My Paris Itinerary

[nessa]

Hello everyone!

I was hoping that I could get a little help with my itinerary. I started planning for a month in and around London and Paris for next June. I have been to Paris once before, but only for 3 very short days and I feel like I barely saw anything. I really do love French history. Obviously I also plan on seeing quite a bit of museums, but I wouldn't want to go overboard and get bored.

I will be coming from London, after having spent 2 weeks there. And I also plan on getting the Paris Museum Pass, if it ends up being worth it.

Thursday :
-Early Eurostar from London
-Latin Quarter Walk (at 3pm in front of the Pantheon)
-Night Bike Tour (at 7pm from the Eiffel Tower)

Friday : (First day with the 4-day Paris Museum Pass)
-Notre-Dame
-Sainte-Chapelle
-Conciergerie
-Musée d’Orsay

Saturday : (Second day with the 4-day Paris Museum Pass)
-Musée Galliera
-Arc de Triomphe
-Chapelle expiatoire
-Opéra Garnier

Sunday : (Third day with the 4-day Paris Museum Pass)
-Musée de la Publicité
-Musée Rodin
-French Revolution Walk (at 3pm in front of La Tour Maubourg Metro

Monday : (Last day with the 4-day Paris Museum Pass)
-Basilique de Saint-Denis
-Vincennes

Tuesday :
-Versailles

Wednesday :
-Village de Montmartre Walk (at 10 :30am from Abbesses Metro)
-Place du Tertre
-Sacré-Coeur
-Bercy Village

Thursday :
-St-Germain-des-Prés Walk (at 10:30am from St-Sulpice Church)
-Train to Amboise

Friday & Saturday spent in the Loire Valley

Sunday :
-Train back to Paris
-Montparnasse
-Catacombes
-St-Cloud

Monday :
-Fontainebleau
-Vaux-le-Vicomte

Tuesday :
-The Marais Walk (at 10:30am from St-Paul Metro)
-Canal St-Martin
-Open-air market at place d'Aligre (Marché Beauvau)
-Cimetière du Père Lachaise

Wednesday :
-Carrefour de Buci
-rue Jacob
-Jardin du Luxembourg

Thursday :
-Musée du Louvre
-Jardin des Tuileries
-Musée de la Mode et du Textile

Friday :
-Musée Carnavalet
-Musée national Picasso

Saturday :
-Last minute shopping

Sunday :
-Plane back home

Is there anything I shouldn't miss? Or am I trying to do too much?
I'll be most likely staying in the Marais, if that changes anything.

All suggestions are welcome! Thanks!

[Katharine]

Nessa,

First let me say a hale and hearty WELCOME to OPF. We are always glad to have new members and are glad you found us.

Now, I have to say that, had I not already been sitting, I would have had to sit down after reading your proposed itinerary. Whew. Seems to me a bit too much.

For example, your first Friday is packed! Maybe you will want to take advantage of the fact that d'Orsay is open late on Thursday night and go then. I know you are trying to use the Museum pass, but, IMHO, you will be too tired to enjoy what you do see, and it will be so fleeting that you will not remember it. Also, I believe that Versailles deserves an entire day. Others may disagree, but it is my opinion.

I have been to Paris four times and plan on return often. Therefore, I focus on one or two things a day and give myself time to wander. Others will offer great ideas, but I love the book Quiet Corners of Paris as a guide. We have found more out ofthe way places using that book. Fantastic.

Such a tight itinerary allows so little time to be spontaneous. I don't know you at all, but if you have your hopes of seeing all these places each day, and you don't, will you be upset? Will that just add to what you have to do the next day?

I do commend you on using all the walks to learn about the different areas of the city. Could you possibly use what you learn on these as jumping off points for further exporation of areas. If I tried to cram all those museums into one visit, my husband would boycott any future trips (God forbid!!).

Your trip sounds fantastic. Our own Gitte just returned from a three week saty. She willsurely have guidance for you.

Again, welcome!!

Katharine

[nessa]

Thank you Katharine!

I made some modifications to the itinerary. This is the first time I get to travel on my own, so maybe I get a little too ambitious. I have traveled a lot with my grandparents, which never have a very fast traveling pace (but I was always so grateful that they brought me along, obviously).

If I don't get to see and do everything I want to, oh well... that's just an excuse to be back sooner.

I will definitely look for that book. Thanks for the tip!

Nessa

[nessa]

One more thing!
My birthday, which is on the best day of the year (aka. July 14th), would fall on the day I go to Versailles (which was part-planned, part-not planned). Since I share my birthday with a very important day, does anybody know if going to Versailles that would be a bad idea or not? I believe there is free admission that day. Would it be even busier than as usual? And would some parts be closed? Seeing that the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette is quite a dream for me, I have been fascinated by her life for many years, since I read her biography actually. I would actually be very disappointed if I couldn't. I will try to contact the TIC closer to the summer to make sure everything is fine, but it would be nice to know now.

[denise]

Sept 29, 2008 20:58:40 GMT -5 nessa said:

One more thing!
My birthday, which is on the best day of the year (aka. July 14th), would fall on the day I go to Versailles (which was part-planned, part-not planned). Since I share my birthday with a very important day, does anybody know if going to Versailles that would be a bad idea or not? I believe there is free admission that day. Would it be even busier than as usual? And would some parts be closed? Seeing that the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette is quite a dream for me, I have been fascinated by her life for many years, since I read her biography actually. I would actually be very disappointed if I couldn't. I will try to contact the TIC closer to the summer to make sure everything is fine, but it would be nice to know now.

Hi Nessa, a warm welcome from me also.

We were there 14th July THIS year and I don't know about Versailles but we went to Invalides, which was free. It was not crowded at all. Most people were out on the streets celebrating or watching the parades or in the cafes and bars.

Just a word of advice. I don't know where you intend to stay but note that all the metro stations around the centre are closed in the mornings and no buses run. It is impossible to get across the river on any bridge other than Pont Alma so if you are trying to get from the right to the left bank to get the RER (at St Michel for example,) anticipate a long walk.

Here is a link to my account of our bastille day

http://www.ourparisforum.com./index.cgi?board=reports&action=display&thread=2001

I have not had time to look properly at your itinerary as I am busy packing today. You have plenty time for modifications, isn't it fun?

We were there the same week last year, the Paris jazz festival was on and there were musical events all over. Also the sales are on so you can get some bargains. Leave room in your suitcase!

BTW The museum pass does not give access to the Opera. You have to pay seperatly, so you may want to scedulre that for another day.

There is a list that the pass covers on parisinfo.com. Click on the little flag on the left for english translation. Sorry the link does not work.

You can check out my trip reports, "postcards from Paris" in the trip report section. We abandoned the itinerary after 3 days as my husband got fed up with being "regimented". We had the most wonderful time. The best trip yet.

Denise
love from England

[Penny]

Are you going alone?

There are several of ladies that travel alone and love it.

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Yes, the Museum Pass is worth it. I calculated the cost of individual tickets of the sights (on pass) that I definitely wanted to see. I saved about 45%. but that can vary by what you are seeing. (also see my comment regarding Arc. below)
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Official Museum Website.

www.parismuseumpass.com/en/home.php

Several way to search and/or sort (one being geographical)
-----------------
This is one of the sites that sell passes in advance.
It is however a very useful research tool.
www.museums-of-paris.com

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This is a list of monuments and Museums that accept Museum pass listed by arrondissement.

www.paris.org/Musees

And unless you are really into Picasso I'd skip it. However that is my personal opinion

I notice you don't have Orangerie on your list. - Monet's Water Lilies This is my favorite (that is on pass)

Musee de Nissom de Comondo:Private mansion (1910-1914). 18th cent. atmosphere, a collector’s point of view : furniture, objets d’arts, paintings, tapestries, china and silverware, every day life of an individual home in the early years of the 20th century.
Don't recall if this is on pass.

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Personal view of Arc.
The other thing the top has a layered (somebody help I cannot think of good description) surface. So you must watch where you are walking or you could take a tumble. There is a high parapet so there is no danger of falling off the top.

I really enjoyed the view and at sunset is marvelous.

Since the ARC is open later than museums I used my pass on the last evening extending my use of pass.
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And unless you are really into Picasso I'd skip it.

I notice you don't have Orangerie on your list. - Monet's Water Lilies This is my 2nd favorite (that is on pass)

Musee de Nissom de Comondo:Private mansion (1910-1914). 18th cent. atmosphere, a collector’s point of view : furniture, objets d’arts, paintings, tapestries, china and silverware, every day life of an individual home in the early years of the 20th century.
Don't recall if this is on pass.

And probably my most favorite of all Musee Marmottan-Claude Monet (this is from his private collection) this is not on pass, so I went on Sunday to it.

Also there are two different Seine cruises/boat. One is a hop on/hop on. (you actually have to start a Eiffel).
The other is the cruise with commentary and no stops.

Overall though what I like to do is wander the streets. Except next time I'm following Gitte's walks.

[Happygoin]

Hi nessa. I don't know how I missed your post til now

Welcome to the forum! How envious everyone will be that you're spending so much time in Paris. Lucky you!

I agree that l'Orangerie must go on the list. The few things on your list that I could miss and not miss are the Conciergerie and the Catacombs. Ick.

I do think you run a slight risk of two things: museum overload and not enough time to savor the city. Paris deserves to be enjoyed slowly. Make sure you leave time to do that. Itineraries should be guides not check-off lists.

You have loads of time to tinker with your itinerary prior to the trip. Stay tuned to the OP forum...lots of great, friendly advice here

[nessa]

Great advice! Thanks again.

denise- Do you think going to the parade is worth it? The whole military thing is quite foreign to me. (I'm Canadian but we never have anything close to that here.) I'm thinking about switching a few things around to be able to make it so I'll probably ask you a few questions about it at some point.

Any advice on Musée Picasso vs. Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet?

[Katharine]

nessa -

I have never beeen to the Picasso as I am not a fan of his work. I went to the Marmottan in June and loved it. I also love the 16th for wandering. There is a wonderful old-fashioned manual carousel right outside the Marmottan on the edge of the park. Sit and watch it for a while. It is, to me, quintessential Paris!

KH

[Jody]

Personally I love French military parades so I'd go to that. It won't take long.

I've never bought a museum pass because I can't take that many museums in 1 day to make it worthwhile.

If there is a choice between the Picasso and the Marmatton , I'd chose the Marmatton . First I don't really appreciate modern art, but I do like the Picasso building. But the Marmatton art is fantastic and the building itself is lovely. The area around it is great for parks and people watching.

Really Carrefour de Buci and rue Jacob offer lots of window shopping opportunity but there is really nothing much to see. We've stayed in various rue Jacob hotels for the last 20 years but I wouldn't make it a tourist sight. You might walk toward Luxembourg from there stopping at St Sulpice. I think you'd find that more interesting. There may be a good exhibition at the Palais de Luxembourg.

[Penny]

sorry for the duplication:

I thought I was cutting and pasting, guess I copying and pasting.

Information overload.