Hi i was wondering if i could get some advice. My fiance and I are trying to plan our honeymoon to Paris. We are getting married on December 21st and plan on leaving for Paris on the 26th after Christmas. So just a few questions:
1. As a first timer what are the major things we should not miss, and what should we not waste our time with?
2. We are more old fashioned type, not into the modern hotels or anything, so we are thinking about staying on the left bank. What are the best hotels to stay at? (or if you have a better idea of where to stay?)
3. How early should we book the hotel?
4. Just an estimate, how much should we bring in spending money for tourist stuff, like museums and dinners? Also, where did you spend most of your money? Food, souvenirs, museums??
5. What would you have liked to known for your first trip to paris, that you didnt know?
6. And any other advice that we are not thinking about?
Thank you in advance for your help, we really appreciate it. We want our honeymoon to be the best possible trip it can be. Thank you.
Comment On Honeymoon in Paris
SalB
Left Bank is a good choice for hotels. It's less expensive, in a more active area and mostly within walking distance of major attractions.
We stay at Hotel de la Sorbonne, but I don't think of it as a honeymoon hotel. It's inexpensive, clean, friendly and very centrally located but not particularly romantic. Why don't you try the Hotel Search for Latin Quarter right here on France.com? They show photos and give reviews that are pretty brutal so you really know what you're getting. We always book through France.com for Paris. They are reliable and the reviews are great.
Another place we've stayed that is more upscale is Hotel Clement in the St. Germain district (6th arrondissement) also the Latin Quarter. It's not quite as centrally located but very nicely decorated and near some lovely restaurants. It's also walking distance to many tourist attractions. I'd book the hotel fairly early since Christmas brings vacationers to Europe. We usually book 3 to 6 months ahead. I'd rather know I had a room than take a chance.
Don't miss: (hm, depends on what you like) Here's my list:
1. Musee d'Orsay (the Impressionists are all there)
2. Notre Dame (stained glass, gothic cathedral)
3. Tuileries Gardens (our most romantic moment in Paris)
4. the Louvre (Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus, etc.)
5. Ste. Chapelle (spectacular stained glass)
6. Musee de Moyen Age or the Cluny Museum (Roman and Medieval things and the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries.
7. Rodin Museum
8. Picasso Museum (fabulous old home full of Picassos)
9. Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero (or anyplace else in town)
10. Pompidou Center (the Beaubourg) and nearby Place Igor Stravinsky with ireally fun fountains (don't know about fountains in Dec.)
11. Sacre Coeur (for the view from the steps)
12. Place des Vosges (most beautiful square in Paris)
Other things of interest might be the Memorial to the Martyrs of the Deportation (behind Notre Dame on the Seine), Luxembourg Gardens, Napoleon's Tomb, Marmottan Museum, long walks on the Seine and in the gardens, Place du Tertre behind Sacre Coeur . . .
All of the churches and the Places are interesting, all for different reasons.
On our first trip I wish we'd known to buy a carnet (pronounced carnay) of Metro tickets instead of a couple of expensive passes. The carnet is a little package of 10 Metro tickets and in a week, we didn't use them all. You can share them and they can be used any time. The stupid passes have to be used on consecutive days and you each have to have your own pass . . . a waste of money!
I suspect we spent the most money on souvenirs but we have kids and grandkids so have to get a lot of stuff.
Food is fairly inexpensive for a large city and restaurants have to post their menus outside so you can check it out before you walk in the door.
Get a hundred dollars worth of euros before you leave (from your own bank). You can get cash at any ATM in Paris and they are all over the place. Use your debit card to get cash; no or lower fees. Use your credit card for purchases. Don't use the expensive exchange bureaus you'll see at the airport and in major tourist areas. We've gone with as little as 7 euros and used the ATM at the airport but if it's your first trip, that's probably not a great idea. You'll be tired from the trip and not want to deal with it.
Take an umbrella and good walking shoes. You will walk a lot because it's such a beautiful city. We took a pedometer on one trip and walked 12 miles one day.
Not knowing your interests nor how long you are staying, I just sort of tossed in a lot of things. Hope it's of some use.
Have a great trip and a wonderful honeymoon. We're planning our 44th anniversary this spring; life is great!