Paris Travel Answers

On our very first day in Paris back in 2008 we did a 3 hour bike tour which is also a very good way to get an introduction to the city. There are several companies that offer tours and they are usually small enough to enjoy.

Well I don't know where that post just above came from but...While it's nothing off of my back that you give money to these companies, but if you do a little research here on VT with the tips members have written you could do a tour easily enough on your own. With a carnet of metro tickets, a map and your own 2 feet you can do everything in Paris on your own. Paris is made for walking, things are so close together. There's only really Sacré Coeur that's not within walkable distance, but then again I did it a month ago, and I'm 65. You'll be better off researching here on VT than researching possible tours.

I agree that taking a look at VT's Paris Travel Guide: Paris Travel Guide Will give you more ideas of what there is to see and do in Paris than a tour would. However, the advantage of a tour is that you'll have the chance to see the main attractions of Paris without much effort and those that aren't so interesting, you don't have to go back to. You can then focus on those sites/places that you'd really like to explore. Also, I would say that 35 Euros isn't too big a price to pay for a three hour tour. I'd take the bus tour, as it will serve simply as an introduction to Paris, it takes up less time/energy and still covers the city's most popular sites.

Hi Absolutely agree with Paul that it's eminently doable by yourself. However, if you're not so confident in a strange city, an introductory hop on, hop off bus tour might not be a bad idea to develop your confidence and help you decide what you might like to explore on your own. Perhaps take a look at this tip where I've suggested some possible itineraries for Paris. These are not hard and fast suggestions, so you can customise then according to your time, interests and budget, but it will at least give you an idea of what's possible: "Some possible itineraries to kick start your plans" - Arrondissements (sections of Paris) Tip by CatherineReichardt Sorry, but it's not possible to cut and paste this into a forum response as then the hyperlinks to the tips on each attraction/activity will be lost. Regards Cathy

why so many think of tours??? Paris is a compact city, most of folks come here to see is even walking distance from each other. Pfsmalo is correct in looking at Destinations above right for tips by posters like us about Paris, plenty here to show you around. I never do tours, so dont know or can tell about discover walks, but if you really really need a tour, try the Paris office tours agree companies here en.parisinfo.com/paris-sight... And I would recommend with the tips offered here on the members Paris pages to take a walk around Paris. Five days....you will be back:::::millions have. cheers

We usually do one tour per trip on our vacations just to get a little history and interaction with the guide and others on the tour. I find it is a good way to find out even more interesting things that you might not even discover here on VT or on your own. When we did our 3 hour Bike Tour of Paris Bach in 2008 I chose it because it was a small group under 10 and gave us a good first look at the city. This past trip to Europe we did a 2 1/2 hour walking tour of the old town section and got a lot of insight from our Barcelona born tour guide. Again there were about 20 people on this tour which is about the maximum tour size for me.

well next time with more time will give a tour Riorich55 ::)

Sounds good! Working on some Paris VT tips this morning.

::) I was b Maisons Laffitte today and of course Versailles very sunny 27C nice cheers Happy Mother's Day to the French mom ,is tomorrow.

Wishing your wife a Happy Mother's Day tomorrow.

thanks, all expenses done already auch !!

Take metro(subway) and go on foot. Much miles but you see so much more then when you take the bus. Visit a city isn't only the tourist attraction but also the other neighberhoods.

Thank you for your reply lmkluque. I will check the tips and info you, and some of the others suggest, but I just like the idea of going for a tour on my first day there, and then walking around on my own. It's helpful to know you don't consider 35 euros as expensive for a 3h tour. I didn't think it was, considering it also includes a 1h boat cruise on the Seine, and honestly, it's this bit which interests me the most. Thank you!

Thank you for your input riorich55. I completely agree with you - going on a tour, with a good guide that is, could be a very interesting experience and a great way to learn a bit more about a city, or an area, or an attraction. Perhaps even more valuable than what you may find on a Travel Guide. So I think I'll give this "Welcome to Paris Tour" a try.

Glad to help. I think a city tour is useful for giving an overall look of what is offered and intresting bits of history of a place. Then get yourself a good Metro Map and spend the next four days exploring on your own. I also bought a Michelin "Paris Plan" map with all the sites of the city marked. That came in handy while I walked around the city.

My two cents.... walk walk walk.... you will see amazing things!!! Also a good map!! I have the paris mapguide put out by penguin.. it is fabulous and easy to read and take along!!! it is a book but not to large!! I have helped many a tourist trying to using their Galleries LaFayette map (while they are lost).. L

barnesandnoble.com/w/paris-m... Have no idea why that posted twice!! so you got my 4 cents worth