Six day trip to Paris in July: Please review!
Jun 29th, 2014, 10:09 AM
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Six day trip to Paris in July: Please review!
Hello Fodorites!
We are a couple with two teenage kids that live in Midwest/USA, on our first trip to Paris. We plan to stay there for six nights. Can you review the itinerary below for:
a) Does it makes sense or are we traversing from one place to the other in the wrong direction or spending too much time walking etc?
b) Is it too hectic? Shall we remove something or include something?
c) MOST welcome suggestions for budget-conscious but excellent lunch/dinner locations. We are staying at a hotel in Latin Quarter Mouffetard and dinner locations near there are specially welcome.
d) Suggestions for websites that tell us about Paris events (Theater/Concerts etc) are MOST welcome.
THANK you!
--
Day 1;
- Fly-in at 9 am, transatlantic flight! Taxi to hotel (Latin Quarter, Fifth arrondisement). Leave luggage.
- Location for lunch is most welcome.
- Take a water bus to Ille St Louis and Ille de la Concorde to see gothic masterpieces Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle.
- Dinner location near the hotel to be determined.
- Head back to hotel for hopefully a good sleep!
Day 2:
- See impressionists at Musee d’Orsay and Musee Rodin in the pressive Invalides. For a change of scenary, walk out to Rue Cler with its street markets and bistros.
- Any lunch locations?
- Afternoon, scale the Eiffel Tower then come down to earth at the modernist Palais de Chaillot across the river. Walk through elegant passy to the Musee Marmotten-Claude Monet. Beyond it is Bois de Boulogne, replete with lakes and gardens.
- Any dinner suggestion?
Day 3:
- Walk over to Arc de Triomphe, see morning view of paris, walk east along Avenues des Champs-Elysees. Cross the grand expanse of Place de la Concorde and the formal Jardin des Tulleries to historic Palais Royal.
- Lunch suggestion?
- Go to Musee du Louvre.
- Dinner suggestion?
Day 4:
- Walk east across the vibrant Marais district from the Pompidou center with its amazing contemporary art. Pop into Musee Carnavalet for a dose of Parisian history, and a much needed coffee at the calm Places des Vosges. Finish morning in historic, and hugely trendy Place de la Bastille.
- Lunch suggestion?
- In the afternoon, visit city’s most famous cemetery Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise (visit Oscar Wilde’s grave). Follow the Canal St-Martin to the futuristic Parc de la Villette. See the exhibits in the Cite de la Musique to catch a concert if available.
- Dinner suggestion?
Day 5:
-Spend the day out of the city, at the magnificient Versailles, Louis XIV palace. Tour the sumptuous apartments on first floor.
- Lunch suggestion?
- Explore palace’s fabulous gardens, and the small Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon.
- Dinner suggestion?
Day 6:
- Sample intellectual Paris in Café de Flore in St Germain-des-Pres, a long-time haunt of writers and philosophers. Visit the latin quarter, home of sublime church of St. Severin, fine medieval art in the Musee National du Moyen Age, the Pantheon, and the Sorbonne university. Step back in time on old Rue Mouffetard before having lunch on Montparnasse (where exactly?).
- Afternoon, relax in Jardin du Luxembourg, then head north on the right bank and the opulent Opera Garnier. Treat ourselves at Galeries Lafayette, and then climb Montmartre to the ethereal Sacre Coeur to watch sun set.
- Dinner suggestions?
We are a couple with two teenage kids that live in Midwest/USA, on our first trip to Paris. We plan to stay there for six nights. Can you review the itinerary below for:
a) Does it makes sense or are we traversing from one place to the other in the wrong direction or spending too much time walking etc?
b) Is it too hectic? Shall we remove something or include something?
c) MOST welcome suggestions for budget-conscious but excellent lunch/dinner locations. We are staying at a hotel in Latin Quarter Mouffetard and dinner locations near there are specially welcome.
d) Suggestions for websites that tell us about Paris events (Theater/Concerts etc) are MOST welcome.
THANK you!
--
Day 1;
- Fly-in at 9 am, transatlantic flight! Taxi to hotel (Latin Quarter, Fifth arrondisement). Leave luggage.
- Location for lunch is most welcome.
- Take a water bus to Ille St Louis and Ille de la Concorde to see gothic masterpieces Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle.
- Dinner location near the hotel to be determined.
- Head back to hotel for hopefully a good sleep!
Day 2:
- See impressionists at Musee d’Orsay and Musee Rodin in the pressive Invalides. For a change of scenary, walk out to Rue Cler with its street markets and bistros.
- Any lunch locations?
- Afternoon, scale the Eiffel Tower then come down to earth at the modernist Palais de Chaillot across the river. Walk through elegant passy to the Musee Marmotten-Claude Monet. Beyond it is Bois de Boulogne, replete with lakes and gardens.
- Any dinner suggestion?
Day 3:
- Walk over to Arc de Triomphe, see morning view of paris, walk east along Avenues des Champs-Elysees. Cross the grand expanse of Place de la Concorde and the formal Jardin des Tulleries to historic Palais Royal.
- Lunch suggestion?
- Go to Musee du Louvre.
- Dinner suggestion?
Day 4:
- Walk east across the vibrant Marais district from the Pompidou center with its amazing contemporary art. Pop into Musee Carnavalet for a dose of Parisian history, and a much needed coffee at the calm Places des Vosges. Finish morning in historic, and hugely trendy Place de la Bastille.
- Lunch suggestion?
- In the afternoon, visit city’s most famous cemetery Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise (visit Oscar Wilde’s grave). Follow the Canal St-Martin to the futuristic Parc de la Villette. See the exhibits in the Cite de la Musique to catch a concert if available.
- Dinner suggestion?
Day 5:
-Spend the day out of the city, at the magnificient Versailles, Louis XIV palace. Tour the sumptuous apartments on first floor.
- Lunch suggestion?
- Explore palace’s fabulous gardens, and the small Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon.
- Dinner suggestion?
Day 6:
- Sample intellectual Paris in Café de Flore in St Germain-des-Pres, a long-time haunt of writers and philosophers. Visit the latin quarter, home of sublime church of St. Severin, fine medieval art in the Musee National du Moyen Age, the Pantheon, and the Sorbonne university. Step back in time on old Rue Mouffetard before having lunch on Montparnasse (where exactly?).
- Afternoon, relax in Jardin du Luxembourg, then head north on the right bank and the opulent Opera Garnier. Treat ourselves at Galeries Lafayette, and then climb Montmartre to the ethereal Sacre Coeur to watch sun set.
- Dinner suggestions?
Jun 29th, 2014, 10:58 AM
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Good grief! Did you construct your itinerary from a planned tour - it sounds like it with all of the adjectives. You seem to have covered the highlights of Paris pretty well but it doesn't sound real. As an example, for your first day, there is no Ille de la Concorde. Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle are on the Ile de la Cite. You don't go there by water bus but on foot, crossing a bridge. I don't think your days are too full but it depends on your stamina. Much of the walking you plan would more easily be done using the Metro (e.g. going from the Eiffel Tower to Musee Marmatton, going to Montmartre).
You need a good guidebook to show you that the Musee d'Orsay and the Rodin are not in the Invalides. The Invalides is a war/military museum containing Napoleon's tomb.
You have a start and you cover a lot of territory but would be helped by a good map and a guidebook. Enjoy your trip!
You need a good guidebook to show you that the Musee d'Orsay and the Rodin are not in the Invalides. The Invalides is a war/military museum containing Napoleon's tomb.
You have a start and you cover a lot of territory but would be helped by a good map and a guidebook. Enjoy your trip!
Jun 29th, 2014, 11:34 AM
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You must have copied this from a guide book.
Looks like mamcalice has taken care of day 1 with the non-existent water bus (the water buses are in Venice).
Day 2 - Rodin Museum does not have Impressionism; it's sculpture. And it's not in the Invalides which houses the Army Museum and Napoleon's tomb. Although you can see the Invalides dome from the Rodin Museum garden.
Rue Cler is not a change of scene. It's a street with a market and shops. You can find this in tons of places in Paris so don't go out of your way to visit rue Cler.
For lunches, just look at the posted menus outside restaurants. You'll easily find something you want to eat.
I would have dinner near your hotel as you'll be totally exhausted after this day.
Day 3 - the Champs Elysees is a totally boring street. You don't need to walk it twice (once is more than enough). I would take the metro to the Arch and then walk toward the Louvre.
Day 6 - You're staying near rue Mouffetard yet you're starting your day at Cafe de Flore, which is north, then working back south to Montparnasse (south of your hotel), then going north again to the Opera and Montmartre. What are you treating yourselves to at the Gallerie Lafayette?
You're visiting St-Severin church and the Pantheon and ignoring St-Etienne-du-Mont and lots of other churches in the area.
A kindly suggestion. Scrap all the tour language and make an itinerary of things you want to see. An itinerary that makes sense.
Yes, this is too hectic and you're spending too much time walking. Get a map of Paris and mark places you want to visit. Then group them by day. Check opening days/times so you don't get someplace and find that it's closed.
For concerts, etc. buy a copy of Pariscope (new editions are available every Wednesday). This publication lists all activities in Paris for the week.
There are always concerts at Ste-Chapelle and Julian-le-Pauvre plus Notre Dame has vespers. Many churches have free church concerts.
Looks like mamcalice has taken care of day 1 with the non-existent water bus (the water buses are in Venice).
Day 2 - Rodin Museum does not have Impressionism; it's sculpture. And it's not in the Invalides which houses the Army Museum and Napoleon's tomb. Although you can see the Invalides dome from the Rodin Museum garden.
Rue Cler is not a change of scene. It's a street with a market and shops. You can find this in tons of places in Paris so don't go out of your way to visit rue Cler.
For lunches, just look at the posted menus outside restaurants. You'll easily find something you want to eat.
I would have dinner near your hotel as you'll be totally exhausted after this day.
Day 3 - the Champs Elysees is a totally boring street. You don't need to walk it twice (once is more than enough). I would take the metro to the Arch and then walk toward the Louvre.
Day 6 - You're staying near rue Mouffetard yet you're starting your day at Cafe de Flore, which is north, then working back south to Montparnasse (south of your hotel), then going north again to the Opera and Montmartre. What are you treating yourselves to at the Gallerie Lafayette?
You're visiting St-Severin church and the Pantheon and ignoring St-Etienne-du-Mont and lots of other churches in the area.
A kindly suggestion. Scrap all the tour language and make an itinerary of things you want to see. An itinerary that makes sense.
Yes, this is too hectic and you're spending too much time walking. Get a map of Paris and mark places you want to visit. Then group them by day. Check opening days/times so you don't get someplace and find that it's closed.
For concerts, etc. buy a copy of Pariscope (new editions are available every Wednesday). This publication lists all activities in Paris for the week.
There are always concerts at Ste-Chapelle and Julian-le-Pauvre plus Notre Dame has vespers. Many churches have free church concerts.
Jun 29th, 2014, 11:38 AM
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Yes, this sounds cribbed straight from a guidebook, and a very bad guidebook to boot. Do yourself a favor and get the Michelin Green Guide to Paris and a detailed map so that you actually know where things are, what they are called, and what their significance is.
Jun 29th, 2014, 02:29 PM
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You guys are good. Yes, that was lifted from DK's guide! Here is an updated version after maps.google.com review and your suggestions. Appreciate further scrutiny.
Also, do you suggest a five-day or a four-day paris card? Or shall we buy individual tickets as and when we arrive at a place? Thanks!
Day 1:
Transatlantic flight in at 9 am! Taxi to hotel (Latin Quarter, Fifth arrondissement). Leave luggage.
Walk to Ile St Louis and then to Ile de la Cite to see Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. Walk by Square Jean XXIII, ancien Cloitre, and Marche aux Fleurs (daily flower market on Pl Louis-Lepine).
Head back to hotel for hopefully a good sleep!
Day 2:
Day of invalides and Eiffel tower quarter: Visit Musee Rodin, Dome church, and Napolean’s tomb in the morning. Walk out to Rue Cler (street market of 7th arrondissement, richest in Paris). Lunch on Rue Cler.
After lunch, visit Eiffel Tower. Cross the river to visit Palais de Chaillot. Walk near Trocadero fountains.
Day 3:
Metro to Arc de Triomphe, see morning view of paris, walk east along Avenues des Champs-Elysees. Cross the Place de la Concorde and the formal Jardin des Tulleries to historic Palais Royal. Spend the rest of the day at Musee du Louvre.
Day 4:
Start the day at Pompidou center. Walk east on Rue Sainte-Croix de la Brettonerie to Musee Carnavalet (a Parisian history museum). Walk on Rue de Francs Bourgeois to Places des Vosges for a coffee. Finish morning at historic and hugely trendy Place de la Bastille.
Afternoon is free. We can do what we want or if we missed something. Schedule the Bateaux-Mouches dinner ride, perhaps.
Day 5:
Spend the day out of the city to visit Versailles, Louis XIV palace. Explore palace’s gardens, Grand Trianon, and Petit Trianon.
Day 6: Latin quarter and St Germain-des Pres
Breakfast at Café de Flore in St Germain-des-Pres. Walk east along Bd. St Germain to church of St. Severin, then walk south to see medieval art at the Musee National du Moyen Age, then walk through the campus of Sorbonne University to the Pantheon. Lunch nearby.
Afternoon, walk west on Rue Soufflott to Jardin du Luxembourg, then take metro north to the opulent Opera Garnier. Walk north (couple blocks) to Galeries Lafayette, and then climb Montmartre to the Sacre Coeur to watch sun set.
Say bye to paris next morning!
Also, do you suggest a five-day or a four-day paris card? Or shall we buy individual tickets as and when we arrive at a place? Thanks!
Day 1:
Transatlantic flight in at 9 am! Taxi to hotel (Latin Quarter, Fifth arrondissement). Leave luggage.
Walk to Ile St Louis and then to Ile de la Cite to see Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle. Walk by Square Jean XXIII, ancien Cloitre, and Marche aux Fleurs (daily flower market on Pl Louis-Lepine).
Head back to hotel for hopefully a good sleep!
Day 2:
Day of invalides and Eiffel tower quarter: Visit Musee Rodin, Dome church, and Napolean’s tomb in the morning. Walk out to Rue Cler (street market of 7th arrondissement, richest in Paris). Lunch on Rue Cler.
After lunch, visit Eiffel Tower. Cross the river to visit Palais de Chaillot. Walk near Trocadero fountains.
Day 3:
Metro to Arc de Triomphe, see morning view of paris, walk east along Avenues des Champs-Elysees. Cross the Place de la Concorde and the formal Jardin des Tulleries to historic Palais Royal. Spend the rest of the day at Musee du Louvre.
Day 4:
Start the day at Pompidou center. Walk east on Rue Sainte-Croix de la Brettonerie to Musee Carnavalet (a Parisian history museum). Walk on Rue de Francs Bourgeois to Places des Vosges for a coffee. Finish morning at historic and hugely trendy Place de la Bastille.
Afternoon is free. We can do what we want or if we missed something. Schedule the Bateaux-Mouches dinner ride, perhaps.
Day 5:
Spend the day out of the city to visit Versailles, Louis XIV palace. Explore palace’s gardens, Grand Trianon, and Petit Trianon.
Day 6: Latin quarter and St Germain-des Pres
Breakfast at Café de Flore in St Germain-des-Pres. Walk east along Bd. St Germain to church of St. Severin, then walk south to see medieval art at the Musee National du Moyen Age, then walk through the campus of Sorbonne University to the Pantheon. Lunch nearby.
Afternoon, walk west on Rue Soufflott to Jardin du Luxembourg, then take metro north to the opulent Opera Garnier. Walk north (couple blocks) to Galeries Lafayette, and then climb Montmartre to the Sacre Coeur to watch sun set.
Say bye to paris next morning!
Jun 29th, 2014, 02:43 PM
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Rue Cler is a market street, not a street market. There is a difference. It's also expensive and has some of the worst lunch places in Paris on it (like the Café du Marché). Rue Montorgeuil is ever so much more interesting.
I wouldn't book a dinner cruise on the Bâteaux-Mouches. Either go on just the cruise and have a decent dinner afterwards or book on Le Calife, where you will actually get freshly cooked food, not warmed-up stuff.
I wouldn't book a dinner cruise on the Bâteaux-Mouches. Either go on just the cruise and have a decent dinner afterwards or book on Le Calife, where you will actually get freshly cooked food, not warmed-up stuff.
Jun 29th, 2014, 04:12 PM
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What's a Paris card? Do you mean a Museum Pass? You can book tickets on the museum web sites. Have you priced the museum pass vs. buying individual tickets?
Day 1 - "daily flower market on Pl Louis-Lepine" Except on Sundays when it's a bird market.
Day 2 - what's the "Dome church?" Do you mean the Invalides?
Day 4 - I would do a Seine cruise but without dinner. You'll be able to concentrate on the views and get a better, less expensive dinner in a restaurant.
Day 5 - also see the King's and Queen's rooms - very interesting.
Day 6 - why not walk through the Luxembourg Gardens on your way to breakfast. You could start at the southern end and walk through the entire gardens, see the Statue of Liberty and the plaque to 9/11 (very small), the Medici Fountain and not have to backtrack after the Pantheon.
I would take all the "walk east, walk west" stuff out of your itinerary. You don't know every stop you'll make and this would confuse me. For instance, on day 6, after lunch, you're going to walk west on rue soufflot to get to the Luxembourg Gardens. But you don't know where you're having lunch so it may not be logical to return to rue Soufflot.
Day 1 - "daily flower market on Pl Louis-Lepine" Except on Sundays when it's a bird market.
Day 2 - what's the "Dome church?" Do you mean the Invalides?
Day 4 - I would do a Seine cruise but without dinner. You'll be able to concentrate on the views and get a better, less expensive dinner in a restaurant.
Day 5 - also see the King's and Queen's rooms - very interesting.
Day 6 - why not walk through the Luxembourg Gardens on your way to breakfast. You could start at the southern end and walk through the entire gardens, see the Statue of Liberty and the plaque to 9/11 (very small), the Medici Fountain and not have to backtrack after the Pantheon.
I would take all the "walk east, walk west" stuff out of your itinerary. You don't know every stop you'll make and this would confuse me. For instance, on day 6, after lunch, you're going to walk west on rue soufflot to get to the Luxembourg Gardens. But you don't know where you're having lunch so it may not be logical to return to rue Soufflot.
Jun 29th, 2014, 08:34 PM
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Really, you need to study a MAP and know how to get around.
I don't have any idea what you mean by a Paris card.If it's paris Visite pass, forget it, it's a rip-off.
I don't know where you're getting all the "walk east, walk west, walk south..." stuff, but it's got to be confusing if you don't know Paris. Just GET A GOOD MAP AND pinpoint the places you want to go on it.It's SO simple. Can you not navigate in a city from north to south to east to west? It's basic skill.
I don't have any idea what you mean by a Paris card.If it's paris Visite pass, forget it, it's a rip-off.
I don't know where you're getting all the "walk east, walk west, walk south..." stuff, but it's got to be confusing if you don't know Paris. Just GET A GOOD MAP AND pinpoint the places you want to go on it.It's SO simple. Can you not navigate in a city from north to south to east to west? It's basic skill.
Jun 29th, 2014, 09:19 PM
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What would be logical is to have lunch at Cafe de Flore on day 1 after you check into the hotel. Then walk to St. Severin church on your way to Ste-Chapelle and Notre Dame. Finish up with Ile-St-Louis.
This will leave you free to see things in a logical order on Day 6 - Luxembourg Gardens, Pantheon, Sorbonne (not much to see here), Cluny, Opera, Montmartre.
This will leave you free to see things in a logical order on Day 6 - Luxembourg Gardens, Pantheon, Sorbonne (not much to see here), Cluny, Opera, Montmartre.
Jun 30th, 2014, 02:54 AM
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The view from the top of Galeries Lafayette is indeed lovely and particularly so since Samaritaine closed.
The tour STILL sounds like it was taken from a tour guide.
The comment on the Champs is right on, and for such a short time in Paris, just get on the bus that goes from the Arch to pl. Concorde.
I didn't get the "card" either--I think it is the museum card maybe.
The tour STILL sounds like it was taken from a tour guide.
The comment on the Champs is right on, and for such a short time in Paris, just get on the bus that goes from the Arch to pl. Concorde.
I didn't get the "card" either--I think it is the museum card maybe.
Jun 30th, 2014, 02:57 AM
#12
A good website I have used both to find concerts and theater events and to buy tickets at a discount is http://www.billetreduc.com/concerts/
It is in French but you can probably figure it out. You mention concerts and theater, so you can look at those tabs and see what is listed by entering your dates. Don't forget the day comes first, then the month, then the year. And most theater is in French.
The Place de la Bastille is not in itself particularly interesting, but some interesting things are nearby. On Thursday and Sunday mornings, there is a large street market along the boulevard Richard Lenoir. And on Saturday that becomes an art and craft market.
If you are still interested in walking after you get there, you can walk behind the opera house on rue de Lyon towards avenue Daumesnil to access the Promenade Plantee, a raised and landscaped walking path along the old railroad viaduct.
For lunch in the Marais area I like La Tartine at 24 rue de Rivoli, which has wonderful salads and well priced lunch menus and wine by the glass.
It is in French but you can probably figure it out. You mention concerts and theater, so you can look at those tabs and see what is listed by entering your dates. Don't forget the day comes first, then the month, then the year. And most theater is in French.
The Place de la Bastille is not in itself particularly interesting, but some interesting things are nearby. On Thursday and Sunday mornings, there is a large street market along the boulevard Richard Lenoir. And on Saturday that becomes an art and craft market.
If you are still interested in walking after you get there, you can walk behind the opera house on rue de Lyon towards avenue Daumesnil to access the Promenade Plantee, a raised and landscaped walking path along the old railroad viaduct.
For lunch in the Marais area I like La Tartine at 24 rue de Rivoli, which has wonderful salads and well priced lunch menus and wine by the glass.
Jun 30th, 2014, 03:00 AM
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Dare I ask what the teenagers' input to the planning will be (if, as I might uncharitably suspect, it hasn't already made a major contribution..)?
Some or all of your party would probably benefit from playing around with the interactive public transport maps at
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/
Some or all of your party would probably benefit from playing around with the interactive public transport maps at
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/
http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/
Jun 30th, 2014, 06:04 AM
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Okay, no paris visite pass! Got it 
Thank you very much for your kind assistance. The kids, for PatrickLondon, will modify as we go They are pretty adult-like in their tastes but will have complete freedom to drop anything we have listed here.
So I have taken into account all but last couple suggestions. One final review? THANK YOU!!
Day 1:
Transatlantic flight in at 9 am! Taxi to hotel (Latin Quarter, Fifth arrondissement). Leave luggage.
Lunch at Cafe de Flore in in St Germain-des-Pres. Then walk to St. Severin church on way to Ste-Chapelle and Notre Dame. Walk by Square Jean XXIII, ancien Cloitre, and Marche aux Fleurs (daily flower market on Pl Louis-Lepine). Finish up with Ile-St-Louis.
Head back to hotel for hopefully a good sleep!
Day 2:
Consider visiting Pl Louis-Lepine early in the morning as it a bird market on Sundays!! Mostly a day for invalides and Eiffel tower quarter: Visit Musee d’Orsay, Musee Rodin, Dome church, and Napolean’s tomb in the morning. Any interesting street for a lunch nearby?
After lunch, visit Eiffel Tower. Cross the river to visit Palais de Chaillot. Walk near Trocadero fountains.
Day 3:
Metro to Arc de Triomphe, see morning view of paris, take bus from Arch to pl. Concorde. Cross the Place de la Concorde and the formal Jardin des Tulleries to historic Palais Royal. Spend the rest of the day at Musee du Louvre.
Day 4:
Start the day at Pompidou center. Walk on Rue Sainte-Croix de la Brettonerie to Musee Carnavalet (a Parisian history museum). Walk on to Rue Montergeuil to have lunch there.
Walk on Rue de Francs Bourgeois to Places des Vosges for a coffee. Finish early afternoon at Place de la Bastille.
Late afternoon is free.
Evening: Do the 6 pm Bateaux-Mouches ride. Have dinner in a restaurant afterwards. Recommendations nearby are appreciated!
Day 5:
Spend the day out of the city to visit Versailles, Louis XIV palace. Explore palace’s gardens, Grand Trianon, and Petit Trianon. Visit King and Queen’s rooms, and say hi.
Day 6: Latin quarter and St Germain-des Pres
Walk through Jardin du Luxembourg by starting at the southern end and walk through the entire gardens, see the Statue of Liberty and the plaque to 9/11 (very small), the Medici Fountain. Walk over to St. Severin, then to see medieval art at the Musee National du Moyen Age, then walk through the campus of Sorbonne University to the Pantheon. Lunch nearby.
Afternoon, take metro north to the opulent Opera Garnier. Walk behind the opera house on rue de Lyon towards avenue Daumesnil to access the Promenade Plantee, a raised and landscaped walking path along the old railroad viaduct. Then head over to the Galeries Lafayette.
In Galeries Lafayette:
- Visit LA TERRASSE at the top floor of the store for an extraordinary view to Paris. There is also an ephemeral Italian café - Rooftop bar open from noon to 6h30pm: http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.c...yette-coupole/
- “La galerie des galeries" is the contemporary art space situated in the main Galeries Lafayette Coupole building: http://www.galeriedesgaleries.com/en...url039art.html
- http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/ And for children, visit the 5th floor.
- French food and wine: Take a look to Bordeauxthèque which is situated at the first floor of Lafayette Homme (the space is called "Lafayette Gourmet" and you can find here many things to eat also)
http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.c...he-best-wines/
Lastly, climb Montmartre to the Sacre Coeur to watch sun set.
Say bye to paris next morning!
Thank you very much for your kind assistance. The kids, for PatrickLondon, will modify as we go
They are pretty adult-like in their tastes but will have complete freedom to drop anything we have listed here. So I have taken into account all but last couple suggestions. One final review? THANK YOU!!
Day 1:
Transatlantic flight in at 9 am! Taxi to hotel (Latin Quarter, Fifth arrondissement). Leave luggage.
Lunch at Cafe de Flore in in St Germain-des-Pres. Then walk to St. Severin church on way to Ste-Chapelle and Notre Dame. Walk by Square Jean XXIII, ancien Cloitre, and Marche aux Fleurs (daily flower market on Pl Louis-Lepine). Finish up with Ile-St-Louis.
Head back to hotel for hopefully a good sleep!
Day 2:
Consider visiting Pl Louis-Lepine early in the morning as it a bird market on Sundays!! Mostly a day for invalides and Eiffel tower quarter: Visit Musee d’Orsay, Musee Rodin, Dome church, and Napolean’s tomb in the morning. Any interesting street for a lunch nearby?
After lunch, visit Eiffel Tower. Cross the river to visit Palais de Chaillot. Walk near Trocadero fountains.
Day 3:
Metro to Arc de Triomphe, see morning view of paris, take bus from Arch to pl. Concorde. Cross the Place de la Concorde and the formal Jardin des Tulleries to historic Palais Royal. Spend the rest of the day at Musee du Louvre.
Day 4:
Start the day at Pompidou center. Walk on Rue Sainte-Croix de la Brettonerie to Musee Carnavalet (a Parisian history museum). Walk on to Rue Montergeuil to have lunch there.
Walk on Rue de Francs Bourgeois to Places des Vosges for a coffee. Finish early afternoon at Place de la Bastille.
Late afternoon is free.
Evening: Do the 6 pm Bateaux-Mouches ride. Have dinner in a restaurant afterwards. Recommendations nearby are appreciated!
Day 5:
Spend the day out of the city to visit Versailles, Louis XIV palace. Explore palace’s gardens, Grand Trianon, and Petit Trianon. Visit King and Queen’s rooms, and say hi.
Day 6: Latin quarter and St Germain-des Pres
Walk through Jardin du Luxembourg by starting at the southern end and walk through the entire gardens, see the Statue of Liberty and the plaque to 9/11 (very small), the Medici Fountain. Walk over to St. Severin, then to see medieval art at the Musee National du Moyen Age, then walk through the campus of Sorbonne University to the Pantheon. Lunch nearby.
Afternoon, take metro north to the opulent Opera Garnier. Walk behind the opera house on rue de Lyon towards avenue Daumesnil to access the Promenade Plantee, a raised and landscaped walking path along the old railroad viaduct. Then head over to the Galeries Lafayette.
In Galeries Lafayette:
- Visit LA TERRASSE at the top floor of the store for an extraordinary view to Paris. There is also an ephemeral Italian café - Rooftop bar open from noon to 6h30pm: http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.c...yette-coupole/
- “La galerie des galeries" is the contemporary art space situated in the main Galeries Lafayette Coupole building: http://www.galeriedesgaleries.com/en...url039art.html
- http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/ And for children, visit the 5th floor.
- French food and wine: Take a look to Bordeauxthèque which is situated at the first floor of Lafayette Homme (the space is called "Lafayette Gourmet" and you can find here many things to eat also)
http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.c...he-best-wines/
Lastly, climb Montmartre to the Sacre Coeur to watch sun set.
Say bye to paris next morning!
Jun 30th, 2014, 06:18 AM
#15
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Your day 2 morning seems incredibly busy. I do not think it is possible to see Musee d'Orsay, the Rodin Museum, Dome church (not sure what this is) and Invalides in one morning.
Just standing in line for admission and transiting from place to place could fill a morning without setting foot in all of these places.
Just standing in line for admission and transiting from place to place could fill a morning without setting foot in all of these places.
Jun 30th, 2014, 06:20 AM
#16
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When do you leave? Your itinerary is beginning to look a bit more realistic. Just one suggestion: instead of the Bateaux Mouches, take your Seine cruise on the Vedettes du Pont Neuf. If you go to their website, you can print tickets with a discount. The beginning and ending of the cruise are at the Pont Neuf - closer to your hotel than the Bateaux Mouches.
Lots of restaurants in that area - just look at posted menus to find something that appeals.
Lots of restaurants in that area - just look at posted menus to find something that appeals.
Jun 30th, 2014, 06:22 AM
#17
No, the Bastille opera is the one I was talking about that is near the beginning of the Promenade Plantee. I was suggesting this after you ended your walk through the Marais at the Place de la Bastille. This is the newer of Paris's two opera houses.
The old opera, the Garnier, is the one near the Galeries Lafayette.
If you look at the Place de la Bastille on google maps, it will become clearer to you.
The old opera, the Garnier, is the one near the Galeries Lafayette.
If you look at the Place de la Bastille on google maps, it will become clearer to you.
Jun 30th, 2014, 06:27 AM
#18
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Day 2 - Visit the Invalides between Orsay and Rodin to break up the two art museums. You will need a break after Orsay and Invalides so have lunch before entering Rodin Museum. You'll find cafes along the way. Don't go out of your way for a restaurant during the day as there are so many cafes/bistros in Paris. Just look at the menus (most have the same type of food) and go in.
Day 3 - I would have a couple of other small sights in case you want to leave the Louvre after a couple of hours. They can be things that are on the way to your hotel. Suggestions - St-Germain-des-Pres or St-Sulpice church; stop to listen to the buskers and have nutella crepes in front of St-Germain-des-Pres metro station. Or get a macaroon at Laduree or pastry at Pierre Hermes on rue Bonaparte. Sit on the fountain at St-Sulpice or the Luxembourg Gardens to eat it.
Day 4 - since you're staying in the Latin Quarter why not take the Vedettes du Pont Neuf boat ride rather than going all the way to the Bateaux Mouches? Then you have to come all the way back to your hotel. The Vedettes have live commentary and you can sit either inside or outside (although outside you can't hear the commentary). Get a brochure at the ticket desk that shows the buildings you're passing. Get discount tickets on their web site.
Have dinner first and then do the boat ride at night to see the beautiful Paris lights.
On Tuesdays, Paris Walks has a Marais walk which you might find interesting. Their walks are 2 hours and well worth the inexpensive fee. You'll have time for this since you won't want to see the entire Carnavalet Museum (100 rooms).
http://www.paris-walks.com/index.html
Note: Keep off the grass in Paris parks, particular the Luxembourg gardens. There are some parks with areas where you can walk on the grass but this is rare.
Day 3 - I would have a couple of other small sights in case you want to leave the Louvre after a couple of hours. They can be things that are on the way to your hotel. Suggestions - St-Germain-des-Pres or St-Sulpice church; stop to listen to the buskers and have nutella crepes in front of St-Germain-des-Pres metro station. Or get a macaroon at Laduree or pastry at Pierre Hermes on rue Bonaparte. Sit on the fountain at St-Sulpice or the Luxembourg Gardens to eat it.
Day 4 - since you're staying in the Latin Quarter why not take the Vedettes du Pont Neuf boat ride rather than going all the way to the Bateaux Mouches? Then you have to come all the way back to your hotel. The Vedettes have live commentary and you can sit either inside or outside (although outside you can't hear the commentary). Get a brochure at the ticket desk that shows the buildings you're passing. Get discount tickets on their web site.
Have dinner first and then do the boat ride at night to see the beautiful Paris lights.
On Tuesdays, Paris Walks has a Marais walk which you might find interesting. Their walks are 2 hours and well worth the inexpensive fee. You'll have time for this since you won't want to see the entire Carnavalet Museum (100 rooms).
http://www.paris-walks.com/index.html
Note: Keep off the grass in Paris parks, particular the Luxembourg gardens. There are some parks with areas where you can walk on the grass but this is rare.
Jun 30th, 2014, 07:11 AM
#19
I totally agree about Vedettes cruise either from the Pont Neuf or Port de Suffren at the Eiffle Tower. And get the discount at the website www.vedettesdeparis.fr
Your days are very full and even with high stamina sometimes a place is of interest and you spend more time there than you thought you would.
IMO, day 1 is way too much. The pedestrian streets around St. Severin are such fun that you may be there for awhile.. Also St. Chapelle & Notre Dame plus the flower mkt. and Ile St. Louis---I'm exhausted already. Remember you will have been up for 20+ hrs.
We just returned from one of many trips to Paris and the crowds/lines at attractions were unbelievable.
Just our opinion of course, but to us The Champs. E. was a big disappointment. Full of chain stores you see in the states plus car dealerships, etc. so your idea of taking a bus or cab from the Arch to the Tuilleries is a good one. If you like army stuff, Invaldies will suit you, if not we found it huge, gray, and boring.
Way too much on Day 2. If you don't have a skip the lines pass for the Eiffel the lines were up to 3 hrs. last week. Invaldies, D'Orsay, & Rodin---you won't see much, you'll be standing in line and then inching thru the exhibits because of all the people.
Day 5---the Opera House (and the tour is outstanding) is nowhere near the Promanade Plantee and then back to Galleries Lafayette (which is near the opera house) doesn't make sense.
I certainly don't mean to tell you what to do as everyone moves at their own pace but here's my suggestion:
Plan your day with the most important thing you want to see first and then go from there. That way if you spend more time than you allowed for the first few sites you can adjust your schedule as you go.
Paris is absolutely wonderful & beautiful. Try to enjoy and think that you will be back..
Keep an eye out for AMORINO gelato. Choose 2-3 flavors and they make each cone in the shape of a flower. There are several locations( 1 on Ile St. Louis in the middle of the Main Street, 1 in the ped. sts. of St. Germain plus more locations elswhere) and the kids will love it. Also see the "Locks of Love" bridge behind Notre Dame. Both of these plus The Eiffel and lighting a candle in Notre Dame highlights for our teen.
Have a fantastic trip and I'll be watching for your trip report when you return.
Your days are very full and even with high stamina sometimes a place is of interest and you spend more time there than you thought you would.
IMO, day 1 is way too much. The pedestrian streets around St. Severin are such fun that you may be there for awhile.. Also St. Chapelle & Notre Dame plus the flower mkt. and Ile St. Louis---I'm exhausted already. Remember you will have been up for 20+ hrs.
We just returned from one of many trips to Paris and the crowds/lines at attractions were unbelievable.
Just our opinion of course, but to us The Champs. E. was a big disappointment. Full of chain stores you see in the states plus car dealerships, etc. so your idea of taking a bus or cab from the Arch to the Tuilleries is a good one. If you like army stuff, Invaldies will suit you, if not we found it huge, gray, and boring.
Way too much on Day 2. If you don't have a skip the lines pass for the Eiffel the lines were up to 3 hrs. last week. Invaldies, D'Orsay, & Rodin---you won't see much, you'll be standing in line and then inching thru the exhibits because of all the people.
Day 5---the Opera House (and the tour is outstanding) is nowhere near the Promanade Plantee and then back to Galleries Lafayette (which is near the opera house) doesn't make sense.
I certainly don't mean to tell you what to do as everyone moves at their own pace but here's my suggestion:
Plan your day with the most important thing you want to see first and then go from there. That way if you spend more time than you allowed for the first few sites you can adjust your schedule as you go.
Paris is absolutely wonderful & beautiful. Try to enjoy and think that you will be back..
Keep an eye out for AMORINO gelato. Choose 2-3 flavors and they make each cone in the shape of a flower. There are several locations( 1 on Ile St. Louis in the middle of the Main Street, 1 in the ped. sts. of St. Germain plus more locations elswhere) and the kids will love it. Also see the "Locks of Love" bridge behind Notre Dame. Both of these plus The Eiffel and lighting a candle in Notre Dame highlights for our teen.
Have a fantastic trip and I'll be watching for your trip report when you return.
Jun 30th, 2014, 07:22 AM
#20
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THANK YOU, everyone (specially TpayT and Adrienne for the local flavor of places to sit and gelato to enjoy).
At this point, we have only one question. How do we avoid the museum lines? It appears it makes sense to buy the museum pass if one can skip having to stand in lines, no?
Lastly, here is the final itinerary fully realizing we may not be able to do a third and that is OKAY!
Interactive public transport maps at http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/ and http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/.
Day 1:
Transatlantic flight in at 9 am! Taxi to hotel (Latin Quarter, Fifth arrondissement). Leave luggage.
Lunch at Cafe de Flore in in St Germain-des-Pres. Then walk to St. Severin church on way to Ste-Chapelle and Notre Dame. Visit locks of love bridge behind Notredame. Walk by Square Jean XXIII, ancien Cloitre, and Marche aux Fleurs (daily flower market on Pl Louis-Lepine). Finish up with Ile-St-Louis. Amorino Gelta on Main Street is a must!
Head back to hotel for hopefully a good sleep!
Day 2:
Consider visiting Pl Louis-Lepine early in the morning as it a bird market on Sundays!! Mostly a day for invalides and Eiffel tower quarter: Visit Musee d’Orsay. Then Napolean’s tomb and lunch. Then Musee Rodin.
After lunch, visit Eiffel Tower. Cross the river to visit Palais de Chaillot. Walk near Trocadero fountains.
Day 3:
Metro to Arc de Triomphe, see morning view of paris, take bus from Arch to pl. Concorde. Cross the Place de la Concorde and the formal Jardin des Tulleries to historic Palais Royal. Spend the rest of the day at Musee du Louvre.
Additional sight-seeing suggestions: St-Germain-des-Pres or St-Sulpice church; stop to listen to the buskers and have nutella crepes in front of St-Germain-des-Pres metro station. Or get a macaroon at Laduree or pastry at Pierre Hermes on rue Bonaparte. Sit on the fountain at St-Sulpice or the Luxembourg Gardens to eat it!!
Day 4:
Start the day at Pompidou center. Walk on Rue Sainte-Croix de la Brettonerie to Musee Carnavalet (a Parisian history museum). Walk on to Rue Montergeuil to have lunch there. Suggest getting “Paris Walks”’s Marais 2-hour walk and well worth the inexpensive fee.
http://www.paris-walks.com/index.html
Walk on Rue de Francs Bourgeois to Places des Vosges for a coffee. Finish early afternoon at Place de la Bastille/Opera. Walk behind the opera house on rue de Lyon towards avenue Daumesnil to access the Promenade Plantee, a raised and landscaped walking path along the old railroad viaduct.
Late afternoon is free.
Evening: Have dinner first, then do the 8 pm Vedettes du Pont Neuf (Square du Vert Galant, 75001 Paris) ride. The Vedettes have live commentary and one can sit either inside or outside (although outside one can't hear the commentary). Get a brochure at the ticket desk that shows the buildings the boat passing. Get discount tickets on their web site.
Day 5:
Spend the day out of the city to visit Versailles, Louis XIV palace. Explore palace’s gardens, Grand Trianon, and Petit Trianon. Visit King and Queen’s rooms, and say hi.
Day 6: Latin quarter and St Germain-des Pres
Walk through Jardin du Luxembourg by starting at the southern end and walk through the entire gardens, see the Statue of Liberty and the plaque to 9/11 (very small), the Medici Fountain. Walk over to St. Severin, then to see medieval art at the Musee National du Moyen Age, then walk through the campus of Sorbonne University to the Pantheon. Lunch nearby.
Afternoon, take metro north to the opulent Opera Garnier. Walk to Galeries Lafayette.
In Galeries Lafayette:
- Visit LA TERRASSE at the top floor of the store for an extraordinary view to Paris. There is also an ephemeral Italian café - Rooftop bar open from noon to 6h30pm: http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.c...yette-coupole/
- “La galerie des galeries" is the contemporary art space situated in the main Galeries Lafayette Coupole building: http://www.galeriedesgaleries.com/en...url039art.html
- http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/ And for children, visit the 5th floor.
- French food and wine: Take a look to Bordeauxthèque which is situated at the first floor of Lafayette Homme (the space is called "Lafayette Gourmet" and you can find here many things to eat also)
http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.c...he-best-wines/
Lastly, climb Montmartre to the Sacre Coeur to watch sun set. Say bye to paris next morning!
At this point, we have only one question. How do we avoid the museum lines? It appears it makes sense to buy the museum pass if one can skip having to stand in lines, no?
Lastly, here is the final itinerary fully realizing we may not be able to do a third and that is OKAY!
Interactive public transport maps at http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/ and http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/.
Day 1:
Transatlantic flight in at 9 am! Taxi to hotel (Latin Quarter, Fifth arrondissement). Leave luggage.
Lunch at Cafe de Flore in in St Germain-des-Pres. Then walk to St. Severin church on way to Ste-Chapelle and Notre Dame. Visit locks of love bridge behind Notredame. Walk by Square Jean XXIII, ancien Cloitre, and Marche aux Fleurs (daily flower market on Pl Louis-Lepine). Finish up with Ile-St-Louis. Amorino Gelta on Main Street is a must!
Head back to hotel for hopefully a good sleep!
Day 2:
Consider visiting Pl Louis-Lepine early in the morning as it a bird market on Sundays!! Mostly a day for invalides and Eiffel tower quarter: Visit Musee d’Orsay. Then Napolean’s tomb and lunch. Then Musee Rodin.
After lunch, visit Eiffel Tower. Cross the river to visit Palais de Chaillot. Walk near Trocadero fountains.
Day 3:
Metro to Arc de Triomphe, see morning view of paris, take bus from Arch to pl. Concorde. Cross the Place de la Concorde and the formal Jardin des Tulleries to historic Palais Royal. Spend the rest of the day at Musee du Louvre.
Additional sight-seeing suggestions: St-Germain-des-Pres or St-Sulpice church; stop to listen to the buskers and have nutella crepes in front of St-Germain-des-Pres metro station. Or get a macaroon at Laduree or pastry at Pierre Hermes on rue Bonaparte. Sit on the fountain at St-Sulpice or the Luxembourg Gardens to eat it!!
Day 4:
Start the day at Pompidou center. Walk on Rue Sainte-Croix de la Brettonerie to Musee Carnavalet (a Parisian history museum). Walk on to Rue Montergeuil to have lunch there. Suggest getting “Paris Walks”’s Marais 2-hour walk and well worth the inexpensive fee.
http://www.paris-walks.com/index.html
Walk on Rue de Francs Bourgeois to Places des Vosges for a coffee. Finish early afternoon at Place de la Bastille/Opera. Walk behind the opera house on rue de Lyon towards avenue Daumesnil to access the Promenade Plantee, a raised and landscaped walking path along the old railroad viaduct.
Late afternoon is free.
Evening: Have dinner first, then do the 8 pm Vedettes du Pont Neuf (Square du Vert Galant, 75001 Paris) ride. The Vedettes have live commentary and one can sit either inside or outside (although outside one can't hear the commentary). Get a brochure at the ticket desk that shows the buildings the boat passing. Get discount tickets on their web site.
Day 5:
Spend the day out of the city to visit Versailles, Louis XIV palace. Explore palace’s gardens, Grand Trianon, and Petit Trianon. Visit King and Queen’s rooms, and say hi.
Day 6: Latin quarter and St Germain-des Pres
Walk through Jardin du Luxembourg by starting at the southern end and walk through the entire gardens, see the Statue of Liberty and the plaque to 9/11 (very small), the Medici Fountain. Walk over to St. Severin, then to see medieval art at the Musee National du Moyen Age, then walk through the campus of Sorbonne University to the Pantheon. Lunch nearby.
Afternoon, take metro north to the opulent Opera Garnier. Walk to Galeries Lafayette.
In Galeries Lafayette:
- Visit LA TERRASSE at the top floor of the store for an extraordinary view to Paris. There is also an ephemeral Italian café - Rooftop bar open from noon to 6h30pm: http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.c...yette-coupole/
- “La galerie des galeries" is the contemporary art space situated in the main Galeries Lafayette Coupole building: http://www.galeriedesgaleries.com/en...url039art.html
- http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/ And for children, visit the 5th floor.
- French food and wine: Take a look to Bordeauxthèque which is situated at the first floor of Lafayette Homme (the space is called "Lafayette Gourmet" and you can find here many things to eat also)
http://haussmann.galerieslafayette.c...he-best-wines/
Lastly, climb Montmartre to the Sacre Coeur to watch sun set. Say bye to paris next morning!
