Random Q's for our Paris trip
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Anonymous
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I'm trying to finish up some pre-bookings and have some random questions - hoping people here can help with.
1. When booking the Saint Chappelle tickets, is it worth it to pay for the add on to the Conciergerie, or not worth it? 2. How long does it take to get to Versailles via metro/train/walking and do I need to book the train part in advance? Is there a better way to go short of booking a pricey tour? 3. Do I need to book a Seine River Cruise in advance? I went to do it but then realized you are only booking a day, not a time, so you are still at the mercy of the lines to get your specific ticket right? I will probably think of more questions but I think that's it for now. |
Anonymous
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When in doubt, book in advance. Actually, ALWAYS book in advance. Paris is insane. Totally overwhelmed with tourists, especially since the pandemic.
Takes about an hour to get to Versailles, including the walk to the palace itself. I wouldn't bother with a tour. Actually I'd advise against Versailles period. It's very tired, nothing but long lines snaking slowly through what is basically an art museum. The town is pretty cute though! |
Anonymous
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No need to book a Seine river cruise in advance.
Don't take the family specific one. It's awful. |
Anonymous
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Train no need to get ticket in advance, it's the RER, just need a regular metro ticket, they run every 10 minutes or so.
River cruises- we did one a few years ago near sundown and it wasn't crowded at all, maybe 20% full, just the standard 90 minutes out and back ride, was very nice at sundown. No need to book in advance. Maybe if you do a specialized one or a dinner boat, might have to book in advance. |
Anonymous
1. Yes, book Conciergerie. Found it more interesting than Saint Chappelle (which you otherwise will look at for 5 min and be like, ok, this is cool, time to move on) 2. Depends on where you are in Paris - you can see schedules/timing on google maps. No need for advance. Plan for it to be the entire day. 3. No need if one of the bigger boats. There's some nice private tours you can book too which IMHO would be nicer. |
Anonymous
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I literally took an uber to Versailles with my kids. I tried to figure out the train schedule, but it seemed overwhelming to me (and I have been to Paris many, many times), and uber takes you right there to and picks you up from the front.
We got there right when it opened, on Thanksgiving Day (bought tickets in advance). It was crowded by the time we left. It is a day trip. |
Anonymous
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River....I just ride the much maligned Batobus and look around.
Versaiiles...try the Chateau de Fontainebleau. Less crowded. Lovely grounds. Good ice cream place Le Grand Cafe near train station. Conciergerie is awesome. |
Anonymous
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We booked a Seine river cruise about two hours before we were to ride, during spring break time, in the mid-afternoon. I imagine the evening cruises sell out more quickly. We used this cruise, and it was very nice, not too crowded even though the top deck was full.
https://www.vedettesdeparis.fr/en/ The cruise isn't super exciting, but it's calming. We did it as our last thing in Paris...my son got a cookie and my H and I both got glasses of champagne. It was a lovely way to end our week in France. 
My H and son took the RER C to Versailles, our hotel was right by a stop in the city and it was super easy as Versailles is the last stop (but make sure you get on the right train). They did say that for their 9:30am ticket, they didn't end up entering until after 10 due to lines. Plus it was very, very crowded. After walking through the Chateau they were going to wait for a golf cart tour of the grounds but the line was 45+ minutes. |
Anonymous
You have been to Paris many many times, but couldn't figure out how to get to the RER C line, which runs to "Versailles Chateau" every 15 minutes? |
Anonymous
Just as likely that they knew about all the stairs, smells and scallawags they’d likely meet on the RER and prudently took a car that let them avoid all that and unnecessary walking. |
Anonymous
We loved the Conciergerie, highly recommend. Agree Versailles takes about an hour, to get to, it’s just the Metro so no need to book travel in advance but you need Versailles tix. One recommendation we got which was very helpful—visit in the afternoon, and visit the gardens first. That way you’re entering the palace mid-afternoon or so and it’s a bit less crowded. Personally I don’t love Versailles but the rest of my family really wanted to go so we did. We did not do a tour there and didn’t miss it. Just had tickets for that day. Didn’t do a cruise so can’t help there! |
Anonymous
Actually I think a tour is a good idea for Versailles because if you take an add-on tour of the palace you get to see some cool extra rooms and then they end the tour in the public rooms so you skip the lines to enter (at least that’s how it worked for us a few years ago). Also if you go on a summer’s evening when they turn on the fountains in the garden and then watch fireworks that’s fun. |
Anonymous
| PP again just wanted to add we did not need a full day for Versailles. I can understand why others would but I think a half day is workable too. |
Anonymous
Yes, or Chantilly or Vaux-le-Vicomte. All good alternatives to Versailles that will be busy but not at all insanely crowded. |
Anonymous
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Versailles is easy to get to from the train. We went there in the afternoon as people were leaving. If I had to do it again, I'd go see Marie's house and the gardens and then head into the palace. We just did gardens and Palace.
I highly recommend a private boat tour. It was a really nice time. We stopped by the market before to get cheese, bread, etc. to eat on the boat. Evening is ready great to watch the city light up. DCUM recommended Green River Cruises and they were good. |