Paris for the day?

[littlelizzie]

We are off on Wednesday and are planning to have a day trip to Paris on the Sunday as it’s a blackout day on our annual passports.
This is also a public holiday for the French.
Can anyone tell me if it means lots of places will be shut in Paris? Or will it be just too busy to enjoy?
Also what is the best way to get into Paris (a bit also concerned that the busses/trains may have a limited service?)
If you have been on a day trip what did you do? (we have children 7 & 4)
We would like to go up the Eiffel tower providing the queues are not to long! But have no idea what else to do as there is so much (boat trips etc)
I’m sure I have read on here trains to get and different tickets for busses etc but can’t find the thread.

Any suggestions and help most welcome

Thanks

 

[wideeyes]

we went to Paris for the day last year and took the RER, Than we got a ticket for the open top bus which we rode to the eiffel tower which was VERY VERY busy, we had to queue for an hour for a ticket and then had to queue at least 30min to get in to the lifts, if you ask my dd what we did at he eiffel tower she will say "waited", it was worth it though. we did not have much time to do much else so we just got on the tour bus again and saw some sight from this, and we could get of at various stops.

it is worth going however I don't think you can really experience Paris in just a day so choice a few things you really want to do.

 

[Ware Bears]

A DISer went to Paris for the day last year and kindly posted up some instructions here It's the 9th post down.

There is a tourist info office right outside the train station, it might be worth asking in there about train times/things being open on a Sunday.

Not many more sleeps now! Getting excited?

 

[woody73]

You can take the RER A train to central Paris. It takes approx. 50 minutes.

On Sunday the major attractions (Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Louvre Museum, etc.) will be open. Many shops will be closed.

A good option is a hop-on hop-off bus that goes to the major sites.

Beware of pickpockets on public transportation, at stations, and at tourist attractions.

Woody

 

[wideeyes]

Beware of pickpockets on public transportation, at stations, and at tourist attractions.

Woody

also be aware outside the RER station at DLP and on the way to the park entrances, being in such a magical place can make people easily forget.

 

[littlelizzie]

Thanks for the replies.

Thanks Ware bears that was the post I had read once before and was looking for!

 

[corkeyk]

also be aware outside the RER station at DLP and on the way to the park entrances, being in such a magical place can make people easily forget.

I must second the pickpockets thing..had my wallet lifted the last hour we were at DLP when riding shuttle back to Sante Fe to get our luggage to head to CDG...Good thing wife had her CC as we would have been up a creek as we had to stay at a hotel by CDG for a 5am flight to Dublin..Couldnt belive it happened last day and last few minutes in DLP, but only had 20euro in wallet and my DL...all replaced but so mad when we got to CDG only to find pocket empty..Need to get wallet with a chain and mousetrap(with spiked teeth) to catch sticky fingers...

 

[Ware Bears]

That's terrible

 

[Cyrano]

That's terrible

Agree. Shame where ever people are enjoying themselves others are out to be spoilers

 

[darkacre]

On public holiday, count on many shops and restaurants being closed. The Latin Quarter will lose much of its charm with all the closed doors. However, the landmarks are mostly open -- Sacre Couer, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumphe, etc. (Except New YEar's Day, Christmas and May Day) Visiting the Louvre is worthwhile, even if you only have a few hours. The Eiffel Tower will take 2 hours at least to buy tickets, wait, go up, look around, come down. If you go to the very top, it could be an extra hour.