My very good friend Marge Bradley went to Paris in April. She went for a week with her family. It is no secret that Paris is the place I most want to go internationally. I asked Marge if she would do an "interview" and answer some questions about her trip. I sent her ten questions at a time and she emailed them back. I had her write them as short answers since she was doing me a huge favor. Admittedly, short answers don't "flow" and seems a bit choppy, but it really is the information that is important.
When I asked Marge for some photos to post, she sent me dozens and dozens. I could never post them all on here, but it was fun to look through them. She also sent me a ton of extra info which I can use. I did not expect a hundred photos or more info than I could have ever hoped for. As she said "I'm kind of having fun". It was fun to look over her photos as she sent them. I thank her very much for her time. I only hope I can do justice with everything she gave me.
Despite being in phrase form, I suggest you really take a look at Marge's Itinerary. It will give you an idea of how much you can see in a day. Clearly Marge did a ton of sightseeing, but food, birds, and shopping got squeezed in.
This is Part 1 of 2. She sent me so many photos that to do it justice, it's best to split the post in two. Part 2, I will include a little history of the sights she saw. However, unless you live under a rock, you know what The Eiffel Tower and Louvre are.
1. What was your itinerary for each day you were there. This can obviously be short answers because it is the longest answer.
- Itinerary: Friday Day 1 --- airport to hotel, naps, food. Take Batobus (water taxi) on Seine down to Eiffel Tower (8:00) admission tickets - wander around tower - take kids to buy souvenirs and ride carousel across the street. McDonald's for supper at 11pm
- Day 2 -- I spent 2 hours at Montparness cemetery, birding. breakfast at 1:00 (our systems didn't know what time it was) ... shopped local little places for picnic - cheese, bread, fruit, pastry, wine. Subway to Jardinne des Plants - walk about, eat. Walking tour Marais neighborhood, stop in very old church - Museum Pompidou (modern art), late dinner, back to hotel
- Day 3 -- Early breakfast with Em & Greg, walk to St. Suplice for mass, took subway to Atelier des Lumiere's (an interactive, laser art show . another subway to Muse Montmarte for Easter egg hunt for kids - walk around outside of Sacre Couer (too crowded to go in), walking tour of neighborhood, found tiny French restaurant for dinner, back to hotel
- Day 4 -- Breakfast in hotel - subway to Louvre (very crowded) only stayed about 3 hours - quick shopping at mall attached to Louvre. Walk through Tulliereis - park with statues and giant trees --- another Batobus ride down to Notre Dame - dinner
- Day 5 -- Versailles - subway to train then 1/2 mile walk to palace. Toured palace, grounds, leisurely lunch, bike rides and kids took rowboats out -- train back dinner at Gladines (very French)
- Day 6 -- Covid tests (took too much time) shop local shops for souverniers Museum d'Orsay - 4 hours ( my favorite museum. Galleria Lafayette and Printemps (giant stores), subway to Arc d"Triumph - back to hotel - take out dinner, pack
2.Where did you fly out of?
Flew out of Boston
3. Was there a layover?
No layover
4. How long was the flight from leaving home to landing at Paris?
6 hours (time change messes with you though..... left around 8pm got there at 8am!
5. How did you get from airport to Paris, bus, subway, taxi, etc? How much did it cost?
Uber from airport to hotel -- $80 for regular car - $100 for van - 4+ passengers
6. Did you stay in downtown? Where did you stay, a motel, airbnb, etc?
Stayed in neighborhood called Montparnesse outside downtown area - small Hotel Raspail
7. Did you use public transportation to get around the city?
- Public transportion only,. Subway, bus, boat & train to Versailles
8. If yes, was it easy, what issues did you have? Was it overwhelming?
Easy to manage - app for phone - maps in all the subway stops - not overwhelming.
9. Was signage in English ar all or just French?
Some signage in English - especially at the vending machines to buy tickets... all major attractions clearly marked at appropriate stops.
10. How long were you gone for?
in Paris Friday - Thurs - 6 days
11. What was the weather like? Did it rain often?
- no rain - sunny, 50 to 70.... very nice
12. What did you bring for outer layers? Did you need a winter coat?
- work denim jacket, others fleece --- guys wore shorts and shirts 2 days
Question Part 2
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1. Did you eat at any of the extravagant restaurants? If so, what did you eat?
we didn't do any really fancy restaurants. Small, local spots only. I had a shepherd's pie type dish with duck, coq and vin (chicken with wine sauce and 3rd French restaurant i had escargot in a creamy sauce and a casserole with white beans, chicken and sausage. Other meals, 2 Italian and McDonald's
2. I looked at your itinerary, you didn't go to Rodin Museum?
no, sadly, didn't get to Ridin. just not enough time
3. Did you use cash or credit card to use subway?
credit card
4. Could you use card at most attractions or did you use Euros?
mostly used cards, euros for small meals and misc small stuff, tops
5. Did you ever see any pick pocket crime?
saw no crime. always felt safe
6. What was your favorite food that wasn't sweet?
Bread was unbelievable
7. What was your favorite food that was sweet?
toss.... best strawberries ever or a small slice of cake called a Royal from local bakery. almost flavored cake with strawberry cream
8. Did you ever feel unsafe?
never. French military (heavily armed) outside all attractions
9. How high up did you go in Eiffel Tower?
Eiffel, 2nd floor only. none of us live heights
10. Did you buy tickets in advance?
bought tickets ahead
11. Cost of Eiffel ticket for level you went to?
17 Euros
12. If someone were to go to Eiffel Tower from getting there until leaving, how much time do you think is appropriate?
I think a minimum of two hours
13. Did you buy tickets in advance for Versailles?
Bought Versailles tickets ahead also.. timed entry is great..
14. How long was train ride?
20 minutes
15. I assume you toured most of the grounds, did you rent bikes?
did tour grounds, rented bikes. I don't know cost, Emily paid
16. How long did you stay there?
we stayed at Versailles almost 6 hours, including lunch at Cafe M
17. Any advice for Versailles or Eiffel Tower?
Go to Eiffel Tower after dark or at sunset. Tower lit up is pretty impressive and at the top of every hour the lights twinkle. All the souvenir vendors sell the same stuff at about the same price, don't bother hunting for something for less or something different. Versailles, take a history refresher before you go. Spend more time outside that indoors, gardens are amazing. And lunch on the grounds was worth the price and the time.
Below are some more photos she sent me. I grouped them as best I could by attraction. Starting with the tower that Eiffel built
Some food photos from the world's best city for foodies.
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| Marge said the bread in Pars is out of this world |
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| Sheapard's Pie with Duck |
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| Croissant and Pastries |
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| Crepe |
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| Cheese store |
The Louvre
If you read Marge's Itinerary, she did not love the Louvre. She said it was too crowded. She spent three hours in there
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| Louvre Pyramid |
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| Mona Lisa |
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| Winged Victory Statue is 8 feet tall on top of a 6 foot pedestal |
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