We are staying in Paris over Easter weekend and Mrs. Coldfeet was wondering if the shops, restaurants and museums will be open over the weekend. Any ideas?

We've been to Paris many times over Easter. Nothing has been closed that we really wanted to see. The more popular museums are often more crowded, especially on Sunday since many are at reduced prices.

If you have never been to Giverny where Monet lived, painted, and died, Monet's house and gardens are open Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (one of the very few Mondays that it is open). The tulips should be really gorgeous in mid-April.

Last Easter, we spent the day at Fontainebleau visiting the chateau and town; we then drove to Vaux-le-Vicomte (a fabulous chateau near Fontainebleau). They had a lot of Easter special events including pony rides; a great place for kids and adults. We had a car but you can travel to Fontainebleau by train.

That is good the hear. Mrs.Coldfeet was worried that the museums would be closed on Sunday.

Have you been to Giverny and seen the tulips? I have been there several times and perhaps I made the mistake of going in the late summer the first time because I have been in the Spring and early summer and been very disappointed. (Admittedly, I have not been when the tulips were in full bloom). In the mid and late summer, everything is lush and in full bloom and at other times, things seemed sparse. The flowers are beautiful any time you go, but the overall effect at the height of summer is something to behold.

Any suggestions of places in Paris that a must see would be greatly appreciated. It has been a long time between visits for Mrs.Coldfeet and I

Everything in Paris is a "Must See"! So it depends on what you like!

I personally would be happy for a week alternating between just sitting at a cafe opposite the Luxembourg, and going in. Along with lots of eating, of course.

As far as museums go, I really like the Picasso museum -- definitely tops my list -- along with Monet's Water Lillies at the Tuilleries (don't know if those will be open yet when you go, though; they were renovating last I heard). But my thoughts tend towards smaller spaces. There are some museums I've only just heard of, like the museum of magic, that I want to try.

Has anyone ever been to the Notre Dame service on Easter morning? Any idea how packed it will be and what time the services are?

According to the Notre Dame web site:

Dimanche 23 mars 2008 :
8H30 : Messe de la R�surrection
9H30 : Office solennel des Laudes
10H00 : Messe solennelle de la R�surrection chant�e en gr�gorien
11H30 : Messe solennelle de la R�surrection
12H45 : Messe de la R�surrection
16h30 : Audition au Grand Orgue par Ghislain LEROY, Premier Prix du Concours international d�orgue de la Ville de Paris 2004. Au programme : Combat de la mort et de la vie et Force et agilit� des corps glorieux extraits des Corps Glorieux d�Olivier MESSIAEN ; P�an IV de Jean-Pierre LEGUAY
17h45 : Office solennel des v�pres
18h30 : Messe de la R�surrection, pr�sid�e par le cardinal Andr� Vingt-Trois, archev�que de Paris.
Diffus�e en direct sur KTO, t�l�vision catholique.

Two years ago I was in Paris for the Easter weekend period: on Easter Sunday, all the museums were open, and the food areas were like any other Sunday bustling with shoppers. The next day, Easter Monday, the "big" department stores were closed, and the usual Monday museum closings were in effect--the city seemed more deserted than the previous day.

We went there for the 11:30 Mass. It was very packed. Not a good scene if you can't handle crowds. It's a good expereince to attend Mass at ND, but I think on that particular day you're better off at another church.

On Good Friday, ND displays the (purported) relics of the Crown of Thorns from the crusifiction. One can go up like in communion line and kiss the crown, I believe. Middle of the day, IIRC.

Paris around Easter is very crowded, I have found. Still, is is generally great!

We were at Monet's gardens on Friday, April 4, 2008 and the tulips were in bloom. They were glorious!

We are going next week... Wisconsin is still all brown - no green, and Mrs DWN loves the flowers.. how about Lilacs?

D

I do not remember seeing any lilacs. The flowers that were in bloom were gorgeous. We went to Giverny immediately after landing at CDG, so my memories are a bit fuzzy. I'll check my photos tonight.

The flowers at Giverny were the best that we saw on our brief trip to France. After leaving Giverny, we drove to the Loire Valley and spent our days viewing chateaus. We visited Chenenceau, Valencay (one of my favorites but it is never crowded), Chamaunt Sur Loire, Cheverny, Chambord (outside only), Villandry (gardens only), Azay le Rideau, and Usse (outside only).

If you are driving from CDG to Giverny, you may want to try our scenic and quick route; it avoids a lot of traffic. When exiting CDG, follow the signs to Cergy-Pontoise, then follow the signs to Rouen, and then follow the signs to Vernon.

I looked at my photos of Giverny last night. The flowers that I could identify included: tulips of various colors, daffodils, and pansies. The fruit trees were just starting to bloom so by now the cherry, apple, and pear blossoms should be peaking.