I will be going on the Paris & Heart of France Tour - If you have gone on this tour, please tell me your thoughts on or advice you could give pertaining to this tour. I am going in the middle of September. Where did you eat in your free time in Paris? Is there anything type of planning you did before the tour ( not about Paris) but for the rest of the tour? Books, movies, research, things to know about before the tour, or wish you knew about before the tour? Any clothes ( women only) that you brought or wished you brought?
Thank you for your responses.
Posted by
Land of La
9221 posts
This is not one of the RS tours I've taken but I have traveled to Paris a few times over the years. With the advent of the internet I have found that checking out food blogs is a great way to find places to dine. There are many for Paris. One my RS tours I've always preferred to arrive 1-2 days before and stay at least a day after the tour. I'm a photographer so the extra time spent has always been filled with wandering back streets, cemeteries, etc. As far as clothes it is ALWAYS about comfortable shoes and layers. My shoe of preference is the Keen brand. Nary a blister to complain about and I owe that to the shoes and the expensive but worth every penny SmartWool socks brand. Best travel cost investment EVER for me. Regarding films, I watch Charade. Merely to confirm that Cary Grant was and will always be the most handsome man on the face of the earth. Love the fact that the Colonnade at the Jardin Palais Royale looks the same. Just in case a reader hasn't seen the over 40 year old film, I won't give away who plays Carson Dial. Lastly, Monsieur Pamplemousse mysteries are some of my favorites. His name alone draws me to his character, much like Alan Bradley's, Falvia DeLuce mysteries which are set in England. Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
MO, AL, and now Bentonville, AR
49 posts
Hi - my husband and I did that tour last September. It was wonderful. Pack planning on wearing layers. We had 80+ temps in Paris and 50's in Bourges. Definitely have a light weight rain coat. We took the don't overpack advice and did some laundry in the hotel sink. It was advice well taken as I saw others struggling with larger suitcases. Eating on your free time in Paris may depend on what you are doing or where your hotel is. We maximized our sightseeing so mostly ate at sidewalk cafes usually close to our hotel later in the evenings. The one exception to sidewalk cafes was the Thai restaurant next to our hotel - Hotel Duquesne Eiffel. Our guide had recommended it and it was great. I depended on the France guidebook we received for the rest of the tour, it really was helpful. Most of my advance research was for Paris as we arrived a day early so would have more time on our own. When you spend the night on Mont St Michel if you have the chance go to the early morning prayer service - the sun rising as you are in the Abbey before the crowds arrive was an unforgettable experience. Have a wonderful time!