sosie

Hi. My husband and I are travelling to Paris in October for 5 days. We are flying into CDG at 4 or 5 pm and planned on taking the RER to Paris and then metro to Rue Du Bac station (hotel just across the street). Is this a busy time of day? Would you recommend taking taxi or bus instead? We will be packing light and have a small rolling case (carry on size) and maybe another small shoulder bag between the two of us. Also, any recommendations on restaurants would be appreciated. We would love to have one exceptional dinner to celebrate our anniversary. And, is it worth it to go to Moulin Rouge? or a tourist trap? Thanks for your advice.

DalaiLlama

RER will be quicker at that time of day, street traffic is in rush hour.

Moulin Rouge is a matter of personal taste - a tourist trap for sure, but if some tourists didn't like it, it wouldn't exist, so... For you to decide.

There are so many excellent restaurants - as you walk around you'll come across many tempting ones, and people here will extol the virtues of many they have attended, so having a memorable meal will not be a problem.

Note that your US (if that's where you hail from?) credit or debit cards may not work at the train-ticket vending machines because US cards are not of the chip-and-pin kind. If you can buy maybe 50 Euros in small bills on your way, at an airport money changer, you'll be able to get a ticket. The exchange rate at airports is not very favorable, but we're talking tiny sums for lots of convenience... Then you get more cash at better rates from ATMs (called Bancomats) - preferably from those inside of bank branches for security reasons.

Call the issuers of your cards before you leave so transactions in France will not be blocked for "unusual activity" reasons.

RER timetables and all other local transportation (incl. door-too-door on foot!) at www.ratp.fr

sosie

Thanks for your help. Do you think it's worth it to get a paris visite metro pass if we plan to take the RER from and to the airport and also to Versailles?

Christina

yes, it's a fairly busy time of day, it's evening rush hour when you'll be in central Paris. I try to avoid taking the metro at that time with luggage, but of course it will be bad for taxis, also (I can't imagine buses, they can be worse than the metro during rush hour, and they are a lot smaller). YOu know you cannot transfer to the metro line rue du Bac is on from the RER B. There isn't any easy way to do it, you'll have to transfer a couple times plus walk a ways. I'm thinking maybe you'd get out at Chatelet/Les Halles, then walk to the Chatelet metro stop where you transfer to the line that goes to the Madeleine where you transfer to the line to rue du Bac. YOu'd have to transfer a couple times if you get out at Gare du Nord, also, not sure the best way up there.

Probably the best way would be a group airport shuttle van as they charge a flat rate. Otherwise, I might take the Air France bus to Montparnasse tower and then a short cab ride, or the metro from there right to rue du bac, it's on that line.

Venezia123

I have done the airport shuttle several times and that worked for me.Less exp than a cab.

As for the moulin Rouge i have seen it several times i think its a beautiful show i love the music and the costumes.
It is touristy and a little pricey i never do the dinner show .But again its personal taste i just happen to really like it and when i go back to Paris i will probally see it again.

As to the resturants there are so many good ones just stay away from the ones around the tourist areas.
Enjoy Paris!!

Gretchen

You seem to be a new visitor to Paris. I would really recommend you get a taxi to your hotel and start your visit out on a stress free foot. The traffic coming INTO Paris at that time might not be too bad and for the taxi it would be about 50-60E. Take a map and address of your hotel.
You can ask ALL your Paris questions on one thread by clicking on your name and bringing up the original thread.
Moulin Rouge is a Vegas show. don't waste your money.
As I said on your other thread, Paris Visite is NOT a good buy.
You can find untold numbers of threads here for restaurants. I would look at them and THEN ask for advice.
Don't be too concerned about the US credit cards. Ours have always worked. But DO have two, split between you, so you aren't both carrying both cards.

sosie

Thanks for everyone's help. I just found this forum today and was in a rush to join and post, so I haven't done a good job of researching all the past forum questions and answers. My questions must be quite similar to some recent ones. I will do more research and post back when I need. Thanks again.

DalaiLlama

Re Gretchen's ",,,Don't be too concerned about the US credit cards...'

Yes, you'd better be concerned, because when you arrive at CDG, dead-tired, and want to buy transportation tickets from the vending machine, you may just have your first encounter of the negative kind. Just stand and watch one person after the other try and fail, and the line at the staffed ticket counter gets longer and longer because people ask endless questions there instead of just buying their tickets...

djkbooks

Taking the RER/Metro to your hotel from CDG would involve at least two transfers.

I'm another who thinks a taxi is worth every euro after an overnight flight.

If you want to economize, take Roissybus to Opera then a taxi or Bus 68 to your hotel.

Gretchen

I certainly don't disagree with having Euros in my pocket--we get about $100 worth as we are leaving the US and would never arrive in a country without some currency. We have not had any problem with credit cards.

hmmm

You don't mention a budget for your anniversary dinner. If you have a very high upper limit you might investigate the Tour D'Argent, which has an unmatched view of the islands and Notre Dame or the Grand Vefour which was a favorite of Napolean. You might also look at the Jules Verne restaurant at the Eiffel Tower, now run by Alain Ducasse, perhaps France's top promoted chef.

I agree that you want to take a taxi or private shuttle after a long, overnight flight.

Have a memorable time in Paris and a wonderful anniversary.

Michel_Paris

RER will be fastest and cheapest. There are varying opinions here on whether to take it or taix on arrival for first visit. It's a personal preference I guess, unless you had lots of luggage and kids.

There is also the Air France coaches and the Roissybus shuttle. These all follow a pre-determined route.

There have been a couple of threads here recently on restaurants with a lot of recommendations.

I've been to one show (Paradis Latin) and that's off the list now. Expensive, food not that great. If you go, just do the show, eat beforehand.

www.ratp.fr is a good site for public transit in Paris,planning routes,etc.. For tickets, I've gone 'simple' and just bought carnets (books of ten Metro tickets).

You are in a good location. I like Rue de Buci market. For restaurants...Petit Zinc, Chez Clement, La Jacobine, La Petite Chaise, Chez Rene, etc...

avalon

If you do take the RER to St Micehl there is a taxi stand right outside the entrance and a taxi to Rue du Bac would not be very much. ShuttleInter charges 55 Euro, private car. It beats a taxi because there is no meter!

Bistrot de Paris on Rue de Lillie and Les Ministeres on rue du Bac are both good and attractive restaurants in walking distaance from your hotel. Les Ministeries has a 3 course 35 Euro menu including an aperitif and 1/2 bottle of wine . Good value!

Margaretlb

Not knowing your special dinner budget, I'll venture a restaurant with a wonderful view and a resonable prix fixe dinner at EUR38 - of course, you could spend alot more on the a la carte menu.
Chez Francis, and be sure to reserve if you want to sit outside for the great view (they'll have heaters if the weather is chilly).
http://www.chezfrancis-restaurant.com/

Or, one of the century old beautiful brasserie's like Brasserie Bofinger feels very special:
http://www.bofingerparis.com/endroit/en/

Michel_Paris

Train Bleu, east of you, gets good reviews for its attractiveness

sosie

Thanks for all the responses. I will look into the restaurants that were mentioned. We are arriving at Heathrow at 9 am and have a 5 1/2 hr layover, then will land in Paris at 5 pm (just looked at my itinerary). I should have looked more for a better flight, but I was anxious to get everything settled. I have been to Paris, but it was backpacking through Europe 20 years ago and this trip will be very different. I am so excited and have been planning and researching, so all the info available via internet is wonderful. Thanks for everyone's expertise. I really appreciate any and all tips and advice. If we aren't too exhausted, we will try the RER and metro, despite the two transfers. Of course, we could easily change our minds. If you don't mind, I will post our tentative schedule to get some feedback.

sosie

Hi. Here is our tentative schedule. I would appreciate any comments/advice. We will arrive in Paris on Oct. 14 at 5:30pm. We plan to take the RER B to Gare du Nord and then take the metro to St. Germaine then walk to our hotel across from the Rue du Bac (K and K Cayre). We won't have much luggage. That evening we would like to go to the Eiffle Tower and eat dinner.
Friday we will get the Museum pass for 2 days.]
Friday AM, Sainte Chapelle and Notre Dame. Walk along Blvd St. Germain, lunch. PM, l'Orangerie, Tuileries, Louvre.
Eat dinner at La Petite Chaise.
Sat AM, Musee d'Orsay and Rodin Museum. Then we will walk around, cafes and shopping or something. And go to Sacre Coeur in the late afternoon. Maybe Fish for dinner?
Saturday, we will go to Versailles. Then we will go to the Monet exhibit at the Grand Palais in the evening.
Thanks for all you help. I have learned a lot reading through all the forum posts.

suze

I think that sounds like quite a packed itinerary. Like going to the Eiffle Tower for dinner on your arrival day. Or doing something in the evening after a day trip to Versailles. both Fri & Sat you have 3 museums or sites on the same day. Certainly it can be done that way, but you will be BUSY!

Personally arriving Paris for the first time, I would have gone with a taxi myself rather than attempt public transportation with luggage (even a small amount). Again all comments are my personal opinion, obviously! Enjoy!!

gh21

Sosie, Musee dOrsay is open but is in the midst of construction. At least one of the floors is closed and some of their collection is on loan and is traveling in US and Europe.

paris15

If you take the RER B, you should go til Saint-Michel station. Then exit and catch a taxi at the station along the Seine. Even if it's rush hour, this is just a short ride to Rue du Bac, less than 1km driving on the bank and it will probably cost you something like 5 euros.