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A Wonderful Week in Paris

I just returned from a week in Paris and wanted to report on a few things. First, as always, I frequently checked the Travelers Helpline for up-to-date information about Paris. The advice really helped. I traveled with friends and we rented an apartment just a block or two away from the Seine near the Invalides. Perfect location and the apartment was beautiful. We found it on Home Away and I highly recommend it for three people--two bedroom, two baths. We purchased tickets for the Eiffel Tower in advance and did not wait in line to get to the top. We purchased a Museum Pass at the first museum we visited and never waited in lines again! Great. We went on a Bakery Tour which we found through "Meet the French" and had a fantastic experience. We highly recommend it. So fun and informative. We were met at a bolangerie and learned how baguettes and pasteries are made. We also tasted various breads and left with samples! We attended a wine tasting at O'Chateau Wine Bar. For 50 euros we tasted one champagne and five wines and spent a fun two and a half hours learning all about french wines. Loved it. Finally, we booked a tour through Paris Greeters and met Alain who spent over two hours with us in the Marias district. We learned about the area's history and politics, saw Phillip-Auguste's wall and ate great falafel. Alain was fantastic. So knowledgeable and funny. The trip was wonderful. Thanks to Rick Steves for helping to make it so.

Posted by
10177 posts

Nice trip report. I also toured the Marais with Alain and thought he was very informative. It was a great way to spend a few hours.

Posted by
11507 posts

Glad you have a wonderful time, and thanks for posting your trip report!

Posted by
109 posts

Gail, we have reservations for the Eiffel Tower for our upcoming trip. Where exactly is the lift entrance? Is it marked/signed well?

Posted by
11507 posts

Cathy yes, its well signed. It will say pass/ticket holders. When we went this summer they only had the one elevator working so perhaps now with both working it may be different, but we had no problem finding entrance even with seething masses of humanity swimming about us! lol
Have your ticket( sheet of paper) out and ready to show .