France - ONe day in Paris

On our way back from Barcelona in October, we will be spending one day and night in Paris. I know our time will be limited and want to make the most of it without feeling rushed. Two must-sees are the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

Any suggestions on where to stay would be greatly appreciated. Would prefer something under 100 euro and conveniently located in the city. As our time is limited, I don't want to have to spend alot of time getting from hotel to the sites I want to see.

Any other suggestions on what else to see/do and where to eat would be appreciated as well.


Thanks in advance!

I would try Ibis Hotels.
http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/gb/maporama/maporama_adr_ptint.html

In order to save a lot of time and carrying, try the Ibis at the CDG gares. If you book early, the price will be € 79.- and you will be able to get the RER directly into the city without bothering about luggage.

A stay inside of the city would not bring much, you'd lose too much time getting there and back.
My two cents...

I had considered staying near the airport but since it is my first visit, I really want to stay in the city. Either way, that is where I am going so I need to make the trip regardless. I travel light and will only have a rollaboard so toting luggage isn't a problem. My flight out on Tuesday doesn't leave until 14:25 so I don't have to worry about catching an early flight.

Two must-sees are the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

Any other suggestions on what else to see/do and where to eat would be appreciated as well.

I'd have a walk from Arc de Triomphe down the Champs Elysees. Walking by the Louvre (don't go inside, it would cost you a week - or you would not see everything ;) ) until you arrive marais quarter. going to the pere lachaise cimetery (jim morrisons grave) would be nice, Sacre Coeur and the view down from montmartre hill are a "must see".

i'd walk as much as possible - best to see the city

i'd walk as much as possible - best to see the city
Definitely walk, the view from inside the Metro is not so good.

I would skip the Louvre and go to the Orsay...it is nearby and much more manageable for an afternoon. The Eiffel is a must...no picture can do it justice. I would also see Notre Dame...and then have lunch or dinner on the Isle St. Louis right across the bridge. Lots of nice, quaint and reasonable restaurants.

I want to see the Mona Lisa .... have to go to the Louvre :) Don't care if I can't see everything... I'll take what I can get in 2-3 hours.

I want to see the Mona Lisa .... have to go to the Louvre :) Don't care if I can't see everything... I'll take what I can get in 2-3 hours.

A little reading before you go (PDF file):

http://www.louvre.fr/anglais/presse/archives/vie_coll/newsalle/etats_gb.pdf

The painting was recently re-installed in its longtime home, the Salle des Etats, which had been closed for four years of renovations.

A little reading before you go (PDF file):

http://www.louvre.fr/anglais/presse/archives/vie_coll/newsalle/etats_gb.pdf

The painting was recently re-installed in its longtime home, the Salle des Etats, which had been closed for four years of renovations.


All the more reason to make sure I see it :)

Tazi:

While you are visiting the Louvre, be sure to see the recently re-opened Apollo Gallery where the crown jewels are displayed and do not miss Michaelangelo's Slaves. On our last trip to Paris, we had a three day museum pass and popped into the Louvre every day; we also visited d'Orsay every day. As an art lover, I can understand why you must visit the Louvre!

Tazi:

While you are visiting the Louvre, be sure to see the recently re-opened Apollo Gallery where the crown jewels are displayed and do not miss Michaelangelo's Slaves. On our last trip to Paris, we had a three day museum pass and popped into the Louvre every day; we also visited d'Orsay every day. As an art lover, I can understand why you must visit the Louvre!

Great suggestion! My SO will enjoy the crown jewels display. :)

I believe I have picked a hotel. It was mentioned in another thread. Looks very nice, reasonably priced and good location:

http://www.hotel-collegedefrance.com/

I used the site below very successfully to book a one night stay last summer. I hopped across from London to see some friends and didn't want to spend a fortune. The prices are often very good for 2 or 3 star hotels in Paris.. and in very good neighborhoods. I stayed in the 7th very close to a Metro stop and many good restaurants.

I'd add that lines to get into the Louvre are often very long unless you have one of the special entry cards that can be purchased ahead of time. So plan ahead for that if you're determined to see that smile. :)

www.ratestogo.com

Great suggestion! My SO will enjoy the crown jewels display. :)

I believe I have picked a hotel. It was mentioned in another thread. Looks very nice, reasonably priced and good location:

http://www.hotel-collegedefrance.com/


I stayed at this hotel in January and it was great. The people were nice and the rooms are clean, comfortable and quiet. There are many restaurants a few blocks near intersection of Blvd. St. Germain and Blvd. St. Michel. Be sure to visit the street Rue De La Harpe right off this intersection. It leads you down narrow cobblestone streets with every type of restuarnat available. French, Italian, Greek, Chinese, you name it. Very safe as well.

Have Fun! ^

In addition to the Eiffel Tower (which I prefer to visit at night) and the Louvre . . .

Don't miss the Basilique du Sacre Coeur!

Stroll down the Champs Elysees.

Climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

Take a walk around Notre Dame and then step inside to look at the stained glass.

And try to visit a Michelin-starred restaurant (advance reservations will be a must). Lunch will be much less expensive, albeit no less impressive, than dinner. Les Ambassadeurs at the Hotel Crillon is my favorite.

You picked a good hotel in a good location! You will have a great trip!! I understand your must see's. I can do "the big three" (venus, mona, samothrace) in the louvre in 20 minutes as well as giving a guided tour of the napoleon three apartments (a PERFECT substitute for versailles -- you can see some grand french interiors). The Cour d'appollon is pretty nice but the crown jewels dont compare to england. What im trying to say is since you cant do EVERYTHING just do something -- pick something see it and leave! Otherwise it will be a half day ordeal. Remember lines are extremely long! One solution to this is to get a 1 day museum and monument pass which give you FREE admission to the museum and lets u skip the lines. You can find out more at ratp.com -- the price is 18 euro. Check and see if you will be there a day when the louvre is NOCTURNE -- open late at night -- this is wonderful!! It's quiet and full of enchantment -- steal a kiss from your SO in a dark corner :P As for tour eiffel -- i am a tour eiffel lover just as you are but have only gone up it once! The lines are just so prohibitive on time. I think there is enough fun to be had just going to the tour eiffel. If you want to see a view of paris from up high go to Monmartre (metro Abbesses) which is a scene in and of itself. Dine at refuge des fondues in paris, some other favorites are le procope in the 6th, and le boeuf sur le toit 8th i think. I would also try some other small jewel like museums like camondo, jacquemart andre, carnavalet -- they are easier to contend with. Spend midday around the marais there are tons of museums and cute shops and you can walk yourself accross the seine to the islands (dont forget your berthillon ice cream or sorbet at ile saint louis!) You wont be disappointed with your day in paris! Oh and if you can stroll for a few in the jardin du luxembourg you'll adore it! Bon voyage!

oh just wanted to add the the museum and monument pass does not work for the eiffel tour and the arc de triomphe i believe -- unless things have changed!

just so you know, the museum and monument pass does work for arc de triomphe, but not the eiffel tower

If you're feeling athletic, there's almost never a line to go up the stairs in the Eiffel tower.

They only go up to the second level, but you still get a nice view.

I stayed at this hotel in January and it was great. The people were nice and the rooms are clean, comfortable and quiet. There are many restaurants a few blocks near intersection of Blvd. St. Germain and Blvd. St. Michel. Be sure to visit the street Rue De La Harpe right off this intersection. It leads you down narrow cobblestone streets with every type of restuarnat available. French, Italian, Greek, Chinese, you name it. Very safe as well.

Have Fun! ^

How did you book your room? I have emailed the hotel twice and have not gotten a response yet. :(

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. We decided to give Paris a little extra time so will be staying two nights instead of one :)

How did you book your room? I have emailed the hotel twice and have not gotten a response yet.

You should be able to make room reservations directly from their webpage:
https://secure.internet-agency.net/hotel-collegedefrance.com/reservation-us.html

I want to see the Mona Lisa .... have to go to the Louvre :) Don't care if I can't see everything... I'll take what I can get in 2-3 hours.

I was going to recommend Mona Winks by Rick Steves, but it has been replaced with Best European City Walks & Museums 2005 check it out at http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&id=261 Basically this book tells you how to blow through the greatest museums in Europe in a couple of hours and hit the best of the best. It's too bad you don't have more time in Paris, but it is the American way to travel.

One of my favorite stops in Paris is the catacombs http://triggur.org/cata/

Was an overnight layover with two coworkers. Arrived about 7PM. Stayed at CDG airport to facilitate departure the next morning. Took Metro downtown to Notre Dame. Got downtown about 9PM. Walked around ND, along the Seine, through the courtyards of the Louvre, then took our fateful and best step.

Got into a cab to the Arc de Triomphe - too far to walk in dress shoes and light overcoats on a cold night.

Taxi driver knew we were obvious tourists - we negotiated a package deal. Cost us each about $60 euro, including tip, to have a dedicated cab/tour guide for the night. He took us everywhere - Eiffel Tower, Napoleon's Tomb, Place de la Concord, Arc, a wonderful restaurant for dinner about 1 AM, to a cabaret, everythin and anything we wanted and could see late at night, then all the way back to our hotel about 4 AM. Up and checked in for flight back to USA early the next morning.

If I can find his card I'll PM the contact info to you. I'm sure we paid too much, but we could not have seen everything otherwise. Try to get a dedicated cab driver, even if you walk some, he can meet you at your walking destination, then save you time between major sights.

BTW - I second the Tower at night. The view is wonderful.

Definately the Louvre. The room where the Michaelangelos slaves are also has scupltures by Donetello, considered by many to be the first renaissance artist. Also, there are other Da Vinci paintings I like more than the Mona Lisa. Last time I was there they were right by the Mona Lisa.

I agree about the restaurant. There was a thread a while back on 3 star restaurants and some of their less expensive variants. My personal favorites for lunch would be Taillevent or Pierre Gagnaire which has a great lunch special.

I would also spend some time, and evening is prime for this, walking from the area by the church St. Germaine down towards the river and Notre Dame, through Rue de Seine etc. This is a great "left bank" walk and a must as far as Im concerned. You can also have a coffee on the sidewalk at the admittedly somewhat touristy but famous Le Deux Maggots or Cafe Flor on Rue de St. Germaine near the church St. Germaine. Also check out the sculpture in the small garden of the church St. Germaine, it is the head of a young man. It was carved ather the subjects untimely death by his friend, a young artist named Pablo Picasso in about 1920. Also in that area, not to far from the church although I forget the address is a building with a small brass plaque on it in French. The plaque notes that in that building the representatives of England and the United States reached agreement recognizing the new country of the United States as being independent. The Treaty of Paris which officially began the US. It is a great neighborhood to walk around in, and stop where you feel like it for a coffee or drink.

Damn, I havent been in Paris for over a year, I need a mileage run!

Thanks again for all the info and suggestions. I am going to consolidate all of it and print it out to take with me. We decided to spend a little more time in Paris so now we will arrive Sunday evening and stay until Tuesday morning. :)

very good decision. you'll have more time to see everyting. hope you'll have some sunny days at Paris :) have fun

Book the best hotel you can afford (all Paris rooms are small, it gets down to location, location, location)
Call these guys ahead of time before you leave the US (Fat Tire Bike Tours, Paris (33) 1.56.58.10.54), tell them the deal, you'll be take care of
I am writing from the LeGrand Intercontinental on the middle night of a 3 night stay.
Paris is a riot. Enjoy it.

Unless you're totally tee-totlers, I'm not sure I agree with the idea of staying out by CDG.

I'd add that lines to get into the Louvre are often very long unless you have one of the special entry cards that can be purchased ahead of time. So plan ahead for that if you're determined to see that smile. [/url]

Where can I buy one of these cards?

Thanks!

Book the best hotel you can afford (all Paris rooms are small, it gets down to location, location, location)

We are booked at the hotel I listed above ... recommended by another FTer. Seems to be a good location and a very decent rate (93 EUR).

Where can I buy one of these cards?

Thanks!

You can order a Paris Visite card in advance online or pick one up at the RER station at CDG. More info here (http://www.parisvisite.tm.fr/english/parisvisite/welcome.html).

You can order a Paris Visite card in advance online or pick one up at the RER station at CDG. More info here (http://www.parisvisite.tm.fr/english/parisvisite/welcome.html).

I don't think that's the right site. It says I have to order at least 20 tickets? :confused:

Book the best hotel you can afford (all Paris rooms are small, it gets down to location, location, location)
Call these guys ahead of time before you leave the US (Fat Tire Bike Tours, Paris (33) 1.56.58.10.54), tell them the deal, you'll be take care of
I am writing from the LeGrand Intercontinental on the middle night of a 3 night stay.
Paris is a riot. Enjoy it.

Unless you're totally tee-totlers, I'm not sure I agree with the idea of staying out by CDG.


On the topic of the Fat Tire Bike Tours - they also have another company called City Segway Tours. It's an American owned and operated tour company that takes Segway tours around the city at 10:30 and 6:30. Tours last about 4 hours and hit up a bunch of cool spots. Wish I had a chance to take one last week, but my time was limited. http://www.citysegwaytours.com/paris/segway-tour/ for information. I beleive its 70Euro.

I don't think that's the right site. It says I have to order at least 20 tickets? :confused:

WHERE TO BUY PARIS VISITE?
Paris Visite pass can be purchased in all Metro, RER, Transilien SNCF stations, bus terminal ticket counters, RATP Boutiques, RATP sales desks at Orly and CDG airports and Paris tourist offices. You can also buy your pass in certain travel agencies and tour operators abroad. (http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/)

Here (http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/Voy_q/Voy_r/Voy_r_tdt/buy.htm) is more information on buying the Paris Visite card abroad. Personally, I have and I would again just buy it at the RER station at the airport.

On the topic of the Fat Tire Bike Tours - they also have another company called City Segway Tours. It's an American owned and operated tour company that takes Segway tours around the city at 10:30 and 6:30. Tours last about 4 hours and hit up a bunch of cool spots. Wish I had a chance to take one last week, but my time was limited. http://www.citysegwaytours.com/paris/segway-tour/ for information. I beleive its 70Euro.

I second the vote for Fat City Bike Tours. Well done, friendly people, reasonably priced (especially for Paris) amd a lot of fun.

WHERE TO BUY PARIS VISITE?
Paris Visite pass can be purchased in all Metro, RER, Transilien SNCF stations, bus terminal ticket counters, RATP Boutiques, RATP sales desks at Orly and CDG airports and Paris tourist offices. You can also buy your pass in certain travel agencies and tour operators abroad. (http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/)

Here (http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/Voy_q/Voy_r/Voy_r_tdt/buy.htm) is more information on buying the Paris Visite card abroad. Personally, I have and I would again just buy it at the RER station at the airport.

I was hoping I could buy it online and just have them send it to me before I get there. I'm coming in on the Eurostar from London, and all those acronyms are like chinese to me. Is the Eurostar station included in the above acronyms?

Thanks!

On the topic of the Fat Tire Bike Tours - they also have another company called City Segway Tours. It's an American owned and operated tour company that takes Segway tours around the city at 10:30 and 6:30. Tours last about 4 hours and hit up a bunch of cool spots. Wish I had a chance to take one last week, but my time was limited. http://www.citysegwaytours.com/paris/segway-tour/ for information. I beleive its 70Euro.

We did the Segway tour last Sunday. We did the evening one. Got to be the most fun you can have standing up in your whole life!! We are living proof you do not have to be in any way co-ordinated, athletic or well balanced. You get full training and any teenager or adult can do it.

We also used these guys for the DaVinci Code tour. It was fun, not great but the point is, with any of their tours you blow right past the lines at the Louvre.

Everybody has their favorite things to do in Paris. If I had more time I would have used it walking around St. Germaine and visiting St. Chappelle by Notre Dame.