8 nights in Paris to experience Bastille Day?

You can most certainly spend 8 days in Paris without it being too much. I have been to Paris 3 times. First trip - 5 nights, second trip - 10 nights and third trip - 6 nights. At no time did I run out of things to see and/or do. I can't wait to go back! Versailles is an easy day trip. If you don't want to spend money to go into the chateau you can still see the gardens and the rest of the grounds for free. The exception may be on the weekends if the fountains are running. Giverny is another easy day trip, if you like gardens and/or Monet. Or you could take the train a little further to Rouen. You would get a taste of Normandy. If you get the Paris guidebook you will find many suggestions for things to do to pass the time. Have you found lodging in Paris yet? For 8 nights I would definitely suggest an apartment. Not having to eat out all the time will lower your costs.

Should we stay in the 11th, 12th or 5th?
Thanks!

I like the 5th. It is very walkable to many places you will want to go. The closer to the river you are, the more central it is. The 11th & 12th may be less expensive because those areas aren't central.

Stacey I have been to Paris many times over last 40 years or so,, and my shortest visit was 9 days. I took a friend who had never been. We both agreed it was far too short of a visit. Eight days will not be too much! As for activities to fill days, obviously there are tons of sites, but it would help if you gave us a bit more information, for instance who is "we",, are you active or sedentary, do you like museums , churches, history, are you interested in a bike tour, a walking tour, a chocolate tour , a cooking class, the list goes on. Will you have kids with you, do you like history and or nature, do you wish to see alot or sit back and enjoy a bit of street scene. I would choose the 4th, 5th, or 6th myself but many other areas are very nice too.

I just spent two weeks in Paris and didn't see everything that I wanted to see. And I have been to Paris many times and I still have so much to see. There are so many museums and parks and gardens as well as day trips easily done from Paris. There are endless walks to to take, places to explore. No worries to fill
your 8 days, really. A good guide book and lots of research will help to determine what you will do! Enjoy! Happy Travels!!

The Bastille Day activities begin the night before. In every district there is a traditional street dance in front of the firehouses, Bal des Pompiers. These dances begin about sunset (10 pm) and go until early in the morning. People sleep in the next morning. So look for street dances on the 13th. Then the official parades are in the morning of the 14th, and some fireworks in the evening.

Go for the 8 days. If you want to do things outside of Paris, Chartres is close by, Rouen as mentioned already, Amiens and Reims in the other direction.

I don't think I could get bored with a month in Paris, or a lifetime. 8 days, especially with day trips, will go by much more quickly than you'd expect!

My biggest concern are the costs. If we go to Germany or Austria or Poland it will be more affordable. 4 extra nights in Paris is a lot more money. Is staying for Bastille Day worth the higher prices? If we do stay in Paris what is the cheapest place in Germany to take the train to? I'm trying to figure out if it is more cost effective to pick up a car in Paris and return it in Germany and pay the drop fee or take a train into Germany to pick up a car. For the rest of our trip.

Training into Germany would be more cost effective than driving, probably, if you can buy your tickets in advance and commit to a specific train/time (which is necessary to get the reduced cost tickets) It's hard to say what the cheapest place to train to in Germany would be - where are you going in Germany? Many cities in Germany are connected to the french high speed trains (TGV). If you're going to Bavaria, Karlsruhe would be a good option. I have no idea what Bastille day celebrations are like in Paris, so it's hard for me to say if it's "worth it". Paris can be really expensive, but there are ways to cut down on costs, like renting an apartment.

"Is staying for Bastille Day worth the higher prices?" Hard to say. Would you spend 4 extra days in Dublin to be there on St Patricks Day? Would you stay 4 extra days in DC to be there on July 4th? Would you stay 4 extra days in NYC to be there on New Years Eve? It's a French patriotic holiday but it's no Oktoberfest, mostly just parades and patriotic speeches, although I've heard there's some partying on the night before in bars and such.