Practical questions about Paris trip next week - help!
Aug 26th, 2003, 04:34 PM
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Practical questions about Paris trip next week - help!
I know these are easy questions for some of you, but difficult for me! Please bear with me.
(1) What's to see at the Champ du Mars (besides the Eiffel tower!)? We went to the top of the tower 5 years ago at night, but I swear I don't remember seeing the Champ du Mars. Is it a large open space, or are there fountains? Am I getting this confused with the Trocadero?
(2) I read that you can purchase the Open Bus tickets from the bus driver, but how do you know where the stops are - are they different from the standard bus stops?
(3) What's the best way to get from Hotel Cluny Square, at corner of Blvd. St. Michel and St. Germaine, to Gare du Lyon? It looks like there's no direct way on the metro, or is there? Would a taxi be the best way?
(4) Are the large department stores closed on Sundays? I figure they are, but thought I'd check.
As you can see, we're 8 days from our trip, and I'm in information overload. I'm sure these won't be the last stupid questions I post, so please be patient!
Joyce
(1) What's to see at the Champ du Mars (besides the Eiffel tower!)? We went to the top of the tower 5 years ago at night, but I swear I don't remember seeing the Champ du Mars. Is it a large open space, or are there fountains? Am I getting this confused with the Trocadero?
(2) I read that you can purchase the Open Bus tickets from the bus driver, but how do you know where the stops are - are they different from the standard bus stops?
(3) What's the best way to get from Hotel Cluny Square, at corner of Blvd. St. Michel and St. Germaine, to Gare du Lyon? It looks like there's no direct way on the metro, or is there? Would a taxi be the best way?
(4) Are the large department stores closed on Sundays? I figure they are, but thought I'd check.
As you can see, we're 8 days from our trip, and I'm in information overload. I'm sure these won't be the last stupid questions I post, so please be patient!
Joyce
Aug 26th, 2003, 04:39 PM
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The Trocadero is across the seine...you could go to the Invalides..and the Army museum, Napoleon's tomb, St Louis des Invalides, the champs is mainly a garden, it's near Rue Cler, Musee rodin is not too far.
Sorry don't do the bus tours, don't know about Sunday shopping and I would just take a taxi , it wouldn't be that much and beats lugging baggage tru the metro!
I saw you are flying from MCO ...where are you ..I'm in Maitland!
Sorry don't do the bus tours, don't know about Sunday shopping and I would just take a taxi , it wouldn't be that much and beats lugging baggage tru the metro!
I saw you are flying from MCO ...where are you ..I'm in Maitland!
Aug 26th, 2003, 05:30 PM
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Jody,
I can't believe you live so close! We moved from Longwood to Debary last year, and my husband works off of West 50 in Orlando. He gets to do the I-4 thing everyday, so he's REALLY looking forward to vacation! We ought to try to get together sometime, with any other central Fl. fodorites. I'm sure we'd have plenty to talk about.
Joyce
I can't believe you live so close! We moved from Longwood to Debary last year, and my husband works off of West 50 in Orlando. He gets to do the I-4 thing everyday, so he's REALLY looking forward to vacation! We ought to try to get together sometime, with any other central Fl. fodorites. I'm sure we'd have plenty to talk about.
Joyce
Aug 26th, 2003, 05:46 PM
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Lord..I sympathize with him on the I-4 thing! I worked one of our health care centers occasionally on west 50..but I managed to get there by back roads!
When you get back email me..and maybe we can do lunch and compare notes! we leave Oct [email protected]
When you get back email me..and maybe we can do lunch and compare notes! we leave Oct [email protected]
Aug 26th, 2003, 06:38 PM
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1. the Champ de Mars is the green belt that runs from Ecole Militaire to the Seine,across from the fountains at Trocadero. It's a nice park, some of
which you are allowed to sit or lay on the grass, picnic, etc. As mentioned above, while not at Champ de Mars, the nearby Napoleon's Tomb ís housed in the Invalides (the church-end) while a very interesting military museum, with ancient weapons, suits of armor, WWII artifacts, Napoleon's stuffed horse, etc.
2. The l'Open bus has info on the transportation site, including the stops:
http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/V.../open_tour.htm
3. According to the route finder on www.ratp.fr:
TAKE THE METRO LINE 4 AT SAINT-MICHEL DIRECTION PORTE DE CLIGNANCOURT UNTIL LES HALLES
TAKE THE RER A AT CHATELET-LES HALLES AT 08H47 DIRECTION LA VARENNE-CHENNEVIERES UNTIL GARE DE LYON AT 08H50
IT WILL TAKE YOU ABOUT 20 MIN
4. La Samaritaine
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 9:30 - 7:00
Thurs 9:30 - 9:00
Saturday 9:30 - 8:00
Closed Sunday
Galeries Lafayette
Mon - Sat 9:30 - 7:30, Thurs open 'til 9:00
Closed Sunday
Au Printemps
Mon - Sat 9:35 - 7:00, Thurs open 'til 10:00
Closed Sunday
5. I live in Jacksonville, Fl and my best buddy lives in Longwood! The "Florida Fodors" are growing by the minute...
which you are allowed to sit or lay on the grass, picnic, etc. As mentioned above, while not at Champ de Mars, the nearby Napoleon's Tomb ís housed in the Invalides (the church-end) while a very interesting military museum, with ancient weapons, suits of armor, WWII artifacts, Napoleon's stuffed horse, etc.
2. The l'Open bus has info on the transportation site, including the stops:
http://www.ratp.fr/ParisVisite/Eng/V.../open_tour.htm
3. According to the route finder on www.ratp.fr:
TAKE THE METRO LINE 4 AT SAINT-MICHEL DIRECTION PORTE DE CLIGNANCOURT UNTIL LES HALLES
TAKE THE RER A AT CHATELET-LES HALLES AT 08H47 DIRECTION LA VARENNE-CHENNEVIERES UNTIL GARE DE LYON AT 08H50
IT WILL TAKE YOU ABOUT 20 MIN
4. La Samaritaine
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 9:30 - 7:00
Thurs 9:30 - 9:00
Saturday 9:30 - 8:00
Closed Sunday
Galeries Lafayette
Mon - Sat 9:30 - 7:30, Thurs open 'til 9:00
Closed Sunday
Au Printemps
Mon - Sat 9:35 - 7:00, Thurs open 'til 10:00
Closed Sunday
5. I live in Jacksonville, Fl and my best buddy lives in Longwood! The "Florida Fodors" are growing by the minute...
Aug 26th, 2003, 07:12 PM
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Travelworld:
It is indeed a small world! Our youngest daughter and family live in Jax - she went to UNF and stayed there after graduating, works at Aetna.
Thanks for all of your great info. I'll be finalizing all these minor details over the next few days.
Jody:
Do you work in the health care field? I'm a home-health P.T. in the western half of Volusia County.
It is indeed a small world! Our youngest daughter and family live in Jax - she went to UNF and stayed there after graduating, works at Aetna.
Thanks for all of your great info. I'll be finalizing all these minor details over the next few days.
Jody:
Do you work in the health care field? I'm a home-health P.T. in the western half of Volusia County.
Aug 27th, 2003, 01:43 AM
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Joyce,
I'm a pharmacist..I retired when Cigna closed their healthcare centers..because I was spoiled by the good hours I had there and won't do 10 hr days for Eckerds!
On Sundays a lot of stores in the Marais are open..not big dept stores ..but some great boutique shopping!If you like antiques or art galleries, try the Louvre des Antiquaires on a Sunday..right across from the Louvre!
I'm a pharmacist..I retired when Cigna closed their healthcare centers..because I was spoiled by the good hours I had there and won't do 10 hr days for Eckerds!
On Sundays a lot of stores in the Marais are open..not big dept stores ..but some great boutique shopping!If you like antiques or art galleries, try the Louvre des Antiquaires on a Sunday..right across from the Louvre!
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Aug 27th, 2003, 04:08 AM
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I wouldn't recommend taking the metro via Chatelet to Gare de Lyon if you have lots of luggage. It's a vile station to have to change at, and you could find yourselves walking quite far, up and down stairs etc. If you won't have too many bags, then take line four to Chatelet and get the line 14 metro rather than the RER. Much more pleasant and just as fast!
Alternatively, you can take bus # 63 from Cluny direct to Gare de Lyon.
Or take a taxi - it won't be too expensive, as it's not really that far.
I second Jody's suggest to visit the Marais on Sunday, as most of the stores will be open in the afternoon. It's a great place to wander round. Of course the narrow streets can get very crowded in the afternoons, but don't let that put you off!
One of my favourite ways to spend Sunday in Paris is to visit the huge market at Bastille in the late morning, then stop off at Bofinger for a wonderful brasserie lunch, and then walk off the calories by strolling through the Place des Vosges and the Marais. Bliss!
Alternatively, you can take bus # 63 from Cluny direct to Gare de Lyon.
Or take a taxi - it won't be too expensive, as it's not really that far.
I second Jody's suggest to visit the Marais on Sunday, as most of the stores will be open in the afternoon. It's a great place to wander round. Of course the narrow streets can get very crowded in the afternoons, but don't let that put you off!
One of my favourite ways to spend Sunday in Paris is to visit the huge market at Bastille in the late morning, then stop off at Bofinger for a wonderful brasserie lunch, and then walk off the calories by strolling through the Place des Vosges and the Marais. Bliss!
Aug 27th, 2003, 04:45 AM
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Hi Hagan,
For Sunday, I suggest that you make reservations for Brunch at the Jacquemart-Andre Museum, see the museum and then take a walk through the Parc Monceau.
See http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/jandre/
and www.multimap.com
For Sunday, I suggest that you make reservations for Brunch at the Jacquemart-Andre Museum, see the museum and then take a walk through the Parc Monceau.
See http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/jandre/
and www.multimap.com
