My granddaughter and I are arriving one day early for the 7 day Paris tour. We arrive on Sunday, June 8 very early in the morning after a long flight from Kansas. Our hotel check in time is 3 pm but they will provide a safe place for our bags. So, I am thinking that after getting to the hotel we find a cafe and relax and then maybe a hop on hop off bus tour? Trying to stay awake as long as we can to help with jet lag. Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
1487 posts
If it were me, I would not choose a HOHO bus because the ride might put me to sleep. Not sure where your hotel is, but a nice walk in the Jardin de Luxembourg or Tuileries Garden would fit the bill. Pick up a cafe au lait and chocolate crepe along the way.
Posted by
1323 posts
HOHO bus is a big no! You'll fall asleep in minutes. You've got to keep moving and stay generally outdoors. The best idea if you can, is to is to reserve the hotel for the night prior to arrival, letting the hotel know that you really won't be arriving until the next morning. That way when you arrive you can go up to your room, refresh and then go about your day without feeling like you are killing time and trying to wait until check in. We've found it to be the key to our early arrival times internationally, flying in from the west coast.
Another key is to really hydrate on the plane and keep it up and avoid day of arrival museums and indoor things of that nature. The Rodin museum GARDEN is lovely and gives a nice peek of the top of the Eiffel Tower and beautiful outdoor sculptures.
Ask me how I formulated these ideas over the past 40 years.
PS. You had me at "my granddaughter and I" Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy this very special time together!! Makes my heart happy!
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Great ideas! Thank you so much! We are unbelievably excited.
Posted by
Dallas, TX area
217 posts
We arrived mid morning from the airport and just dumped the bags at the hotel then walked over to the Eiffel Tower and surrounding area. We sat on park benches and people watched for a while then had a snack before returning to the hotel for checking and short rest before an early dinner. We had a good night’s sleep and didn’t experience much jet lag. I think the key was walking and being outside for us.
Posted by
183 posts
We had a mother (57) daughter (25) trip to Paris in mid-April. We landed in CDG around 12:30; went straight to the hotel, checked in and dropped off our bags. We then did pretty much exactly what ncangelose describes above. We went to a cafe for coffee and a light snack, walked around the Eiffel Tower and along the Seine, went back to the hotel—showered, had a fabulous early dinner near the hotel and went to sleep (for 12 hours). We woke up the next day completely “reset” and had a wonderful trip.
Posted by
Minnesota
628 posts
I agree with KD that reserving a room for the night before is a good idea. I almost always do that when I have a very early arrival time. For me, it’s worth every penny to be able to go straight to a clean, comfortable room where I can take a shower, unpack a bit, and even nap a little (I know that some will disagree with napping, but I almost always do that and it’s never been a problem for me. But then I like to nap at home too LOL). If you arrive early enough, you might even get a hotel breakfast, since you probably paid for it anyway.
After recovering, I usually go for a neighborhood walk to get oriented, do any “errands” (like finding an ATM), and enjoy a nice, relaxed meal.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15606 posts
Does your tour stay at Londres Eiffel? If so, then definitely head for breakfast or lunch in the area, then walk over to the Eiffel Tower area. You DO need to be pickpocket proof along the Champ de Mars as there are sometimes the "petition girls" who work that area.
For Breakfast or lunch I would head to the Rue Cler area which will be lively on a Sunday.
Avoid the restaurant called Le Champ de Mars at the big intersection of Rue Saint-Dominique and Avenue de la Bourdennais. It is know for overcharging, insisting on a tip and generally trying to rip off tourists!
Are you interested in Art Nouveau architecture? Just around the corner from Londres Eiffel is Avenue Rapp where some really cool building facades.
https://www.parisperfect.com/blog/2011/03/art-nouveau-7th-arrondissement/
Here is a Corey Frye walk of the area as well....at 9:52 in the walk, the Hotel Londres Eiffel is just one building down that side street.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAY8vsAbpFs&list=PLk_oRs9dMxtDWvE3FHnvWgBFbWkPA8KFS&index=50&t=573s
Now if you are not at Londres Eiffel, this information is all useless!! If you can tell us where you will be there will be suggestions for that neighborhood!