Hello from Florida. We only have four days in the beautiful City of Lights would we be crazy to spend a full day in Versailles since our time is limited? What are the highlights you would suggest? We arrive on a Tuesday (Nov 22nd) at 3:30 and leave on Sat morning (26th). We are two single women in our early 40%26#39;s would we enjoy the Moulin Rouge? Is a river tour to cold in Nov? Has anyone rode the hop on hop off buses? I also heard that a boat taxi is a good way to go from stop to stop rather than the metro any news on that? We are staying at the Marriott close to the Louve. One more question is it better to buy museum and metro passes on line prior to leaving? Thanks so much for any advice you can give.
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With only three(3) full days (Wed, Thur, Fri) for Paris, unless Chateau de Versailles is high on your priorities list, it may be an attraction that is best left for your next, longer visit. A Seine sightseing boat ride is ALWAYS a good idea--at any time of the year, day or night or both. The tours only last 45-60 minutes and you can always go inside the cabin and look out the windows if it gets too chillly for you.
The hop-on/hop off tour buses and the Seine BATOBUS are great for getting an overview and to orient yourself to the city but neither are really practical alternatives to the regular Metro and bus system for getting around Paris. If you%26#39;re staying at Marriott%26#39;s Renaissance Paris Vendome Hôtel, 4, Rue du Mont Thabor, 75001, your preference will probably be to walk to a great many od the sites and attractions you came to visit anyway. Paris is a city best seen, experienced and enjoyed from a %26#39;platform%26#39; no higher than the heels of a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
If you%26#39;ve read any of the past threads on pre-purchasing transportation or museum passes on-line the RESOUNDING advice is ***DO NOT***DO NOT***DO NOT*** do it. Wait until you arrive in Paris. These passes are quickly, easily, conveniently and less expensively purchased in Paris. Given that your day of arrival is a Tuesday, you will still be able to purchase a CARTE ORANGE (Zone 1-2) weekly transportation pass (15,70 €), which is good for ALL public transportation within Paris (and in a few places beyond) and will provide you with hop-on/hop-off convenience for all Metro and public buses (as well as the funicular up to Sacre Coeur). The Carte Orange requires that you provide a %26#39;head-shot%26#39; photo (any type) for the photo-ID portion of the pass....and makes a great personalized souvenir of your visit....and as an added %26#39;bonus%26#39; will cost less than a 3 or 5 day PARIS VISITÉ pass.
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Thanks for the information. We were told we would need a zone 1 to 5 metro pass so that we could get from CDG airport and back. Can you purchase this at the airport? Is it best to purchase the museum pass in Paris also? We plan on seeing the Louve, Notre dame and the Orsay (sorry not sure of spelling). The Effiel tower is not included in the pass I heard. Thank you.
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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;We were told we would need a zone 1 to 5 metro pass so that we could get from CDG airport and back%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;
*** IF *** your are planning to use the RER %26#39;B%26#39; train transfer BOTH from and back to CDG (out in Zone 5) and possibly visit VERSAILLE (out in Zone 4) then a Zone 1-5 pass makes sense otherwise you will probably be better off with a CARTE ORANGE Zone 1-2 and purchasing separate RER tickets.
RER %26quot;B%26#39; train fare 8 €uro-one-way....RER %26#39;C%26#39; train fare Paris/Versailles round trip-5,30 €uro
CARTE ORANGE Zone 1-2---15,70 €uro
CARTE ORANGE Zone 1-5---30,90 €uro
Frankly, while I am a BIG fan of the RER %26#39;B-3%26#39; train connection FROM CDG into Paris, I%26#39;m not that big a fan of it for the return TO CDG. It just doesn%26#39;t seem to %26#39;..work..%26#39; as well for us going as it does coming. For returns to Paris airports we usually use one of the Paris airport shuttle services from our hotel.
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Here are my top ten Paris attractions:
1. Opera Populaire (Paris Opera House)
2. Arc du Triumphe
3. Champs Elysees
4. Disneyland Paris
5. The Catacombs (creepy but interesting)
6. Musee d%26#39;Orsay
7. La Louvre
8. Cruise along the Seine
9. Notre Dame
10. Rue de Rivoli and l%26#39;Hotel de Ville
All are accesable by the fantastic Paris Metro and RER!
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Most people think it%26#39;s best to wait and buy your Paris museum pass when you get to town. The reason is that it%26#39;s a lot cheaper and very easy to obtain. The main metros have it (although have heard some say they%26#39;ve run into metros being out of it). Another good place is a smaller museum or attraction, such as the Cluny. We got ours last month at the Archaeological Crypt in the place right in front of Notre Dame. There are stairs leading down and you can get it at their ticket office with no waiting in line. You%26#39;re likely to be at Notre Dame early on. The cathedral itself is free, but the pass can be used to climb the tower.
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Thank you! What about the museum pass, should I wait until arrival to purchase that also? We are planning to see the Louve, Notra Dom and the Orsay museum ...sorry for the spelling! Not too sure if there are others on the pass list that we will have time for. The church with all the Gargoles near the Moulin Rouge does the pass cover that? Sorry I%26#39;m so unfamiliar. Someone told me having the pass saves you tons of wait time.
Thanks again for all of your good advice.
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I was writing while you were answering! Thanks
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You are in for a whirlwind trip! Personally, I recommend holding off on Versailles since you have so little time. You do need a little down time in Paris just to stroll one of the market streets, sit in a cafe, etc. This is really my #1 attraction in Paris! Just letting Paris soak in. As far as transportation, wait until you get there. It really depends on how much you are going to use the Metro on if you should purchase the Carte Orange. You may only need it a couple times given your central location. I stayed in Les Halles (1st) last time and only used the Metro twice in 6 days. You can also think about purchasing a Carnet which is 10 tickets for the metro. Moulin Rouge? I felt the need to see it, just to say I did. Now I have and that%26#39;s about it. I honestly think you could spend your money and time better elsewhere. How about a jazz cellar experience which is truly Parisian? Check out La Caveau De La Huchette in the Latin Quarter on the street of the same name. It is about 9E cover and they have live music, dancing and it is a casual atmosphere. For your short trip, the L%26#39;Open bus tour is a good option to see the sights you may not otherwise see, or get an overview the first day or two of the city. My list of %26quot;must sees%26quot; are 1. Eiffel Tower, 2. Arch De Triumph (champs de...) 3. Notre Dame 4. Walk the Latin Quarter 5. Walk the Marais district. 6. The Louvre 7. The Musee D%26#39;Orsay 8. Seine River Cruise 9. Sacre Coeur (I think the one you mentioned near Moulin Rouge). 10. Opera Garnier (try to get tickets to a ballet). These are almost in my personal order!
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%26quot;Paris is a city best seen, experienced and enjoyed from a %26#39;platform%26#39; no higher than the heels of a comfortable pair of walking shoes.%26quot;
Well put KDK. I%26#39;ve been to Paris the last two summers and enjoyed walking the city so much, I may have to go again this summer - at least for a couple days on the way to a new destination. I%26#39;m trying to get brave enough to plan a winter trip. Do you think the walks are as nice during Christmas Break in December?
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I have gained so much insight from all of your replies the Jazz does sound wonderful! I plan to stroll the Latin Quarter it sounds fantastic from what I have read in the other forums also. Yes, just letting Paris soak in sounds like a wonderful plan! Any good suggestions for wonderful food in the Latin Quarter? Actually any good food suggestions close to the Marriott (located by the Louve)? You have all been trully helpful, Thanks!
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