Please sign in to post.

Paris itinerary feedback

Posted by on

I decided since I was asking for opinions about Versailles, I might as well post our general itinerary to see if we should be doing something different. We are group of 4, two teenage girls (high school graduation trip) and their moms. I had the girls figure out what the want to do because in my opinion, it is the girls trip and I am just along for the ride. I have more time so I am taking what they want to do and figuring out the logistics. We are staying near Notre Dame. This is the first time for all of us in Paris.

Sunday, June 17, land at Charles de Gaulle at 6:30 PM from Denmark. We will have been in Denmark for 11 days so won't be dealing with jet lag in Paris. If we are up for it that night we will do a night cruise on the Seine, but that will be a spur of the moment call. The girls really want to do a cruise on the Seine, so if don't go this night, we will need to figure out another time to do it.

Monday, June 18, one girl and her mom are going to the Louvre. My daughter and I are not. My daughter has NO interest in going, and since it's her trip, I am not going to force her. I'm thinking we will just hang out at a cafe, maybe check out Jardin des Tuilleries or Saint Chapelle. The two groups will meet up at Parc de la Villette for a 2:30 cruise on the Canal St. Martin. It will arrive back at Musee d'Orsay around 5:00 PM. We will head towards the Eiffel Tower for a 7:00 tower reservation.

Tuesday, June 19, Versailles with guided tour of Kings Apartment. That night we will go to Arc de Triomphe to see city all lit up.

Wednesday, June 20, Saint Chapelle at 9:00 open, Notre Dame at 10:00 open. Try to get 10:00 tickets to climb tower. Get hop-on hop-off bus from Notre Dame. Visit Jardin du Luxembourg briefly. Paris Catacomb tickets, maybe at 3:00. Continue hop-on hop-off tour from Catacombs.

Thursday, June 21, we will be taking the 13:30 Eurostar to London.

We have no made any reservations yet, except the plane arriving and train departing, so everything is subject to change.

Thanks for any feedback you have!

Posted by
15589 posts

First, take into account that sunset is very late at that time of year - 10 pm. I don't know what time the Arc de Triomphe closes, but the Eiffel Tower won't start to light up until about 10.30 or later, so the first "twinkling" would be at 11 pm.

A sunset cruise on the Seine is my preferred time (Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf). I thought the cruise on Canal ST. Martin would be "romantic." It was mostly boring. You go slowly, with several stops as you go through the locks. It looked more like a nice place for a quiet walk. I'd seriously reconsider that. Also the HOHO bus can get bogged down in city traffic.

There are plenty of things for the 2 of you to do instead of what sounds like just killing time. Look at Paris Walks . They have a Monday morning tour.

I think you're trying to do too much on Wednesday morning. It could take you half an hour to get into Sainte-Chapelle, between waiting in line for security and for tickets. You should plan on an hour inside, maybe more - there are lots of windows to admire, each with a different story from the bible. It's a few minutes' walk to Notre Dame. You need at least an hour inside the church. Are you planning to use the new app to book the tower entry? I believe you have to be nearby to do it, probably Sainte-Chapelle is close enough, but I understand that bookings can be made from 7.30 am. You may not be able to get the time you want. Have a back-up plan. And allow enough time in your schedule to climb up and down, plus admire the view.

Posted by
31 posts

Thank you for your replay Chani.

I will bring your feedback back to the girls, but you confirmed my feeling that some things need to be rearranged.

I had forgotten about the Paris Walks, great idea!

Posted by
12172 posts

June 17 will be good for a cruise. Sundown is very late but the cruises go well into the evening. I've taken the boats from Pont Neuf and was happy with them. They have a large open area on top so getting a seat shouldn't be an issue. They have a similar boat that starts at the Eiffel Tower, if that's closer to your lodging. The boats other than Pont Neuf and Tour Eiffel didn't seem as nice. You don't need a reservation but can save a few euro getting your tickets online when you are heading toward the boats. I prefer after dark when things are lit, but that will be late as Chani mentioned.

For lodging, anything in walking distance of Notre Dame is great (Marais and or Latin Quarter are ideal). I'd avoid staying near the Eiffel Tower because it's out of the way for most of the things you will want to see.

June 18, What are your daughter's interests? Is she put off by the size of the Louvre, the line, or doesn't like art in general? At the end of the Tuileries is the Orangerie. I've had good luck with lines there and it's a nice chance to see two oval rooms of Monet's water lilies. It's a good place for a short visit.

June 19, I think it's a good plan to assume Versailles is an all day trip. Especially if you plan on seeing the gardens and Trianons. Arc is open till at least 11pm, same thing with getting there late enough to see the lights. I really like being there top of the hour to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle after dark. You could conceivably do this after the boats if the closing time is late enough.

June 20, try to get there at least a half hour before opening, more if you can. The extra time in line before it opens will save you double the time you would lose if you went later. Sainte Chappelle is really beautiful. The line at Notre Dame always moves quickly so don't be put off by big lines there. Luxembourg is a nice garden, my favorite. I haven't visited the Catacombs because I'm not good about getting reservations and don't like standing in long lines. Follow the reservation advice I'm sure others will give you, the line seems to be always long and slow.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.