and from Montmartre for much less than a tour bus. And you can ride the Montmartrobus and funicular railway on the same ticket.

I think it's extremely unlikely you'll find the artists there after dark in the winter. I've been in fall and they were distinctly packing up at dusk.

thanks for the replies. i have been to paris many times and this time am taking friends for their first visit. i just thought Sacre Coeur would be fun for the first day. we are renting an apt by the eiffel tower. we are also doing the flea mkt and sunday morning. i am trying not to tire them out too much! the louvre, bateau mouche, notre dame are our destinations. any suggestions?

Ya know - after a transatlantic flight (I'm assuming that) - Sacre Coeur would be the very LAST place I'd take newbies on their first afternoon. They will be jet lagged and even if you use the funicular - there is a LOT of climbing/steps and if it is cold/wet you will be a loooong way from your flat.

I'd take them to rue Cler for some food shopping, walk around the Eiffel Tower, along the Seine, maybe over to Trocadero for the view. But I would not drag them up to Sacre Coeur until they have had a day or two to recover.

good advice. thanks. i know they are going to take a nap upon arrival and then will be very excited to get out and about!

1. The circadian rhythm of you and your friends may or may not be an issue.

2. The Montmartrobus starts at Pigalle and you can get off at the altitude of the Basilica and Place du Tertre without climbing an inch. Look at bus route #18 on www.ratp.fr

3. The distance to your lodgings does not vary as a function of precipitation.

Our apartment landlord suggested a trip to Sacre Coeur our first Sat evening in Paris, getting off at St. Georges metro stop. We went, against my better judgement, and I mildly disliked the entire thing right up until we walked into the church and heard the heavenly nuns' singing.

Skip the nap. Walking and climbing stairs will keep you going, then you'll sleep better after dinner and get synchronized more easily that way.

Note that the metro station used most often for access to S.C., called Abbesses, is closed for renovation (don't know about date for reopening).

Also note that you and yours will need to guard against pickpockets before you head out, right from home, because, well, because you have to.

Also note that around S.C. there has been a lot of activity by obnoxious sellers of dubious souvenirs - fake leather items etc., - so don't get involved in any altercations that could spoil the day when you all feel a bit frazzled.

Hi

As first timers to Paris I suggest take your friends on a Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour. We used Les Cars Rouges - http://www.carsrouges.com/uk/ta_1.html. It will allow them to get an overview of the city in a relaxed and non strenuous way. No disrespect to Janis but I found Rue Cler utterly boring. There are many other things you can do. If they need to stretch their legs take them for a stroll to Ille St. Louis. Pick up an icecream from Amorino - http://www.amorino.fr/stlouis.htm - and sit by the Seine.

If the travelers settle in the VIIe arrondissement, a "stroll to Île St-Louis" will take about an hour each way. Each person should decide if this is an efficient use of one's time.

If one has never seen a Parisian street market before, Rue Cler is representative of the class.

Bus tours are a sure way of being put to sleep when you should be out marching around.

The best way to see Sacre Coeur is to ride the Métro or city bus to Pigalle and the Montmartrobus from there.

all I will add is my opinion:
- try not to nap; instead try to get outside as soon after you deposit belongings into the room; you need exercise, fresh air, and sunlight as much as possible
- instead of a nap, a refreshing shower might be useful
- I agree that any activity should involve walking, not riding; so a stroll up rue Cler, over to Champ de Mars for a view of the Eiffel, maybe cross over the Seine to Trocadero, have a cafe sit (coffee!!) and so on...
- plan to eat a light dinner around 7:00-8:00, and turn in for a good night's sleep.
- the next day, you can start your 'real' sightseeing plan.