Paris!

[Anonymous]

I’ll be in Paris for ten days in April. Neither I nor my travel partner have ever been there. So we will of course be planning to see the places that first come to mind when you think of Paris. We are very excited and are studying guidebooks and making lists.

But are there other places we should see that we might not think of? Any tips for navigating our way around Paris?

Among other things, we like art and museums, architecture, natural beauty, history. We like to walk and we’re planning to use public transportation as much as possible. Can anyone share any helpful hints for us? Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be in Paris for ten days in April. Neither I nor my travel partner have ever been there. So we will of course be planning to see the places that first come to mind when you think of Paris. We are very excited and are studying guidebooks and making lists.

But are there other places we should see that we might not think of? Any tips for navigating our way around Paris?

Among other things, we like art and museums, architecture, natural beauty, history. We like to walk and we’re planning to use public transportation as much as possible. Can anyone share any helpful hints for us? Thanks in advance!

Catacombs are neat.

Consider that when you’re on the Metro all you’re seeing is the train and sweaty Parisians. Worth experiencing but not at the expense of seeing better stuff.

[Anonymous]

Where else are you going in France? Why just Paris?

[Anonymous]

NP here. Why *just* Paris?? Ignore that crazy question!

[Anonymous]

We just went there! While I agree the catacombs are neat, half of my family was terrified the whole time—it’s really a long trek underground so it’s not great if you are claustrophobia or generally afraid of skeletons. (Got us, it was being in tunnels underground with no sense of how far it was to the exit!)

Louvre is stupid crowded. There’s an article today in the NYT that they’re going to be limiting the number of visitors (so it’s less like grand central).

Besides museums, you might enjoy the Parisian flea markets. The big be is a bit far out but may be worth it. We couldn’t make it. Also didn’t make it this time to Versaill, but you should go.

Prepare for long lines at a lot of places. We enjoyed walking a lot though— enabled us to eat more pastry!

[Anonymous]

Le Train Bleu, you'll have to look it up. It's an interesting restaurant. You may want to go to the Eiffel Tower more than once. There's a nice view from Trocadero. The Seine River Cruise that leaves from Pont Neuf is a relaxing way to spend part of an evening. We did it several evenings. It costs very little. Every evening felt different, different weather, different things caught our attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here. Why *just* Paris?? Ignore that crazy question!

Why a crazy question? France is full of amazing places to visit (I am in one now), and Paris is subpar.

[Anonymous]

Saint Chappelle!! It’s the most beautiful little church and well worth waiting in line for. The museum pass let’s you jump the line, but we waited and I was so glad we did - I could have spent all day in that church looking at the stained glass.

[Anonymous]

Since you say you love history, do a small group tour out to Normandy for a day. It makes for a long day, but so worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ll be in Paris for ten days in April. Neither I nor my travel partner have ever been there. So we will of course be planning to see the places that first come to mind when you think of Paris. We are very excited and are studying guidebooks and making lists.

But are there other places we should see that we might not think of? Any tips for navigating our way around Paris?

Among other things, we like art and museums, architecture, natural beauty, history. We like to walk and we’re planning to use public transportation as much as possible. Can anyone share any helpful hints for us? Thanks in advance!

The toughest part about traveling to Paris is that there are more obvious places than you could possibly see. The ones I'm glad I went to are:

Musee D'Orsay (and the restaurant within.)
The Louvre
The Palais Garnier
A small corner restaurant near our Air BNB.

Things I should have skipped.
The Eiffel Tower (and a restaurant nearby.)

[Anonymous]

Private boat ride with Green River Cruises. Memory of a lifetime. You can do wine/champagne and catering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Saint Chappelle!! It’s the most beautiful little church and well worth waiting in line for. The museum pass let’s you jump the line, but we waited and I was so glad we did - I could have spent all day in that church looking at the stained glass.

+1. Sainte Chappelle is beautiful. If you can, try to time it to see it on a sunny day - the sun streaming through the stained glass is spectacular.

My favorite thing to do in Paris used to be to climb on top of the towers at Notre Dame, which alas is not possible these days.

With 10 days there, you definitely have time to get out of town. Versailles is a day trip, or you can do Normandy or the Loire Valley. We did a day trip to the LV by a bus tour, highly recommend unless you have a particular interest in that area that would necessitate a longer stay. We got to see Blois, Chambord, Chenonceau and something else that I’m not recalling right now. Versailles is very worth it as well.

[Anonymous]

Download the Moovit app. It will give you public transport options, times, prices from wherever you are in the city to where you’re looking to go .

Eiffel will open booking 60 days out so set your calendar to try to get a 9 am slot the first day they open for a date that works for you. Avoid the lines.

Most museums are closed either Monday or Tuesday

[Anonymous]

I’d plan some day trips. Versailles is always a top spot, but with such a long trip I’d do a day trip to Champagne country.

If you can stay overnight even better, but if not, it is doable in a day. Train from Paris to Reims early morning, then from Reims to Epernay and then back to Paris in the evening. The train stations are within walking distance of the towns in each location. We were able to tour a champagne house/cave in both locations, have a leisurely lunch, and spend some time enjoying champagne at a cafe before the trip back.

You can also do a day trip to Brussels (about 2 hr) and enjoy the museums and sights there. No cars needed; get off at Brussels MIDI and you’ll be right on the Grand Place.

[Anonymous]

And with Versailles, rent a bike by the Grand Canal and bike around the grounds! You could do Fontainebleau, or Giverny tomorrow, as day trips.