Trying to plan 2 days in Paris prior to the start of our tour and was wondering what RS tours is doing to replace the tour of NotreDame in Paris since the fire?
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14556 posts
Which one? 21 or 14?
With the 21 the itinerary says:
"After checking into our nearby hotel, we'll have a transportation lesson and Métro ride to the historic heart of Paris: the Ile de la Cité. Prepare to be awed by the brilliant stained glass windows of Sainte-Chapelle, and enlightened on a historic walk through the Latin Quarter, ending at the resilient and still-stunning Notre-Dame Cathedral."
On this tour the guides ended there and then you went in on your own. There is still plenty for them to discuss as you walk along the river to see the scaffold and view the work that continues to stabilize the building then you head off on your own for dinner and to return to the hotel.
I've done 3 RS tours that included days in Paris. On none of them did the guides take us inside Notre Dame, in fact I'm not sure they were allowed to guide in there. I'm not sure they are not allowed to guide in Sainte-Chapelle so they discuss outside and you tour inside on your own. I do clearly remember Dimitri, my 21BOE guide, telling us when we went upstairs at Sainte-Chapelle to keep our heads and eyes down at the top of the stairs, then to walk out into the chapel and only when you were positioned there to look up so the glory of those stained glass windows hits you. I STILL do it this way! (Ditto the Baptistry in Florence!)
The 14 day itinerary says:
"After a break for lunch, we're off to the birthplace of Paris, the Ile de la Cité. A guided walking tour will reveal the city's early history, including two of the world's most important Gothic churches: the resilient and legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral and a visit to the exquisite Sainte-Chapelle. Then we'll take a stroll through the bohemian Latin Quarter."
I've not done this tour but there are plenty of things for the guide to do in the area as well as discuss the process for stabilizing and rebuilding.
I'd not give this a minute's thought or concern. Your days in Paris will be so full you'll not notice ND is missing!
editing to add: I must have missed your title when I posted! I see you are talking the 14 day tour...still no problem with the guide filling your day. There is SO much to see that you'll be left with a list for next time, lol!!
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4554 posts
Personally, I prefer Sainte-Chapelle anyway. I go there every time I go to Paris and never went to Notre Dame after the first trip. I also love Chartres but I don't think it's on your tour. You could do it as a day tour on your 2nd pretrip day, if you're a fan of cathedrals.