Paris trip review

[marytini]

We arrived via the Eurostar from London. Took RER to our apartment.

We stayed in this apartment, located in the 1st, very close to the islands and the Marais. www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p375329 We loved the apt. Great location, everything we needed. Even had a washer/dryer combo so could do some much needed laundry.

1st thing we did was walk to the Conciergerie and buy the Paris Museum Pass, then used it at the Conciergierie. I loved this building. So neat. It was the prison where Marie Antionette was kept. The fake maniquin in her cell was kind of cheesy, but otherwise it was a ncie visit.
Walked to Notre Dame. Went inside the church first, then waited almost an hour in line to do up the dome. It was worth it though. Walked around the church. The Deportation Memorial was closed off, so we coudn't go there. Wandered back to our apt, stopping to get some groceries.
Later we went to the Louvre since they were open late. Loved the Pyramid. We went and saw Mona of course, but otherwise stuck to the impressionist type art, then left when they closed.

Day 2, we started at the Orangerie and saw Monet's Water Lilies, which were just lovely. Then walked over to the Orsay Museum. We got an audioguide, and really enjoyed this museum. Again, we mostly stuck with the impressionist art.
Then we wandered all over, stopping to eat lunch, then made our way to the Champs de Mars, to the Eiffel Tower (we didn't go up). Caught the metro back to the apt to rest, then went to dinner at Au Bougnat on Ile de la Cite, which was our best meal the whole trip. Mmm.

Day 3, was Versailles. What can I say, it was beautiful. And busy. I can not imagine going there in the summer when there are probably hoards more people. We bought tickets for the mini train to get around and to save our poor feet. We went to the Trianons and MA's Hamlet. We didn't get off the train at the Grand Canal. The only gardens we saw were the ones by the main chateau. It was overcast and slightly chilly that day. train back to Paris, rested, ate somewhere, watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle from one of the bridges to the islands.

Day 4, Took the metro to Arc de Triomphe, went up it. Walked down Champs de Elysees, then cut across to the Trocadero, where we lounged on the grass and enjoyed the nice weather with views of the ET. Wandered back through some side streets, then caught the metro back to the apt when our feet got tired.

Thoughts/tips:
Paris wasn't the cleanest city. Lots of grafitti, lots of urine smells, even down the ritzy shopping streets.
We liked the Paris Museum Pass, and found it beneficial. We got our money's worth over the 4 days.
We bought a carnet of tickets for the metro. 10 tix, so 5 rides total for each of us. We did end up buying single tickets for a 6th ride after we ran out.
People were very nice. No rude Parisians like the rumors you might hear.
The only place we had language difficulties...the information booth at the train station after arriving on the Eurostar. Seriously the last place I would expect to have problems. We were trying to find a cash macine and could not for the life of us find one in the train stations (they directed us to the money exchange office). We just took the metro to the apt, and found and ATM right around the corner from there. (We had purchased the carnet of tickets on the Eurostar).

A few photos:
Conciergerie

[winnied]

The pictures are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing your review!

[Tacocat]

That apartment looks nice for the location and price. I can't wait to go back to Paris someday!

[sarahbear]

Ooh, love that third photo! The first time we went to Paris it rained the whole time. We didn't smell any urine because of this and looooves the entire city. The second time we went it was hot and dry.... Needless to say, we had a different experience. LOL.

[anna7602]

So your post made me get myself to the Conciergerie today, after 8 months of living here (and a billion visits to Paris before moving here). It was a little spooky, but well worth it.

I treated myself to a Berthillon ice cream on Ile St. Louis afterwards to dispell lingering visions of guillotined heads.

[marytini]

Sept 21, 2012 10:18:03 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

So your post made me get myself to the Conciergerie today, after 8 months of living here (and a billion visits to Paris before moving here). It was a little spooky, but well worth it.

I treated myself to a Berthillon ice cream on Ile St. Louis afterwards to dispell lingering visions of guillotined heads.

:Y:

[kelly072206]

That apartment is really cool looking. Glad you had a great time and your dog is adorable!

[marytini]

Sept 25, 2012 16:07:54 GMT -5 kelly072206 said:

That apartment is really cool looking. Glad you had a great time and your dog is adorable!

Aww, thanks!