Just wanted to thank all of you for your help planning our trip to Paris. IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!
We did it all, thanks to your many sugestions...bought the Carte Orange, Museum Pass, took the Open Tour Bus throughout Paris our first day, had hot chocolate at Angelina%26#39;s, lunch at Altitude 95, ice cream at Berthillon, and crepes at Versailles.
We felt like natives after our first day, thanks to the confidence we had armed with all your great suggestions and ideas.
My 14 year old daughter even had fun!
Hotel de Varenne was great, centrally located and perfect for our first French experience.
I can%26#39;t thank you enough for making a great trip MAGNIFIQUE!!!
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Hey more details !!
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You make us sound too good! Actually, it is the feedback that we all receive and share that raises the knowledge level for everyone.
Even old boats rise with the tide!
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When are you going back? It is addictive n est ce pas.
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MominJersey
My husband and I are staying in the Hotel De Varenne end of May. How was the hotel? Do they have small refrigerators in the room, and it was clean etc.?
I%26#39;m glad you had a great time. I%26#39;m counting down the weeks until we go.
7 more weeks!!!!!!
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Hi there!
Sounds like you had a lovely time!
My husband and I are heading there in 2 weeks...
were the lines at the museums long, or is it not so bad this time of year? we are still trying to decide whether or not we should get the museum pass.
Thanks and welcome back!
kbwr
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For those of you who want more details of our trip....
Day one we did the Open Bus tour of the city (we bought a two day ticket). We stayed on the bus the entire circuit and got a really good feel for the city and where things were (and what we wanted to return to). Then we returned to the hotel and crashed.
Day Two we returned on the Open Bus and hopped on and off as we wanted. One thing to note is that they stop running these buses I think around 6:00 or so and we found ourselves waiting for the last bus only to find out that due to the late hour, that bus would not be competing the tour and therefore who not let us off near our hotel. Not a big deal, as we were close enough to the hotel to walk, but if you are counting on the Open Tour bus for a return trip to your point of origin, be mindful of the time. We also bought our Carte Orange and Museum Passes on the second day (we brought along small pictures for the Carte Orange which was great since not all Metro stations have photo booths)
Day Three we went to the Eiffel Tower and had lunch at Altitude 95 which was fun. My daughter thought this was the best thing that we did. From there we went to Notre Dame and then took an early evening cruise on the Seine.
Day Four was spent at Versailles. We took the train and had no problem. Be forewarned that the Museum Pass only allows you into Versailles and you need to purchase an additional ticket for the interior apartments (but worth it). Rented the audio guides which were very informative. Had lunch at a creperie across from the train station which was great. The waiter was adorable, and even complemented me on my French accent! (think he might have been looking for a tip???)
Day Five we hit the museums. Went to the Louvre 15 minutes before it opened. Since we had the Museum Pass, avoided the lines and went straight to the Mona Lisa. We were the only ones there!!!!!! Once we got that out of the way, we strolled more leisurely around the museum (and laughed at the tourists running through the museum to see Mona!) and saw a lot of what is %26quot;famous%26quot; there. The Egyptian section was unfortunately closed while we were there but there was still plenty to see. Again rented the audio guide (as well as purchased a book on the %26quot;art of the Louvre%26quot; which enabled us to better understand what we were looking at). From there went to the D%26#39;Orsay museum and had lunch. Lunch was lovely and a good place to rest before viewing the D%26#39;Orsay. Spent the rest of the day at the d%26quot;Orsay which was wonderful.
Day six. Euro Disney. Since we were traveling with a friend and her 11 year old niece who wanted to see Disney Paris, we took the train (bought the entrance tickets to the park at the Metro station so we didn%26#39;t have to wait in line) Unless you have never been to any Disney park, I would definitely skip this. I found it wierd to be on %26quot;Main Street USA%26quot; while in Paris.
Day seven. Walking tour of Montmartre. High point of our trip as far as I am concerned. Took the walking tour with an English speaking guide who was cute as the Dickens, funny, knowledgeable and very entertaining! We learned a lot about the area as well as the history of Paris and enjoyed it tremendously. Had lunch at the Moulin Gadette which was lovely and delicious. After lunch, went to the Arc de Triumph and Champs-Elysee window shopping. Climbed all the way to the top and the view was great!
Day eight. Went to the Rodin museum and then spent the rest of the day shopping. Had lunch at Printemps department store which was a nice break (the dome above the restaurant is a work of art!). The terrace at Samaritaine was unfortunately closed but I hear the views are great and probably worth doing.
Day nine. Went to Notre Dame and met a friend for lunch who is studying in Paris. Went to the Pantheon and St. Suprice church (of Da Vinci Code fame but a beautiful church in its own right)
Day ten. Picasso museum. Visited the Picasso museum and had lunch in the garden there. Walked back to the hotel and stopped at the various shops along the way.
Day eleven. Went to the Hotel D%26#39;Invalides which was actually very interesting. The have a exhibit on Charles DeGaulle and WWII which both me and my daughter (14) really enjoyed. Napoleon%26#39;s tomb is also here which is worth taking a look at if in the area. Since it was our last night, went all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower (I am deathly afraid of heights and didn%26#39;t do it the first time we were there). Was really glad that we did. We went up just before dusk and were at the top when all the lights came on which was an extra special way to say goodbye.
Day twelve. Departed for home :(
What a wonderful experience.
Thanks, again, to all on the forum whose help and advice made it possible!
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Just a quick question.........how was your lunch at Altitude 95? So happy to hear that you had a wonderful time!
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Altitude 95 was fine, although you go there for the view, not the food (in fact, I can%26#39;t even remember what I ordered!). It was neither good, nor bad, but the experience was great.
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My teen daughter asks: what are the teen girls in Paris wearing (besides school uniforms). What do the teen boys look like and how do they compare to US boys? What do they seem to have as %26quot;interests%26quot;?
We are going to Europe this summer--London, Belgium (a month!), and Paris, and my daughter is hoping to not look like a typical American (until she opens her mouth). Also she is hoping to speak to some other teens along the way, and she is wondering what is a good conversatoin starter.
Any advice?
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My daughter, who is 14 and somewhat %26quot;boy crazy%26quot; (who isn%26#39;t at that age??) checked out the French boys and could provide a better description that I could possibly. She doesn%26#39;t speak any French, unfortunately, and is somewhat shy so didn%26#39;t initiate any conversations with any French teens, and would have been mortified if I had tried.
We were both amused by the PDA (public displays of attention) that we saw.
The French teens dressed much the same as American teens...lots of blue jeans, some punk but not noticably different than here. My daughter, who lives in pink Converse sneakers, was pleasantly surprised to see that they are a hot fashion item in Paris so she felt like she fit in right away. I don%26#39;t think you need to worry about your teen fitting in. All seem to have I-pods and music is a natural ice breaker.
Hope this helps!
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