We just returned from 3 days in Paris at the end of our 2 weeks in Europe. We are older (late sixties), not real experienced international travelers and not used to large cities. We had a wonderful time in Paris and felt very safe and well within our comfort zone. What we did:
* Stayed at the Hotel Duquesne Eiffel, a wonderful boutique hotel with a most helpful English
speaking staff. We booked early for special rates on a room with an incredible Eiffel Tower view. There is a grocery store and some great eating places within close proximity.
* We walked to and from the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, the Rodin, Rue Cler and along the Seine from the Orsay.
* We prebooked a three hour small group tour of the Louvre from Paris City Guides ( a splurge at about $80 each but so well worth it) and a classical evening concert at Saint Chapelle (marvelous). For these venues we used taxis, trying to avoid peak rush hours (and being only partially successful but the taxi rides in themselves were an experience).
* Spent time at the sidewalk cafes people watching - such fun.
Paris is a beautiful city and we will always cherish our time spent there.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
13934 posts
Sounds like you had a great time!
Posted by
Eugene, Oregon...Formerly Ventura, CA
2261 posts
That's a job well done, drspoon! Thanks for telling us, we love to hear this!
Isn't it just incredible?
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
Well for first timers -- sounds like you did things right.
Posted by
Olympia, WA, USA
6502 posts
Very wise of you to pace yourselves and not try to "do everything." I hope you will return for such adventures as a river cruise, Notre Dame, and the Marais. Not to mention Susan's favorite Luxembourg Gardens! Au revoir means "till next time."
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32206 posts
Thanks for posting. It's great to hear that you had a wonderful time in Paris, and I agree the Duquesne Eiffel is very comfortable and the staff are wonderful.
Hopefully you'll be planning another trip soon.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4407 posts
drspoon, I would like to suggest that you ask the Webmaster to move this thread to 'France Reviews', because after a week or so this thread will be lost to history. If it's moved to France Reviews, we will be able to access it forever. Well, as long as we - and the forum- are around ;-)
Posted by
Seattle, WA
449 posts
DrSpoon,
Could you name some places to eat near the hotel? I'm lead to understand my Best of Paris tour will be staying there in early October.
-- Mike
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9420 posts
"Not to mention Susan's favorite Luxembourg Gardens!"
Dick... : )
I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed Paris drspoon.
Posted by
OP
64 posts
It has been nice to read the responses to my post.
@Eileen - I will request that my post be moved as you suggested.
@Dick - I was sorry not to get to the Luxembourg Gardens this trip but we did walk around the Marais and saw Notre Dame from the outside (hard to miss!). And a Seine cruise definitely is on my list for next time!
@Mike - Try Esplanade right next to the hotel. It's a small bistro with a limited menu but we had a lovely, very affordable meal there with friendly service.
By the way, I have an experience to share about a helpful "local". While in the convenience store shopping for wine, I commented to my husband that I didn't want anything too expensive. Another shopper, a woman also buying wine, gestured to the bottom shelf, nodding her head. There we found a lovely French white for 2.5 euros!