Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

We are going to be in Paris for 6 days this spring - can you tell me if this is 'doable' or too much?

We are flying into Berlin first to visit a friend, so we will be adjusted for time by the time we arrive. I want to see a lot but also have time to enjoy cafes, stop in a store we might walk by, etc. Don't want it crazy the whole time.

Please help with how long it takes to do these things or any other suggestions - restaurants, hotels, etc.

We will probably start around 9 am and would want time for a leisurely lunch, and back at hotel around 5/6. Then back out for dinner 8ish. We really aren't "museum" people but would want to see Louve and maybe D'orsey.

Mon - arrive around noon from Berlin. Eiffel Tower (planning to stay nearby). Maybe Arc De Triumph at night and dinner near Arc or near hotel

Tues - Louve + free time or Arc if not on Mon

Wed - Versailles

Thurs - Notre Dame + Saint Chappelle + Conciergerie

Fri - The Catacombs + Rodin Museum + Musee D'Orsey

Sat - Pantheon +Cimeterie du Pere Lachoise (not close to other places)+ free time?

Sun - early flight home

Any thoughts or suggestions on any parts of the trip would be appreciated.

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

It's been many many years since I have been to Paris, but just by glancing at your itinerary I can tell you that your Friday looks completely impossible... Two museums PLUS the catacombs in one day? Common, girl!!

Also, as you mentioned, one of the best things about 'seeing' a city is the wondering around part and you left yourself NO room for that!

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

I think three things in one day is a bit too much...you don't want to have to cut anything short, and there is probably quite a distance in between several of the activities. I would have a rough outline, and just see how you get on.

I am always a big fan of the hop on hop off bus tours, they are great to get your bearing in a new city, and also to get from tourist site to site.

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

I feel your itinerary is jammed packed. Way too much to enjoy it!


Mon - arrive around noon from Berlin. Eiffel Tower (planning to stay nearby). Maybe Arc De Triumph at night and dinner near Arc or near hotel

Tues - Louve + free time or Arc if not on Mon

The Louvre Museum takes HOURS. Think Metropolitan on Steroids.

Wed - Versailles

HUGE amount of walking. Yet, I love Versailles.

Thurs - Notre Dame + Saint Chappelle + Conciergerie

Again huge amount of walking.

I suggest you take a boat toor from the Iena bridge (by the Eiffel tower). It's down the stairs on the South side (I hope they still run it). They have tour boats that speaks several languages. It goes down the river and back up. Great views of the Conciergerie and ND.


Fri - The Catacombs + Rodin Museum + Musee D'Orsey

INSANE. The Catacombs are huge. I felt it was too long personally. It's bones after bones all stacked up. Interesting but way too long. It's too repetitive after a while. Musee D'Orsey AND Rodin Museum is already a lot.


Sat - Pantheon +Cimeterie du Pere Lachoise (not close to other places)+ free time?

Not my first choices. Cimetiere due Pere Lachaise is ENORMOUS!!!

Sun - early flight home



I see nothing about the Sacre Coeur/Montmartre (best view of Paris). I would skip some of your itenary plans and go there.

Depends what you want to do, your interests. But for someone who does not like Museums you are scheduling 3 in 6 days.

What about the Champs Elysees? Do that while you see the Arc de Triomphe?

I think you are understimated your time on how long it will take to walk streets, take subway, etc... The Champs Elysees are HUGE. It's not a 5 minute walk.

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

Thanks for the feedback - it did seem like a lot - it's so hard to know how long to schedule things, both how long we will spend at each and how far apart they all are. I think I will try to take out a few items, also, we can always see how we are making on timing and make adjustments as we go.

Thanks

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

i haven't been in years either but I second the fact that the Louvre is GYNORMOUS. If you aren't museum people you can go there, see the 'big ticket' items and go. its wayyyyyy too big.

def one day for Versailles; there's so many tours to pick from.

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

you have such a jam packed itinerary..

maybe you want to consider a free day where you can just roam around and enjoy..long lunch...wine and cheese...shopping...

all those museums makes me a little anxious..

just something to consider.

ps- i did the lourve in a morning - it is possible. just get there early and you can be out by lunch time.

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

Posted by WhatNow

It's been many many years since I have been to Paris, but just by glancing at your itinerary I can tell you that your Friday looks completely impossible... Two museums PLUS the catacombs in one day? Common, girl!!

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

I lived in Paris several years ago when I studied abroad in college. Its not easy to squeeze in 3 museums unless you get there super early, and whiz through every exhibit in only 1 min or less.

Musee D'Orsay is cute but its not exactly centrally located to other touristy spots. I was in Paris almost 6 months and missed out on the Catacombs. I did the standard Eiffel Tower, Champs D'Elyssees, Montmartre/Sacre Coeur and the Louvre several times over. Also the Latin Quarter has some awesome restaurants.

My fave museum in Paris apart from the Louvre (BTW the Mona Lisa is a Must see!) was the Salvador Dali museum near Montmartre. Just getting up to the hill provides with perfect cinematic views of the entire city.

Also be sure to eat the crepes from the street carts - they are absolutely delicious!

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

Posted by BatGirl9910

Also be sure to eat the crepes from the street carts - they are absolutely delicious!

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

i'd say keep your itinerary but be willing to be distracted from it.

another thing about paris is i think you should make some time for stuff that's not so much about seeing museums and monuments. go shopping at a market to make a wine picnic and hop on the metro to one of the wonderful squares or parks. take the boat ride down the seine. do some shopping. sink into the pleasures of paris.

* travel tip: do the arc at dark and climb to the top--gorgeous view!

Re: Paris -help me with itinerary (sorry long)

I think I would switch your mon and tues.

Like mentioned it depends how into museums you are. While I love art, I can only take so much, so we were able to get through the Louvre in a few hours seeing what we wanted to see.

[side note] the Picasso museums in Paris and Barcelona are both in my top favorite museums - you have to go to Louvre to see Mona, Venus, Hammurabi, etc but if I could choose only one museum to go back to in Paris - it would be Picasso.

That gives you a full day to walk the Champs to see the Eiffel Tower/Arc and meander around enjoying/taking in the atmosphere.


I highly recommend buying one really awesome piece of clothing. When people compliment you on it, you can say, "I got this in Paris"


I like to pack my schedule, but be flexible when you need to be. Otherwise, if you don't schedule, it can be "well what should we do next?"