Looking for Suggestions for Paris - The DVC Boards at MouseOwners.com - the place to talk DVC and Walt Disney World

jjjeffr · 07-13-2012, 12:15 AM

We are thinking about a an impromptu trip to Paris in the next couple of weeks depending a seat availability (airline employee). So... I am looking for suggestions on places to stay and methods to get around. The plan would be to spend a couple of days at Disney and a couple of days doing other sites around Paris..... Any suggestions?

brp · 07-13-2012, 12:24 AM

Getting around is the Metro and RER. They work well. Things do do:

Versailles
Notre Dame
Montmartre
Pantheon
Museums, of course: Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Rodin, Picasso
Boat along the Seine

Cheers.

wendya124 · 07-13-2012, 12:36 AM

We had a lovely room at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe. It was very close to the metro. We enjoyed just simply walking around the city. We loved the Louvre as did our children. Buy baguettes and meat and take them to a bench along the Siene. The park behind the Eiffel Tower is enjoyable. If you have children there are little public playgrounds all over.
We chose to split our trip and stay at Disneyland Resort for our days we wanted to be there. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. It was wonderful! I would suggest going to the parks during the week and avoiding the weekend.
I love Paris! You will definitely enjoy it!

Meaghanqt · 07-13-2012, 12:41 AM

I am so glad that you asked! My husband and I found the most incredible little hotel in the heart of Paris the current double rate is 69EU/night. Now this is perfect for a certain type of people. If you weren't looking for the entrance of this hotel you would miss it, all you see from the street is a door. It has a spiraling staircase and shared bathrooms. Now I have to caution you, if you have any kind of standards at all this may not be a great fit. This little hotel is a special place for us, now that I think of it we may be due to go back soon.
I love how the little windows open right up into the busy streets.

bahahah I actually forgot to write the name of the hotel the first time around, it's Hôtel de la Vallée

jjjeffr · 07-13-2012, 12:58 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.... keep them coming.... .the cast of characters will be me (dad) and my two daughters (15 / 17). Both of them have been taking French in school for the last several years. The oldest went on a class trip to the south of France (Nice area), but never made it to Paris.

salmoneous · 07-13-2012, 01:11 AM

I would strongly recommend you stay someplace outside of very center of the city. That way you can experience Paris the living city, not just a collection of tourist spots. Just strolling down a street, stopping in a shop to buy a loaf of bread or handful of fruit... it can be magical.

By staying a bit outside the center, you'll find cheaper places to stay, and much cheaper places to eat. Plus, it'll give your daughter a chance to actually speak French. In the tourists spot, you can survive far too easily without speaking a word of French.

Get to know the general layout of the city. Below is a basic simplistic map showing the city divided into arrondissments. My favorite spots are out towards the 10th/11th and 3rd. But the city is full of great neighborhoods.

You can get around very easily on the metro. Museum/transit passes are very practical, allowing you to get around and see a lot for one price. The RER system supplements the metro, and can take you places like the airport or Disney.

brp · 07-13-2012, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjeffr

Thanks for the suggestions.... keep them coming.... .the cast of characters will be me (dad) and my two daughters (15 / 17). Both of them have been taking French in school for the last several years. The oldest went on a class trip to the south of France (Nice area), but never made it to Paris.

I suggest doing all of yourselves a favor and skip Disney in favor of seeing Paris. There's enough Disney in Orlando, with a whole lot less culture and history.

Edit: Mon Dieu! I forgot one of the best places to visit- Sainte-Chappelle. Unparalleled stained glass

Cheers.

Sammie · 07-13-2012, 01:58 AM

Many locals leave Paris in August, so check to make sure when things will be open.

I agree, for the length of time you are going, I would skip Disney or just go for one day.

jjjeffr · 07-13-2012, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brp

I suggest doing all of yourselves a favor and skip Disney in favor of seeing Paris. There's enough Disney in Orlando, with a whole lot less culture and history.

Edit: Mon Dieu! I forgot one of the best places to visit- Sainte-Chappelle. Unparalleled stained glass

Cheers.

I know... but the oldest daughter's goal is to work for Disney one day and since I work for an airline she also has the goal of visiting all Disney parks......

minniekissedme · 07-13-2012, 12:34 PM

Went in 2008 and stayed on St Michel Blvd, the Hotel Dacia Luxembourg. Nice place just off the Latin District. Metro stop nearby and a pretty nice area with the Luxembourg Gardens nearby.

The one tip I received that you may not learn elsewhere is to visit the department store Galleries de Lafayette. It's in the Opera district and it has an amazing atrium of stained glass and you can go up to the roof for some amazing views of Paris and/or an expensive lunch at the rooftop restaurant.

07-13-2012, 12:15 AM	#1
jjjeffr Studio Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 89	Looking for Suggestions for Paris We are thinking about a an impromptu trip to Paris in the next couple of weeks depending a seat availability (airline employee). So... I am looking for suggestions on places to stay and methods to get around. The plan would be to spend a couple of days at Disney and a couple of days doing other sites around Paris..... Any suggestions?

07-13-2012, 12:41 AM	#4
Meaghanqt Two Bedroom Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Prince Edward Island Posts: 592	I am so glad that you asked! My husband and I found the most incredible little hotel in the heart of Paris the current double rate is 69EU/night. Now this is perfect for a certain type of people. If you weren't looking for the entrance of this hotel you would miss it, all you see from the street is a door. It has a spiraling staircase and shared bathrooms. Now I have to caution you, if you have any kind of standards at all this may not be a great fit. This little hotel is a special place for us, now that I think of it we may be due to go back soon. I love how the little windows open right up into the busy streets. bahahah I actually forgot to write the name of the hotel the first time around, it's Hôtel de la Vallée Last edited by Meaghanqt; 07-13-2012 at 12:46 AM.

07-13-2012, 12:34 PM	#10
minniekissedme Add-on Aficionado Join Date: May 2008 Location: In my car with three kids. Posts: 6,680	Went in 2008 and stayed on St Michel Blvd, the Hotel Dacia Luxembourg. Nice place just off the Latin District. Metro stop nearby and a pretty nice area with the Luxembourg Gardens nearby. The one tip I received that you may not learn elsewhere is to visit the department store Galleries de Lafayette. It's in the Opera district and it has an amazing atrium of stained glass and you can go up to the roof for some amazing views of Paris and/or an expensive lunch at the rooftop restaurant. __________________ Are you MOD? aka MouseOwnersDad?? Click here to join! MKM Maulers 2012-13 Champion of the MODly Men of the World Fantasy Football League

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07-13-2012, 12:24 AM	#2
brp Grand Villa Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 4,714	Getting around is the Metro and RER. They work well. Things do do: Versailles Notre Dame Montmartre Pantheon Museums, of course: Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Rodin, Picasso Boat along the Seine Cheers.

07-13-2012, 12:36 AM	#3
wendya124 Two Bedroom Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 650	We had a lovely room at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe. It was very close to the metro. We enjoyed just simply walking around the city. We loved the Louvre as did our children. Buy baguettes and meat and take them to a bench along the Siene. The park behind the Eiffel Tower is enjoyable. If you have children there are little public playgrounds all over. We chose to split our trip and stay at Disneyland Resort for our days we wanted to be there. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. It was wonderful! I would suggest going to the parks during the week and avoiding the weekend. I love Paris! You will definitely enjoy it!

07-13-2012, 12:58 AM	#5
jjjeffr Studio Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 89	Thanks for the suggestions.... keep them coming.... .the cast of characters will be me (dad) and my two daughters (15 / 17). Both of them have been taking French in school for the last several years. The oldest went on a class trip to the south of France (Nice area), but never made it to Paris.

07-13-2012, 01:11 AM	#6
salmoneous Add-on Aficionado Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Al bar della piscina Posts: 9,516	I would strongly recommend you stay someplace outside of very center of the city. That way you can experience Paris the living city, not just a collection of tourist spots. Just strolling down a street, stopping in a shop to buy a loaf of bread or handful of fruit... it can be magical. By staying a bit outside the center, you'll find cheaper places to stay, and much cheaper places to eat. Plus, it'll give your daughter a chance to actually speak French. In the tourists spot, you can survive far too easily without speaking a word of French. Get to know the general layout of the city. Below is a basic simplistic map showing the city divided into arrondissments. My favorite spots are out towards the 10th/11th and 3rd. But the city is full of great neighborhoods. You can get around very easily on the metro. Museum/transit passes are very practical, allowing you to get around and see a lot for one price. The RER system supplements the metro, and can take you places like the airport or Disney.

07-13-2012, 01:58 AM	#8
Sammie Waiting to pass ROFR Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 17	Many locals leave Paris in August, so check to make sure when things will be open. I agree, for the length of time you are going, I would skip Disney or just go for one day.