We are staying several nights at Disneyland Paris and want to visit Versailles, visit Notre Dame, and see some Paris sights for a one day excursion. I am thinking a private guide is probably the best? Maybe take the train down in the morning…. Maybe have them pick me up ? I want to be flexible but not stand in long lines…. Looking for advice please!!! There will be 4 of us. I also heard about golf carts at Versailles??? I also wonder about finding a good (and fun) guide. Thanks to all!
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2928 posts
Versailles takes most of one day. Hopefully you are not proposing Versailles, Notre Dame, and some locations in Paris in one day from Marne-la-Vallée.
For what you want, a guide would be of little value. Take the RER A into Paris (2.50€ per person), probably to Châtelet, walk to Notre Dame, and make a list of what you want to see (other than Versailles). Take the RER A back to your hotel in the evening.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2152 posts
papasarges,
I hate to rain on your parade, but what you propose is not doable in one day. Versailles is on the other side of Paris from Disneyland and a visit alone takes most of a full day to see the grounds and the palace. Disneyland is east of Paris and about an hours drive just to Paris' outskirts. Driving to Versailes from Disneyland would take close to 2 hours. I would pick either Versailles OR Paris sights. If you choose Paris there is a commuter train that takes about 45 minutes. Many of the sights are near to each other, and a walkable distance apart. Also, many need reserved times for entrance. If you choose Versailles there will be a security check line that everyone goes through, so "skip the line" usually means skip the entry line to get in with your timed reservation. The golf carts are rentable for seeing the grounds, but there is no guarantee that one will be available.
In Paris, perhaps you could make a list of what your "must-sees" are and the forum contributors could help with suggestions on feasibility and planning. The train into Paris will probably be faster than a private guide in a car because of traffic, and will be considerably cheaper. Depending on where you go, you may have long lines to stand in. That is just a fact of life at most popular destinations. No one likes standing in long lines...you are not unique in this. Weigh your aversion to lines against your desire to see or do something. The fact that you will be at Disneyland would suggest that long lines will be part of your trip. (Maybe it is better in Paris than the original Dsineyland!)
Personally, I would choose the city of Paris over Versailles, but that is me.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for the reply. Magic Ways offers a 10 hr bus tour with timed entry into Versailles for audioguide tour and garden tour with lunch on the grounds. It thens goes to a 1 hr Seine river tour to see the sights and ends at Eiffel tower without entrance for photos. That sounds ok and yes a lot for one day. I am trying to figure of we would be better off taking train down on our own and doing Versailles tour and gardens but instead of river tour - somehow get to Notre Dame.... I am fine with just seeing Eiffel Tower. I was somehow thinking of I can find a guide, I could use a 4 hour block or so.....
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2152 posts
Is the tour ten hours total? If so, subtract drive times (3 1/2-4 1/2 hours) from that 10 hours, then subtract an hour for lunch and you are down to about 5 hours. The boat ride is one hour, so you are left with 3-4 hours at Versailles. If drive time from Marne-la-Vallee to Versailles is over and above the 10 hours, then it sounds pretty good. Just do be aware that Versailles is huge, so you won't get everywhere there, but trying to see it all can be exhausting anyway., so the tour may be enough for you. Best of luck in your decision!