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First night in Paris

My husband and I will be packing light and arriving on Eurostar from London to Paris at the end of July (first time in Paris). We arrive into Gare du Nord at 9:17 p.m. Sunset is at 9:35 p.m. I thought it would be nice to go straight to Sacre-Cour and watch twilight settle on the city, but I'm not sure if my timing is off. It seems late, but then again, I live in Florida where even in the summer it is dark at 8:30.

Should we just take the metro (one Metro change before we arrive at Abessess station)? Or would a taxi be better to get us right to the basilica with less walking time?

Or, should we just forego that experience (maybe it's overrated?) and experience our first Paris evening somewhere else? We're staying at Hotel Duquesne near the Eiffel Tower, so maybe we should just go there.

Any recommendations welcome. :-)

Posted by
8700 posts

If you take the Metro to either Anvers or Abbesses, you still will need to walk uphill to the Montmartre funicular and ride it to Sacre-Coeur. You'll need a good city map to find your way from either Anvers or Abbesses to the funicular.

In this case taking a taxi will be much easier--and probably faster, even allowing for having to stand in line at a taxi rank at Gare du Nord. You won't be disappointed in the view.

Posted by
71 posts

You could actually walk it, if time and luggage weren't an issue. Take the Metro to Anvers, you won't even need a map: Get out at Anvers on Boulevard de Rouchechouart, cross the street (go toward the touristy shops) and walk straight up the hill in front of you. You can't miss it - if the crowds and tourist shops get thicker, you're in the right place. Abbesses is a much more circuitous route to Sacre Coeur.

Posted by
8700 posts

I usually have a good sense of direction (at least my wife thinks so); but when we took the very short walk from Anvers to the funicular with me in the lead, I got turned around a bit. I zigged to the left when I should have zagged to the right--or vice versa. That's why I suggested having a city map.

Posted by
1525 posts

Paris is so far west in the time zone that it stays light very late. You could easily sit outside reading a book until 10:00. I think you should go for it. Means of travel depends on how much luggage you have. I wouldn't care to be lugging wheely bags all over that area after dark. Even if it's entirely safe, you will be a magnet for scammers.

Posted by
10344 posts

"Right now I'm on the Left Bank having a beer outside on the street at 10 pm."

Steve: That's good. It's 10pm Friday night, you're in Paris, on the Left Bank.Have another beer, or better yet, have a glass of French vin.
And...uhm...it's okay if you want to shut off the iPhone. We'll be okay, here on the Helpline. Honest.

Posted by
10178 posts

I would go check-in to the hotel, drop your bags and head for the Eiffel Tower the first night. If this is your first time in Paris, and even if it's not, you will not be sorry to have your first impressions of the city be the sparkling lights on the Eiffel Tower. They sparkle at the top of the hour for 5 or 10 minutes.

You can always go to Sacre Coeur the next night - minus your luggage.

Posted by
11507 posts

I agree with Andrea,, go to hotel ,, dump luggage, and enjoy your first evening looking at the Eiffel Tower,, at 10 pm it will do some magic for 10 wonderful momments. Cutesy a bit,, but still magical.

Posted by
1113 posts

Steve, I think it's awesome that you're on your trip and you're still checking out the helpline...methinks someone is a helpline addict! Enjoy your trip and keep us posted!

Posted by
343 posts

You guys are great. You never fail to give useful advice. :-)

Steve, enjoy a beer for me, okay? I'll be there in 2 months!!

Hubby and I will be doing a night bicycle tour the next night, so thought I could get in something different for the first night; but you all are right: I do not want to drag my luggage (as light as it may be) through the scam artists that I've read about on TripAdvisor that are at the bottom of the hill to the Sacre-Coeur. In fact, reading through the harrowing tales of getting away from the string artists trying to scam you while picking your pocket pretty much has me shying away from trying to go there altogether.

So, we'll go to the hotel, drop our luggage, and stroll over to the Eiffel Tower. How many times in my life will I be able to do that? Just stroll over to the Eiffel Tower...Wow.

Posted by
8700 posts

Tara,

If seeing a classic basilica appeals to you, don't let what you've read scare you away from Sacre-Coeur altogether. Go there when you don't have luggage and you will have nothing to be concerned about. If you want some exercise and an even better view of the city, climb to the top of the dome. If you want a quick overview of Montmartre, ride the Montmartrobus for its entire circuitous route.

Posted by
54 posts

Does anyone have any thoughts on checking the luggage at the baggage check in Gare du Nord and then walking the 10 minutes to Sacre-Coeur? Then after dinner, walking back to the station, getting the bags and then taking the metro to your hotel?

We were actually thinking of doing this, as Sacre Cour is one of my favorite places in Paris and our first night is the only night to fit it in. Am I crazy? Or would this work?

Posted by
343 posts

Great suggestion...we might just try that! Yes...schedule is short and full, so this would be the only time to see the Sacre-Coeur.

Posted by
8700 posts

Sherry,

What you propose will work just fine. The left luggage facilities at Gare du Nord are open until 23:15.

If I'd been thinking, I'd have suggested that Tara do this herself.

Posted by
54 posts

Thanks Tim! I had this planned into our itinerary and was watching to see if anyone suggested it to Tara. Since it wasn't, I started to wonder if my idea was not feasible.

Tara, If your trip to Paris is as busy as mine is going to be and you really want to visit Sacre-Coeur (I want my family to see it as I have been there and it is beautiful), then try luggage check at Gare du Nord. I mapped out the walk from the train station and it looks like a pretty easy 10 minute walk. I also wouldn't worry about the bracelet wranglers at the bottom of the steps, I breezed by last time as I walked with purpose and had no issues with them.

Have fun!