Paris, France - Anyone been there?

[griswold]

Buckeye1 and I are planning to surprise our wives this fall with a trip to Paris.

We're planning on going the first weekend in November.

We'll land in Paris on Sat morning, Nov 2.

So, we'll have most of Saturday, Sunday and Monday and leave on Tuesday.

So, what can we realistically see in 3 days?

What should be our priorities to see other than Eiffel Tower, Louve, etc.?

Any recommendations for hotels? Pre-buying of tickets?

Other thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Gris

[bryanbutler]

you'll have to decide what you want to do.

personally i'm not a huge fan of the eiffel tower - it's, well, a big metal tower. but it does give you a nice view (though depending on the day and time you may have to stand in line for a long time).

you could spend 3 days in the louvre alone. and the many other museums (i love the musee d'orsay, for instance).

plenty of churches, including notre dame of course.

i like the catacombs - a bit on the darker side, but it won't take you all day to go through.

you can hang out at sidewalk cafes for quite a long time; there are a bazillion of them. depends on the weather a bit though, and by november it can start getting cold.

so, it just really depends on what you like to do. paris has it all.

ETA: went to look up the average temperature in november and found this nice website: http://goparis.about.com/od/events/a/ParisNovember.htm .

[DMT]

Along the lines of what has already been said, keep your expectations modest...Paris is a massive city so you're not going to be able to see everything in 3 days. Unless you really like spending an entire day in a museum, I'd skip the Louvre and instead hit one or two of the smaller ones.

If you're fans of Dali, there's a cool Dali museum. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espace_Dal%C3%AD

If you like the Impressionists: Musée de l'Orangerie - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%..._l%27Orangerie

The D'Orsay was pretty amazing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9e_d%27Orsay

If you're into seeing really cool buildings, check out Sacré-Cœur Basilica. It's kind of set apart from other stuff but you get some sweet panoramic views of the city from it.

Try to learn a few basic French phrases, they'll appreciate it. I didn't find the people to be rude, but others have complained about their attitude towards tourists.

[TranaGreg]

Along the lines of what has already been said, keep your expectations modest...Paris is a massive city so you're not going to be able to see everything in 3 days. Unless you really like spending an entire day in a museum, I'd skip the Louvre and instead hit one or two of the smaller ones.
...

I understand what you're saying, but the Louvre was one of the most amazing places I've ever seen. Agreed, you won't be able to take it all in, but I think at least a half day there should be mandatory for anyone going to Paris. As should sitting on a patio in the morning with a croissant & cafe au lait.

Versailles is also spectacular. If you partake of extreme sports you could rent a car for the day & drive out there.

[DMT]

Versailles is also spectacular.

I agree, but that would leave just 2 full days in Paris.

[Steve]

I've been to Paris, TX.

[swampdragon]

I am sure that Buckeye1 and Griswold have been to the "eiffel" tower at Kings Island

[Steve]

If you're fans of Dali, there's a cool Dali museum. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espace_Dal%C3%AD

.

If you run in to him, be sure to say: I said hello, Dali,......well, hello, Dali
It's so nice to have you back where you belong

[TranaGreg]

If you run in to him, be sure to say: I said hello, Dali,......well, hello, Dali
It's so nice to have you back where you belong

Seriously, are you from Okalhoma or something??? We're trying to have a serious discussion about one of the most historic cities of the world.

Okay, it made me giggle.

[griswold]

I am sure that Buckeye1 and Griswold have been to the "eiffel" tower at Kings Island

Yes...AND the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas!!! Woot!

[Fresno Bob]

All you really get with the Effel Tower is the view, which is just as good/interesting from the top of the Arc D'Triumph or the Church of the Sacred Heart without burning 3 hours in line. For me, the catacombs were the most amazing thing I saw in Paris on the trip we took last summer. I've probably been to Paris 8 times, and had never been.

I agree with whomever said, "look for vacation rentals" ElD? For what you'll have to pay for two hotel rooms, you could get a two bedroom place with a kitchen so when you aren't eating in a cafe, you can grab food from one of the "market streets" and take it back. I get that you have to go to the Louvre, but like everyone else said, make sure you make time for just wandering around, grabbing a bottle of wine, and drinking it at the bottom of some bridge like the Pont d'Neuf.

One of the most common scams in Paris right now are gypsy kids pretending to be from a "School for the Deaf". While one or two explain, you get pickpocketed. A quick "Se Casser" tends to move them along...

The wine buyer for the store on my block opened this place, http://www.springparis.fr/. Let Josh know that Joe and Patty from 18th suggested you stop in

[griswold]

This is all awesome! Thanks folks!

[johnnya24]

If there weather is in anyway nice, don't miss the Sacré-Cœur. On a warm evening, sitting on the steps, overlooking the city is a delight not to be missed. Plus you get to walk the streets of Montmarte and get a taste of the old Paris. D'Orsay and Notre Damme for sure ... and The Louvre, but as someone above said, cherry pick your periods carefully (it's huge). It's hard not to avoid the major landmarks like The Eiffel Tower and L'Arc D'Triumph, but there's no need to spend a lot of time there.

Best to savour what you can, and not try and fit everything in. Don't be doing anything that requires queuing on such a short trip. Going to Paris just makes you want to go back again. It's my favourite place to visit.

I'd visit the likes of the Eiffel Tower and the L'Arc on your partial days. And keep the full days for the more time consuming things.

Full days ... something like (get the closing times so you don't have to rush!):

Morning: Louvre | Afternoon: Notre Damme
Morning: D'Orsay | Afternoon: Sacre Coeur ... watch sunset over Paris.

Maybe a boat cruise on your final morning or something.

Don't bother with the Pompidou Centre. Overrated IMO, especially for a short trip.

[dslaw]

I think someone else mentioned Sacre Coer in the evening is nice to hang out. Anything you can buy tickets for in advance do it. If you want to go the Eiffel Tower you can get tix for a certain time. You just show up and maybe wait for one elevator ride. If you don't have tix you wait 30+ minutes just to buy a ticket. Same way for many museums, the line is to purchase tix, not to get inside so you can bypass many lines. If you have a travel agent they can get tix for you.

[overkill94]

Was just there in March but unfortunately I only had one full day before I had to fly home.

- made it to the Louvre and was able to see the big stuff in around 3 hours; could've stayed all day but wanted to fit in a few more things
- Notre Dame was great, but I was a little cathedraled out by that point in the trip; unfortunately the towers were closed but I assume they'll be open again by November
- stayed in the Latin Quarter which was pretty nuts at night; if you're looking for a place to barhop or get some late-night food this would be a good spot
- I was told to get some ice cream at Ile St. Louis but didn't have a chance (it's near Notre Dame)
- just walking along the Seine was a cool experience, there's all kinds of little stands selling books, souvenirs, prints, etc.

Have fun!