First visit to Paris

Azhrei

Evening all!

In early January, I'm heading away to Paris with three friends for three or so days. I guess we'll be doing typical touristy things, with specific attractions in mind that I'll include at the end of this post. Ideally we'd like to stay somewhere central and cheap - and more in the mind of staying in hotels than hostels, if that's what anyone is thinking. If money were no object I'd spend a few days travelling through the Loire, but Paris is all I can aim for right now! I'm hugely interested in French history, most especially anything to do with the ancien regime, and you will see this in my choices of places to visit.

I'm thinking of heading over on the first or maybe second week - I've heard that some attractions may be closed during the winter months, so any advice you have on that would be great. Also any other essential advice for travelling over and spending a few days there would be great. I've heard that there's a way of getting into the Louvre and bypassing the lines if you book in advance, so such advice would be greatly appreciated. I know that Paris is huge, so advice on buses and trains is very welcome.

We're also heading to Amsterdam by train after we're done with Paris, but we need no advice on that as we've been there before and will be staying at the same hotel, unless you have advice on the train trip or have suggestions on cheaper fares (like a bus, and if it's worth it).

Attractions include -

Versailles (may spend a day there - must see)
Basilica of Saint Denis (must see)
Louvre
Notre Dame (possibly)
Pere Lachaise (possibly)
The Conciergerie (possibly)

I've yet to hear of what the others will want to see, so far they've just mentioned patisseries and food in general

athtrasna

If it's your first time then a must do is a trip down the Seine on the Bateaux Mouches (from Pont del Alma) - you get to see all the landmarks and get an idea of the layout. Wrap up very well, it gets freeeeeeeezing on the river. Trip is an hour or so and costs less than €10.

If I had three days in Paris in November I'd scratch Versailles and the Louvre off my list, neither are things I would recommend a first time visitor to do. Versailles is best enjoyed in the summer, and the Louvre eats valuable time and is so big you can't really do it credit in a week not to mind a day.

Pere Lachaise is interesting, if you do go buy a map at the entrance, it's well worth the few euro to be able to find the graves you are looking for.

My key things I would recommend are:

• The Trocadero by night, try and get there on the hour to see the light show on the Eiffel Tower
• Sacre Coeur & Montmartre
• Notre Dame
• Bateaux Mouches
• Dinner at Chartier

Paris in winter is bitterly cold, and damp cold at that, take lots of layers. To get around I would avoid the tourist rail cards and buy Mobilis cards based on how many zones you want to travel to in a day.

I usually stay in the Comfort Inn Andre Latin on Rue Gay Lussac in the Latin Quarter. It's around the corner from Luxembourg RER and a short walk to Place Monge metro. It's nothing fancy, rooms are small but the location is great and to be honest if you're bothered about hotel facilities, you're in the wrong city.

If you fly into CDG (please do, Beauvais also eats precious time) then you can get the RER from the airport to Luxembourg without having to change.

Azhrei

Hi athtrasna! Thanks for your reply

I don't intend on going during the summer, knowing full well how busy it can get with tourists. Versailles is probably the single biggest reason I am going to Paris and while I know it would be much more beautiful in the summer, I am willing to brave the winter cold and possible closure of the gardens (or parts of it, as I've heard it) for the chance to just visit there once. It's a must see and I'm going to spend the day there, possibly will get the "one all" ticket to see the palace, gardens and Trianon. Expensive, I know, but if I had to pick one thing to see on my trip, Versailles would be so far top the list that there might as well not be one.

The Louvre I'm only really interested in for it's architecture, so I wouldn't mind not going in at all. The Eiffel Tower disinterests me completely, though the others may want to visit it. I was thinking of a river tour, so that may very well be a possibility. Thanks for the information on the map for Pere Lachaise, and the Mobilis cards. Will have to look the latter up in more detail. I would like to visit Montmartre but would be willing to wait for a second Parisian visit for that. I am primarily interested in history, specifically the period of up to and during the Revolution, so the Sacre Coeur is something I'd like to see more because it looks so interesting than I have an interest in it, so that's off the list (unless the others are interested).

Thanks also for your suggestion on the Comfort Inn, the hotel room is not one of the attractions and all we really need is a place to sleep and have a shower, so that sounds perfect. Will be flying into CDG, not Beauvais, so that's one potential headache down. Any more advice would be very welcome!

Fratton Fred

The Hop on Hop Off sight seeing buses are brilliant. They take you to pretty much every tourist attraction there is and a ticket is valid for two days.

Tombo2001

Azhrei wrote: »

Versailles is probably the single biggest reason I am going to Paris !

ah here.......arguably the greatest city in the world, and the biggest reason you have for going there isnt even in the city.....

I've been to Paris maybe 20 times and I've yet to visit Versailles. I've no doubt that its amazing, just never got around to it.

If it was me, I would just wander around the various neighbourhoods and take it all in. Rue Obersdorf is a great street to walk along for example. If i was going to just one museum, it would be Musee D'Orsee.

I'd agree with you on the Louvre.

I'd disagree with you on the Eiffel Tower. As mentioned earlier, its spectacular at night time.

Azhrei

Fratton Fred - Cheers, will look into that.

Tombo2001 - I'm aware it's outside the city, but like I said, my visit is motivated by my love of history and if I had to skip Paris in order to see Versailles, I would do so. Some day I'm sure I'll revisit Paris and spend some more time there to take it all in, to appreciate the city. But the city is secondary to Versailles for me. Sorry, I know that's not what you wanted to hear!

Lapin

If the Conciergerie is on your 'maybe list' then drop it if you're only in town for 3 days.

For an institiution that played such an important role in the history of France, the tour of the place is a let down.

Apart from the crypt and kitchens, little of what you are shown today bears any resemblance to the original interior, and only a small part of the building is open to the public.

Its a tourist trap and you are much better off getting your photo taken for free with its never ending imposing exterior in the background than forking our the guts of a tenner to get your photo taken in a false makey uppey room inside.

And the place is full of makey uppy rooms.

LiamMc

It's interesting to hear the views of a mature first time visitor who seems to want to avoid some familiar imagery. But I am curious as to why Notre Dame is further down the list then St. Denis. When as you know,Notre Dame is conveniently city centre near other sites you will be visiting. Many tourists aren't even aware of the gothic cathedral at St.Denis.
By the way, I have collected Chartres and Troyes on other trips to regional France.

Try to stay out of the Metro if possible,not incld. the tripout to Versailles. A walk that is reasonable that ends (or starts) at Musée du Louvre. Begin at Invalides and walk over the ornate Alexandre II bridge up to Avenue Champs-Élyées, take a right and walk to the Place de Concorde with the obelisk* from Egypt, taken during Napolean's time there. Your group has three choices all in the same direction. (a) Walk straight ahead through the Tuileries Gardens, (b) take a left then right along the Rue de Rivoli or (c) a right then left along the River Seine. All will converge on the glass pyramid in front of the Louvre Museum. The next bridge further down is Pont Neuf and Île de la Cité where Notre Dame is located.

Try to get to some viewpoints, there are many. Top of Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel), Sacre Coueur (big white church) is itself on a height but it's possible to view from the top of the Church aswell, top of Notre Dame, big black skyscrapper Montparnasse http://www.tourmontparnasse56.com/index_EN.php#/home .

As mentioned The Musée D'Orsay has the Impressionists. As a capital city Paris will have numerous Museums, exhibitions catering to different tastes. Don't let your group be afraid to seek out the small minority views.

There are plenty below ground site including the Sewers and Ossories

Metro (M): You will see green artistic (Art Nouveau or Art Deco?) 'Metropolitan' signs everywhere, these are original Metro symbols and are the entrance way for the Metro. Trains are advertised in the destination they are going (direction and to change to a different line the orange 'Correspondence' signs direct the passenger.

*Like Ferris Wheels, major city's wanted to exhibit 'Cleopatra's Needles' to prove themselves.

Strumms

Paris IS a much more beautiful city in the summer. I have never found it to be overly run with tourists in the summer although maybe its just that that sort of thing doesnt bother me so I dont really notice. The weather in January will be most irish like if not colder so do take warm clothing.

As for missing out the Lourve I can't agree. As said the architecture alone of the place is amazing and just being there is an experience in itself. I would also reccommend the Musee D'Orsay and the exhibitions in the Centre Pompidou is very underated if thats your thing of course.

Versaille is well worth the visit, despite being outside Paris the journey time isnt long. Take RER C but be careful there are 2 Versaille station's on that line which are not in any way near each other so make sure you get off at Versailles Rive Gauche station.

The trip to Amsterdam I have done many times by Thalys train. A much more interesting, relaxing and scenic way than flying. If you can afford it upgrade to premium economy or whatever they call it these days and enjoy the extra comfort and service.

Hotel's anywhere near the 5th Arr is a good spot. i have stayed in the Observatoire Luxembourg, Hotel Pantheon around that area. Another good hotel is the Mercure Paris Centre Tour Eiffell. Great location and views if you get a room on one of the higher floors.


Anyway enjoy its a great city.

maximoose

I really, really recommend visiting the catacombs!

Pere Lachaise - I enjoyed the visit here, definitely find out the locations of the graves or buy a map at the entrance as it's pretty massive. You can find the map and main points of interest easily enough on google

Spend an evening in the Latin quarter by Notre Dame. You can visit Notre Dame itself, get a cheap dinner in one of the MANY restaurants around (you'll find plenty of 3 course set menus for €12-20) and go to a jazz bar after! I recommend Les Trois Mailletz - Drinks can be a bit pricey but it's a great atmosphere!

I wouldn't skip the Louvre, def worth the visit even if you can only make it a short one. If you're under 26 make sure you bring your passport and you can get in free.

athtrasna

Azhrei wrote: »

Hi athtrasna! Thanks for your reply

I don't intend on going during the summer, knowing full well how busy it can get with tourists. Versailles is probably the single biggest reason I am going to Paris and while I know it would be much more beautiful in the summer, I am willing to brave the winter cold and possible closure of the gardens (or parts of it, as I've heard it) for the chance to just visit there once. It's a must see and I'm going to spend the day there, possibly will get the "one all" ticket to see the palace, gardens and Trianon. Expensive, I know, but if I had to pick one thing to see on my trip, Versailles would be so far top the list that there might as well not be one.

The Louvre I'm only really interested in for it's architecture, so I wouldn't mind not going in at all. The Eiffel Tower disinterests me completely, though the others may want to visit it. I was thinking of a river tour, so that may very well be a possibility. T

Paris in June is very civilised, July gets busy and August is hot and humid beyond comfort, so much so that most Parisians get out of the city for the month if they can. I've done Versailles in June and it was busy but not crowded. Got to appreciate the gardens and travel between the buildings in beautiful weather.

I suggested the Trocadero instead of the Eiffel tower. You get to appreciate the Eiffel tower from a distance. Historically it doesn't date as far back as the revolution, but it does have its own history.

The river trip shows you Paris, gives you history of the sights and would be the first thing I would recommend to anyone visiting the city.

maximoose

athtrasna wrote: »

The river trip shows you Paris, gives you history of the sights and would be the first thing I would recommend to anyone visiting the city.

Boat trip is def worth doing. Also, if you have enough clubcard points you can use them on clubcard deals to get a free ticket with Vedettes de Paris!