Just returned from our vacation in Paris.
Here are some highlights for those of you still planning your trips:
Warm croissants each morning at nearby boulangerie that we ate w/ our cafe creme. Heavenly.
Great apt. found through Parissweethome.com in 4th arr. Marais.
All the beforehand research pays off - Definitely get an orange card (we cut 1%26quot; x1%26quot; photos of ourselves from old photos at home to stick on the card) - no problem to buy at RER station at CDG or at Gare du Nord where we transferred to the metro. Paid w/ credit card. We hopped on and off buses, easily rode the metro.
Museum Pass - Bought a 4 day for one adult and daughter could bypass lines w/ me. Especially helpful at D%26#39;Orsay, L%26#39;Orangerie, Versailles. Our friends w/out a pass waited 1.5 hour at Versailles; we walked right in.
I loved the D%26#39;Orsay, L%26#39;Orangerie, Rodin, Pompidou. My daughter and I had a great trip to Giverny. I am a big Monet fan and we were ready to get away from the city and crowds. Another favorite was the huge Sunday farmer%26#39;s market on way to Versailles. Wonderful cheeses, warm bagettes, fresh tangerines.
3:00 visit to Notre Dame had choir singing inside. Amazing acoustics. Across the street to Deportation Museum important to see.
Teen daughter%26#39;s highlights: climbing to the top of the Arc d%26#39; Triomph, shopping at underground mall Forum les Halles (rainy day), Pompidou modern art/clear escalator/fountain w/ lips, Giverny. She took great photos there-our screensaver is a beautiful shot at Giverny.
Less than amazing: Walking down Champ d%26#39; Elysses, Top of Eiffel Tower packed into elevator - pickpocketing is a problem there, Clingancourt flea market - I didn%26#39;t go but it was a bust.
Thanks to the great advice here: I had a terrific lunch on my own at Rodin cafe and went back to soak in more art at the D%26#39;Orsay and L%26#39;Orangerie while the girls and other mom who had great memories of the flea market tried that. Bottom line: it was exactly what I had hoped for. Such kindness from the locals when I attempted in my funky French to ask directions/etc, such a beautiful city.
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CaliforniaScooter-
I enjoyed your trip report especially as I am set to leave on Thursday for my 10 day trip. Sounds like you had a great trip.
Did you find the Orange Card worth the money? My husband and I have debated it back and forth are not sure if we wanted to get one. We love walking and adventuring and only wanted to use the metro if we got really tired, inclement weather or had long distances to traverse. Did you find the distances difficult to cover? Thanks for any information you can provide.
Linster
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I enjoyed your trip report especially as I am set to leave on Thursday for my 10 day trip. Sounds like you had a great trip.
Did you find the Orange Card worth the money? My husband and I have debated it back and forth are not sure if we wanted to get one. We love walking and adventuring and only wanted to use the metro if we got really tired, inclement weather or had long distances to traverse. Did you find the distances difficult to cover? Thanks for any information you can provide.
Linster
Hi Linster - Since we walked so much inside the museums and around the neighborhoods, we found it helpful to be able to hop on the metro to get back to our apt., or to go to another area. The orange card was 16 Euro I think - we bought it Tues and it worked through Sunday. You could see how it goes over the weekend, and buy one on Monday. Just bring the photos w/ you because it makes the process easier.
We did have a few days of rain so appreciated the warmth and cover of the metro and buses. Have a wonderful trip!
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It%26#39;s so nice to hear that your trip was everything that you had hope for. I too encountered nothing but kindness from the locals.
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Thanks CaliforniaScooter,
I think we will stick with the 10 pass.
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Carte Orange is not a matter of whether it is worth the money. It is 16 euros - I mean, if you consider going half way round the globe, 16 euros is a ridiculously small expense. For 16 euros in Paris you will be able to buy 2½ Coca-Cola in Champs Elysées (if you are lucky....)
To me Carte Orange is such a smart convience and an absolute must-have. After you bought it you never ONCE have to think about getting train/bus tickets. You just put it into your pocket, forget all about it and you are free to go in whichever way you desire. Don%26#39;t even start calculating on this - unless, of course you are only in Paris for 2-3 day.
CaliforniaScooter - great report ! Agree about Champs Elysées.
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Wonderful report! Glad you had such a great time, and it%26#39;s nice to hear you got some %26quot;alone%26quot; time as well. Sometimes those are the best!
As to the poster deciding between a carnet and Carte Orange, I%26#39;d definitely say go with CO. The cost is minimal - not really a dealbreaker - and it is so worth the convenience. Once you have it you NEVER have to think about transportation. Use it, don%26#39;t use it, but it%26#39;s always there for carefree travel when you do choose to use it. We are big walkers too - love to walk - but still got plenty of use out of our CO. It added carefree flexibility to the trip.
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