Hello All!
We are currently in Paris for 2 more days, then taking the TGV to Munich to catch the ÖBB Nightjet to Italy. So this is an “in progress” report.
Weather — consistently cool, with a bit of warming sun in the afternoon. Quite nice actually, vs hot weather.
Crowds — Places seem fairly busy -at the Eiffel it was jam packed and summit tickets were sold out for the day. Took an hour+ to get from the initial security check to the summit, with no looking at the shops, etc. The line on level 2 to get to the summit was so packed, and slow — lots of attempted line cutting, and people being turned away because they didn’t have summit pics.
Musee d’Orsay was also packed, although when we arrived at 1:45 for our 2pm ticket we were able to go right in with only maybe 10 people in front of us. Inside was busy, especially on the 5th floor. We left at 3:30 the advance purchase line was pretty massive. Basically the entire cordoned line area was completely full, whereas it was entirely empty when we went in.
Sainte Chapelle was also very busy — long line for our 4:30 entry time. We were amused at the short temper of the guy running the line. He wasn’t dealing with ANY chaos. If you didn’t have your ticket already up and showing on your phone, he made you go back to the end of the line. One person tried to just stand to the side while she was pulling it up, and he was adamant, no nonsense “NOT here — go back to the end of line”. I had a printed copy, which he seemed thrilled with, and even scolded someone else for not having a printed one like me. Too funny. The guy at security was less acerbic but also loosing patience with the older lady who was super, super slow to get her stuff in the bin, and the lady that didn’t want to take her blazer off. And then the older lady had NO idea what to do in the scanning “box” (they have the kind like the airport where you put your feet on the painted markers and hold your arms over your head). So heads up to be prepared to quickly have your stuff ready to be screened. The church is under renovation, so lots of exterior fencing and covered scaffolds. Inside it made no difference. You have to show your ticket a second time while entering. Inside was very, very crowded. You view the first room, then head towards the door you entered from, but move to the left to climb the spiral stairs. Do NOT attempt to go up the spiral stair to the right (you will get yelled at — glad it wasn’t me, lol). The main church space is one of the most beautiful man made spaces I have ever seen, even jam packed with people. (We wore our masks except for a few selfies, most were not). You exit via the right side spiral stairs.
Loire — we did a tour with City Wonders to Chambord, Blois and Chenonceau. Other than Blois, the stops were quite crowded. Probably not as bad as the summer season, but more than I hoped for off season. Chambord is also covered with scaffolding so not as picturesque as usual, but good that they are doing needed repairs. Blois was quite enjoyable, but the stores are all close during the lunch hour, so don’t plan on any shopping. Chenonceau is beautiful and we loved the gardens. Unfortunately we didn’t separate from the tour when it started with a wine tasting. It took up too much of our very limited time. So if you do a day tour there, keep that in mind. Wine tasting will take up at least 30 minutes of your roughly 1 and half hours. So our tour of the castle ended up being rushed, and we missed most of the interior. If we are ever able to go back, we will stay 2 nights minimum to visit on our own schedule.