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Paris Illuminations Tour-did you enjoy it?

I often see this tour mentioned on this site, but I wasn't that crazy about it. It was, thankfully after a long day, a place to sit down. But one daughter fell asleep. I felt crowded and claustrophobic. More than looking at the lighted monuments, I enjoyed the view into Parisiens apartments! Since we had paid for tickets and had reservatons, we had to leave Montmartre on a beautiful evening to go on the tour, so that may have been part of my disappointment. I would hesitate to recommend it, but many seem to like it. Your thoughts?

Posted by
695 posts

Hi Karen, we enjoyed it, it allows you to cover a lot of ground (my 10 year old did not have to walk). It was not the highlight of the trip, but it was ok. It was nice to see the differents site all illuminated!

Posted by
2349 posts

Sitting next to us were some Eastern Europeans, maybe Russians. Sometimes Ugly Tourists are not Americans! The woman started taking flash pictures right away. Now, that flash picture from inside a bus is NOT going to light up the Eiffel Tower! At one point she even leaned completely over me and my daughter to take a pic out of our window! I was ready for her the next time she did that-when she flashed, I put my hands up to my eyes and screamed as if I'd been blinded. She mumbled an apology and stayed away after that. I offer up this as a tip to avoid idiots like this that you may encounter.

Posted by
56 posts

I enjoyed it, as did my teenage daughter. However, I think it's a tour best enjoyed early in a visit to Paris as an overview.

Posted by
11507 posts

I have never taken it, and I never would, I do think a boat tour at night to see the illuminations is nice though, and its only an hour or so,, and I am sure its cheaper then the bus.
During the day if one really wants to drive around and see neighborhoods one could take the hop on and off buses. Yes, I know metro is faster, but you see nothing underground, and the view from the open top deck of those buses is very pleasant.

Posted by
2787 posts

I agree with Pat on that night boat trip. Ours probably only lasted an hour but was one of the high points of a Paris visit. Going back in May and probably will take it again.

Posted by
875 posts

I think if it's your 1st trip to Paris, and it's your 1st or 2nd night there, you will enjoy it. It's much better if you can be in the open air on the double decker bus, but it rained the day before our tour, so the double decker was not used.
The first time I went many years ago was my first night in Paris, and I was mesmerized. This year -- ho hum.