!st visit to paris

SalB

Paris is beautiful all times of year but plan on it being cold, windy with possible snow or rain. The city is beautiful at Christmas so you'll get to see the decorations. Y

ou can check hours of most sights at http://www.parismuseumpass.com/en/home.php

Versailles web site is http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/

The Louvre web site (in Engoish) is http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home_flash.jsp?bmLocale=en

Obviously the gardens at Versailles will not be particularly flowery. We've been there in November and the gardens were open and free of charge but there were no flowers and the fountains will not be working. Many large pots are covered in canvas and tropical plants will be inside for the winter. The chateau and the two additional smaller chateaus will be open as usual.

While in Paris, you may wish to visit the Musee d'Orsay. It's an old restored Paris train station with a marvelous art collection, including all the Impressionists that first-timers expect to see in the Louvre. It's smaller than the Louvre and if you like Impressionists, it is "the" place to go.

We also enjoy the Rodin Museum and garden although the garden will be a bit bare in the winter. It's still pretty, just not flowery.

If you like old buildings and modern art, visit the Picasso Museum. The building is a marvelous old historic "hotel" (which is French for mansion) with a terrific collection of Picassos and much of his personal collection of other artists. Take an umbrella, a wool neck scarf and good solid walking shoes and you will have a great time.

joey703

  Thank you for sharing this information, we have decided to move our trip to early next year.