4 days in Paris (second trip to France)

[3113Timmy]

Way back in 2010 I spent six days in Paris in the middle of winter and saw the biggest sights.

 

I am returning post-cruise in the first week of May this year. I have four full days.

I want to go to the Musee D'Orsay and Versailles. I went to Versailles last time but nothing was growing and it was bare. The former I haven't been to, only the Louvre and I love Impressionism. I also want to fit in a visit to my friend who lives in Orleans.

This is a plan:

Day 1: Musee D'Orsay and Orangerie, maybe Pompidou Centre time permitting and an evening dinner cruise on the Seine River?

Day 2: Giverny in the morning and Rouen for the afternoon and evening?

Day 3: Train to Chenonceaux, then return to Orleans in the afternoon, have dinner with friend and return (stay overnight in Orleans?)

Day 4: A day trip to Versailles and finish up sightseeing in Paris in the afternoon

 

I want to go to the D-day beaches and Mont St-Michel but would that require six days? I could try and play around with my itinerary to fit in 5 days but 6 would be pushing it. I am young (42) and fit and can do a lot of moving about in a day!

 

Any suggestions please?

[WESTEAST]

Sounds like a busy visit. You didn't mention where you are staying in Paris nor, how you are travelling on Day 2 but, perhaps an organized tour may ease your travel time and you can sit back at enjoy the scenery. We have been to most of the sites you have on our list. We really enjoyed our visit to Musee D'Orsay; it is right on the canal and great for walking alone the Seine to enjoy the sights, then stop at Angelina Teahouse. Not sure if you are staying your 4 days with Paris as your base? Travelling to and from these sights to Paris each day will take up valuable time. We've been to Paris a few times and took an escorted tour from Paris to visit the sites you would like to see - Rouen, the Loire Valley (Chateau de Chenonceau is gorgeous, flower arrangements inside the chateaux stunning and other beautiful chateaux to visit in this area) and then to Normandy beaches (memorable) and Mont St. Michel (beautiful).  Other posters who have travelled on their own may have more advice.  Beautiful countryside that you will no doubt enjoy.

[edinburgher]

Would only suggest that, with so much travelling around to fit in (and yes, you lose more time than you might expect) you book your accommodation stay close to a transport hub you know will be a good fit for the transport you will need to take.And busy itineraries mean tiring days, so would be good to have only a short distance to walk back to your accommodation.

 

And do check the info for the Paris Museum Pass. You will need to compare the cost of the pass with the admission prices you would need to pay if you did not have it. It used to sometimes help you "jump the line"  for entry too, although post covid who knows?

 

And post covid, you may need to pre-book entry to venues that did not require it pre-covid.

Edited March 19, 2022 by edinburgher

[bennybear]

If you love Impressionism I would also add a visit to the Marmottan.  But in order not to glaze over I would do only one museum a day.   If you want to see other Chateau,  Vaux le Vicomte is closer to Paris and is also spectacular.   We spent several days in the Loire, I don’t really think it lends itself to a day trip.  The Musee Cluny is also fabulous with the unicorn tapestries in a beautiful former small chateau.    I would suggest another trip where you visit Normandy, Rouen and the Loire.  They are better visited by car.  

[caripoo]

We just spent 3 weeks in September...9  days ALONE was spent doing Normandy, Rouen, Giverney, Mont St Michele, Orleans and Loire Valley. So, other than maybe stay in Paris, stay in Honfleur...and when you head back to Paris, do Versailles and The Orsay...you will spend less travel time. And yes, this would mean a few extra days if you can.

[Host Bonjour]

On 3/18/2022 at 6:02 PM, 3113Timmy said:

Any suggestions please?

 

My suggestion would be to scale back on some of the stops each day on your list. I completely understand the appeal and attraction of each place you mention, there are so many amazing places filled with beautiful, historic, interesting, glorious things: the lure to see everything is compelling.

 

However in the quest to get to each place, all the getting and going from there to here to there and there, and back over there, it's time consuming even though Paris isn't that large. Time must be factored in for food and toilet stops. 

 

If you're going as far as the Loire Valley to see Chenonceaux, you really should stay overnight, see Chambord, walk in the square at Blois where Jeanne d'Arc set off for Reims with her army. You could then go to Orleans on the way back northeast, stay over a night again, or split the day with Versailles, but really Versailles and the gardens are a day in itself, not counting getting back to the city if you're doing this all by train. Even with a car, it takes time.

 

Rouen is another place well worth a day of its own, and it takes about an hour by train each way from Paris. Lot of history, important sites, great food that is regional and different. I would only do Giverny as a partial day trip from Paris, to which maybe Pompidou could be added but here again, Pompidou and all it offers, beyond examining its structure inside and out, is also worthy of lingering.

 

I can appreciate the rational for making lists of places to "see" and tick off the list. Thing is, one doesn't really see or experience much that way. If all you want is a look, take a few photos and move on, ok that's what you'll have. But if you're the type that finds yourself becoming enthralled, curious, drawn in by your surroundings, then be prepared to have your plans go our the window.

 

Instead, make a list of ONE thing per day that is a must, and something minor as a maybe only. 

Then really think about everything/anything possible that could be wonderful at the must visit. Now, is the minor still within the timeframe, did you even remember it was a maybe? (You see?)

 

Maybe plan 1-2 days of maybes that there's not time for on the MUST do days. And here's the way I learned to travel without feeling frantic or stressed: I accept that I can't see everything, I'll see what I'm meant to see and it will be wonderful (everything on the itinerary is wonderful, no wrong choices!) and soak it all in. I can't lose. I still haven't seen everything where I live (impossible) why would I see everything when I travel. 

 

It's only ever the quality of the experience that matters–what am I taking away from it with me, what will last longer, savoring time in a magical, incomparable location or whizzing through a list? I may even get the benefit (and often have done) of wonderful random encounters and surprises, which zipping through things quickly does not do. That's usually when I lose something, get nervous, forgetful, checking the time constantly, and then, "where was I earlier?" 

 

Add days or pare it down and enjoy the visit at a more leisurely pace. These are experiences to marvel at. Bon Voyage.

[3113Timmy]

Thanks for your advice. If I had the time, I would do that. But realistically, I cannot do that as I don't have the option of taking more leave from work, and could only really take my time when I am retired and my elderly parents are no longer require caring for (perhaps in 30+ years' time). It is fortunate enough for me that I am able to travel at all. Most of the people I see at work are barely able to provide a subsistence existence to their families, never mind vacations.

 

I am fortunate that I can take in a lot of information in a short time and I read up on what I visit in a fair bit of detail. I intend to savour and marvel at every second of it.

[RCCL Fan]

Anyone have advice on a transportation company to pick up from the CDG airport and drop off at hotel near the Arc?