I was in Paris last week for 5 days and it has changed for the worse as there are crowds, long lines and miserable locals everywhere. I started coming to Paris over 40 years ago and have typically visited every 4 to 5 years. This was likely my last trip as I hated the crowds, packed and delayed metro and trains, and the extra 30 to 40 minutes to line up for security before entering ALL touristy museums or sites. Note I had booked appointments for the sites but you will still wait the 30 minutes to an hour to go through security.
If you’re still wanting to visit after my rant. Here are my tips
- buy a Paris visite card for the metro and Paris regional trains. It was 78 euros for 5/days, 5 zones. A bargain for the ease of use and unlimited use. It got me to fountain blue and Cdg for no extra cost
- buy the museum pass..96 euros for 5 days and a must is to book your visit time for every site, even if it says no appointments necessary, as you will wait hours otherwise in line. You need to do this on each museums site
- get to each museum or church etc at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment as you will stand in line for security checks
- have a travel on purse or backpack that locks as pickpockets are rampant. If you can secure you passport in the hotel safe
- you will need cash and a chip credit or debit card as many places don’t accept cash and only chip cards work
- pre check the site’s website for closures as the museum pass site is not up to date
- make sure your hotel is on a train line direct from your airport or arrival train station, as almost none of the metro stations elevators and escalators were working. I stayed within walking distance of gate du nord and gate d’lest. Use gare de lest vs gare du nord as its less busy and fewer undesirables
- walk when you can between museums as it faster
- go to the chateaus on the museum pass as they are beautiful and not as busy, except Versailles
- for food, get the specials at cafes for lunch or dinner to save money. I had several great meals
- pack your patience, sun hat, sunscreen and a throw away raincoat
- have really comfortable shoes.. at least 2 pairs to change into
I visited the following in 5 days
Chateau fountain blue
Chateau Vincennes
Muss d’orsay
Saint chapelle and the government building and cloisters beside it
Momartre
Pompidou museum
Notre dame - go at 8:30 am to skip the lines
Jewish museum
Marine museum
Arch de triumph - go up to the top for amazing views
Tuileries
Place de la Concorde
And walked at lot thru the marais and along the seine
Hope this helps
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