RS Best of April 2026

Of those 3 venues, you only need to book the Eiffel Tower ahead of time. Notre Dame can be accessed without booking ahead, especially if you are up early and get there before 10 or so on a day other than Sunday.

Are you taking the Best of Paris tour? It’s awesome. I learned so much about how to get around Paris I keep returning!

I know Rick suggests the 69 bus but to me this is a time waster. It’s the regular city bus so is stopping every few blocks and is often so full you can’t see out of the windows. Take the Metro to Pere Lachaise. I like his suggestion of the Gambetta entrance as that puts you at the top of the hill. If you have a choice, do this on a sunny day.

edited to give you the correct name of the Metro station - Gambetta - instead of telling you to get off at "shrimp/prawns" - Gambas, hahaha! Yikes.

No need to reserve a visit to Pere Lachaise cemetery. Notre Dame entrance reservation can only be made two days ahead. (e.g., Wed. tickets are available on the website at midnight Sun/Mon) Word on the forum is that even though the "no reservation" line is long, it moves very quickly. The Eiffel tower tickets to ascend are offered 60 days ahead and some are offered 14 days ahead. Do a search on this forum for more details and discussions on these subjects. (e.g. Enter Notre Dame reservations, then filter for forum, then 6 months or less or one year or less) You will find all the details you need, and recommended days if necessary. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so the Eiffel Tower is often more crowded on that day. Hints like this are mentioned in prior threads.

“Word on the forum is that even though the "no reservation" line is long, it moves very quickly.”

Yes, this was my experience a couple of weeks ago. I arrived shortly before 10A. As I was entering the zigzag line there were at least 3 big tours from Viking cruises right behind me. I meant to time how long it took me but the line was moving so quickly (steady walking) I forgot. Less than 10 minutes and probably around 7 minutes. Inside, however, was jammed and shoulder to shoulder most of the way around the one-way system in the nave. By April maybe some of the crowds will have abated. It IS just amazing to see the brilliant white of the interior.

For Notre Dame, look up the French translation for vespers or evening prayers. I went to evening vespers Friday and Saturday night last week. Both days there were hundreds of people in line outside in the square. But at the vespers entrance, there was only one person ahead of me. I got there about 5 minutes before service began and sat 5 rows from the front.

Just be respectful, as you'll want to go full on tourist and snap a million photos. Take the experience in with your eyes and heart first. As the service transitions between vespers and mass, there is a few minutes' interlude. Use that time to take a few well placed photos, then step out from your chair and walk around with the tourists. Enjoy!

PS. We loved the bus 69 time we spent. You see, smell, and hear so much!!

It seems Pam's autocorrect changed Monsieur Léon Gambetta, former president of the French Republic, after whom Place Gambetta, located in front of one of the entrances to Père Lachaise Cemetery is named, to... Gambas.

It's funny, but it's not going to be easy to locate this Gambas entrance in Paris. :)

Thank you Jo Lui....I have to admit it was not autocorrect! My brain was not keeping up with my fingers and I MIGHT have just had gambas for a meal, hahaha!!