It’s that time of year to enjoy the living painting of Claude Monet at his house and gardens and admire the spring blossom.
Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance to skip the 2hour weekend line!
After aile Sully two weeks ago, my friday morning was this time dedicated to the Aile Richelieu
Once again, the feeling of visiting empty Louvre museum is absolutely unique !!
A couple of months back I asked heard if anyone knew about the paintings Hemingway said that he’d visit while he lived in Paris, and that he felt had taught him in some ways how to write. A bunch of you shared great information and am most grateful.
So here I am in Paris and last evening I went to the Musee D’Orsay where three of the Cezanne paintings that were likely to be Hemingway’s paintings are on display. I photographed them for us here with my Fujifilm X100vi and in fact invented a custom recipe for my camera to try to photograph art in a meaningful way. Happy to share the recipe if any other Fuji heads here want it.
In our previous chat too someone asked me if once I say the painting which one I thought was the most likely to have inspired him the most. As I’m a published author myself… and I’m actually in Paris researching for a future book project. So I’ll share the pics first then I’ll say which one I thought… there’s two really but I did get a gut feeling which one would get me writing… if I were him.
So which do I think?
My gut really went for ‘Cour d’une ferme’
How we the viewer are looking between a gap. Being shown this house and trees… and it feels warm but we are not really given access. The layers of foreground guiding the eye to the house, but the inhabitants or stories keep from us. Makes me think of Hills like White Elephants or Big Two Hearted River (which I consider imo the greatest short story ever written - not that one can read them all but you know what I mean). Anyway not making any claims just going off standing in front of these painting and being a writer with an eye that loves visual art.
Would love to know your thoughts. Has anyone else here made this little pilgrimage? Do share your experiences…
Hi all! Going to Paris for a few days in May. I haven't been in almost 10 years, so I'm SUPER excited.
I live in NYC, so I have access to lots of good shopping and stores. I feel like it takes a lot to impress me, and I'm often disappointed when going to other US cities because we have the same shops in NYC.
What are some retail stores, mainly women's clothing or jewelry, that are truly unique to Paris? AKA French brands that you can't get in the US? I'm not interested in super expensive luxury (ex: Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel, etc), or French brands we have here (Sezane, Maje, Rouje, Zadig, Sandro). Not very interested in vintage either. I've found a lot of cool home goods or more niche stores to check out (ex: stationary), but struggling to find clothing boutiques.
I would love to go to multi-brand stores or single brand stores. For clothes, I'm thinking brands where most things are ~under $1000. For example, I'm excited to check out Souer and Nour Hammour! For jewelry, fine jewelry is great. For example, I put Dinh van on my list.
THANK YOU
Do not book here on booking.com or air bnb…please don’t….i was scammed..fraud…arrive with my kid and left to scramble last minute hotel at midnight….if they don’t got reviews
Do not book it…host a guy name Hugo!
No lock box
No key
No unit number
Nothing but they took our money and confirmed the booking. Disgusting ppl
flying from Canada too!
I am a tourist on my first full day in Paris, and I tried using the public transit system to go to Versailles. I just came from London, and it was phenomenal. All I had to do was tap my bank card/phone and it paid the price to ride. And if I spent more than a few £ in a day, it was capped. Phenomenal.
Paris is so different. I was told I needed to download one app (RATP) which then asked me to install another app (My Navigo Tickets), and then there were so many options to buy tickets. Like I could buy a week pass, but it's not starting on the day you buy it, but based on calendar week? That is silly. But then there's a five day pass that's like €78 that does start the day you buy it, but that's so many rides I'd have to take to be worth it.
(Actual scam story starts here)
I opted to do what I researched online is best, which is just buy individual tickets. So I bought a couple of metro tickets through the app, and went to the tram by my hotel the Citymapper app said was best for me to get where I'm going. I tap my phone and it just buzzes red. I'm confused, because I just bought tickets, it should work. I'm looking around for help, and I don't see anyone. The door shuts behind me, tram starts moving, and as soon as it does, some guy puts on an orange band that says RATP (I think) and starts approaching me. I think, "Oh great, someone can help me." I explain the situation, tell him I bought tickets, show him my tickets in the app, and he asks me to scan my phone on his device.
He doesn't really explain much, and I apologize for coming to this country without speaking French, but he says some things to me I don't understand. I tell him I don't speak French, and he in English just something like, "Wrong ticket." He then waves someone else over with another orange band, and she informs me I am in violation of the transit rules and have been caught attempting to evade fare and am being fined by the city €70. I tell her I bought tickets, but she saysShe makes me tap my phone and pay for it, and then she walks away after giving me a receipt.
I call for her again and ask her if I need to buy a ticket now, and she says, "No, that is your ticket."
What the fuck just happened? I went up to someone as a stupid tourist asking for help why my ticket won't work and I get fined €70? At one point the doors opened up for the next stop while I was being told I am getting fined, and I said, "I can get off right now and buy a ticket if that will fix things," and they told me I cannot leave because I am being fined. Should I have just left? Was this even official???
I legitimately don't know what just happened, why it happened, and it has completely ruined my first day in Paris. There's a bit of a stereotype in America that Parisians are rude and dislike Americans, but wow. This just felt like a targeted attack on a tourist trying to look for help.
Has anyone done the after hour tour at Opera Garnier? normally how big is the group size? I read somewhere recommended that to visit the place close to closing time so less crowded, I assume this meant for regular visit hours. Does it mean booking the last available window will have enough time to explore the place without being rushed to leave? TIA
Any suggesting, I made quite a few edits and I would like to know if this is still overpacked. A lot of the shopping places are close to where I’m staying with is 2e. I also am interested in La Marais but not sure where to add that. The ones with times, are ones that I would like to book in advance but not I’m not sure if It’s enough time in between. THANK YOU!
Hi! With new rollouts with EES starting today, I was wondering if anyone had any real time reports with how long it is taking. Flight lands at 18:50 and we have to pick up keys before 20:00 and am slightly worried about making it! (US passports also) TIA :)
Heading to Paris May 8-11 with my wife before continuing to Croatia for a work course. Based at Hôtel Bel Ami in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Food-focused trip, happy to hear any thoughts or tips.
✅ means booked already
FRIDAY MAY 8 — Arrive CDG 8:40 AM
1:15 PM — Lunch at Epicure, Le Bristol (3-star Michelin) ✅
Arc de Triomphe, then walk back down the Champs-Élysées
8:00 PM — Dinner at DELTA Restaurant Paris 6, sharing plates & cocktails ✅
SATURDAY MAY 9
Sacré-Cœur early morning before the crowds, funicular up, wander Place du Tertre and the village streets
11:00 AM — Chef PJ’s Montmartre Food Tour, ~5 hrs, covers lunch ✅
Wind down with a glass of wine on Rue de Buci back in Saint-Germain
SUNDAY MAY 10
Notre-Dame Cathedral (fully reopened Dec 2024)
Walk along the Left Bank, grab a coffee before heading to the tower
12:45 PM — Eiffel Tower Summit by lift, reserved access ✅
Musée d’Orsay optional after — open until 6 PM, 15 min walk from the tower, will skip if we’re tired
8:00 PM — Dinner at Passionné, 1-star Michelin ✅
Late night — Seine boat tour, Vedettes du Pont Neuf (TBD) — watch the Eiffel sparkle from the water
MONDAY MAY 11
Louvre Museum (entering via Carrousel du Louvre to skip the lines)
Walk through the Tuileries Garden
Le Bon Marché + La Grande Épicerie for last-day food gifts
Atelier des Lumières — currently showing the Renaissance exhibition (Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo) — has anyone done this? Worth it?
8:00 PM — Dinner at Septime ✅
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!
For context: first time abroad and want to get the most out of my 2 full days in Paris. I’m not a big museum person but these looked good to visit plus being free so I won’t spend too long. I’m staying further out in 20th.
Hi we are going in December 11-14th so know that it will be a busy time due to it being in their Xmas season etc, so trying to get as much booked as possible.
We are flying into cdg and due to arrive at 12.55 in the afternoon on the Friday and our return flight is at 8.55 pm on the Monday evening.
Have considered the trains but with us being a party of 6 (3 adults 3 kids and a teenager) not sure if that will e more hassle than it’s worth, have also considered the magic shuttle coach service but have seen a number of issues with being too full etc which would concern me for the return as would look to be the last one of the day for us.
I’ve however come across a private transfer company called Prestige Transfers (https://www.prestige-transfer.com)
Has any one used them ( or recommend other such companies)
How does it work getting these on arrival do they meet you at arrivals or is there a specific area at the airport that you meant them, would the cars be big enough for 6 people plus luggage. How does the return work, do they just tell you wha5 time the collect you from the hotel. Looks to be 90 euros each way which seems reasonable and actually cheaper than the shuttle bus given 1 of the kids is classed as adult. Is there something I am missing and not considering
Thanks in advanced
https://www.viator.com/tours/Paris/Paris-Latin-Quarter-Free-Walking-Tour/d479-394285P14
We found this Viator tip based walking tour online and had a couple questions about it. The itinerary lists almost 15 places with 10 minute stops at each location but how does that allow enough time to actually visit the site? All of the locations state that the admission ticket is free but that doesn't seem quite right either like for Musee de Cluny and Pantheon. Should tickets actually be purchased ahead of time if attending this tour?
Hi all! Lurking all the recommendations has already been so helpful! I wanted to share our plan for critique/improvements. A couple things to note - I will be 20 weeks pregnant, so in particular trying not to over schedule ourselves. We also enjoy museums, but are okay to only spend max 3-4 hours, hitting highlights or areas of interest. Thanks in advance!
In June I’m flying in to CDG airport a day before the rest of my tour group. They told us “if you’re not taking the group flight (Air France from Dallas-DFW), meet us at terminal 2E” Okay, fair enough. Is it always 2E? What if it’s 2F? I assume the flight information boards will tell us?
Hello, we are visiting Paris end of this month and this is our first trip with a 9-year old. My partner and I have been before. So, we would like this visit to do more kid-friendly activities. can you review below itinerary and share any brunch/dinner spots nearby.
Thank you in advance.
Day 1:
Arrive in Paris
Check-in /luggage dropoff by noon.
Visit Notredame
Musee D'Orsay. (6pm)
Dinner
Day 2:
Disneyland
Day 3:
Visit Louvre (10am)
Eiffel (3pm)
Tracadero
Seine boat cruise (dusk)
Day 4:
Visit Montmartre & Sacre Coeur
Going to be staying in Paris for 4 full days.
We are staying at Airbnb in Montmartre so we will be exploring there.
These places are a must for me to check out:
•Eiffel Tower (of course)
•The Louvre
•Notre-Dame cathedral
These are others I’m interested in if they are doable within 4 days:
• Musee d’Orsay
• Arc de Triomphe
• Jardin du Luxembourg
• Le Marais
• Catacombs
• Bon Marche
• Galleries Lafayette
I’m trying to piece together an itinerary but I want to know what’s worth seeing and what to skip. And any other advice would be greatly appreciated. I want to be able to enjoy Paris and this will be my first time going. Thanks!
Also, any recommendations of cafes and restaurants will be appreciated as well!!
I am looking to stay at an airbnb in Paris for a month under a mobility lease. Has anyone here actually done this? What type of documentation did you need to provide? Would taking a one week cooking class or attending a conference be sufficient?
It is our 10-year anniversary and we had planned a trip to Thailand, which has now been cancelled thanks to Qatar Airlines! So we are going to Paris and the South of France instead. This feels very last minute as we have been planning Thailand for months now. So I need your help planning our itinerary. Here is what I have:
What do you think? Anything we should prioritize? Also open to any food recommendations as I haven't had a chance to do any research on that.
Please help some very tired first-time parents plan a few days away from their 1yo!