Paris review
Just finished up 7 days in Paris followed by 4 days in Normandy. Family of 5, with 3 kids ages 7-18. To preface, I am not a city person, and I prefer the country and wide, open spaces. I was worried 7 days in Paris would be too overwhelming, but I was wrong. I realized I LOVED Paris. Paris is so much better than US cities. The architecture, authenticity, language, and customs will always hold a special place in my heart.
🇫🇷arrived at CDG, got through passport control in 5 minutes (put into family line). Decided to take a cab to not have to worry about metro and transfers with 6 suitcases. No line for taxi, but did have to wait 15 minutes for van taxi.
🇫🇷Rented an adorable Airbnb with superhost and excellent reviews. We stayed on Ile Saint Louis which felt like the Paris I imagined in my head. Very central. Highly recommend this location. No AC, which I was worried about in July with heat up to 89 degrees, but the apartment never got uncomfortable thanks to being on ground floor with cellar and thick stone walls.
🇫🇷The time change kicked out butts. The whole trip we ended up staying up until midnight or 2 am and sleeping in until 10 or 11 am some days which made the 9 am reservations I made difficult. Yes, make the 9 am reservations for the Louve, but would recommend later reservations for other sites.
🇫🇷Metro extremely useful and easy to use. Bought the Easy pass. First time you but the physical Easy card, you have to do so from a station with a live agent. After that can refill it directly on your phone by scanning the card with your phone using the Bonjour RATP app. Only station we saw homeless people was Madeleine. No pickpockets seen.
🇫🇷No restaurant reservations. So many cafes to chose from. Order the free tap water (carafe deau) and Formule is a good deal which includes meal, desert and drink or appetizer. Lovely eating outside, but smokers sit outside so beware.
🇫🇷People were extremely friendly. The one RATP agent actually walked us across the street to show us where to buy the Easy card. Most people speak English or enough to get by.
🇫🇷We made advance reservations for the Eiffel Tower summit, catacombs, Louve, Arc de Triomphe, macaron class, photo shoot, Saint Chapelle, Seine River cruise. We bought passes for Pantheon and Conciergerie day of/day before. Could have skipped the Conciergerie as it was prettier from the outside.
🇫🇷Chose to go to Versailles on Monday when it was closed so less crowded. Could still rent golf carts.
🇫🇷I am still in awe of all the amazing gothic architecture and beautiful churches and cathedrals around every corner.
🇫🇷Things I am glad I brought with: adapters, flat sheet to put on beds (only provided with duvet covers), handheld rechargeable fans, tissue to use as toilet paper since bathroom situation can be not what you're used to if from the US.
🇫🇷Recommend Rami Alwan as a photographer- he is amazing!
🇫🇷Recommend Oliver through Airbnb experiences for macaron class if you love baking. He did an extraordinary job with my 7 year old and was cheaper than others I saw advertised.
🇫🇷Buy a canvas tote bag to carry all of your purchases and other stuff in.
🇫🇷We left Paris and headed to Normandy to rent a car in Mantes-la-Jolie. Took the train and bus which was confusing and a little stressful with luggage. Beware: Enterprise gives away your reserved rental car if you do not pick it up at the time you list to start your rental. I did not know this and they had given away our car and had no other automatic cars available they said, but finally agreed to give us the BMW at the same price.
🇫🇷Drove to Giverny to see Monet's Garden, then to Rouen stayed 1 night, then to wonderful B&B called Le Clos Poulain (highly recommend) in Nonant in the country outside of Bayeux and went to Normandy beaches and Mont Saint Michel and then returned rental car to CDG. Book rental car early and get a good price. There was no extra charge to drop off at CDG with car rental return steps away from airport terminal. Very glad I decided to return car at CDG
🇫🇷definitely use CBP MPC app when returning to US. Just show border control your QR code and you go to separate line with no wait! Free!
Followed this Normandy itinerary:
