Hi all.
Thought I’d post a trip report here as I use other people’s tips a lot for sorting our trip. We have just got back and packed our 2 and a half days to the rafters.
Metro - turns out you will def need a Navigo pass for 2€ each which are really easy to get from the machines. We went on the Metro quite a lot so don’t know whether a multi day pass would have worked out better value.
We stayed in Le Marais and although that was a buzzy area we didn’t return between leaving in the morn and getting back late at night so I don’t think it would matter if you were a bit further out on the metro. Plus also I don’t think we needed an Airbnb as we ate out for everything.
Things we did:
Dior Museum - missed getting tickets in advance and queued for about 45 mins. Best thing we did and I’m not even into fashion. The museum so well set out that every space you walked into was another wow. 15€ for a latte though!
Arc de Triomphe- nice for a view of Paris and obviously iconic. Dd thought it was okay.
Walking tour Le Marais - pretty interesting.
Dinner at Maslow 1 - highly recommend. Both thought it was fab
Wandered past the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden, place de la Concorde (a lovely meander) to try to get a good spot to see the Eiffel Tower twinkle at 10pm. We got on to the bridge nearby and had a great view but it didn’t twinkle as it was too light (v close to summer equinox). We walked down to the Champ de Mars and joined the throng and ate crepes from a stand and played games until 11 when……. Thank god it eventually twinkled. Teen was delighted and I was delighted to be going back to our appt after a very early start! But it was worth it - I’m pleased we saw it.
Next day - Tried to go the Catacombs - it was shut for a workers strike - nothing on website. Quite annoying as it’s a schlep out there. Went to Westfield Les Halles as teen needed summer clothes. V similar to Westfield over here- Zara, Berschka, H&M so not a highlight but it had its place.
Musee D’orsay. Loved it. Prob should have started on 5th floor as teen ran out of energy pretty quickly and that’s where all the well know impressionist masterpieces are.
Over to Montmartre for another walking tour. Quite enjoyed it, Sacre Couer from the outside.
We then hotfooted it over to Bastille and went to Cafe de Francais for dinner. Good steak frites, lux interior. Not cheap but quick which we asked them for. Liked it.
Paris Opera at the Bastille. We love Opera but even we fell asleep. It was great but you can’t put us at the back of a dark room after running around Paris for two days. Wish I could go back when awake!😀
Last day.
tried the Catacombs again. Strike action - nothing on website-wasted precious time -frustrating.
Conciergerie- super interesting -(love a bit of history) and the histopads are fab.
La Chapelle- to think it was built in the 13th C. Totally mind blowing. Would def return.
Late Lunch at Le Sergeant Recruter- Michelin starred (when in Paris…..) . Loved it.
Wandered back up to Gare du Nord.
Home!!!
Total -68000 steps in Paris. V hot but all doable.
Parisians not unfriendly especially if you try to speak French although they’ll all speak back in English.
Hope these tips help someone else.
Happy holiday dreaming.