Tina
Novi
Staying in Paris for 4 days. What is the best and cheapest way to book a tour(s)? What are some of the sites to see? 11 people in this group didnt interest
I always orient myself to a city by doing one of the free walking tours on offer, and then I know what I want to explore in more depth, and what doesn't interest me. Don't pay an up front fee (book ahead) but tip the guide what you think the tour is worth. Have found them (mostly) more informative tours than ones I've paid substantial money for. freetour.com neweuropetours.eu/paris and discoverwalks.com all offer various free tours in Paris.
Paris is quite negotiable on foot or public transport. I would suggest you buy a Paris Pass before you go- pre-pays entry into some attractions and at The Louvre, you get fast track entry. It includes a bus tour (good for an overview), a river cruise, metro and bus travel, and some discounts at cafes or shops. The day we went to the Louvre, the line for admission snaked round the entire courtyard but we were able to walk straight in-worth it just for that. Note-the Louvre opens till 9.45pm Wednesday and Friday nights-less crowded!
Definitely see Versailles-(Paris pass doesn't fast track entry here so queues can be long), Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower (queues here also), Le Marais-great to just wander round but discoverwalks.com does do a walking tour here, Sacre Coeur Basilica, Musée d'Orsay, George Pompidou (Musee National d'Art Moderne), L'Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile-narrow staircase to the top but worth the climb. Luxembourg Garden are nice to stroll through. Wander round Île de la Cité. If you are interested in military or maritime history Musée de l'Armée and Musee national de la Marine are interesting
In 4 days you can see a lot in Paris If you want to get outside the city, and are interested in WW1 history, there are some excellent day tours to the Somme.
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Just got back from Paris back in March 2018. My wife and I purchased tickets online for Museums and a field trip out to the Chateau in the Valley of Loire, absolutely stunning and it was still winter. It is our 2nd time to Paris, found it easier to purchase tickets in advance. We stayed in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Latin Quarter was close to everything you want to see, such as Luxembourg Garden, Musée d'Orsay, Notre Dame, The Louvre, took Uber to Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur Basilica, L'Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile (great shopping in this area), wife especially like the Louis Vuitton store. Also close to Shakespeare and Company a must, across the Seine river from Notre Dame.
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Hi Tina, I usually use Triple (https://triple.co). I've had really good experiences with their local guides while traveling in Europe :)
Best,
Joakim
Hi Gina,
I agree with Lorraine and would like to add that you should take some time to explore the neighbourghoods like Montmartre, and not only see the Sacre Coeur Basilica. Also don't miss Le Marais near Notre Dame. There are also beautiful street markets that have many places to eat and have a drink like Rue Montorgueil, Rue des Abbessesor Rue Lepic.
Latin Quarter is always beatiful even if it is really touristy and I absolutely love Jardin des Tuileries, Musée d'Orsay, Luxembourg Garden and the Sena banks. The area of Les Halles and George Pompidou is realy great now.
I've been in Paris for two weeks in may and the city was incridible, with people in the streets having an "apero" (aperitif) after work and enjoying with friends everywhere. Amazing.
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