suggestions for Paris trip - September
 

hi folks,

im leaving for paris sept 8-14. there's a weekend in between. when's the best time to visit Versailles? fountains will be on only on weekends I hear - is that true?
Louvre? thinking of going on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds.
Musee D'orsay
Notre Dame?

thanks a lot for any advice you can give me!!! also how is weather? i looked up records...seems like temps will be cool. Is shopping closed on Sunday - bon marche etc?

-P

Versailles should be OK, even on the week-end. For the Louvre, you'd be better off on a week day, definitely. Ditto for Orsay and Notre Dame, if you can afford it.

The weather can be 15° to 30° C, so no certainty about that issue. 20 to 25 would be my guess with cooler evenings than in high summer.

Most stores will be closed on Sundays, certainly 100 % of big department stores such as Le Bon Marché or Le Printemps. Only big chain stores on the Champs Elysées shall be open, but for a nicer, more Parisian shopping experience, I would recommend rue des Francs Bourgeois in the Marais, with lots of rather upscale design and clothes outlets.

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, and Versailles is closed on Mondays...

I strongly suggest you hire a good guide. I used Michele Osman [email protected] for 3 days. He charges 75E per day. We paid for his lunch and he spent about 10 hours each day with us. We tipped him also. This may be a splurge, but your trip will be worth more to you, I promise. Michele will do whatever you wish, Versaille, museums, gardens, churches. He will introduce you to the city so that you will enjoy it rather than be constantly "running around". My only regret is that we didn't ask for his service another two days. Our party of seven adults and teens believe our trip was twice as much fun because of using a guide.

Hi t,

I think that the Versailles fountains are turned on on Sun afternoon.

Check http://www.chateauversailles.fr/

((I))

I've been to Versailles both with and without the fountains. I would definitely want to go when the fountains are on - it is spectacular. Not only the fountains - but the music!