My wife and her sister are taking the RS England tour next month and have a couple of days in London after the tour ends before they fly home. They're toying with the idea of taking the Eurostar roundtrip to Paris for one of those days (arrive just before noon, leave 9 pm). They've never been to Paris before, and may never have another opportunity.
Any suggestions for such a whirlwind visit?
Thanks.
I would hire a guide for the day and do a walking tour taking in the highlights. There would not be time to go up the Eiffel Tower nor the Arc de Triomphe but they can certainly enjoy both from the ground. July will be crowded - a good guide will take them them into some great neighborhoods - Latin Quarter, Ile St Louis, Ile de la Cite, a walk through Monmartre. Then enjoy a nice meal somewhere perhaps with a view of the Eiffel Tower - if they want to splurge they could dine on the ET - it is pretty spendy but would get no line access to the tower.
I'd suggest taking the number 7 metro to Concorde to come out of the subway to see one of the most beautiful perspectives of Paris - Pont Alexandre III, the Invalides across the river and the Eiffel Tower in the distance to the right. And then wander back towards Notre Dame along the Seine past the Tuileries. Pause to walk on the Pont des Arts by the Louvre and then on to the Ile d' la Cite and Notre Dame. This route comes near some major sights, obviously, but I would not want to feel pressure to commit times to lines to go into the Louvre or go to the Eiffel Tower. I suggest this route to just see the heart of Paris and its beauty.
Start with this and parse it down. It's in route sequence.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/to-the-west/three-full-days-in-paris
If a guide is too expensive, they could try one of the hop-on-hop-off buses. This company would take them to the major sights, but there are others too. The circuit takes about 2 1/2 hours if they never get off, so they'll have time to make several stops. There's a bus every ten minutes so they won't have long to wait for the next one. I wouldn't spend time waiting in line for the Eiffel Tower or wandering around museums unless there's something they really want to see inside. Save time for a sidewalk café and/or picnic in one of the parks. Remember to be checked in (not just in the check-in line) for the return Eurostar at least half an hour before departure time, leave plenty of margin for this.
Eurostar to Paris and stay at least one night.
Walk and eat, repeat.
Prioritize and pick two sites - what would they regret if they skipped it entirely?
Eiffel, The Louvre, Notre Dame - inside or roof top?
Parks :-) Museums, with a skip the line pass.
Walk from Notre Dame past the Louvre through the park to Concordia and all the way to the Arch!
So many choices!
Any day in Paris is a good day!
I second the recommendation to stay overnight and head back to London the following day. Otherwise, you'll be checking your watch throughout the day to ensure you're on track & back in the queue for the Eurostar that evening. Staying overnight would give you the opportunity to experience one of the essentials - an evening Seine river cruise where you'll see all of the beautiful buildings lit up at night, some of the main sites, i.e. Notre Dame, and see the Eiffel Tower glimmering with lights & reflected across the water - all at a reasonable cost. This would allow you to have some time during the afternoon to walk into one of these museum dual ticket plans to avoid the long line at the Orsay and enjoy the gorgeous art in Paris. (1. 1st museum: Purchase your ticket at the non-d'Orsay listed. 2. 2nd museum: Go to the short line on the far-right at the d'Orsay with your ticket. Brief but wonderful view of some highlights: Go directly to the top floor & see the Impressionist art. Then take the escalators down to the main floor & see the beautiful sculptures. There's a sculpture straight ahead near the back that I have a difficult time believing it is made of marble! The draping of the shawl looks like gossamer fabric.
Musée d'Orsay - Musée Rodin Passport - 15E OR
Musée d'Orsay /Musée de l'Orangerie Passport - 16E If you do this one, sit down in each Monet oval for at least 10 minutes. Think about what's happening during that period of the day; what would you hear for sounds? smells?
After the museums, head to the Jardin des Tuileries park, across the river from the d'Orsay or go near Notre Dame or into the St. Germain neighborhood for some refreshments at an outdoor cafe. My favorite garden is the Luxembourg Garden but not sure that you have time to go there.
In your short time, try to sit at a cafe and enjoy being there vs. just checking off a list of items, so you can enjoy some of the atmosphere even for this short time.
If you can't stay overnight, you'll probably have to take one of the hop on/off buses to see highlights, instead.
Well, it's time to stop toying and book something. Times a wastin' and prices are only going up. Might want to book an early morning departure and the last return to get the best price. Dink around and you end spending $350 pp last minute or $175 now with a nonrefundable ticket.
Thanks, everyone, for the sage advice. Much appreciated.
I agree about spending one night and Christi's suggestion of a professional guide is brilliant and money well spent.
