You can't venture into Paris without a day long visit to Versailles, the magnificent palace which grew from Louis XIII'S hunting lodge into a huge monument to the power and glory of Louise XIV, the Sun King. With 800 rooms (120 open to the public for viewing) with guided tours available. Then explore the beautiful gardens On your return journey visit just outside Paris through the magnificent Chartres Cathedral, a testimony in stone to the religious fervour of another era.
At night a river cruise down the Sinn or a trip to Moulin Rouge would be my recommendations.
I look forward to viewing you final itinery.

Bonjour mes amis! Bienvenue a Paris! While you are in the city you should visit the Montmarte area... and just one to two blocks down from the Moulin Rouge-(I dont suggest this place, way overpriced)- is the Erotic Museum! Its only 5 Euro and 7 floors of unexpected fun! I also suggest walking to the top of Notre Dame or the Arc De Triomphe, best views you'll see in the city

I was very unhappy that they didn't see the Garnier Opera House...I watched Samantha Brown's trip to Paris she didn't go there either...

I would recommend the Pere Lachaise cemetery to see the final resting place of Jim Morrison, Frederick Chopin and Oscar Wilde among many others. Another helpful tip since the funds are low...the Louvre is free on Sundays but get there early as there is somewhat of a line.

I agree....the gardens are amazing....I took a golf cart around for an hour and still didn't see half the gardens. It is absolutely beautiful! Also climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. The view up top is amazing....and the obvious Eiffel Tower. If you are up to it...take the 1000+ steps

Tiff

quote:

Originally posted by auzziedreamer:
You can't venture into Paris without a day long visit to Versailles, the magnificent palace which grew from Louis XIII'S hunting lodge into a huge monument to the power and glory of Louise XIV, the Sun King. With 800 rooms (120 open to the public for viewing) with guided tours available. Then explore the beautiful gardens On your return journey visit just outside Paris through the magnificent Chartres Cathedral, a testimony in stone to the religious fervour of another era.
At night a river cruise down the Sinn or a trip to Moulin Rouge would be my recommendations.
I look forward to viewing you final itinery.

I loved Paris and London.....I just got back from a school trip there! You have to see the usual.... the Eiffel tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and especially the Louvre. Don't expect to get a picture of the Mona lisa your not allowed. Save alot of time for museum since there's so much to see. Oh...and at the Eiffel Tower don't be freaked out at the soldiers with machine guns, i know i was!!
And another thing to be careful about are pickpockets, some of the people in my group almost got pickpocketed, it's a larger threat at the big attractions like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower(the gypsies there)
You really will get a spectacular view of the Seine at night if u go on a boat ride like i did. the eiffel tower sparkles the first ten minutes of every hour!! My family is wondering how many are on there and how in the world do they change them!!!
Since you have to visit the notre dame, just walk over the bridge to Saint-germaine- there is a ice cream shoppe that has the best ice cream in the world. it's 2E for 1 scoop but its worth it!!!!
Hmmm....what else?
Ohh, make sure you get to try some of the pastries there...i love the pain au chocolat!!!
Be prepared to eat a lot of chicken....my group had chicken for dinner almost every night.
you cant forget to go to Versailles, it's beautiful, gold everywhere and the gardens stretch for miles!!!!! Okay maybe not miles, but go on forever when you look in the distance.
I would have to say my favorite part of Paris would have to be Versailles..

well hope u have fun!!!!!

You are so right about Versailles, it's beautiful. I also was at Chartes. The technique to make the blue glass in the windows has been lost in history, I just loved the small town after being in paris for five days, since Im a country girl. I also went to Chenogeau castle or something like that in the loire valley. it was famous in one the World Wars. the Germans didn't know about the castle. there the French had wounded and could send people to the enemy line. The gardens are lovely and the castle is built over the river.

quote:

Originally posted by auzziedreamer:
You can't venture into Paris without a day long visit to Versailles, the magnificent palace which grew from Louis XIII'S hunting lodge into a huge monument to the power and glory of Louise XIV, the Sun King. With 800 rooms (120 open to the public for viewing) with guided tours available. Then explore the beautiful gardens On your return journey visit just outside Paris through the magnificent Chartres Cathedral, a testimony in stone to the religious fervour of another era.
At night a river cruise down the Sinn or a trip to Moulin Rouge would be my recommendations.
I look forward to viewing you final itinery.

I know how u feel, when i was in france i tried e-mailing my family but all the letters are mixed up... I think all the symbols were in the same spot though....anyway I did deal well with the England roads... you know the whole driving on the left hand side.

quote:

Originally posted by brian2226:
I've worn the paint off my exclamation point key!! Not as much as the period though, because every time I use the period, I have to use it at least three times... I don't know why??? One period is just too final...

In Spain did they have the upside down exclamation point and question mark on the keyboards of those internet cafes? I always wondered about that... It's funny to see those things that are so standard for us being so different in other countries. I just found out yesterday that in India they turn lights on by flicking the switch down instead of up! I couldn't cope! I drive on the left side of my car on the right side of the streets and I flick light switches up to turn them on! Don't they have push button light switches in Europe?

i'm sorry, i should be giving you tips on places to go... instead I'm hung up on the keyboards and light switches of our foreign friends... I guess its obvious now which brother went to school for engineering and which didn't!

p.s. can you take a picture of a foreign keyboard for me? i want to print it out and put it on my cube wall