Paris Travel Forum

My son and I are visiting Paris for 2 1/2 days, getting in Saturday night around 6:00 pm. Saturday night we plan on doing the Eiffle Tower, and maybe Moulin Rouge, if we can catch the 11:00 show. We don't have tickets for this yet. Sunday, I was thinking of Versailles, for half a day, and maybe the Louvre for the other half. I know they are two "biggies" for one day, but we would want to just get a sense of being there, a quick look around Versailles, and a rush-in, look at Mona Lisa, stop at the Louvre. Monday we were thinking of the hop-on and off bus to see the rest of the city. Is this feasable? Any suggestions on how to maximize our two and a half days? Any and all replies very much appreciated! Thanks!

Versailles is not a quick look. You will spend more time traveling (even though it is not that far, there is still the time getting the combo train/Versailles ticket, walking from the station to V and back). Not only is there the palace, but the grounds take time to fully explore due to the sheer size. Since your time is limited, I suggest you get a museum pass. That way you can see several museums without much of a line and only spending a few hours at a time at each. With a museum pass you can also enter the Louvre at say the Richeliu entrance on the East, walk straight across the foyer to the Denon wing where the Italian masters are located. We enjoy the Rodin museum as a break - with many great sculptures in the gardens. I would also spend some time in the d'Orsay, and with the pass you can also see La Chappell (incredible stained glass) and the Cluny (Medieval) - all by Notre Dame. Karl

I would also suggest to visit other museums instead of the Castle. It's great, but you will definitely losse too much time for such a short trip.
And by visiting the Cluny Museum, you will have time for a walk in the "Quartier Latin": around Notre Dame, Saint Michel and Saint Germain.
From there you also cann cross the Seine through the beautiful Pont des Arts straight to the Louvre.

Would it make more sense, then, if I alloted Sunday for Versailles, and Moulin Rouge,then Monday for the Open Tour Bus, then do the Louvre then? I was thinking that what I would like to see on the Open Tour bus the Arc, Notre Dame and the Louvre. Do you think that would be too much to do in one day? Another question I have as far as the Moulin Rogue is,can you buy tickets the night of the show with no problems or should I definately get them in advance? Again, thank you very much.

Hi and yes definitely see Versailles on the Sun - during the summer months on every sun or certain sundays they have music around the gardens/fountains - an extra special time to visit. I dont think Versailles is a waste of time at all to include in your itinerary - just plan well or carefully and be quick or budget your time as your tour around the inside of the palace - its stunning! See MarieAntoinettes bedroom and so on.
but the gardens are nice and really you can do the whole lot still in about 3 hours. take a packed lunch(a discreet one probably) and have a quick lunch stop in the grounds.
La Chappelle is beautiful as recommended earlier - I couldnt believe i hadnt seen it until my latest trip! Notre Dame too of course. my first visit with my Mum when we didnt have much time at all we thought the hopon hop off bus was well worth use of our time. but looking through the Lonely Planet guidebook has mostly given me good ideas of what to see too.
and the Mona Lisa...and surroundiing art in that area in the Louvre is excellent but weigh up the time too.
might add more later. all the best.