Paris, Versailles and Jet Lag
May 28th, 2016, 07:07 PM
#21
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I apologize. I was typing fast on my cell and auto correct did its thing. I hit submit, saw the mistakes but could not find a way to edit. Seemed a waste of time to repost. I am sorry for any confusion it caused.
May 28th, 2016, 11:46 PM
#23
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Everything you listed is "do-able" in the time you have in Paris.
Get yourselves organized, make certain that the things you want to see will be open, plot them on a map and go. You can walk or take the Metro to all of these places very easily.
The Paris Museum Pass would be a big help as far as skipping the admissions lines - buy at the airport or the first museum you visit.
If you booked the earliest private tour of the King's Apartments at Versailles, you'd beat most of the crowds, could rent bikes to tour a portion of the grounds, and be back home in time for dinner. You'll only be able to see a fraction of what Versailles has to offer, but if that will make you happy, you should go:
The palace itself measures more than 721,000 square feet.
The grounds extend over 2,000 acres
There are approximately 230 acres of gardens.
Get yourselves organized, make certain that the things you want to see will be open, plot them on a map and go. You can walk or take the Metro to all of these places very easily.
The Paris Museum Pass would be a big help as far as skipping the admissions lines - buy at the airport or the first museum you visit.
If you booked the earliest private tour of the King's Apartments at Versailles, you'd beat most of the crowds, could rent bikes to tour a portion of the grounds, and be back home in time for dinner. You'll only be able to see a fraction of what Versailles has to offer, but if that will make you happy, you should go:
The palace itself measures more than 721,000 square feet.
The grounds extend over 2,000 acres
There are approximately 230 acres of gardens.
May 29th, 2016, 04:13 AM
#24
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Ideally we would visit all of Versailles, as well as a couple of additional sites within Paris itself. The golf cart and bike idea came from some other posts somewhere and it seemed like either might help with our time there. We don't intend to just ride around in a golf cart or bike. But if we are tired, I thought it might help us travel some of the extensive grounds. I also know our time is limited, so we did need to take a look at what was important to us. The odds of us being back are not great and August is the only time we can travel at the moment. I also realize for other people place other things in higher level of importance.
My original question was not really whether to visit Versailles or not. I had already read about the huge crowds in the palace but thought that the grounds were fine. I was trying to get input on a way I had thought might made it possible for us to visit. I was asking which Kings Apartment tour would work better and would they in fact help us avoid the crowds and or make them more manageable? And should we give up on it for Sunday knowing we would be jet lagged to some extent? Since most of the answers replied don't go at all any day in August with my time schedule, because of the crowds, I am trying to factor in all the opinions. I thank you all for your advice.
Fuzzbucket, do you know where the Kings Apartment tour lets you out? If we do go to Versailles, I am hoping if we did this tour, we would be able to go into the rest of the Palace if the crowds seemed manageable or go outside to the grounds if it is a mob scene. And, my ghastly spelling mistakes aside, I am glad to hear that the rest of our intinary is doable with some organization. I tried to keep it simple so we would have a bit of time to just wander around and/or sit in a cafe for a bit and enjoy it all.
My original question was not really whether to visit Versailles or not. I had already read about the huge crowds in the palace but thought that the grounds were fine. I was trying to get input on a way I had thought might made it possible for us to visit. I was asking which Kings Apartment tour would work better and would they in fact help us avoid the crowds and or make them more manageable? And should we give up on it for Sunday knowing we would be jet lagged to some extent? Since most of the answers replied don't go at all any day in August with my time schedule, because of the crowds, I am trying to factor in all the opinions. I thank you all for your advice.
Fuzzbucket, do you know where the Kings Apartment tour lets you out? If we do go to Versailles, I am hoping if we did this tour, we would be able to go into the rest of the Palace if the crowds seemed manageable or go outside to the grounds if it is a mob scene. And, my ghastly spelling mistakes aside, I am glad to hear that the rest of our intinary is doable with some organization. I tried to keep it simple so we would have a bit of time to just wander around and/or sit in a cafe for a bit and enjoy it all.
May 29th, 2016, 04:51 AM
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We just returned from a tour including Paris. We did not sign up to go to Versailles and decided to attend and we could not get in and this was just the other day. It is only May. Not the busiest time of year. We were disappointed but we went to the top of Eiffel tower instead and we enjoyed it plus a river cruise. If you are planning on it you best try to purchase way in advance would my suggestion.
May 29th, 2016, 08:21 AM
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It's been awhile since I took this tour, but I do know that you can enter the palace afterwards and have a good look around.
The English-speaking tours are only available at certain times and I recommend you go at the earliest booking. Since the tour lasts about 90 minutes, you'd have a good chance of seeing a good bit before the crowds reach intolerable levels.
I would get busy and start booking now - the official Versailles website has an English option at the top of the page - there's an interactive map which will help you sort out where to go, how to get there by public transport, etc.
Have you already booked a place to stay?
The English-speaking tours are only available at certain times and I recommend you go at the earliest booking. Since the tour lasts about 90 minutes, you'd have a good chance of seeing a good bit before the crowds reach intolerable levels.
I would get busy and start booking now - the official Versailles website has an English option at the top of the page - there's an interactive map which will help you sort out where to go, how to get there by public transport, etc.
Have you already booked a place to stay?
May 29th, 2016, 01:27 PM
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I will tell you our family experience--took our 3 kids and spouses/fiancee to Paris for a week. One couple wanted to go to Versailles (and DS was adamant that they would since it was fiancee that wanted it). I said fine but I don't think there is time--leave it to the end and see. Got to be two days before leaving and I reminded them that they needed to arrange for Versailles. "Oh, no, we can't GO!! There's too much more to see!!--from the fiancee". Just my experience.
May 29th, 2016, 04:54 PM
#29
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Have a look at www.batobus.com, a great way to get around to the major monuments and sights near to the Seine when you have a short time in Paris. On a hot day, highly preferable to the Métro.
Of course it doesn't have the reach of the Métro, there are around 8 stops along the river. Limited commentary because it's really a method of transport but with your ticket you're given a route map and every stop is announced in French and English. With a day pass, you can ride as long as you want and as often as you want.
Regarding Versailles, I've been three times in 40 years, the last about 20 years ago. It is so interesting but the crowds were so dreadful. We did connect with one of the palace's licensed guides for a "private" tour. It took about an hour to get to him but perhaps now reservations for tours are more sophisticated. He was excellent and in some rooms, I particularly remember the theater, we were the only ones in there. By contrast, the Hall of Mirrors was chaotic. So, am of two minds, I know I couldn't do it again.
Of course it doesn't have the reach of the Métro, there are around 8 stops along the river. Limited commentary because it's really a method of transport but with your ticket you're given a route map and every stop is announced in French and English. With a day pass, you can ride as long as you want and as often as you want.
Regarding Versailles, I've been three times in 40 years, the last about 20 years ago. It is so interesting but the crowds were so dreadful. We did connect with one of the palace's licensed guides for a "private" tour. It took about an hour to get to him but perhaps now reservations for tours are more sophisticated. He was excellent and in some rooms, I particularly remember the theater, we were the only ones in there. By contrast, the Hall of Mirrors was chaotic. So, am of two minds, I know I couldn't do it again.
May 29th, 2016, 11:44 PM
#30
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When we went for the third time in June 1998, there was practically nobody at Versailles. The last time I went with friends was two years ago in May, and I swore I'll never go again.
The tours are well-organized and efficient, though the English-speaking tour guide we had was difficult to understand due to her accent. But it was fine.
The Royal Theatre was closed for renovations for many years, and has recently opened and is spectacular.
The tours are well-organized and efficient, though the English-speaking tour guide we had was difficult to understand due to her accent. But it was fine.
The Royal Theatre was closed for renovations for many years, and has recently opened and is spectacular.
May 30th, 2016, 05:23 AM
#31
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Gretchen, I have been thinking a lot about your post. We could just wait and see what we think. I checked the website for the palace and our second to last day in Paris is listed as an "above average day" crowd wise instead of "high". Jet lag should be less of an issue by our third full day. We will not see the fountains, but, c'est la vie! I think I will purchase the early Kings Apartment Tour (which I think is limited to 25 people) for that day because, in the scheme of things, it is a minimal cost to sacrifice if we change our minds and decide not to go in favor of enjoying more time in Paris itself.
Thank you all for your advice, it has really been incredibly helpful!
Thank you all for your advice, it has really been incredibly helpful!
Sep 4th, 2016, 04:02 AM
#32
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We are back from our trip. We did do all we wanted to do--including Versailles. We did book the Kings Apartment tour, and skipped the lines to get in completely by doing that. We had no problem seeing what we wanted to see while there. We explored the palace, gardens and Marie Antoinette's estate. My only regret is that I left my drivers license at th hotel so we were unable to rent a golf cart. The cart would certainly have allowed us to explore more. I was somewhat limited that day because I had twisted my ankle the day prior but we still managed to see so much.
Paris was basically empty, btw. Yes we saw some crowds here and there, but much less than we expected. We got up early each morning, and had the streets to ourselves. It was almost spooky it was so quiet. We toured all the sites I listed earlier and many more! The four day Paris Museum Pass that I purchased on the first day was awesome for us---and my daughter was no charge in most museums. We even did a quick trip into the Lourve to see the Mona Lisa--but were quickly overwhelmed by the heat and crowds in there! We saw the portrait, a little more and happily left (although I do realize there was a ton more to see, obviously). But we never expected to go in, so the little we saw was a bonus. We spent much more time at all the other museums we went to. We experienced virtually no lines getting into anywhere.
The only thing I prepurchased was the Eiffel Tower--glad I did because the line for tickets for that was huge.
We walked everywhere and although it was blazing hot we managed to do ok. We tried to rent bikes--it looked like so much fun but did not turn out to be so for us! At my daughter's insistence, we hit every Amorino ice cream place in Paris and London, btw. Beautiful ice cream and delicious too!
We both loved Paris so much more than we thought we would. As some advised me, it was critical that we decided ahead of time what was important to us to do. By doing that, we were able to do it "all" and leave knowing that there is more to add to our list if we are ever able to return!
Paris was basically empty, btw. Yes we saw some crowds here and there, but much less than we expected. We got up early each morning, and had the streets to ourselves. It was almost spooky it was so quiet. We toured all the sites I listed earlier and many more! The four day Paris Museum Pass that I purchased on the first day was awesome for us---and my daughter was no charge in most museums. We even did a quick trip into the Lourve to see the Mona Lisa--but were quickly overwhelmed by the heat and crowds in there! We saw the portrait, a little more and happily left (although I do realize there was a ton more to see, obviously). But we never expected to go in, so the little we saw was a bonus. We spent much more time at all the other museums we went to. We experienced virtually no lines getting into anywhere.
The only thing I prepurchased was the Eiffel Tower--glad I did because the line for tickets for that was huge.
We walked everywhere and although it was blazing hot we managed to do ok. We tried to rent bikes--it looked like so much fun but did not turn out to be so for us! At my daughter's insistence, we hit every Amorino ice cream place in Paris and London, btw. Beautiful ice cream and delicious too!
We both loved Paris so much more than we thought we would. As some advised me, it was critical that we decided ahead of time what was important to us to do. By doing that, we were able to do it "all" and leave knowing that there is more to add to our list if we are ever able to return!
Sep 4th, 2016, 05:17 AM
#34
So glad all worked out ok for you. My jet lag strategy. Two weeks out I start going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. I set alarm for 6:30 today... I usually get up at 8 am. I take half an ambien anyway so that helps. I live on east coast so only five hour difference for upcoming trip and I nap on plane. Don't stop first day at all.
Sep 4th, 2016, 11:08 AM
#37
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Glad you enjoyed your trip. In regards to Paris being empty it is true that tourism is certainly down this year but Paris always gets quieter in July and August as residents take their annual summer vacations. The tourist spots/zones still have a lot of people (though fewer this year). It is especially quiet away from the tourist zones and before 9AM. On weekends and holidays if you are outside central Paris you can practically walk down the middle of any of the Grands Boulevards.
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