Paris in two weeks

Knolmom · Post by **Knolmom** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:58 pm

Rich and I are doing a Med Cruise beginning Oct 11. We are going to visit Paris first, for 4 days, Oct 4th through the 8th. We have never been there. We are staying in a hotel near the Eiffel Tower. The first day I expect we will be wiped from the overnight flight so I have few plans for this day. During the following days, I hope to visit the Louvre, the Orsay Museum where the Impressionist paintings are located, visit Notre Dame and take a boat ride on the Seine. On our last evening ( Sunday) we are going to have dinner at the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. For those of you who have visited Paris, can you come up with something " special" that we might do to really make this a memorable event. I have booked a 3 hour tour in an old-fashioned open type Citroen for Sunday afternoon to take us around Paris to places where we would be unable to stroll around because I am still having some mobility issues. Any ideas for special places?

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:33 am

It sounds like you already have a lot of very memorable things planned!

Since you are having mobility issues I just wanted to mention that the Louvre is very, very large. It is a LOT of walking. The gardens outside of the Louvre are beautiful and worth walking through. The Orsay is stunning, you will love it. If you can arrange to buy a museum pass in advance of arrival at the museums it is very worth it. We waited in line for about 45 minutes to get a museum pass.

I would love to hear about your dinner at Jules Verne when you are back! John balked at the wine list prices but I think the views alone would make it worth it.

I don't have any specific suggestions for your auto tour, I think all of Paris is just gorgeous. Have a wonderful time! John is there right now for work and he is making me envious with all of the beautiful photos he is sending me.

michigancouple · Post by **michigancouple** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 1:13 pm

I hope you have a wonderful trip! It sounds like such a great time.

My sister and brother-in-law went last Summer. They did similar to you, with the stay in Paris a few days prior to their cruise. They had a great time and did many of the things you have listed as well.

While I bet you are already aware of this, be VERY, VERY aware of pickpocketers. My sister and hubby were getting on a train somewhere in central paris and a group of teenage girls were getting off. They pushed the brother-in-law to cause a bit of commotion and in the 5 seconds my sister was paying attention to him the girl had unzipped her purse (a crossbody purse that lays flat against your hip) and grabbed her wallet. Just as the train doors were closing she threw the wallet (minus the cash) back into the train.

~ Nancy

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:01 pm

Oooh yes, I should have mentioned the pickpockets! Be very careful. The scam going on last fall was the "I found your ring" scam. One person would quickly swoop down in front of you and scoop "your" ring off the ground and offer it back to you. While you were distracted looking at the ring someone else would pick your pocket. This scenario got attempted on John and me four times, and we were only in Paris for a long weekend! (it didn't work on us)

My boss got pickpocketed on the chunnel train. To this day he can't figure out how they did it and he is a very savvy and frequent world traveler. He had to go to the embassy with a police escort because the pickpocket(s?) got his passport.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 3:17 pm

When we were there years ago, it was pre-teen girls pretending to be lost... a wonderful French gentleman thankfully clued me in... I'm a such a sucker for kids and animals!

Mary, I must say that your ticker for France looks great! I wish I had ideas for your Citroen tour; I don't, but from the website (I am guessing) for those tours, you'll have a terrific time! Wishing you delightful weather!

Exit Zero · Post by **Exit Zero** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 6:35 pm

Paris is an experience of art, architecture, shopping and culture like no other city. It may be the dining capital of the world as well - my favorite restaurant is - Lasserre at 17 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt - a real step back in time, with outstanding food and a unique and elegant ambiance - the roof is slid back to open the dining room to the stars a few times during dinner and the service amazes with impeccable old world training.

Lindy · Post by **Lindy** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 9:47 am

When we were there over the summer the pick pocket scam that we were told to watch out for was someone approaching you to sign a petition. I think they told us that they will pick your pocket if accessible and, if not, this allows them to get close enough to scan your credit cards for information and then they have your signature. Just be vigilant in any places where there are lots of tourists.

Knolmom · Post by **Knolmom** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:01 am

Thanks for all the info. We are aware of the ring scam, petition girls, bracelet boys ect and appreciate your looking out for us. Our trip to the Louvre will only take in the main sights, and even that 2 hours will probably be a very long walk but we will take out time to experience the place as much as the art. I think I will take the advice given here an elsewhere to start at Notre Dame first and then work our way back towards the Louvre and the ET. Our hotel is near the Tower and we want to start our jaunts late morning and continue until after dark. Think lunches work better than late dinners for us. I am definately more interested in the Impressionists than Medievil Art so my focus would be on L' Orangerie and D'Orsay, correct? I am thinking that with the first day unplanned due to the need for a catnap, we will devote 1 full day to Art/ Museums( meaning 10 hours) total and a second full day to Churches/ sights, also 10 hours, not necessarily doing all art or all sightseeing on one day. Third day will be brunch, car tour and then ET.

loria · Post by **loria** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 1:21 pm

WOW you are going to be there for NUIT BLANCHE!!!!!
http://en.parisinfo.com/show-exhibition ... anche-2012 a9this is just one link to some possiblities--
but it is a great way to see all sorts of stuff-- and everyone is up and out all night-- and the louvre is open really late (as is every other museum ) and there is music and plays and all sorts of great crazy stuff-- what a great time to be in Paris!

http://nuitblanche.paris.fr/ a better link...

Knolmom · Post by **Knolmom** » Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:20 pm

Thanks for the information. When we made our reservations last May we knew it was a big weekend, but we thought it was for the Marathon Orerace at Bois de Bolongne. Now I see what it is and we are so lucky to be there. Maybe the Eiffel Toer will be open large for visitors. We are having dinner there the following evening.

jmq · Post by **jmq** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:55 am

Consider a nighttime sightseeing river cruise on the Seine. It could be a nice relaxing way to end an evening.
I know - touristy, but still a charming way to see the City of Lights.
http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/index.c ... 4AodH1QAdg

Is it OK to be jealous?

Knolmom · Post by **Knolmom** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:25 am

Thanks so much for the pics and suggestions. Yes it's OK to be jealous, but just remember that we had to give up a visit to our favorite place on earth, St John, to have this vacation this year. I am sure we will have memories for the rest of our lives.

usvi-on-line