<p>No one has mentioned the Rodin Museum. I love Rodin and the museum is well worth the visit!</p>
<p>You have been given some great suggestions. I second (or third) the Museum Pass- saved us literally hours of standing in line. One thing that I don’t believe has been mentioned is skipping the Tour Eiffel at night, and subbing in the Arc de Triomphe at sunset! No big crowds, no lines, way cheaper and you can either walk up and down or take the elevator. Lovely views and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is at the center (ground level). You really come away with an appreciation of the geography.</p>
<p>I hope you enjoy your two days. Don’t know how you are going to squeeze Paris in two days, but it will be a great taste of Paris.</p>
<p>My husband and I just used our frequent flyer miles to book round trip to Italy and France, arriving into Paris. We just decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it - a whole month!!! I was teasing my D that we are going to drop her at the dorm and head straight to LAX airport for our long awaited Europe trip (not really, we aren’t going until late October).</p>
<p>I’m on cloud nine and just beginning to plan everything.</p>
<p>Just a note - the unicorn tapestries at the Cluny were closed for refurbishing when I was there in May. </p>
<p>Montmartre is a nice afternoon.</p>
<p>re: “Does anyone have suggestions for a company for car service from Heathrow?”</p>
<p>I know you realized this question was off topic from the OP, but I wanted to share that my daughter just returned from London. When looking into transport prices to Heathrow from the Kensington area, she found that the tube was between 2 and 3 pounds and a cab was over 90 pounds. She used the tube.</p>
<p>The problem with the Eiffel Tower is that it’s not really near much else, and the waits are always long (as in hours) to go up. If I had to spend my time waiting in line to get up someplace, to me it’s no contest Notre Dame > Eiffel Tower.</p>
<p>You could always do dinner on the patio of the Troncadaro (sp?) overlooking the Eiffel Tower.</p>
<p>FYI - Check out the routes for the RER from the airport to see if it stops at a metro near your hotel. We used it once while staying near the Place St Micheal metro stop and it was a great way to save some money and avoid traffic. (though there is something nice about being dropped off at your doorstep) </p>
<p>I agree that unless it is at the top of your list, I would go to the Eiffel Tower and wonder around, but save the 1-2 hour wait to the top for your return visit.</p>
<p>You will see the Eiffel Tower from your river cruise. Given the amount of time you have in the city, perhaps that will be enough.</p>
<p>I will be in London before visiting Paris and I got our tickets to the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower Of London in the mail yesterday!!! Yay! Also bought my tickets for the Eurostar between London/Paris/London. Trying to get organized and have items in hand before we go.</p>
<p>I bought a cute crossbody purse at Nordstrom Rack yesterday that zips and clips/locks to avoid potential sticky fingers. Now I just need to find some cute walking shoes! ;)</p>
<p>Still don’t have a place to stay in Paris as my friend is trying to book in to one of the Marriott hotels through Rewards points. Making me nervous!</p>
<p>If you’re traveling by Eurostar you’ll be coming into Paris at the Gare du Nord. The area around the station is a little seedy but just south of there you get into the Marais which is a charming historic neighborhood, historically a major center of the Jewish community, now quite fashionable with lots of restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques, as well as a quite notable Picasso museum which houses over 3,000 works by Picasso as well as the artist’s personal collection of works by Cezanne, Degas, Seurat, Matisse and others. </p>
<p>There are lots of moderately priced (for Paris) hotels around Place de la Republique, just a short Metro ride (3 stops) or taxi ride away from the Gare du Nord. I’d recommend looking for a hotel there if your friend’s Marriott Rewards hotel doesn’t come through. The Marais is well worth exploring in its own right but it also puts you within easy walking distance of the Pompidou Center, Notre Dame, the Bastille, Quartier Latin, and the Louvre. Republique is also a major Metro hub, with 5 Metro lines converging there giving you easy Metro access to all parts of the city.</p>
<p>There used to be a Holiday Inn, now a Crowne Plaza right on the Place de la Republique. I remember it to be quite nice.</p>
<p>You don’t say if this is your first trip to Europe. If it is, be prepared for much smaller rooms and beds than you are used to. Also, choose your luggage and your walking shoes carefully as there can be many, many steps within the metro & tube systems. (and please don’t discard your metro ticket until you have cleared the exit - you do not want to be the person randomly selected to produce a ticket)</p>
<p>if you want to be right between the Latin Quarter and St. Germaine, the Hotel Cluny Square looks like a great location. Just be aware that it is difficult to determine if you are actually on the official hotel websites. You guys will find a great hotel and have a wonderful time.</p>
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<p>I’d go for comfortable over cute. And break them in well before your trip. Paris is a walking city; you won’t believe how much you’ll walk (and how much you’ll want to walk). The only U.S. city where I walk as much as I do in Paris is New York.</p>
<p>Or you could splurge on a pair of Mephisto shoes. The prices should be a bit lower than in the US, and they should last a lifetime. Of course, the ladies’ versions are none too cute. </p>
<p>To get in the right mood for Paris, dig into this site:</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.facebook.com/MaisonKayser[/url]”>https://www.facebook.com/MaisonKayser</a></p>
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<p>Given the short time, that might be true to some extent. I would not waste much time in climbing the tower. There are, however, a number of sites worth exploring in close proximity to the Eiffel tower, starting with the Rue Cler. One can only feast THAT much on museums and tourist traps. Paris IS food! :)</p>
<p>[Rue</a> Cler in Paris - YouTube](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdwbsMahz-I]Rue”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdwbsMahz-I)</p>
<p>Good thing I am cutting carbs now xiggi! ;)</p>
<p>I am all about comfort since I have a bad knee. My shoes will definitely be broken in but they still have to be cute. I looked at Mephisto shoes during the Nordie Anniversary sale but unfortunately they aren’t my style.</p>
<p>NM, I got so excited about your trip to Paris, that I spent a few minutes online checking out Budapest (where D is studying next spring.)</p>
<p>This may be a less than typical opinion, but I have ended up staying in the Gare du Norde area because of the airport and RER proximity for early arrivals and departures. Yes, the area is a little more racially mixed and less carefully groomed. But the accommodations and restaurants are less expensive than where I’ve stayed previously, and I am very happy taking off on foot or metro for other parts of Paris. Sidewalk cafes and bakeries exist in abundance there as well! </p>
<p>Missy, D loved her visit to Budapest this past spring!</p>
<p>Here is the definitive European travel footwear thread:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1219573-stylish-walking-shoes.html?highlight=european+footwear[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1219573-stylish-walking-shoes.html?highlight=european+footwear</a></p>
<p>If you are going to be a few days in London, buy an Oyster card. A single ticket for even one stop can cost 4 pounds. With an oyster card a single ticket is much cheaper and the total for the day is capped at the daily ticket price. (can be used on the bus also). You can buy the oyster card at Heathrow tube station.</p>
<p>You do not need to get a car sevice. The ride into London on the tube is easy and much cheaper.</p>
<p>I haven’t done the chocolate walk. I have done the Monmarte one and loved it. Starts near a metro station (buy a crepe while you wait - Cointreau and sugar is yummy) and goes up through some interesting areas to Sacre Coeur.</p>
<p>My don’t miss recommendation is Le Jourdin du Luxembourg. It’s lovely and a great place to relax and just breathe it all in.
The Catacombs are very interesting. I’d do that before the Louvre. I’d appreciate the major tourist stuff from your evening cruise.</p>