Question about Paris

jen512 · Jun 11th, 2008, 10:41 PM

I'm planning on going on a tour of Paris in December. It's nine days, and four of those days, we will be on our own to do whatever we'd like. I've always wanted to go to Monaco, so I was thinking of taking the rail there. I just read on some random website, that they don't recommend doing that, since the rail takes way too long to get to Monaco from Paris.

What do you think? Does anyone know how long it'd be? Or if it's a good idea to go to Monaco for a day?

Thanks :-)

Jill · Jun 11th, 2008, 11:00 PM

I usually fly from Paris to NICE....then do the whole riviera thing...The Riviera is a trip on its own.NOT a day trip!!!I prefer the Riviera over a PARIS trip.
Its also my FAVE place ever,if u go..Make sure u go to St Paul De Vence(SP!!?)..its incredibly beautiful

jen512 · Jun 13th, 2008, 12:36 AM

okay, thank you, Jill. I'm saddened to learn that I can't visit Monaco in a day from Paris, but I guess that must mean I'll have to plan another trip there soon :-)

Blue824 · Jun 13th, 2008, 08:52 AM

If you have 4 days to go, you can fly easy jet pretty affordably and go down there, and stay for a couple days, but definitely not a day trip. Does your tour only go to Paris? Does it include any other day trips outside of the city? If you are looking for other quicker trips for your 4 free days, Mt. St. Michel can be done as a day trip, you'll leave quite early and arrive back fairly late, but we had more than enough time there when we did that. You can go to the Champagne region and go on a cave tour and do a tasting. Versailles and Fountainebleau too. Have fun on your trip. You can also do a day trip to Bruges.

jen512 · Jun 14th, 2008, 10:11 PM

Blue, our tour I believe only goes to Paris... but there is an excursion to Versailles. What is at Mt. St. Michel? And, where is the champagne region... I would LOVE to go on a cave tour and do a tasting! That sounds wonderful :-)

thank you!!!

couture2387 · Jun 16th, 2008, 01:39 PM

Mt. St.Michel is really pretty! I spent about half a day there. There's a really pretty church there too. I remember I had to take a lil cart up there. Not sure if you can just walk there.

Blue824 · Jun 16th, 2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jen512

Blue, our tour I believe only goes to Paris... but there is an excursion to Versailles. What is at Mt. St. Michel? And, where is the champagne region... I would LOVE to go on a cave tour and do a tasting! That sounds wonderful :-)

thank you!!!

For Mt. St. Michel, I would probably book through a company to drive you out there. It is a FULL day trip to get out there and back. I thought it was pretty cool to see. You can see some pictures and read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mt._St._Michel

Champagne region is about an hour and a half outside of Paris. I went to Reims and I cannot recall the cellars we toured, but all the big names you would recognize are out there. There are some piece of helpful information here on going to Reims: http://www.frommers.com/destinations...588010001.html

Even if you stayed in Paris for four days though, I'm sure you would have a blast! There is always something to do there, even if it is just picking a neighborhood to explore for an afternoon.

Longchamp · Jun 16th, 2008, 10:44 PM

Agree with above posts--Mont St Michel is an old church built on a causeway up on a little mountain that at night when the tide goes out, can't get off the little island. There are places to stay on the island but not that great to stay. But lovely place to visit! I think they built a bridge since I've been there last so can get on and off even when the tide goes out!

Jill is right-- Monaco/Rivera region is 7-10 days by itself. Can't be enjoyed with a full train ride down and back in 4 days.

Another good, but full day trip is Normandy to the D day beaches and WWII. I would push you to go there if I didn't think you were ever going back to France--but you're going in December, it will be very chilly and windy in Normandy at that time. I've been there 3 times and everytime I go, I like it just as much.

The tour guides are great! They make a lot of references to the movie "Saving Private Ryan" during the tour and talk about what you saw in the movie and where that happened in Normandy. My husband and I drove ourself there from Paris, then hooked up with an all day tour. End of day you're on your own again and we stayed a couple nights in the region exploring all the areas involved in WWII. (I hate to age myself, but my Dad was much older when he and my younger mother had me; and my dad was a Colonel in WWII---Yes they were married!!)

Versaille is great but again, best seen in summer when they have a lights display outside, but I've been to Versaille in the offseason. Less people, no crowds and get to see more that way I think!!

OMG the shopping windows in Paris at Christmas time are TDF--that is reason alone to stay there and explore on your own for the 4 days. Go to Galleries Lafayette, Printemps Department stores. Hediards and Fouchon are boutique foodstores--their displays are gorgeous. You will want to go in all these places.

Also head to the left bank to Bon Marche department store

My husband I love French wine and champagne and spent a week in this area.

We went twice to the Beaujolais wine festival when the Nouveau wine comes out in November, had one of the best times we've ever had.

Geesh I could go on and on--I love France, lived there for 2 years and go back at least once a year. Please feel free to PM me with any questions.

jen512 · Jun 28th, 2008, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longchamp

Geesh I could go on and on--I love France, lived there for 2 years and go back at least once a year. Please feel free to PM me with any questions.

wow, thank you for your post... i am 50/50 now deciding between waiting for may to go or going this december... i think i'm going to leave it up to my friend to decide

thanks for your advice, ladies :-)

candy2100 · Jun 28th, 2008, 12:07 PM

Basically there is no BAD time to go! Let us know what you decide to do- it all sounds very exciting!!

missbanff · Jun 30th, 2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jill

I usually fly from Paris to NICE....then do the whole riviera thing...The Riviera is a trip on its own.NOT a day trip!!!I prefer the Riviera over a PARIS trip.
Its also my FAVE place ever,if u go..Make sure u go to St Paul De Vence(SP!!?)..its incredibly beautiful

Yes I totally agree, St Paul de Vence is really breath-taking. There are so many little boutiques to visit, it makes your head spin. In Monaco there are several places of interest to visit: the casino, The Rock, the Palace, just to name a few. If you can swing more than a day in Monaco, you should definitely do so.

CYPRUS · Jun 30th, 2008, 02:08 PM

I would go to London for 2 days...via Eurostar. I agree with Jill , the Riviera is a trip on its own and I would prefer to go in the summer...but then again it's just me!

Izznit · Jun 30th, 2008, 08:39 PM

Take the Eurostar to London!

OH!!! There's this AMAZING five story mall in Paris... The name escapes me, but it has all designer boutiques! I nearly choked from all the tears of happiness when I went. Please excuse the massive pics, i forgot to resize'em.

Longchamp · Jun 30th, 2008, 11:13 PM

That is Printemps Department store

BTBF · Jul 1st, 2008, 10:08 PM

I think that is Galeries Lafayette.

Jun 11th, 2008, 10:41 PM	#1
jen512 Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 366	Question about Paris I'm planning on going on a tour of Paris in December. It's nine days, and four of those days, we will be on our own to do whatever we'd like. I've always wanted to go to Monaco, so I was thinking of taking the rail there. I just read on some random website, that they don't recommend doing that, since the rail takes way too long to get to Monaco from Paris. What do you think? Does anyone know how long it'd be? Or if it's a good idea to go to Monaco for a day? Thanks :-)

Jun 16th, 2008, 01:39 PM	#6
couture2387 Member Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 721	Mt. St.Michel is really pretty! I spent about half a day there. There's a really pretty church there too. I remember I had to take a lil cart up there. Not sure if you can just walk there. __________________ until I manage to pay off 1/2 of my Visa!

Jun 30th, 2008, 02:08 PM	#12
CYPRUS More Chanel Please! Joined: Mar 2006 Location: CYPRUS Posts: 1,549	I would go to London for 2 days...via Eurostar. I agree with Jill , the Riviera is a trip on its own and I would prefer to go in the summer...but then again it's just me! __________________

Jun 30th, 2008, 08:39 PM	#13
Izznit Bag addict Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,418	Take the Eurostar to London! OH!!! There's this AMAZING five story mall in Paris... The name escapes me, but it has all designer boutiques! I nearly choked from all the tears of happiness when I went. Please excuse the massive pics, i forgot to resize'em. __________________ I WILL have one day: LV XL Mahina in Black MJ Cherry tart Patchwork ZC Vintage chanel XL jumbo flap Last edited by Izznit; Jun 30th, 2008 at 08:49 PM.

Jun 11th, 2008, 11:00 PM	#2
Jill Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 23,556	I usually fly from Paris to NICE....then do the whole riviera thing...The Riviera is a trip on its own.NOT a day trip!!!I prefer the Riviera over a PARIS trip. Its also my FAVE place ever,if u go..Make sure u go to St Paul De Vence(SP!!?)..its incredibly beautiful

Jun 13th, 2008, 12:36 AM	#3
jen512 Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 366	okay, thank you, Jill. I'm saddened to learn that I can't visit Monaco in a day from Paris, but I guess that must mean I'll have to plan another trip there soon :-)

Jun 13th, 2008, 08:52 AM	#4
Blue824 Member Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,927	If you have 4 days to go, you can fly easy jet pretty affordably and go down there, and stay for a couple days, but definitely not a day trip. Does your tour only go to Paris? Does it include any other day trips outside of the city? If you are looking for other quicker trips for your 4 free days, Mt. St. Michel can be done as a day trip, you'll leave quite early and arrive back fairly late, but we had more than enough time there when we did that. You can go to the Champagne region and go on a cave tour and do a tasting. Versailles and Fountainebleau too. Have fun on your trip. You can also do a day trip to Bruges.

Jun 14th, 2008, 10:11 PM	#5
jen512 Member Joined: Jan 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 366	Blue, our tour I believe only goes to Paris... but there is an excursion to Versailles. What is at Mt. St. Michel? And, where is the champagne region... I would LOVE to go on a cave tour and do a tasting! That sounds wonderful :-) thank you!!!

Jun 16th, 2008, 10:44 PM	#8
Longchamp Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,112	Agree with above posts--Mont St Michel is an old church built on a causeway up on a little mountain that at night when the tide goes out, can't get off the little island. There are places to stay on the island but not that great to stay. But lovely place to visit! I think they built a bridge since I've been there last so can get on and off even when the tide goes out! Jill is right-- Monaco/Rivera region is 7-10 days by itself. Can't be enjoyed with a full train ride down and back in 4 days. Another good, but full day trip is Normandy to the D day beaches and WWII. I would push you to go there if I didn't think you were ever going back to France--but you're going in December, it will be very chilly and windy in Normandy at that time. I've been there 3 times and everytime I go, I like it just as much. The tour guides are great! They make a lot of references to the movie "Saving Private Ryan" during the tour and talk about what you saw in the movie and where that happened in Normandy. My husband and I drove ourself there from Paris, then hooked up with an all day tour. End of day you're on your own again and we stayed a couple nights in the region exploring all the areas involved in WWII. (I hate to age myself, but my Dad was much older when he and my younger mother had me; and my dad was a Colonel in WWII---Yes they were married!!) Versaille is great but again, best seen in summer when they have a lights display outside, but I've been to Versaille in the offseason. Less people, no crowds and get to see more that way I think!! OMG the shopping windows in Paris at Christmas time are TDF--that is reason alone to stay there and explore on your own for the 4 days. Go to Galleries Lafayette, Printemps Department stores. Hediards and Fouchon are boutique foodstores--their displays are gorgeous. You will want to go in all these places. Also head to the left bank to Bon Marche department store My husband I love French wine and champagne and spent a week in this area. We went twice to the Beaujolais wine festival when the Nouveau wine comes out in November, had one of the best times we've ever had. Geesh I could go on and on--I love France, lived there for 2 years and go back at least once a year. Please feel free to PM me with any questions.

Jun 28th, 2008, 12:07 PM	#10
candy2100 Member Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Fantasyland Posts: 429	Basically there is no BAD time to go! Let us know what you decide to do- it all sounds very exciting!!

Jun 30th, 2008, 11:13 PM	#14
Longchamp Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,112	That is Printemps Department store

Jul 1st, 2008, 10:08 PM	#15
BTBF Member Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,960	I think that is Galeries Lafayette.