For a splurge but not nearly Jules Verne-spendy and w/ an even better view, consider Ciel de Paris on top of the Montparnasse Tower. The view is better because it includes the Eiffel Tower and isn't <i>from</i> the ET. The view is unbelievable and the food is very good.

http://cieldeparis.com

https://www.google.com/search?q=ciel...2&ved=0CD0QsAQ

Agree with janisj re the view from Monparnasse. We haven't eaten at Ciel but may give it a go in December.

chris45ny, you're welcome. BTW, we toured St. Denis and it was a highlight of our trip. Found out about it on this forum. It's a spectacular cathedral with great history and very few tourists. It was a long Metro ride from the center but very worth it. I miss Paris every day

I recommend you go to the Opera without your husband! I did that on our last trip to Germany and saw the Nutcracker at the Staatsoper in Munich. It worked out great. He went to a beer hall and I saw the most gorgeous production in a very nice seat--spluged since it was just me. We both won, lol.

chris45ny, just throwing in my two cents worth....sounds like a wonderful trip, very envious. We've stayed in quite a few apartments in Paris, some rented thru VRBO and some from Vacation In Paris. If you're not familiar with them, V I P is a US based company, I think New Jersey, so all prices are paid in US $ which makes it very easy to take care of.

We've rented at least 5 times from them and my favorite apartment is in the 4th, is well within your budgeted amount, is in a perfect location, IMHO, very quiet as it's inside of doors so no street noise and once you walk outside you're across the street (and down just a little) from St Paul Metro, line 1 I believe. Also, right in front if the apartment is a bus stop with several lines, #69 being one. Oh and it's street level.

http://www.vacationinparis.com/listi...ht-one-bedroom

Another suggestion, if you're interested, call V I P, give them your dates and what you're looking for, they can lull up what is available at that time, give you the apartment # and you can look at them. Be sure to read everything closely and call and ask ?'s if something isn't clear, they're very helpful.

If you do like #201, I'd book it ASAP as I think it's very popular and booked frequently. That's probably good advice for any rental you find, book ASAP, August is a busy time of year for travel.

Good luck, have a great trip.

wonderbar-

Thanks for the link to #201. It really looks almost perfect for us. I have been looking at VIP and had noted listings #56 and #194 as possibles. It's so hard to decide which area to stay in. My ideal apt. would be a combo of all 3 of these! Looking for good location close to public transport (bus and/or metro), near shops to buy supplies like food items for breakfast, a washer to do clothes, and a bathtub would be the icing on the cake for a nice soak after a day of lots of sightseeing/walking. Due to knee issues if bldg. has no lift/elevator then no higher than 2nd floor US which I guess is 1st floor Europe.

We are staying on VIP apt #305 in December. No tub, but a great location.

Pompidou and Montmartre aren't that far apart, don't worry about it. They are both on the same side of the Seine, at least.

I suggest you take the Montmartrobus instead of a cab to Sacre Coeur. It eliminates the uphill walk from the metro station, but gives you good flexibility and you can see a bit more of Montmartre that way. Here is its route: http://www.ratp.fr/informer/picts/pl...tmartrobus.pdf

YOu can pick it up near the Abbesses metro stop (which is at the bottom of the hill). I'd also suggest if you hop on/off that bus a couple times to see things (Sacre Couer, the little museum up there, have lunch, etc.) you might consider buying a Mobilis transport ticket for that day, at least. Because I think it may be one ticket (from a carnet) for each time you get on/off. A Mobilis ticket is unlimited transporation all day in Paris (bus and metro/RER within the city) for only 6.8 euro (zones 1-2). I always buy one if I don't have a weekly pass and expect to be running around the city a lot one day. A carnet costs 13.7 euro for 10, so a Mobilis is the price of about 5 tickets from that. If you think you might take more than 4 trips a day, buy a Mobilis (and it's nice just to have one ticket all day, you can just hope on a bus for a bit or not, as you wish, without thinking about it). And no worry about bus transfers, either. YOu can use one ticket for a bus to bus transfer within the same 1.5 hours, but you'd have to use 2 tickets if you were transferring bus to metro or vice versa.

Hi Chris,
Looks like you'll be having fun in Paris.

For me it's a lot of day trips in a two week trip but then I didn't make it to Versaille, Giverny or Chatres when I was last in Paris on a four month trip - but then we are lazy tourists!

I've got a lot of info on my blog so I'll add in some links.

I agree with much of what others have said, the view from the Tour Montparnasse is indeed fun.
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...-to-paris.html

We also recommend the short trip on the metro out to St Denis, I'd far rather go here than to the Sacre Coeur. St Denis is an architectural masterpiece and far more historically significant.
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...cathedral.html

I agree that you'll want some time in the Marais and it works well with the Pompidou. It's just lovely to walk around and different architecturally to much of what you'll see elsewhere in Paris. the Carnavalet is lovely as is the Place du Voges and of course the Picasso Museum has now reopened.

The Seine boat doesn't really appeal to me, I'd just consider taking the Batobus on one of the other days to one of the places you want to see. It would of course depend on where you're staying.
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...-on-seine.html

The Marmottan Monet sounds like a good option, all of our guests also enjoyed the Jaquemart Andre which is charming and has an very good audio tour which gives a real sense of Paris in the Belle Epoque, it's close to the Parc Monceau.
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...et-museum.html
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...dre-paris.html

You have a lot going on on Day Three. I'd consider combining the Pantheon and the Cluny, which makes more sense geographically and if you want a walk afterwards you could head down the river to the Jardin des Plantes or for something different head to the historic La Grande Mosquée de Paris or to the top of the Musee du Monde Arab for the lovely view of Notre Dame. I agree with the other recommendations for the Cluny it's a lovely museum.

http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...ugh-fifth.html

Beyond Monet, I don't know what sort of art you are interested in but for me the highlights of the Louvre are the quieter parts of the museum, in particular the non western art, the new Islamic art section and the African and indigenous art sections which have some great stuff!
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...at-louvre.html
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/...at-louvre.html


After the Louvre don't forget to cross the street and walk through the gardens at the Palais Royal, if you have a quick wander through this neighborhood you'll also come upon some of the covered walkways which are fun.
http://www.galerie-vivienne.com

I'm sure you'll have a great time and you may see lots of the city at night walking to and from restaurants. You don't mention markets I would recommend the Richard Lenoir on a Sunday but there are lots of good ones and you're bound to pass them on your wanderings.

Here's a link to all the Paris posts on the blog. Hope this helps.

http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.com/search/label/Paris

I would advise you to get familiar with the buses. You can be sightseeing as you are traveling and doesn't involve stairs, like the metro. The Parisian bus stops list the different lines and stops and there are electronic signs indicating the approxiate arrival times of the next bus.

the Eurostar regularly sells out so even IF the walk up fare wasn't too expensive, there is a very good chance you couldn't get on at all>

if talking about standard class that may be true - I'm not sure it is and have seen 85% capacity figures for Eurostar but say it is - first-class IME will always ALWAYS have seats - I've ridden first class many times and always have seats empty in the carriage.

So it is not true to say IME at least that you may not be able to leave on short notice. But janis' point to book early is true to save tons of money over walk-up fares - but those discounted fares are neither changeable nor refundable so be sure of your dates.

Very few trains nowadays serve Ashford International with the completion of the new high-speed Channel Tunnel Rail Link line some years ago that avoids Ashford but does on some journeys stop at Ebbsfleet International, also in Kent.

PQ -- are you actually recommending paying for full price, walk up, <i>Business/Premier</i> (it isn't called first class) Eurostar seats??

>>Very few trains nowadays serve Ashford International<< The OP knows how to check the schedule and which trains do stop at Ashford.

And, yes, many Eurostars do sell out.

welltraveledbrit-Thanks so much for all the useful info and advice as well as the great links. Very much appreciated.

Debbielynn-I read that the buses may be a better option as the metro stations are said to have lots of stairs which isn't good for my poor knees! :'(

PalenQ-My research shows only 2 Eurostar trains from the Ashford International to Paris so I will be sure to make our reservations as soon as my dates all come together. Thanks janisj!!

My main problem right now appears to be Paris (waiting to hear back about the apt. I want to book) and Venice. It appears that we arrive in Venice shortly after the Film Festival so I would think I could find a nice 1 BR apt. but it's not been an easy go. I find them but they are always having a day or so during my time period that is already booked to someone else. As soon as I get the apt. rentals situated for Paris and Venice I can then book my international air and then should know date I need for the Eurostar. Whew!

How long will you be in Venice? If you find a flat you like that is available for most of your stay, it might be worthwhile to book it and the get a hotel for the few nights the apartment isn't open.

janisj-Plan is for 7 nights but I never thought about what you're saying. The flat I like is this one in Dorsoduro but it's only available for 5 of our nights. I'd have to get a hotel for 2 nights. I'd really prefer not to have to move as that takes time away from sightseeing but I could add 1 more night to Venice if I had to. http://www.italyperfect.com/venice/v...n-rentals.html
The one I like is Marino.

I have just started looking so maybe I'll find something for our entire week Sept. 13-20, 2015. Fingers crossed!

Ooh ! What a lovely apartment. In a great location. I'd be sorely tempted to stay there even if it was only for 5 nights.

We were in Paris for 2 weeks in September. You will have a wonderful time! Don't forget to leave time for the markets....we loved the Bastille Market - went twice -. If you google Paris markets you can find out which markets happen on which days.We used that as a way to explore different neighborhoods.
Also, when going to Sacre Coeur, just know that if you get off at the Abbesses metro stop that there are many flights of stairs just exiting the metro.
Try to leave some time just to wander.....Paris is magical,with little surprises around most corners.Have lunch or a glass of wine at a sidewalk cafe and watch the people. Walk along the river (no cars allowed on the road along the river on Sundays)as often as you can. Take an evening boat ride on the Seine (we used the one by the Pont Neuf). Take a baguette and some wine and cheese and enjoy some time at the Lexington Gardens, watching the children and their boats.
Ahhh, Paris. There is no city like it.

Enjoy your trip!!!

enjoy some time at the Lexington Gardens, watching the children and their boats.>>

What city are you talking about? There are certainly no gardens in Paris named "Lexington."

We just spent 2 weeks in Paris. It was my 9th visit so we had a very wide open approach to our itinerary. I like yours very much. It includes all of the must sees but leaves plenty of time to wander and view the passing scene. You have plenty of time to add what appeals to you as you travel around Paris.

We visited St. Denis, Nissim de Commando and Parc Monceau for the first time and I would recommend all. I would highly recommend the Place de Vosges and the Picasso Museum which can be visited on the same day. We missed the Picasso which was scheduled to reopen the week after our departure but it has long been one of my favorites. Don't miss the markets. We especially enjoyed the Bastille market on Sunday.

You will find lots to do. Don't miss the Ile de St. Louis. We stayed in an apartment there and I really loved the neighborhood.

Have a wonderful time.

Have you considered a day trip (it would be a loooong day) to Normandy and the beaches there? A guided tour would eliminate driving and the walking can be tailored to your endurance level. This is the 70th anniversary of the invasion...quite special.

Chris--restaurant in Giverny is Restaurant Gaudy