Eating at the Eiffel Tower??? Tour to Versailles???

You can very easily travel to Versailles using public transportation and save your money. It's also easy to walk through the gardens , or you can take a tour once there which will also be less expensive than taking a bus tour from your hotel. See Rick Steves guidebook for very useful detailed information on Versailles and getting there. Dine at the Jules Verne Restaurant if that is important to you, but be aware it may cost as much as several nights accommodation; there are many places for a great foodie experience in Paris. As you probably know, Houston has great restaurants for very low prices in comparison.

Brenda,,, the waits at Versailles can be very long. prepurchase a ticket online or use a museum pass, and even then you only avoid the ticket line, there is still a long security line,, to avoid this, arrive BEFORE it opens, 1/2 hour at least.
Train is 3.50 euros each way( cheap) and takes about 40 minutes.. once in Versailles its an easy 10 minute walk to chateau, you won't get lost. I suggest you google this site,, it is the best one I have ever found for helping people figure out how to get places parisbytrain.com

My recommendation for eating at the Eiffel Tower if it's a nice day is to walk down Rue Cler and pick up picnic supplies and eat in the Champ de Mars. We just got back last night from our trip and that's how we spent our first evening. Picture of the picnic http://flic.kr/p/cki2r5, and picture of the view. http://flic.kr/p/cki4Ko. It doesn't get much better. Sorry, can't help with Versailles.

Hi Brenda! I just got back from my first time in Paris on Sunday. I really hate to say this but......The Eiffel tower was my least favorite attraction in Paris. Don't get me wrong, the architecture is nice, but the surrounding area is horrible. People selling crap, gambling games, cheap little kiosks, people spitting from atop the tower, crowded, filthy area, long line to get up to the tower, people smoking everywhere. Just not my place for an area to eat in. Sorry.

Brenda, I'm jealous that you're on your way to Paris! You are going to have a wonderful time. Eat at the Eiffel Tower if you'd like, but it is an extremely expensive (even for Paris!) affair. There are so many good bistros and restaurants that are priced reasonably that eating at the Eiffel Tower may not sound so good when you get there. While eating French cuisine is a must, don't forget, Paris also has excellent ethnic food from the large amount of immigrants that have settled there from over the years. I ate kababs, crepes, and pizza several times when my wallet was screaming.
Have a wonderful time!

We traveled in December, so please consider this in my comments. We took the train from Paris. Then walked from the station to the mansion/palace. The gardens were obviously not in full bloom perse but it was amazing in terms to size. We did not have tickets, purchased tickets and did the self tour. No problems and no crowds. Now I did notice in the huge parking lot ere were only a couple of buses. There was however room for " a lot o buses" and can assume during the summer, the lot is full and would be crowded. Thus per purchase of tickets and dealing with the crowds, is season dependent. Either way, I now know why the royalty lost their heads. Imagine the royal family living it up and everyone else starving..... Enjoy your trip

We were treated to dinner at Jules Verne last year and it was a very special event. While it was not the absolute best food we had on the trip (hard to choose in France-so many incredible places to eat!), it had over the top good service and of course the incredible view. I took it for the once in a lifetime experience that it will probably be and will always be grateful to the friends who took us there.

Hi Brenda,
We had dinner at the Jules Verne in 2010 and loved it. You might go for lunch instead of dinner. You'll still spend over 200 euros but it is a once in a lifetime experience!

Brenda, every hotel has a front and a back. If one side is facing the Tower, by definition the other must be facing the other way. Unless you can get your hotel to guarantee that view you can have no guarantee. I was in a hotel near the Gare de Lyon a few times and was able to see it from my room there. It was far away but it was there. Its big you know.

thanks everyone, that was all very helpful. I tried for days and dinner at the ET was booked. I wanted that experience. I even called direct but she said book only online. Then I tried again,and voila.. it was meant to be. I got in for Sat. night. Now, anyone that can help with the menu and pricing. CAn I order ala carte, or just price fixe? AND is it about $100 or $200 per person and is gratuity included?
One more thing. does anyone know of a hotel that has a view of the eiffel tower from my window FOR SURE? I am booked by the Orsay musuem for now, and wonder if I stay in 5th or 6th district, or latin quarter if I could ever see it from there. thanks again for the helpful info.

The prix fixe is a better deal and tip should always be included. We had lunch there a couple Tuesdays ago, and even though the skies were cloudy, it was still a fantastic experience. You can't predict the weather when you make your res that far in advance. If you want a view of the tower from your hotel room, it's best to ask. The 7th arr is the best bet.

Always order the prix fixe menu unless you have some very good reason not to. The French prix fixe is not like American "specials" you often encounter. It's a fully planned meal from start to finish using what the chef feels is best and most fresh. It's also what the chef is interested in cooking that night. Ordering ala carte will not only be more expensive, but the food won't be as good. Keep in mind that French portion sizes are quite small compared to American "super-sized" plates. I've never left a French restaurant "stuffed."

Eiffel tower view at sunset is great and I liked the evening view too, go for it! Versaille is a great trip. Take the train, it's easy but plan to stay most of the day. Don't miss Marie's farm get away villa which is a bit of walk but worth it.

Brenda,,, remember its not 200 dollars its 200 EUROS ,,,

looks like 210 euros on the Jules Verne website if that is where you will be eating. http://www.lejulesverne-paris.com/ 210 euros around $257 according to today's google info. I wish I could help you with your Eiffel Tower view from the hotel question...I stayed across the river from the Louvre and couldn't see it from my hotel...but I just had to walk across the street and along the Seine to see it, took about a minute. I love seeing the lights flashing like crazy from all over Paris. check out Michel Chaudun's chocolate shop...great stuff. Little chocolate versions of the cobblestones all over Paris- les pavés...also I liked the Eric Kayser Boulangerie, great bread and nice place for lunch...maybe 10 or 12 locations in Paris.