@kiddie, D’s Paris joke on me is about how I left the museum passes in the hotel and knowing I would need to purchase admission (with a bad attitude), we got in a line. Only about 20-30 minutes later did we realize it was the line for the toilet, not for admissions. It’s funny now - it wasn’t then!
I recommend Le Bus Direct to get to and from the airport. Buses are clean, comfortable, pick up right outside the airport and will drop you at the Arc de Triomphe, which is walking distance from your hotel.The price to and from Orly isn’t much more than the cost for the Metro and RER trains. Price is higher to/from CDG but still cheaper for two than a taxi.
Agree with a couple of other people that viewing the Eiffel Tower is a must, but going to the top might not be worth the time and expense. The Museum Pass includes the tower at Notre Dame as well as the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Both will be less crowded than the Eiffel Tower and provide amazing city views (and quite the workout as the steps are many and steep!).
If you want to climb the tower at Notre Dame (one of the things we most enjoyed when visiting this past March), you’ll need to pick up a timed ticket (free with the Museum Pass) outside to the left of the cathedral. Get there early or they may run out (we picked up tickets around 9:45 AM which had us to come back at 12:15. When we got back at noon to line up, all tickets for the day were gone).
You might visit the Arc de Triomphe about 1/2 hour before sunset so you can see the view in daylight, and then keep watching as the lights start to come on all over the city. Once you’re at the top, you can stay as long as you like.
Most of the places where we ate (or considered – menus are posted outside every restaurant) had English menus available. We usually pointed to what we wanted while simultaneously trying to pronounce the French name; this way we looked polite and also got accurate orders no matter how bad our French sounded.
I actually have another funny story from that trip to Paris. We did the ride in from the airport via railroad and metro (I believe we picked up metro passes at the airport but I don’t remember if they were part of our package or not). The only tricky part coming in was one transfer where we had to go up and down a lot of steps in a station and the suitcases were cumbersome. I had deliberately picked a hotel right next to a Metro station.
So we check out of the hotel after our lovely week in Paris and the guy at the desk asks if we want a cab. I say no, we are taking the Metro/railroad. He gives us a funny look but doesn’t say anything. First, rushing to catch the Metro the station is very crowded and my suitcase gets stuck in the turnstile (learned lots of French curse words as everybody around us was yelling at us.)
Then we get off the Metro to take the railroad to the airport and learn that the railroad is on strike (which is why the guy at the hotel gave us a funny look - why he didn’t just tell us when we were checking out I have no idea!). Luckily they were running occasional trains to the airport and we eventually got on one and caught our flight with no problem.
Ack, I should have read through before posting…but I guess it’s not such a bad thing to have seconded, thirded, etc. some of the reccos.
The last time we were there, we stayed in Le Marais, which seems to be sort of trendy (or at least was) right now. The Place des Vosges really resonated with me…I think I prefer those Paris experiences that feel like they are from a different time and both Place Dauphine and Place des Vosges do it for me. I think there are a few restaurants on Place Dauphine where you can eat outside (La Rose de France is one that comes to mind) and have a great meal.
St. Chappelle is great and you may as well take a trip to Versailles — I particularly liked Hameau de la Reine.
It’s touristy, but I still think the hot chocolate “L’Africain” at Angelina is the standard worldwide.
All of these are wonderful suggestions, so I don’t have much to add (but will add my name to the list of those insisting that you go to Berthillon…delicious). We did get the museum card when we went with our kids (then 5 and 9) and it was worth it to skip the lines.
I will say to make sure that you have comfortable walking shoes - my first trip to Paris I thought that I did but ended up barely able to walk after a full day of traipsing through the city.
On that same trip, on our first day there, all of the museums went on strike and stayed that way the entire time we were there. Although we were initially very disappointed, we ended up doing a lot more strolling and discovering the city than we otherwise would have. It actually was a blessing in disguise.
Oh - one more thing - if you are buying a gift for someone back home, let the salesperson know it is a gift (“cadeau”) and they will package it beautifully. At least that’s the way it was a few years ago.
Have a wonderful trip!
I just applied for Global Entry. We keep saying we need to do it and keep forgetting, so since our tsa pre-check time limit must be about up, I finally remembered today! Between that and Clear you can tell we’re no fans of lines if there is a way to circumvent.
As I research things I keep a pad by my computer for notes so I have quite a few things to add!
I get we may not be staying in the best place, but you can’t beat the price (free) so, I’ll just deal with that. Anyone have restaurants they loved or that we can’t miss? I love tasting menus, plus I have to have wine pairing obviously 
I have a Peloton bike - you may have seen the commercial. You can take classes but you can also go to locations, I rode through Paris yesterday.
@garland Canal St.Martin is a relatively inexpensive residential area, mixed Arab and French population. There may be some dicey areas around, especially near the train stations, but the area close to the canal felt very safe to me.
This thread is fabulous and perfect timing as my daughter and I are planning a one week trip to Paris in July. Since it is just the two of us, I would feel more comfortable in a hotel rather than an apartment. Would welcome any specific hotel recommendations as well as preferred areas of the city in which to stay. I’m have already taken copious notes of all the great advice on this thread and can’t wait to try the famous ice cream.
If you are going this July 2018, you better get a hotel booked ASAP. Busiest season in Paris
I would also recommend Rick Steve’s guide books. He also has free audio guides for museums and walking tours. You can download and take headphones and use them in the museums. Helps you find the good stuff in the museums. However, once they had rearranged everything in the Orsay and I was completely messed up trying to follow the audio guide
Crêperie Josselin
L’As du Fallafel
Berthillon ice cream
Outdoor markets, eg Maubert Mutualite
Boat ride on the Seine at night
Walking tours of various districts
Hanging out at cafes
I wanna go back.
Paris was a Moveable Feast. ( Hey I think I can do something with a title like that…)
For first time Versailles is worth a visit. Especially if you aren’t going to the Loire.
@kiddie We were also there during a train strike on the day we were to leave. Complete chaos! It was my wife and I and our two teenage daughters. We finally got on a train only because we saw other people with luggage. That was our only clue we “might” be going the right direction. Eventually, we got there. Sometimes when travel doesn’t go as planned it makes for the best memories.
We enjoyed sitting in the parks and just watching the world go by. Musee D’Orsay was the family winner for museums. I would go back there in a heart beat. Just another note, gratuities (service compris) for eating/drinking is already included in the bill. If you ask if the “tip” is included, they will correctly tell you “no.” A tip in Paris is over and above the included gratuity. We made a few waiters extremely happy until we figured that out!
Finally, if you don’t speak French it is okay. But people do like it if you try. It really is worth trying to learn a few phrases. In a few moments of panic, my wife broke out into some rudimentary Spanish. That got a chuckle or two.
We stayed at the Hôtel Brighton - Paris and loved it. I booked the room one week before our late May trip with no problem… If you get a room in the front of the hotel in addition to a view of the gardens you can see the Efiel Tower in the distance. It is very close to the Lourve and the Musee D’Orsey. We also walked to Notre Dame, the Opera house, and the Arch de Triumph (although these are longer walks). It is two doors away from a very famous bakery - Angelina - where you must try the Mont Blanc. I believe the hotel Hitler stayed at during the war is down the block.
OP, I think your location is great. You can walk to a number of places, and three or four metro lines meet at the CDG/Etoile station at the Arc de Triomphe, which you can also easily walk to. There will be people on the street at all hours in a very safe area. You are likely in good shape from the Peleton so take advantage of all the places you can see on foot. Congrats on saving all those Marriott points!
DH and I, who rarely travel out of the US, are also going to Paris for an anniversary trip in September, so I’ve been following this thread with great interest. Not to hijack, but I’m worried about what to wear and would love some advice!
The Fat Tire bicycle tours of Paris are very fun. Go at night to see all the lights. The view riding into the courtyard of the Louvre is breathtaking. The nighttime tour includes a cruise of the Seine. The tour is for all fitness levels but you do have to know how to ride a bike.
Also, I would highly recommend taking a Catacombs tour rather than trying to go on your own. You will pass the long lines and have access to areas fenced off for the regular tourists. Absolutely fascinating!
@smdur1970 If you want to blend in (which you probably won’t anyway because you’ll be gawking like all tourists), wear muted colors, layers, scarfs, no shorts, sneakers or sweatshirts. But nobody will call fashion police on you whatever you wear. Be prepared for cool-ish and possibly rainy weather.
I hope you used your Marriott points to buy the travel package and didn’t just spend points on hotel rooms! If not, cancel and rebook.
You need to buy your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance. For a while one of the elevators was broken and they were selling out in like 10 seconds every day. Not sure how things are now, but it is worth staying up until 1 a.m. to buy these the instant they go on line. I think they are offered 60 or 90 days in advance.
There is a Paris Museum pass that will allow you to avoid the ticket lines. It’s only a good deal if you a planning to visit a lot of places, but it sounds like you are. Avoiding a one-hour wait for tickets is a good thing to do.
I would recommend to you a restaurant called Chartier Bullion. I guess it’s best described as the McDonald’s of French fine dining. It was originally a workingman’s restaurant and still has good food relatively cheap. If they are busy they may sit a couple at a table with another couple. I really don’t like this, but life goes on.
A lot of restaurants will NOT have English menus, and these really are the ones you want to go to. I have a Google Translate app on my phone which translates as I look at the screen. So I just hold it over the menu and study. Menus are written with unusual prose, so the translations can be iffy, but you get a pretty good idea of what’s on offer.
The Père Lachaise Cemetery in the east part of Paris is worth several hours. Try to get a guide book ahead of time; I didn’t have one and wished I did. I wish our cemeteries looked like this. I doubt you are from the South, but Judah Benjamin is buried there and I was able to find his grave.
I absolutely don’t think you should “skip” the top of the Eiffel Tower unless you can’t get tickets, but there is an observation deck at the top of the Montparnase Tower located at the southwest edge of the Latin District. The view is good if the weather is good. No reason not to do both. The top of the Arc d’Triomph offers a nice view as well.
Paris has increasing numbers of Third-World beggars and scammers. They will rush up and try to “help” you when you stop to study a ticket machine or do anything else. They want big money, so don’t take the help. Also, there are non-French people going around with “petitions” seeking signatures to end torture, wife beating, or whatever. When you sign these they will steal your money as you sign or else you will be signing an agreement to give them money (which you can’t read). Do not interact with these people.
Use some planning to avoid the pitfalls of pickpockets. Have your husband get an under clothes money wallet that connects to his belt. Leave most of your credit cards in the hotel safe in case you do get pickpocketed. I’ve been to Paris almost two dozen times and never had a problem, but be cautious!
I know you will visit the Sacre Cour, but if in doubt, do so. The Saint Chapelle cathedral is one of the best you will ever visit, almost solid stained glass telling the Bible story from start to end. It is actually inside the Ministry of Justice complex, so easy to miss unless you look for it. I like to visit the St. Germain Cathedral and look at the names of all the parishioners who died in various wars; WWI has more than all other wars combined, by a long shot.
Food can be really expensive in Paris. If you don’t get a free breakfast at Marriott, then find a local place where you can stand and have a coffee and pastry, because the hotel prices will be outrageous. If you sit at a table it costs more, so stand at the bar. Consider a picnic or two; it’s fun to shop for groceries. I like to travel with a heavy plastic wine glass that I can use to enjoy a glass of wine in a park; cheaper than a bar or restaurant!
Have fun!
What to wear…you need to find the most comfortable shoes possible and make sure to break them in for months. More walking on hard pavement and rough cobblestones than you can anticipate.
I tend to try to dress more formal than my So California home. As stated above…no shorts, t shirts, sweatshirts, yoga pants, sweat pants or athletic style sneakers. The French do not wear athletic clothing unless they are actually jogging or at the gym. You might be able to get away with a stylish sneaker style. Young Parisians might be wearing ripped jeans and Converse but anyone over 30 will not.
Personally I wear ankle boot flats with thick rubber sole or Clark’s or Everlane loafer style. Dark pants, cashmere sweaters and scarfs. But I have never been in summer so cannot help for warm weather
Crossbody purse (stylish leather for me). Hands free and best pickpocket protection. Anytime you are in a crowded area, bus or metro I put a quick safety pin across the zipper, purse in front, one hand across top of purse. Even better in cold weather, purse moves to inside the jacket with jacket zipped up.
Pickpockets have an easier time with men who keep wallets or valuables in their pockets.
^^^^^ That and @yucca10’s recommendation. When I was last there in September, it was in the 70s, sometimes high 70s, as the day wore on. I had lightweight black pants and several darker, knit tops of various weights to adjust for the weather. Very lightweight jacket for first thing in the AM. I travel in black leather walking shoes. I also wore a black knee length skirt and ballet flats for one of the hotter days. You can refine your wardrobe as the date gets closer by checking the weather forecast sites.
Clothes are a funny topic in Paris. Last trip I made was with a girlfriend who had studied there and visits regularly. Without being nasty, it was clear to me that she was concerned that my fashion picks might embarrass her by “outing” her as a non-Parisian. I think I passed her inspection! My son and I have also been in Paris recently where we were taken as French - due to our dark colors and my scarf, I think!