Dear trip advisors,
We came back from Paris this Monday and had a fantastic time. Below is our experience. Hopefully it will be helpful.
Arrived in Paris May 26 morming around 7:30. Took RER train from the airport to Notre Dame. RER B train very efficient and economical. Around 8 euros per person one way. Buy the ticket at the airport RER station. There is a ticket office with very helpful personel.
Day 1. Got to Notre Dame in about 40 minutes from the airport and started the long march. As stressed by other trip advisors, bring comfortable shoes. You are going to walk, a lot, in Paris. After touring Notre Dame, went to nearby St. Michel and had lunch in cafe de St. Michel. Nice cafe. Checked into hotel after that. We stayed in New Hotel near Gare du Nord. Clean, but a bit on the small side. Extremely close to metro station line 4. Staff all speak English and hotel is open 24 hours. After checking in, walked to Sacre Coeur. Very beautiful church and good view of Paris from its foot. We then tour the Montmartre neighbour hood. Saw Van Gough%26#39;s house on a quiet street and slowly walked to Moulin Rouge. Numerous adult stores along the way. Went back to the hotel by metro. End of the day 1.
Day 2 started with Arc de Triomphe. Portion of it was under repair. But very excited by its grand design. We then walked down Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concord then to Louvre. We were startled by the Louvre Palace. It%26#39;s much more impressive than what you see from the pictures. We did not go into the museum but took a detour to Invalides. Very impressed by Napoleon%26#39;s tomb. We recommend it to every one. After Invalides, we went to Musee de Rodin. A petite museum with a lot of Rodin%26#39;s sculptures. I personally don%26#39;t like Rodin%26#39;s style but was happy about the museum. Went to the Marias neighbour hood after that. Marias is our favorate neighbour hood in Paris. Museum Carnavalet is free and has a cute garden. We stopped by Pompitu Center but did not go in. Had dinner in a cafe near Pompitu Center. Both had duck. Very good. Toured Eiffel tower at night.
Day 3, we took a day trip to Versailles (only 30 minutes by train from Paris). Compared to the Louvre, Versailles is much cuter and delicate. The garden is the most impressive. It only needs half a day but if you are into room decorations or portraits, spare a day. Came back from Versailles and strolled along the Seine. Saw the many bridges of Seine, definitely my favorate part of Paris. The bridges all have their own individuality. Pont Neuf is the best.
Day 4, museum day. We toured Louvre, and D%26#39;Orsay. Went to Jardin de Luxenberg. Did painting shopping at night.
Both hubby and I fell in love with Paris. We are absolutely going back. It%26#39;s a place where life is a pleasure.
Things we learned:
1. Buy museum pass. Even though you don%26#39;t plan to visit them all, it%26#39;s still worth the money cos it saves a lot of time. Long lines do happen from time to time.
2. Don%26#39;t over plan or try to see it all. Remember you will go back and just relax.
3. Some public restrooms charge a fee. Strange but true. And believe it or not, you can wash nothing but your hands in the sink.
4. When it comes to restaurant, don%26#39;t sweat. We did not have one single bad meal. Your own instinct is your best bet.
Let me know if anyone has any questions.
Enjoy Paris!
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myparis,
Thanks for taking the time to give your report. It reminded me of a couple places that I haven%26#39;t been to but wanted to see..like Musee Carnavalet and..believe it or not..Invalides. Just one more reason that...I shall return!!
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I am dying to know, ,
What else would one wash in the sink in a public washroom other then ones hands?????
Do people wash other things?
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I generally carry a small briefcase full of dirty socks around with me in case such an opportunity presents itself. That is not common practice in the Land Up North?
:%26gt;)
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This reminds me of a travel tip garnered a long time ago. Since there is a museum on nearly every street corner, having the museum pass means that you have very fast entry to free and clean bathrooms, with TP.
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FYI, I wanted to freshen up my face after my trip to Versailles. Versailles was kinda dusty because the ground is covered with pebbles and white sand. Anyway, I just splashed my face once with a little water before the lady who works in the bathroom yelled at me. The fact that they can have her sit in a bathroom all day is beyond me in the first place.
Besides, you don%26#39;t want to walk around and try to find a museum whenever you need to go.
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Someone said those ladies in the restrooms are called Dragon Ladies and I agree they are quite intimidating. The ones in the restroom by Sacre Couer are really something else. My husband cannot stand the thought of using coed restrooms or using a urinal with a woman sitting at desk behind him, just about did him in. I found myself taking the metro to Gallaries Lafayette just to use the restrooms. Also, those ones on the street that you put coins in are ok too. After you%26#39;ve been to paris a few times these things are not so strange.
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Actually, they%26#39;re called %26quot;Madame Pipi%26quot;.
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