Feedback on Paris Itinerary - Marais or Montmartre, or both!

I highly suggest downloading the G7 Paris taxi app. So user friendly; reliable, professional, official Paris taxi. It was so wonderful to use while we were in Paris last month. Have a wonderful trip! Looks like fun!

Also after your VR tour at the d'Orsay, be sure to go up to the 5th floor to see some of the real Impressionist treasures!

Not sure when you are going but when we were there in April, the Place de la Concorde was already blocked for the Olympics; not sure how much will be blocked along the Champs-Elysees and Arc de Triomphe. (Maybe it won't be; I'm just wondering.)

Thanks. So I guess that you are suggesting that we stay in one place, Marais, and Taxi to places using the G7 Paris App. I probably will have to do that as Paris will be preparing for the Olympics, we are going in July. I really appreciate your thoughts and help!

I know the Marais is really a popular place to stay. We stayed in St. Germain. Were you simply changing hostels to be in more convenient locations to your outings and events? I wasn't really suggesting one way or the other regarding your accommodations, but I did want you to know how wonderfully convenient it was using the app.

We found out the hard way, when my husband injured his foot during our trip. We G7'd our way through Paris to save on walking. It really was super convenient, and very similar to the uber app, plus they are allowed to go in bus lanes. They are great drivers with very clean cars too!

It is a bit of a drive up to Montmarte/Sacre Couer so I understand your thinking for why the change in hostels. But I'm not sure if it's worth it for one night. Hmmm....Montmarte is very hilly and spread out.

It would really help to know when exactly in July you plan to do this, not because we’re nosy, but because of the Olympics. The closer to the opening day, the more impact. In the final days leading up to the opening ceremony, you’ll need a QR-code in order to be allowed in certain areas along the Seine.
In addition to taxis, I would look into using public transportation to get around. The metro system in Paris is great.
The excellent public transport system is also why I would suggest you to rethink switching hostels for just 1 night. It’s a lot of hassle to pack/unpack, check out/check in. You can easily get to Montmartre from the Marais.

Could it be you made a spelling error in the name of the restaurant? Did you mean to write you’ll dine in Ose? That restaurant is in Montmartre and while it’s indeed featured in the Michelin Guide, it doesn’t have a star. Michelin uses different systems to classify restaurants. The 1, 2 and 3 stars are reserved for the absolute best restaurants. They also use the 1-2-3 star-system to rank cities and sights. In a similar way to the 1, 2 or 3 triangles that Rick Steves uses.
Ose restaurant has been awarded a Bib Gourmand. A Bib Gourmand is awarded by Michelin to “friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.”
Please understand that I’m not writing this to lecture you. I’m only saying this so you know what to expect when you dine at Ose.

Indeed, the dates of your visit do matter.

As of June 17, the following metro stations are closed until September 21:
Concorde
Tuileries
Champs-Elysees Clemenceau

However, from July 18-26, there are many more metro stations closed.
Those listed above
Plus
Alma Marceau
Cité
Ièna
Javel
Passy
Quai de la Râpée
Trocadero
RER C at Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel
RER C Musée d’Orsay
RER C Pont de l’Alma

In addition, during those dates, Metro line 7 will not run under the Seine. So you will be able to ride Line 7 from the north as far south as Chatelet, and from the south as far as Jussieux, but won’t be able to ride all the way through.

All of this won’t matter to you if you are here before July 18th, but just in case you are here July 18th or later, I’ve shared this information. Please note that several bridges across the Seine will be closed to vehicular traffic during this same period, making taxis going from Left Bank to Right Bank or vice versa problematic as well.

On your day 2:The day you are going from the Marais to the Arc de Triomphe, you can easily go on the Line 1 metro from St Paul (or Bastille) to Charles de Gaulle (which is directly under the Arc de Triomphe). Again, depending on your dates, the whole Place de la Concorde above ground will also be shut down, making it problematic to walk through there too. We’ll know more about this as we make it from mid-June into July, how problematic that is or not. You could also metro from St. Paul/Bastille to Franklin D Roosevelt or George V and walk part of the Champs-Elysees up to the Arc de Triomphe.

On your day 3: Walk from Place des Vosges to Pere Lachaise - that’s a bit of a hike, but could be nice. Another option you might want to consider is the #69 bus which literally goes from around the corner from the Place des Vosges directly to the cemetery. You might want to download the CityMapper app and play with it a bit (change your city to Paris) and it will show you the different options for getting to places - how long it would take to walk or taxi;how to go via bus if there is an option; how to go via metro (and it will even show you whether to get on the train at the front back or middle to be positioned best for your transfer or exit, and which exit to take from the station! Really useful).

HI Guys, Thanks for the amazing tips and help.
We are in Paris the first week in July so we might be okay, with some issues in travel but do-able.
I didn't realize about the Michelin Star system, so very helpful. I was wondering why the prices seemed so good.
Transportation Apps suggestions are great and I will get to them now.
Also, I think that we will stay in Marias rather than move to a new location for one night.
I think that I am going to "pass' on Moulin Rouge, but looking for a different night time option---any suggestions?
Thanks again!

We did the VR experience at the Orsay this April; I am a bit concerned that you ist 'tickets still available' -- those go quickly -- make sure you have reservations for that. It is amazing. I then tried to re-visit the impressionists afterwards and it was a joke. To say it was crowded did not do it justice -- it was like a crowded metro car during rush hour, I could barely get out. The impressionist exhibit which is paired with the VR experience is beautifully put together -- deifnitely have tickets for that and also expect to queue even with a time slot.

The itinerary looks cut and pasted and with too much jammed in often with a lot of travel time between sites adjacent on the itinerary.

If it were me, I'd plan for a nighttime Seine river cruise. Find one that takes you past the Eiffel Tower on the hour (I believe 9pm is the first?) for the twinkling lights. (I don't know what the quality of the dinner cruises are, but that could be an option?) I'm sure there's some strong opinions on that whether it's poor quality food; so perhaps not? I've never done a dinner cruise, just a regular river cruise. You will be there at a very busy time, so I'm not sure how reservations work (or if required) for a regular cruise in July during the month of the Olympics, since nothing is normal/usual.

Interesting, we were also at the d'Orsay in April on a Sunday (of all days; thought it'd be so overwhelmingly crowded) and saw the special 1874 Impressionist Exhibit (advanced tickets required) but not the VR Experience, then headed up to the 5th floor, and it wasn't until the end of our visit on the 5th floor that it started to get really crowded. So I guess we were pretty lucky. I think this summer you'll have to assume everything will be beyond packed/crowded.