peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,990 
Member is Online
|
Post by peppermintpatty on Dec 13, 2023 15:22:22 GMT
Dh and I just booked a trip to Paris in April. I've never been there before. Besides all the touristy stuff which is easy for me to figure out, give me some cool and unusual things to do. I booked a day trip to Mont St. Michel. I know that is going to be a long day but I have always wanted to go there and I am okay not spending the night.
We are interested in so far
Catacombs
Versaille
The Louvre (just because you have to do it)
A Seine river cruise at sunset
Notre Dame (won't be open when we go)
Sainte Chapelle
Moulin Rouge - maybe
Montmartre
We will have a full 7 days
TIA
|
|
|
|
Post by **GypsyGirl** on Dec 13, 2023 15:45:00 GMT
Museums I'd add to your list are Musee d'Orsay, Musee de l'Orangerie. Both are near the Louvre and would be easy to see on the same day. For the Louvre, I'd choose a couple of things you really want to see, check them out and then move on to another museum. Don't even attempt to see it all there! We lived there for a couple of years and I had an annual pass to the Louvre and still didn't see it all! There are also lots of smaller but very interesting museums in Paris, so don't feel you have to just focus on the large ones. If you are interested let me know and I can send you links. You are already doing 2 day trips (Mont-Saint-Michel and Versailles) so not sure if you are interested in a third one, but if so either Giverny or Reims are great. |
|
Tearisci
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,242
Member is Online
Nov 6, 2018 16:34:30 GMT
|
Post by Tearisci on Dec 13, 2023 15:47:08 GMT
I went to Paris in April about 15 years ago as a daytrip from London and it was cold! Not sure what part of April that you are going in but we ended up buying touristy hats and sweatshirts outside of Notre Dame because it was so much colder than London.
|
|
peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,990
Member is Online
|
Post by peppermintpatty on Dec 13, 2023 17:00:28 GMT
Museums I'd add to your list are Musee d'Orsay, Musee de l'Orangerie. Both are near the Louvre and would be easy to see on the same day. For the Louvre, I'd choose a couple of things you really want to see, check them out and then move on to another museum. Don't even attempt to see it all there! We lived there for a couple of years and I had an annual pass to the Louvre and still didn't see it all! There are also lots of smaller but very interesting museums in Paris, so don't feel you have to just focus on the large ones. If you are interested let me know and I can send you links. You are already doing 2 day trips (Mont-Saint-Michel and Versailles) so not sure if you are interested in a third one, but if so either Giverny or Reims are great. Thanks for the info. I was an art history minor in college and I love art but I am not really big on walking around a museum and fighting people to look at some of the more well known pieces. I guess the Louvre so I can say I was there  . I would be interested in your list! Thanks. |
|
|
|
Post by malibou on Dec 13, 2023 17:07:56 GMT
**GypsyGirl** said almost exactly what I was going to say. 😁 The Mona Lisa is just simply not all its cracked up to be. There will be throngs of people, you have to stand quite far back from it, and its small. Dh really enjoyed Place de la Bastille. The whole area was interesting and the Promenade Plantée made for a delightful walk.
|
|
|
|
Post by **GypsyGirl** on Dec 13, 2023 17:13:40 GMT
Thanks for the info. I was an art history minor in college and I love art but I am not really big on walking around a museum and fighting people to look at some of the more well known pieces. I guess the Louvre so I can say I was there . I would be interested in your list! Thanks. I'll put together a list later today or tomorrow and get it to you. What area are you staying in while in Paris? Also, what is your favorite type of art or artists? Oh and Tearisci is right. Prepare for cold, wet weather. After spending a couple of Aprils in Paris, I could never figure out why everyone seems to romanticize it. I found it to be miserable most of the time! Take layers and a raincoat w/hood. |
|
rickmer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,146
|
Post by rickmer on Dec 13, 2023 17:30:57 GMT
Museums I'd add to your list are Musee d'Orsay, Musee de l'Orangerie. Both are near the Louvre and would be easy to see on the same day. For the Louvre, I'd choose a couple of things you really want to see, check them out and then move on to another museum. Don't even attempt to see it all there! We lived there for a couple of years and I had an annual pass to the Louvre and still didn't see it all! There are also lots of smaller but very interesting museums in Paris, so don't feel you have to just focus on the large ones. If you are interested let me know and I can send you links. You are already doing 2 day trips (Mont-Saint-Michel and Versailles) so not sure if you are interested in a third one, but if so either Giverny or Reims are great. I agree with adding Musee d'Orsay - it's my fave in Paris! People do love the Orangerie, which I enjoyed. I would recommend the museum pass and trying to do as many of those as possible within the timeframe (there are different options of 2 days, 4 days, 6 days). As for the Louvre, ya Mona Lisa is less than spectacular but if there, why not?? I suggest going late in the day, maybe 2.5 hours before closing, to avoid the early in the day crowds. That is what we did and no lineup at all. Be prepared you will have to go thru metal detectors and put your bag through a scanner to go to pretty much every museum there. I just love wandering through neighbours (the Marais is a fave) and the cemeteries are ah-mazing. I check our walking routes and then check if there are any on my way we can nip into. |
|
peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,990
Member is Online
|
Post by peppermintpatty on Dec 13, 2023 19:50:53 GMT
I told dh we would go to the Louvre to say we have been to it. I know about the Mona Lisa so I don't really have any interest in seeing what will look like a postcard.
I am not a huge fan of the impressionists but I might be tempted to go and see them.
Right now we are staying in the 6th arr. I did find an apartment in the 2nd that I am really tempted to book (and is very, very reasonable). Another artist friend of mine stayed in an apartment right by the Louvre. I am waiting to hear back from her on where it is and if it is available.
|
|
peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,990
Member is Online
|
Post by peppermintpatty on Dec 13, 2023 19:51:30 GMT
Museums I'd add to your list are Musee d'Orsay, Musee de l'Orangerie. Both are near the Louvre and would be easy to see on the same day. For the Louvre, I'd choose a couple of things you really want to see, check them out and then move on to another museum. Don't even attempt to see it all there! We lived there for a couple of years and I had an annual pass to the Louvre and still didn't see it all! There are also lots of smaller but very interesting museums in Paris, so don't feel you have to just focus on the large ones. If you are interested let me know and I can send you links. You are already doing 2 day trips (Mont-Saint-Michel and Versailles) so not sure if you are interested in a third one, but if so either Giverny or Reims are great. I agree with adding Musee d'Orsay - it's my fave in Paris! People do love the Orangerie, which I enjoyed. I would recommend the museum pass and trying to do as many of those as possible within the timeframe (there are different options of 2 days, 4 days, 6 days). As for the Louvre, ya Mona Lisa is less than spectacular but if there, why not?? I suggest going late in the day, maybe 2.5 hours before closing, to avoid the early in the day crowds. That is what we did and no lineup at all. Be prepared you will have to go thru metal detectors and put your bag through a scanner to go to pretty much every museum there. I just love wandering through neighbours (the Marais is a fave) and the cemeteries are ah-mazing. I check our walking routes and then check if there are any on my way we can nip into. Thank you for the info! |
|
|
|
Post by Bridget in MD on Dec 13, 2023 20:32:57 GMT
Dh and I just booked a trip to Paris in April. I've never been there before. Besides all the touristy stuff which is easy for me to figure out, give me some cool and unusual things to do. I booked a day trip to Mont St. Michel. I know that is going to be a long day but I have always wanted to go there and I am okay not spending the night. We are interested in so far Catacombs Versaille The Louvre (just because you have to do it) A Seine river cruise at sunset Notre Dame (won't be open when we go) Sainte Chapelle Moulin Rouge - maybe Montmartre We will have a full 7 days TIA DH and I went to Paris in 1999, took the chunnel over and spent 3 days. While we were there we saw (from your list): Catacombs - only open certain days. I just saw a tiktok that there are people who live in the catacombs and will try to lure you down there and leave you in the dark, so be sure you do a legit tour or area. I can't remember how the hell we did it, but it was a popular part/tour and I remember by the time we finally emerged, I was ready to be done. Versailles - I mean, I wasn't even prepared for how big it was. it is not in paris, but rather a day trip out of it, we took the train I think. It;s fabulous, but after seeing like the 5th palace (it is actually a series of castles/palaces there, the big ass one, and then one for the king, one for the queen, one for the queen when she wanted to play shepardess, etc...) we were done, I don't think we saw them all. And in 1999 i think we walked the whole complex. It was just jaw-dropping tho. The Louvre (just because you have to do it) - yes, you must. I mean, Mona Lisa ain't all that, but theres the winged victory and a bunch of other stuff you will recoginize. Notre Dame (won't be open when we go) - there was scaffolding on the outside when we went. The inside was not as impressive as the outside (IMO) but bummer its not open when you go. Sainte Chapelle - they call this the jewelbox of Paris. It's gorgeous. DH and I went to the Rodin (I think that is what it is called), which hosted all of Rodin's art, The Kiss, The Gates of Hell, etc. LOVED that museum. I mean, of course, you must see the Eiffel Tower. We loved the top of the Arch de Triomphe bc that is the view that has the ET in it - I got engaged on top! We saw Napolen's tomb, I think it is called Les Invalides? It was great. Great views too. We went to the steps of the Sacre Coeur, I don't remember if we went in it. I would love to see Mont St. Michel and St. Denis, and DH would love to go to Normandy. |
|
|
|
Post by nine on Dec 13, 2023 20:56:21 GMT
Gotta tell ya…April is spring/Easter break in Paris. We were there last year from March 30-Apr 15 and it was crowded AF! The Louvre was jammed. You could pick your feet up and still keep moving. So be prepared for that. I’ll see if I can find some of the stuff we did and let you know.
saint Chapelle has music concerts at night. Look into that.
Also, classictic.com has all the concerts and other stuff going on. Try to get as many tix beforehand rather than wait til you get there
|
|
|
|
Post by scraphappy0501 on Dec 13, 2023 21:04:56 GMT
We were in Paris last June and also did a 7 might Seine River cruise up to Le Havre and back. I agree with what others said about the Louvre. We did a quick "Best of the Louvre" tour and it was plenty for me. There are so many people there it's hard to enjoy things to be honest. We absolutely loved the Musee d'Orsay but we are fond of the Impressionists so it was a must-see for us. It's in an old train station with interesting architecture. We also did a St. Germain food tour which was excellent. We ate way too many pastries but they were so delicious we couldn't help ourselves!
If you venture to Versailles (which I recommend) you may want to look at doing a Fat Tire Bicycle Tours tour (assuming you are comfortable riding a bicycle.) We thoroughly enjoyed that tour. It meets in a small park near a train station. The guide escorts you onto the train (they provide tickets) and when you get off the train in the town of Versailles it is a short walk to the Fat Tire Tours bike shop where you'll get your bike. The guide leads the ride to an area near the marketplace and you stop and buy your own food for a picnic lunch (our guide recommended places to purchase food.) We then rode into the palace grounds, which are enormous. We rode around the grounds and stopped at the various minor palaces and then ended up at the main palace and toured it and the gardens. You're provided with return train tickets and you catch the train back to Paris on your own.
If you decide to do another day trip I would highly recommend Monet's home and gardens in Giverny. Aside from our day at the Normandy D-Day beaches, it was our favorite place we visited on our trip.
|
|
|
|
Post by workingclassdog on Dec 13, 2023 22:30:19 GMT
When we went I wish we would have gone to the Catacombs. That is probably my only regret..
I know the Eiffel Tower is a touristy thing.. but I LOVED it.. we went at night and it was SO beautiful.. We went up to the middle section. The top was sold out. Someone here told me to skip it.. SO glad we didn't. I mean if you know you will go again or have been to it then yeah.. but that might have been my one and done trip.
We skipped the Louvre. My kids didn't really want to go. We did go there and looked around the outside and had lunch at a nearby restaurant. That was fun. I think there were some very pretty gardens close by. We did go to another smaller museum.
It was HOT when we went.. it was at the beginning of May.. oh so so hot.
Our host in the 19th arr. It was like an AirBnB. She was lovely. An actress.. I don't know how good/bad the area was supposed to be.. but we did have to take the subway back and forth. We loved it.
Now I wanna go back.
Edited: The Arch de Triomphe is great and you gotta go to the top.. it's beautiful!
And not so fun fact.. we were at Notre Dame about a month or so before the fire. (maybe it was longer) but it was close... SO glad we went.
|
|
pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,236
Member is Online
|
Post by pilcas on Dec 13, 2023 23:24:40 GMT
A walk through the Luxemburg gardens
|
|
pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,648
Location: The Grand Canyon
|
Post by pudgygroundhog on Dec 14, 2023 1:20:56 GMT
My daughter and I went to Paris this past March and we had most of the same things on our list. I have a trip report with pictures posted: pbase.com/pudgy_groundhog/paris_2023A few comments: Catacombs - Be sure to mark your calendar and buy tickets when they are released for your date. Nearby is Musée de la Libération de Paris. The museum is free and a nice visit. Versaille - We did the King's Apartment Tour and I would highly recommend it. It was nice to be in a smaller group with a guide in a part of the estate you can only go with a guide. Versailles is kind of crazy for the crowds in the main rooms, so it was nice to have this tour. It's bookable through the official site and is not expensive - like ten euros maybe? The Louvre (just because you have to do it) - We really enjoyed the Louvre. We booked early tickets and there were no lines to get in. We hit some of the popular pieces first and there weren't many people at all (except for Mona Lisa) - was definitely a lot more crowded when we left in the early afternoon. My daughter had a list of items to see, but we also had time to just wander - I was surprised at how some of the galleries were empty. I think most people rush through here to tick off some boxes, then bounce. If you have time to wander and get lost - I think it adds to the experience. Sainte Chapelle - book the earliest tickets if you can and line up a little early - we got some nice pics before it was swarmed with people. We combined this with the Conciergerie (just down the street), which is kind of empty, but they give you an iPad to augment your visit - we liked learning the history. Montmartre - we did a food tour here and loved it. We spent the day in Montmarte - plenty of time to wander and soak it in. Loved this area. Several things I wanted to do that we couldn't fit in (not the usual tourist sites): Le Musée des Égouts de Paris (sewer tour), The Musée Carnavalet (history of Paris), Musée des Arts Forains ("museum of fairground arts"), La Coulée Verte (an inspiration for the Highline in NYC), Canal St.Martin. |
|
|
|
Post by monicad on Dec 14, 2023 4:17:01 GMT
A lot of great suggestions. We were happy with our tours (I think I also used Fat Tire) for the Eiffel Tower and Versailles…definitely worth it. I’d also recommend the Paris Opera House; absolutely stunning! We also booked a train to Bayeux and took a tour of Normandy which was a long day but worth seeing. I’d also recommend Rick Steve’s audio tour for The Louvre which will show you the highlights such as the Mona Lisa, Nike/Winged Victory, etc. Montmarte and the Sacré Coeur is a fun scene.
Can’t wait to go back and see more museums and Mont Saint-Michel…and Champagne!
|
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Dec 14, 2023 6:00:10 GMT
How long will you be there?
When we lived in Belgium, we lived 2 hours from Paris. My favorite thing to do was just wander the streets.
It’s hard to say how much of Notre Dame you will be able to see—they may have the scaffolding down by then. If not, you can see quite a bit of the exterior from just across the river. Walk down the promenade towards the back. There are lots of little shops in the area. The Shakespeare bookstore is just across the river near the corner. A lot of expats frequented the place in its heyday and could spend the night for next to nothing. Now it’s a used book store. There are lots of little restaurants behind that area in the Latin Quarter.
If you are interested in seeing the Normandy beaches, plan an overnight trip. You can stay on Mont Saint Michel and Bayeux is only an hour from there. It’s fun to walk out on the tidal flats and you can walk all around the little island. There’s a bridge connecting it to the mainland now, so you don’t need to worry about getting stuck on the island at high tide. There’s a huge parking area and shuttle busses that bring you to the entrance to the island.
We’ve also done a day trip to the Loire Valley. It’s an easy way to get to many chateaux in one day. Just know that you will only have about an hour at each.
Montmartre is a fun place to explore with all of its warren of streets and artists. One of the Metro’s art deco signs is still there and the pâtisserie nearby has the best giant meringues that I’ve ever had.
If you like to cook, E. Dehillerin is where Julia Child used to shop. They have a lot of the same old shelves and displays. Be sure to go down in the basement and check out all the pots down there!
My favorite garden spot in Paris is the Square du Vert Galant on the Pont Neuf. There are stairs on the bridge that take you down to a pretty little garden full of flowers. People walk their dogs there and if you ask, may let you pet them.
If you sew, there’s a pretty little shop by the Opera House that’s also very old called Ultramod Mercerie. They have mostly trims and ribbons and it’s really a quaint little shop. When you come out of the Quatre Septembre metro stop and make a U turn to the right. It’s along that little street.
The best crepe I’ve ever eaten was at the market near the Bastille. Try to go to at least one of the markets. They are fascinating and a great place to grab a picnic lunch/dinner. They will also have some local items to buy as souvenirs that are so much more than the junk sold in the gift shops.
|
|
. 
