Planning 6 days with family of 5 and no car in Paris. Many questions!

There are several options for transport from CDG to your apartment. One option is taxi, although you would probably need two of them, doubling your cost. You could piece together the RER and Metro trains, but depending on the amount of luggage and the mobility of your group, might involve too much walking. Not sure if the Air France bus runs at that time of night, but they run relatively infrequently, and in most cases, you need to add a taxi ride after being dropped off in the city. Consider a private shuttle, which would have space for all five people + luggage, and would transport you door to door.

OK you really really need to invest in some Paris Museum passes (I'd opt for the three days in a row one). In August it'll be crowded and the pass allows you to skip to the head of the line (usually a separate entrance actually). Will save you hours of time and you can go to the Louvre for 2 hours, leave for a wonderful lunch and walk right back in (use the back entrance by the way). Don't miss Sainte Chapelle. There will be a line to get through security (it's the judicial area) but then dodge to the head of the line with your pass in hand and head upstairs. Chartres catherdral is a one hour train ride (Gare Montparnasse o/a 10 a day o/a 12Euros). You get to see a fantanstic catherdral and the countryside. Make sure your ATM card's pin is only 4 digits and inform your bank ahead of time re your travel. Use it to obtain Euros when you land. I usually have 100 in advance. Arrange for a van ahead of time. Credit cards usually work with car/van rentals but figure in a tip in cash. PM if you have any specific questions. Happy travels! Marie

A side benefit to visiting Chartres is that you can wander down to the old town below the cathedral and enjoy a quiet lunch on the water. The countryside is just beyond. It's a beautiful location.

Marie,

As someone else mentioned, Paris will probably be VERY busy in August so you'll need to plan well.

To begin with, options to get to your apartment:

You could use the RER and Metro, although I'm sure you'll be very tired and jet lagged so this would be the last option (especially as you'll be hauling luggage with you at that point).

Taxi will be expensive and a "last resort".

Airport Shuttles - there are at least two. Check www.airportshuttleparis.com or www.airport-connection.com and decide which one to use. One of them requires a call from the baggage area, and they'll meet you outside the terminal. Therefore packing a Cell phone might be a good idea. The Shuttle is the method I'd use under the circumstances.

Sightseeing ideas - where to begin!

• Versailles is somewhat of a day trip in the "country side".

• With only 6 days, I'd suggest focusing on one wing of the Louvre (perhaps the Denon wing, where the Mona Lisa is located). I'd also suggest the Musee d'Orsay, which has an incredible collection of impressionist art.

• If you have a somewhat "flexible" budget, you might consider a Segway tour of some of the main sites in Paris. It's a very unusual way to tour!

• I'd also highly recommend a Paris Museum Pass, especially as you'll be there in August (minimizes queues). Check their web site for details and costs.

• One caveat about the Eiffel Tower. Queues will probably be LONG and no way to minimize them with a Pass. Try to time your visit (supper time?) so that they're not too long. You'll have to decide whether you want to go just to the lower level, or all the way to the top (which costs extra).

• Be SURE to wear Money Belts, especially around the Eiffel Tower and in the Metro (or anywhere there are crowds). You'll see the reason when you get there.

I'm hoping to be there in May, so may have a few additional comments for you later.

Happy travels!

Couple of suggestions:

If you arriving on a Saturday or Sunday, the taxi is not that bad, especially at night. We arrived (2 people) on a Sat morning and the cost was 40 euro with tip and bag charges to the Marais.

With only six days, I would stay in Paris--there is so much to see. Here are my top ones:
Musee D'Orsay--do not miss and go EARLY!

After the D'Orsay, go across the river and visit the Orangerie--not to be missed either!

Notre Dame and San Chapelle--must sees. Pick a sunny day so the stained glass shines. While there, don't miss the flower market or the bird market on Sunday.

Go online and pick out some food markets--near the Marias is the big one at Bastille, and it is always worth a trip. Buy a picnic and eat at Place Vosges. Also, stock up your apartment with food from there. Bring cash!

Tip: There is a Monoprix on the main drag of the Marais with a great grocery store in the basement.

I agree--the Denon wing of the Louvre is your best bet. Everything is there and Rick includes a great tour in his book.

Walk the Rue de Rivioli from the Louvre to the Marais--lots of shopping and great cafes

The view from the Pompideau center is fantastic--eat lunch at one of the cafes near the FANTASTIC Stravinsky fountain.

Other tips: learn how to eat cheaper. One thing we learned last year was to eat a nice lunch and have dinner in the apartment. Lunch prices were lower and we were out already.

I heartily suggest the Hop On Hop Off bus tour when you arrive--it really gives a great overview of the city, how far things are apart, etc.

HAVE FUN!

I second the suggestion of a day trip to Chartres. We also went to Amboise as a day trip from Paris -- if you want to see a bit of the Loire Valley. Or Rouen and Reims both make easy day trips.

I just want to say thank you so much for all of your help everyone...and all Americans!!! We have visited the States a few times and have enjoyed your company every time! Very open, friendly people. Many thanks.

If anyone is planning a trip to New Zealand, I'm more than happy to help put a great trip together.

Kind Regards,
Marie & family

Be sure to go on a Bateaux Mouche boat ride after dark. It's beautiful, fun, and cheap. Leaves from Pont d'Alba. Don't confuse it with the BatoBus which is convenient but more expesive and is really more like a water taxi from site to site.

Hi Marie,
We just returned from Paris and found the 2-day Paris Museum Pass (32 Euro each) to be a great deal! No need to purchase ahead of time--just purchase them at the first venue you visit--we bought ours at the Orsay Museum.) The pass was useful for to organizing our days by deciding what were the most important sites we wanted to visit (we were with our 18-year-old nephew and let him decide what he most wanted to see), mapping out a plan to make the most of our 2-day pass (clustering sites in same parts of the city) and then "hit the ground running." For example, Day 1: Orsay Museum, Invalides (Napoleon's Tomb), Rodin Museum, Eiffel Tower, and climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Day 2: Louvre, climbed tower of Notre Dame Cathedral, and Sainte-Chapelle.

We took the RER from Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Restaurants we liked in the Marais were: Restaurante Sant Antonio (pizzas and salads), L'As du Falafel, Hilaire patisserie, and Le Marche bistro.

Hi Marie,

The RER goes is very easy. It will go to Chatelet and from there you can transfer to the line that goest to the Marais and a metro stop close to where you'll be staying. The cost was 8,10 a year ago. The key is to have the correct change. You buy your tickets from the machines at the RER entrance, and they are EXTREMELY tempermental and only occasionally take credit/debit cards and do not make change.

The Arc de Triomphe has excellent views of Paris, and it much less crowded than atop the Eiffel Tower because many don't want to make the 264 step climb to the top. To enjoy the view peacefully, I would do the climb even if you go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

My best suggestion would be to walk, walk, walk and enjoy Paris by foot. The hop-on/hop-off bus will give you an idea of the areas you want to explore further, but walking is the best way to see Paris. Best walks, Rue du Rivoli (teens will love all the shopping) to Place de la Concorde, from there you can walk up toward Le Madeline then to the Opera---more shopping at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps (oh be sure to check out Lafayette Gourmand). Walk along St. Germain des Pres on the left bank and see the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Other sights I wouldn't miss are Musee D'orsay, Bateaux Mouche at night, Berthillon ice cream on Isle St. Louis, macarons at La Duree, and any pastry from Pierre Hermes.

Have a wonderful time.

Marie,
I have not been to Paris for a few years, got busy going other places. On one trip to Paris we flew Air France. They provided a free shuttle into Paris. It stops at various places in Paris. Find the stop nearest your hotel and then taxi from there to your hotel. If not flying AF, they may charge a small fee. Might be worth checking out. When we travel with family and friends to Paris, 5 or more, we take one of the shuttles into town, as it's cheaper than two taxis. We reserved one ahead on one trip and he was out front with our name on a sign. On another trip we just found vans outside the terminal and negotiated there.

To purchase a museum pass, start at one of the smaller less crowded museums first, so there's no waiting in line, and then head to the Louvre or Oursay, where you won't have to wait in line.

Other places worth visiting, and easy train stops away are: Fountainbleu, Malmaison (home of Josephine Bonaparte, Monet's home.

Other things to do in Paris: Parc de la Villette, Pere Lachaise cemetery is always interesting, the underground: sewer tour (haven't done) and/or catacombs (have done, was fun).

For transportation while you are in Paris, you might want to consider the Bateaux (spelling?) Bus. It is a "boat bus" that has multiple stops on both sides of the river. A five day pass is only a few euros more than a one day pass and it is a fun and economical way to get around. Most likely most of the places you will go will be a short walk from a "boat/bus stop." Also, seeing Paris from the river is a totally different perspective. In August they make a "beach" on the right bank that is a lot of fun. Of course no one actually swims in the river... :) There is also dancing along the river in the evenings. If you don't plan to go to museums besides the Louvre I wouldn't spend the money on a long term museum pass. We just returned from Paris and bought the two day pass. We managed to get to 6 museums in the two days. It's a matter of planning your time wisely and not spending time going somewhere you don't really care about, just to say you did it. When you go to the Louvre, be sure to enter from the entrance downstairs by the metro stop. You will definitely avoid very long lines. Most people think you have to enter at the pyramid. Even with the museum pass you still have to go through security at most museums. As for cost savings, it is great that you have an apartment. We saved a lot of money by having breakfast at our apartment. Many days we also made sandwiches to take with us for lunch. If you plan to picnic at all I would suggest bringing a variety of sizes of ziplock bags with you. Have a wonderful time!

We took the Air France shuttle from Gare de Lyon to CDG last week and it was 16.50 Euro each. We took the RER into the city when we arrived and it was 8.40 Euro.

I would recommend Parishuttle to get from the airport with so many people. Cabs usually only take 4 people and you are charged for luggage. I'm going in July with my family totaling 6 and we will use it. Check out the website at www.Parishuttle.com.

The Marais is great and wonderful for walking and for shopping. I also agree with the suggestion to take the Hop On - Hop Off bus as it will give you a broad overview of areas you might like to explore in depth. In addition the tickets are good for I believe 24 hours so you can take your first ride in the afternoon and then reuse the ticket the next morning. The BatoBus is a fun way to travel down the river and you get a different view of Notre Dame from the water. It is also relaxing and you can get off and back on as many times as you like.

Chartres is a good trip out for the day and is easy. You can get tickets at the Gard Montparnasse and they have lots of people around who speak English to guide you. They all wear red jackets. If you go to Chartres I'd recommend going on Friday mornings since the famous labyrinth is uncovered and you can walk it.

Don't try to cram too much in, just walk, stop at cafes for coffee, buy bread and cheese and wine to take back to the apartment. Paris has been around for a couple of thousand years and will still be there for your next trip. My girls and i went two years ago, made a long list of things we wanted to see, covered half of them and said it was a perfect excuse to return. And we are and with more things added to the list LOL

You're all wonderful! Thanks so much for the help. I don't feel so at a loss now. Anyone want any helps with a New Zealand trip, let me know!!!

Regards
Marie

Where do you stay in Paris with three kids?

It seems no one in Europe has more than 2 kids, since there are no rooms for 5

Marie,, please hold off on buying Museum passes, seems alot of people tout them here,, but they are not always nessesary,, and in fact, with your list, rather needless buy.

Most of my trips to Paris ARE in August, and lines are not much worse then other times( I sometimes wonder if all the posters go tell people about how bad it is in August, have in fact been there in August!), in fact, they sound better then the ones in June or Sept.
Second, you have only named two places you are committed to visiting that you would even accept the MP, the Louvre and Versailles, and at the Louvre it is completely unnessary. I have never used one there, I have gone for numerous visits, all in July or August. There is a lesser known entrance, with ticket machines to purchase ticket from, and the teens under 18 are free also.

A pre purchased ticket DOES make good sense for Versailles, ( kids are free there also) and can be purchased from their website in advance.

Your apartment stay sounds like a great idea for money saving, just having snacks on hand to keep teens fed will save you money.

My teen boys loved seeing the Catacombs,, check out website.
My kids also enjoyed the HOHO buses, especially when we went aroud the Arc D'Triomphe traffic circle. BTW, the Arc has great views , and we never have enountered overly long lines to go up it,, a good alternative to going up the ET,, which always seems to have long lines, ( and the MP does not work for ET anyways) . You can also save money if you decide to go up ET, by using stairs, they aren't that hard. Going to top is not ness for good view, view from 2nd level is great.

I will offer one warning though, the Musee D'Orsay, which is a great place to visit ,, often has long lines, we lucked out last summer with only a 15 minute wait,, but I beleive that is an exception, so , that site is one that the MP would be very handly to have ,, also the Orangerie,, . It depends if you actually want to go to these places.

One good budget saver about Paris is that kids under 18 are free in many places, you can check sites websites to see which are free, but I know Louvre, Versailles, Orsay and Arc De Triomphe are free. Audio guides are extra, and I think they are a good idea,, at least rent one in each place offered and share it. Bring kids ids if they look close to 18. I was never asked to show it for my 12 yr old, but I saw them give my 14 yr old the hairy eyeball a few times, although they never asked, I had it with me anyways.

PAS Are you and your family into horses at all. Chantilly is 1/2 hour outside Paris, is never crowded, has a great Horse Museum and the Royal Stables as well as itself being a lovely visit. You can google it.

Kathie, of Walnut Creek, mentions the 284 steps to climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. There is actually an elevator which will take you most of the way up, leaving you to walk about 46 steps. It is almost hidden but it is there.

Marie, If your older teens are like my boys, they may want to go off on their own one day or one afternoon. That might work out well, you could go to a museum that they don't want to see. You will probably have already prepared them with money belts & warnings about pickpockets & the "ring scam". My older son went to Paris on a school trip & the French teachers gave them most of a day free. (Had to stay with at least 1 other student. He talked about that a lot when he got home. Having lunch on their own was fun and they really used their French!
They liked the catacombs. Have a Great trip!

Mimi,

I know about the pick pockets but what is the "ring scam".

Also, what about the Paris bicycle day and/or night tours. 90% of the reviews are all positive.

My granddaughter (13) and I (55) will be going. How about the traffic. Is it safe.

Thanks for your advice,

Karen

Karen, I have done two of the Fat Tire Bike tours, the night one and the one to Versailles, they were great fun, I am sure your kids would love them. They are safe too,, I was chicken, but they were well run and fun. You can go to the Fat Tire site yourself,, its completely in english, just google. For the day and night tour you do not need any reservations, you just show up where they tell you( for the night one I think it was the south foot of the Eiffel Tower) , so if weather is not good you can forgo going without losing a deposit or anything. You do have to reserved for the Versailles trip though.