Here’s a look at our seven days in Paris a week ago. Our crew included myself, my husband and two daughters 12 and 15. We were on an extremely tight budget, so that effected much of what we chose to do. We flew standby from Chicago to Paris, which made hotels a very tricky business. We couldn’t be sure when we arrived, so we booked the Novotel at Gare de Lyon, since they allowed cancellation right up to arrival time, and could accommodate 4 people in one room. We were really happy with it and I wrote a review if you need more information. I also rented an apartment through Vacation in Paris for the next 5 nights. We were so pleased with this arrangement. The keys were mailed to us at home, much more efficient, since we din’t know when we’d arrive. The apartment (#10) was exactly as pictured (Ikea bare) but perfect for our needs. The roof top terrace is much larger than pictured, there was room for a table, six chairs and a lounge chair. We ate breakfast up there every day, and dinner in the evenings. Due to
the beautiful cool weather, it was actually chilly up there in the evenings. The area just north of the Louvre was so beautiful and so convenient, we mostly walked to many of the places we
visited. It was our girls first trip to Paris, so we saw all the major sights. My husband and I had been to Paris a couple of times before, so we tried to see some of the things we had missed
before.
Highlights of what we did -
7 am arrival on overnight flight. We checked our luggage at the hotel and walked to the Batobus stop. This was a great choice for us, as it was way cheaper than any of the on/off bus tours or other sightseeing boats. We did our own identifying of the sights using a map. Waited in line about an hour for the Eiffel Tower, this was ok as we were very tired and not up to much! Spent the entire day outside or riding the Batobus looking at sights. This got us over our
jet lag right away.
Sunday at Versailles. Really debated this because of the crowds, but it was worth it to see the fountains in action. The girls really enjoyed the Hamlet, but the walk was very long. I’d rent the
golf cart if money weren’t a problem! Picnic was almost cancelled due to a torrential downpour, but we found a perfect spot tucked under the windows overlooking the gardens. Only negative was the bathroom arrangement. Lines were miles long at every one, plus lines were outside (in the rain). Only tip I can offer is to the men. The long lines are co-ed, but usually the men’s room has no wait. Go up to the front of the line and just walk in. Ladies, you’re out of luck!
Our 12 year old planned a day of shopping, which was her favorite part of the trip. We went to the giant Etam on Rue de Rivoli, and Sephora on the CE with stops for crepes and sodas along the way. People watching, especially in Sephora was top notch.
Favorite museums-
for the girls was the Invalides. I think this may have been because the displays were really well done, and the signage was in English too. They also really liked the Louvre. I’d planned to leave the second they got bored, but they kept going all day. The medieval artifacts and sculptures were their favs.
Cluny Middle Ages museum was terrific, but the air was so stuffy we cut our visit short. Too bad because the place was filled with fascinating stuff.
Musee d’Orsay is my personal fav, but the girls only really liked the art nouveau furniture and the model of the Opera House
Rodin’s Garden was just a quick stop for us, but what an idyllic spot. People were snoozing in wooden lounge chairs in the shade.
Favorite picnic spots -
Garden at the Palais Royal. Seconds from our apartment, and soooo beautiful. The weird striped sculptures were a hit with the kids, and the regular flower garden part had tons of
shaded benches. I though this was just as nice as Place de Vogues.
Garden in front of the Louvre. You can sit on the grass (which seems to be a no no in the Tuileries across the street), and view the Eiffel Tower and sculptures too.
Park at the tip of the island with Notre Dame. Very peaceful, pretty and central.
Best food bargains -
Monoprix saved the day. We shopped everyday and the quality was outstanding. The big store on Opera is so busy that everything was incredibly fresh. My daughter is still talking about the strawberries and the bread. We ate breakfast and dinner in the apartment, lunch was picnic style in the park.
Crepes were cheap (2-4 euros) and delicious everywhere we bought them.
Murrati’s Cafe near the Novotel had a continental breakfast for 4.9 euros Vs the hotel’s 14 euro breakfast.
To save money we -
took out the max each time we used the ATM to minimize the service charges
bought euros before we went from a family member who had just been to Italy, then sold our extra euros to a friend who’s taking a trip soon
always bought a carnet of ten tickets on the metro, and walked when possible
clustered our museum visits to four days together to take advantage of the museum pass (kids were free everywhere)
bought the Batobus 5 day pass and used that for transportation/relaxing break when possible
took the last Batobus at sunset to the Eiffel Tower. Dinner cruises were lighting up the buildings for us and the ET did its twinkle show as we arrived.
Best Splurges-
fancy pastries from the shop across the street from the apartment every night
hot chocolate at Angelina’s on our last day (although I’d get one order of hot chocolate and one soda for two people next time. A single order of hot choc is two cups, and even for
chocoholics like us, it was almost too much.)
riding the funicular to the top at Sacre Coeur - the walk down was more than enough!
taxi to and from the airport, so easy and for 4 people not that much more than bus or RER
Observations -
Paris is expensive. Even with my cost cutting we spent 1000 euro on food, local transportation and sightseeing for 7 days.
In August all the chic Parisians must be on vacation elsewhere, because many of the French people we saw were tourists like ourselves. Not fabulously dressed or incredibly thin. No doubt they were from the French hinterlands.
People were super helpful and polite. We got help even when we didn’t need it. One charming older gentleman insisted on walking me and my daughters all the way to the Musee d’Orsay and
chatted away in French the whole time.
When seeing the sights no knowledge of French is really necessary. My ancient high school French was helpful, but someone spoke English everywhere we went.
Be repeat customers when possible. We were greeted so warmly by visit number two to most places %26amp; had a “regular table” by visit number three.
I could go on forever, but I’ll stop now. It was a fantastic trip for all of us, and I hope my experiences will be helpful for you.
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Loved your trip report with all of it%26#39;s hints and tips. We are leaving for Paris in 2 weeks with our 3 daughters and we are super excited. Thanks for sharing!
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In August all non-tourist business in Paris shuts down and the Parisians go to the country returning in September.
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what a wonderful memory for your children. Enjoyed your post--bringing our 12 and 15 yo in Dec. By then Euros will be even more expensive to buy!!
Chris
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Palais Royal is my fav also. It is just so peaceful FYI: The area where the striped installations are is called: Cour d%26#39;Honneur. In 1986 a sculptor named Daniel Buren was permitted to transform this space into an abstract ensemble of grey, striped columns.
Sounds like you really enjoyed yourselves.
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This is very helpful report,especially for those of us on tight budget.
Did you go to any other Monoprix locations?
My neighbors%26#39; daughter lives in Paris . She bought the dress she wore to her sister%26#39;s wedding party at Monoprix and it was great looking!!
Thanks for writing
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Really enjoyed your report. Sounds like you really had everything together, made the most of your time and really hit some nice spots, even on a budget.
You%26#39;re right on about Monoprix--an ordinary grocery store for the Parisian, I suppose, but fairly exotic stuff to us. A not so expensive way to get some really good eats, including take out.
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What a great trip report thank you so much for taking the time to put it together. I love all you cost saving tips and what your splurges are. I am happy to know know the budget we setup for ourselves should be fine now I was starting to worry.
I really liked your tip on Angelina%26#39;s hot chocolate to get one for two people.
Cheers,
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Great trip report! Thanks for sharing!
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