Today I'm going to tell you something about Paris. I don't want to insist on goals, because most people know them.
But I would like to point out some things that could be useful to someone who has never visited Paris. I specify that they are subjective things, so please look at them as such. Take what you like, throw away what you don't - the choice is entirely yours :).
THE WEATHER
The weather in Paris is very capricious. It rains quite often and is much cooler than here. Even in the middle of summer, a sweater and waterproof shoes never spoil in luggage. An umbrella is also useful. This time, it was between May 20-26 and the weather was quite cold. Except for one day, the temperatures were 10-11 degrees Celsius but due to the wind and humidity (it rained almost half of the stay) I felt them much lower.
Low cost or line company?
TRANSPORT
We got our low cost tickets and landed on Paris Beauvais. If I had to start over, I would always choose a line company. This is strictly for Paris, where low cost companies land on Beauvais.
Here are the reasons:
You lose a lot of time on the transfer. Paris Beauvais Airport is quite far from the city. We did about an hour by bus connecting the airport to Porte Maillot, plus 45-50 minutes from Porte Maillot to the city center, where we had accommodation.
It is very small and crowds easily. If two planes happen to land in a short time, a considerable queue is created.
The price difference compared to a line company is not so big. But do your own calculations, consider the 17 euros the bus costs and see how it is more advantageous for you.
Un bistrot, un ponte, una voce, un passo elegante, un cuore riservato, la vista improvvisa della Tour Eiffel. Basta poco per innamorarsi a Parigi.
Fabrizio Caramagna
Fabrizio Caramagna
METRO
No, it's not a myth. The Paris Metro is miserable. Regardless of the area and destination, you will find the same smell of latrine. The advantage is that you get from one place to another quickly. But if you know you are more "sensitive", choose another mode of transport. Also beware of pickpockets in metro / bus stations. At Porte Maillot they were in large groups. But if you overcome these inconveniences and reach the subway on line 14, get on the first or last car. This line is fully automated and you will be able to experience what it is like to be an underground train mechanic.**
Also keep in mind that the French like strikes. So I advise you to follow the news and find out in advance whether or not it is a strike, how long it lasts and whether it directly affects your plans.
For example, during our short stay we had a strike at SNCF the day we went to Versailles (but we chose the right hours so as not to affect us) and one at the airport, which delayed our departure.
So, patience ...
PARIS ON FOOT
Hey, here's another story. The atmosphere of Paris can only be captured if you walk through it. Take time and linger in the gardens, on the banks of the Seine and especially in Montmartre. Enter a cafe, sit on the grass, take the pulse of the city. I guarantee you will not regret it. These are just a few general considerations. I will not insist on each objective. If you want information (and I have it) about certain objectives, leave me an echo and I will answer you promptly.
MUSEUM PASS
Museum Pass is ideal if you plan to visit museums. It gives you flexibility and saves you from queuing up for tickets. Museum Pass does not include the Eiffel Tower. We chose this option and bought the subway trips separately. If you like the idea, you can opt for the Paris Pass which includes, in addition to the Museum Pass, 1 day hop on hop off and travelcard.
More details can be found here PARISPASS
CRUISE ON THE SEINE
Maybe I had too many expectations or maybe the weather was to blame, but I would not repeat this experience. I found the walk on the banks of the Seine much more pleasant and relaxing than the cruise. That's why I wouldn't recommend it.
THE LIGHT SHOW IN THE EIFFEL TOWER
If it doesn't mark a special event, it's not nearly as spectacular as one might think. We saw him from the tower and from below. The general impression was that it looked like a Christmas tree, quite kitsch.
MUSEUM d’ORSAY
If you like impressionism, then don't miss the Orsay Museum. Here you will find an entire floor dedicated to the Impressionists. However, the building that houses the museum is not to be discarded either - a former train station transformed into galleries.
VERSAILLES
The Versailles estate can be seen in a day with a little planning and resistance to walking. We managed within a day to see all three palaces, the gardens, le Hameau de la Reine and to arrive around 17.00 at the Pool of Neptune for Les Eaux Musicales.
But I'll tell you about that in another post.