I'm looking at locking in FF tickets to Paris next spring - leave US on Sunday night and return to the US on Friday of the following week. Originally, the plan was just to go to Paris for a wee
I'm looking at locking in FF tickets to Paris next spring - leave US on Sunday night and return to the US on Friday of the following week. Originally, the plan was just to go to Paris for a week and then come home but DW thinks we should spend more time exploring France when we're there.
If I stick with the original plan of a week in Paris it seems that it would leave too little time for tasting the rest of the country. But I do want a bit more than the normal 3-day, see-the-major-sights-and-move-on experience in Paris.
How would you divide the time? I was thinking about renting an apartment near Montmartre for the week, and I think this would require a four or five night minimum.
A week in Paris is not bad for a first time visit. Personally, I would recommend an area closer to the Seine in the 4th, 5th or 6th arrondisements over Montmartre. That way you will be closer to most of the places you are likely to want to see.
As for where else to go... hard to recommend without knowing your likes and dislikes... the TGV train can put you in Provence or the Cote D'Azur in 3 1/12 - 5 1/12 hours. An hours drive to the southwest of Paris would put you in the chateau country of the Loire... an hour to the north west and you're in Normandy...
So you're going to have to do some more research!
Rob
I'm looking at locking in FF tickets to Paris next spring - leave US on Sunday night and return to the US on Friday of the following week. Originally the plan was just to go to Paris for a week and then come home but DW thinks we should spend more time exploring France when we're there.If I stick with the original plan of a week in Paris it seems that it would leave too little time for tasting the rest of the country. But I do want a bit more than the normal 3-day, see-the-major-sights-and-move-on experience in Paris. How would you divide the time? I was thinking about renting an apartment near Montmartre for the week, and I think this would require 4 or 5 night minimum. Posted by pdhenry
I'm looking at locking in FF tickets to Paris next spring - leave US on Sunday night and return to the US on Friday of the following week. Originally, the plan was just to go to Paris for a week and then come home but DW thinks we should spend more time exploring France when we're there.If I stick with the original plan of a week in Paris it seems that it would leave too little time for tasting the rest of the country. But I do want a bit more than the normal 3-day, see-the-major-sights-and-move-on experience in Paris.How would you divide the time? I was thinking about renting an apartment near Montmartre for the week, and I think this would require a four or five night minimum. Posted by pdhenry
In May, we did 7 nights in Paris, 3 nights in St Malo, 1 night in Paris and home. It was definitely not too much time in Paris, even though we'd both been there before (although not for many years). We saw a lot but didn't even get to everything we wanted to do.
We rented an apt for the first week and that was great - we have rented apts in other European cities and it is by far our favorite way to travel. You get a lot more for your money (it's often even cheaper than a hotel), you have more space, you can do a little cooking or just eat take out comfortably, you can do laundry, you get the feel for a neighborhood and it's more homey.
If 7 days in Paris feels long, keep in mind that there are quite a few day trips that you can take from there to break things up. We went to Chartres one day, which I highly recommend. We'd done Versailles before so didn't go but most people like to go once in their lives. Giverny is another (I've never been there but people often rave about it). etc. Doing a day trip would give you a feeling for some of the rest of the country.
If you want to go somewhere and stay overnight, I'd recommend staying longer than a week - 10 days or so. Keep in mind that transit time can be longer than you think (check out train schedules etc) and that unless you have a very late in the day flight, you'll need to have a last night in Paris before the day you fly home.
We stayed 10 days in Paris on our first trip there and still didn't see everything that we wanted to. We did take a day trip to Versailles and one to Bruges, Belgium also. Both were well worth the time. We stayed at the Hotel la Bourdannais in the 7th which was one street over from Eiffel Towel and about two from the Rue Cler. You must have a crepe from the crepe stand on the Rue Cler. They are wonderful!
Spring is a great time to visit France. There are many, many choices available to you with the time you have available. I would definitely consider afew days in Normandy, Brittany, the Champagne area, you even have enough time for the Burgundy, LyonAnnecy, Alps area.The roads are very good and the scenery is stunning.
Actually you could visit anywhere in Northern France, with the time you have available, and if you plan your trip based upon the times of your flights, you could pick up or return at CDG, saving alot of time.
Enjoy !!!!
QUOTE]I'm looking at locking in FF tickets to Paris next spring - leave US on Sunday night and return to the US on Friday of the following week. Originally, the plan was just to go to Paris for a week and then come home but DW thinks we should spend more time exploring France when we're there.If I stick with the original plan of a week in Paris it seems that it would leave too little time for tasting the rest of the country. But I do want a bit more than the normal 3-day, see-the-major-sights-and-move-on experience in Paris.How would you divide the time? I was thinking about renting an apartment near Montmartre for the week, and I think this would require a four or five night minimum. Posted by pdhenry[/QUOTE]
You have an intelligent and wonderful wife! A week in Paris is not bad for a first time visit. Personally, I would recommend an area closer to the Seine in the 4th, 5th or 6th arrondisements over Montmartre. That way you will be closer to most of the places you are likely to want to see. As for where else to go... hard to recommend without knowing your likes and dislikes... the TGV train can put you in Provence or the Cote D'Azur in 3 1/12 - 5 1/12 hours. An hours drive to the southwest of Paris would put you in the chateau country of the Loire... an hour to the north west and you're in Normandy... So you're going to have to do some more research! Rob Posted by parisamsterdam2007
I think you can get a fairly good flavor of Paris in say 4 or 5 days and then spend maybe a day touring the Loire Valley, or maybe get up to Lake Annecy, etc - and see some more of France - including some mountains. Or - if you like train travel as I do - and seeing the beautiful countryside - you could even take the TGV to spectacular Avignon, the seat of the Popes (in the 13th? Century) and explore Provence a little bit. I always like to get around and try and do a bit of a survey trip the first time and then when I/we go back, know more about where we want to spend more time the next time.
BTW - our favorite place to stay in Paris, with a beautiful view overlooking the Seine and across at the Louve, etc, - is the Hotel De Quai Voltaire (or close) - which I am happy to report - we found in Frommer's. Cute, historic, clean and fairly inexpensive (or it was several years ago anyway - check the web site) - and yes, the rooms are smallish - but that's real Europe. The rooms starting at the 4th? floor have little balconies where we enjoyed having wine and cheese and watching the world stroll down the sidewalks along the Seine, checking out the art booths, etc. Just a little jewel of a place.
Also, do take the Bateaux Mouche riverboat up and down the Seine, and you don't need to pay for the more expensive dinner cruise - the cocktail cruise would be fine. Very good into to Paris.
I'm looking at locking in FF tickets to Paris next spring - leave US on Sunday night and return to the US on Friday of the following week. Originally, the plan was just to go to Paris for a week and then come home but DW thinks we should spend more time exploring France when we're there.If I stick with the original plan of a week in Paris it seems that it would leave too little time for tasting the rest of the country. But I do want a bit more than the normal 3-day, see-the-major-sights-and-move-on experience in Paris.How would you divide the time? I was thinking about renting an apartment near Montmartre for the week, and I think this would require a four or five night minimum. Posted by pdhenry
Is this your first time in Paris? I am going back this March for my 3rd time, First time 5 days, Second 9 days this time will be 7 days. Paris can take your breath away, you don't want to cut your days here. There is much to see and do, and you want to have time to just stop and watch Paris. Also I, would stay closer to the center of the city, even in the 7th.
I'm looking at locking in FF tickets to Paris next spring - leave US on Sunday night and return to the US on Friday of the following week. Originally, the plan was just to go to Paris for a week and then come home but DW thinks we should spend more time exploring France when we're there.If I stick with the original plan of a week in Paris it seems that it would leave too little time for tasting the rest of the country. But I do want a bit more than the normal 3-day, see-the-major-sights-and-move-on experience in Paris.How would you divide the time? I was thinking about renting an apartment near Montmartre for the week, and I think this would require a four or five night minimum. Posted by pdhenry
Personally, I don't think that there is "too much" time to be spent in Paris but I can understand wanting to see the rest of France. I agree with the others who advocate getting an apartment because I do that as well. It's so nice to be able to have that first morning coffee without having to get dressed and go down to the hotel dining room. And if you have an apartment, you can take advantage of all those wonderful foods at the markets!
I find a rental a real money-saver; I'll do breakfast "at home", then go out to do my shopping/sightseeing, have a nice lunch at a cafe then something simple for dinner back at the apartment.
As for taking the train to the Cote d'Azur, the TGV is very fast, reasonably comfortable and scenic, even if the sights are whizzing past at 100-plus miles an hour. The train takes you through the French Alps and it's really breathtaking.
Good luck in your vacation plans; I'd say I was envious but I did get my "fix" this past February and I'll be on the Cote d'Azur myself next spring. Enjoy your vacation!!!
[A week in Paris is good. I figure that the arrival day is hampered by jet lag recovery and that you will go to Versailles for a day trip, so you have 4-5 real days in the city, depending on what time you leave on day 7. That is enough to do the "must sees" and to strike out on your own to experience some of the city. I agree that staying in the Montmartre area is a little bit too far away from the sights that first time visitors tend to want to see. Too much commute time. I would hang around the Chateau region for the remaining time in France.
If you have not been to London before, I would consider buying a chunnel ticket, going to London, and flying home from there. London and Paris combo trips, for the first time visitor to Europe, are well worth considering. I would still spend more days in Paris, to get a good flavor of that city. You can always go back to London, and tring to split equal time between the two would water down the experience for both.
It sounds like you're visiting Paris for the first time. I would stay at least 5 nights, and as others have said, an apartment sounds ideal. I'd also look closer to the center of Paris, 5,6 or 7th arrondissements. I like the VRBO website, have never gone wrong with a rental. During your five days you could visit Versailles, certainly. When you leave, I'd suggest renting a car and driving from Paris to the Loire Valley and seeing 2 castles. This would be for a day or two - you don't want to feel like you're constantly on the move. Then I'd drive into Burguny, basing myself in Beaune, which is gorgeous, as are the little villages along the Burgundy wine route (easy, beautiful drive). If you have time you could visit Vezeley, which is a gem. Then you might head to Annecy, not to be missed, but perhaps for another trip, combined with Chamonix. Remember that you can't see all of France in 12 days, so love what you do see and know you'll be back. Alternately, there's the TGV to Avignon, and now also a TGV to Lyon (gastronomically amazing, and a lovely city), and one to Alsace, which will give you a totally different picture of France. But yes, you have to choose -- what fun!
[A week in Paris is good. I figure that the arrival day is hampered by jet lag recovery and that you will go to Versailles for a day trip, so you have 4-5 real days in the city, depending on what time you leave on day 7.
A couple of other good day trips are to 1) Chartres and 2) Giverny. Both can be done on your own. We took a train to Chartres, leaving from the Gare Montparnasse and arriving around 9:00 AM. We had plenty of time to take a little train around the town, and then see the Cathedral, taking a tour with Malcolm Miller. We met friends there, had lunch, and back to the train for our return trip around 3:00 PM. It was a lovely day! We have not yet gone to Giverny on our own, but plan to in the spring. We did take a tour there, and while it was quite nice, we felt rushed. The tour was a combined Giverny & Versailles trip, and we felt we didn't have enough time in either place. In 2007, we went to Versailles on our own and plan to do the same with Giverny our next trip.
Well, you could spend a bit less time in Paris: more motivation to return another time!! And there's always the option of day trips from Paris as well. I stayed near Invalides (hotel link below); this was a great area in terms of transport options, shops and restaurants, etc. Also high on my personal "not to be missed" list is Monet's Gardens at Giverny. You can either take a 1/2 day tour from Paris (since I wasn't feeling well I opted for that approach) or take the train to (I believe) Vernon where it's something like a 5-10 minute cab ride to Giverny. I also enjoyed the Pere LaChaise (spelling?) Cemetary; very unusual but memorable tourist attraction.
I would devote at least a week to Paris with some day trips worked in. Paris is big! It took me four days just to be able to find my apartment and then it was time to leave!
In addition to the great day trip suggestions above, you might considere a trip to Epernay and the champagne cellars. It is a lovely day away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city.
I also agree with the apartment suggestion in an area closer to the center, 4th, 5th, 6th arrondissement. In the 7th, near Les Invalides, is La Terrasse, a great cafe with fabulous people-watching.
Have fun!
I'm looking at locking in FF tickets to Paris next spring - leave US on Sunday night and return to the US on Friday of the following week. Originally, the plan was just to go to Paris for a week and then come home but DW thinks we should spend more time exploring France when we're there.If I stick with the original plan of a week in Paris it seems that it would leave too little time for tasting the rest of the country. But I do want a bit more than the normal 3-day, see-the-major-sights-and-move-on experience in Paris.How would you divide the time? I was thinking about renting an apartment near Montmartre for the week, and I think this would require a four or five night minimum. Posted by pdhenry
You can spend the entire time in Paris and only scratch the surface. If you rent an apartment, you would have enough time to feel like you're living there.
If you really want to travel, I'd pick 1 or 2 areas at most. It depends partly on how you're getting around. If you rent a car, I'd pick a small but nice city, such as Beaune in Burgundy. You can take day trips out from there and explore the region.
If you're taking the train and going city to city, I'd pick larger but still interesting places. Nice is one of my favs and only a few hours by TGV from Paris.
I'm looking at locking in FF tickets to Paris next spring - leave US on Sunday night and return to the US on Friday of the following week. Originally, the plan was just to go to Paris for a week and then come home but DW thinks we should spend more time exploring France when we're there.If I stick with the original plan of a week in Paris it seems that it would leave too little time for tasting the rest of the country. But I do want a bit more than the normal 3-day, see-the-major-sights-and-move-on experience in Paris.How would you divide the time? I was thinking about renting an apartment near Montmartre for the week, and I think this would require a four or five night minimum. Posted by pdhenry
Day trips are a great idea. We've done those to Reims, Chartres, Givery, an overnight to the Loire (must see Chambord and Chenonceau). One will always spend too little time in Paris - you can spend 2 wks just in the Louvre, and after 4 visits I've only scratched the surface.
Go to Notre Dame at a low tourist time (locals can clue you in). It is usually very noisy and crowded and this detracts from really experiencing it. The first time I went was the year of major student riots and tourists weren't visiting Paris, and so there was only one other tour group, and both were quiet and respectful. And most of all, go to Ste Chapelle, not so famous but the most beautiful place I've ever experienced. Go on a sunny day and you will find yourself inside a stained glass jewel box. Totally stunning!
My first trip to France was a full week in Paris staying near the Parthenon. There is so much to do in Paris, easily enough for a full week with a few day trips to Versailles or Chartres.
I took my niece to France and would only allow her a few days in Paris. Instead we rented a car and drove the Burgundy, Champagne and a slice of Allsac-Lorraine regions before returning to Paris. Why? Because Paris is so very accessible and most folks only do Paris, I wanted her to see a bit more and save something in Paris to see on later trips.
Another trip my friend and I flew into Paris then took the TGV to Blois where we spent days in the Loire Valley. We spent only the last 2 days in Paris - leave something for later, you can always do just Paris in the off season for a week.
Thanks for all of the input. This would be our first trip to Paris and first to France. We've visited the UK and continental Europe several times.
I'll look closer to the Seine for apartments -- probably having watched Amélie a few years ago got me thinking about Montmartre but we will want to be close "enough" to major areas of interest.
We were there this year and spent nine nights in Paris, had an apt. two streets over from Rue Cler. When you are in that part of the city using the metro is a must! Great location, just plan on using the metro to get yourself from that part of town to the part you want to go to and then do your walking... you'll still do plenty!
It was by no means too much time there as we went to Versailles one day, Normandy another (long day, took a 1/2 day tour of battle sites, used the train there and back, very doable).
With only a week I wouldn't push it by traveling too far away as you'll use up your time with travel logistics, etc.. There are lots of day trips from Paris as many have mentioned, in fact you could spend every day doing that and miss Paris!
We spent 3 days in Paris and it was a busy but if you might not get back soon and want to see other areas in France it can be done. We stayed in the Latin Quarter about a 1/2 block from the Seinne and about a block from Notre Dame. It was a great area with lots of nice, casual restaurants to choose from. One thing that we are so glad someone recommended was the catacombs. Very different but very interesting. If interested, go very early as lines can be long and once they close, you are out of luck for the day.
