do i need a guided visit of the louvre or should i just explore by myself and save money?

Question

how about montmartre? what tours should i take in paris while i´m there, where must i do? whats worth the money, where shoudl i get a 3 star hotel? any advice from paris travellers? thanks

Answer 1

The Lourve is HUGE! It'll take you a week to see the entire museum. I would look at their web site and decide what you want to see - what type of art/collection and then go on your own. Of course you want to see the Mona Lisa....

As to other places....they have different tours you can take but I prefer to explore on my own. I think you learn a little more about an area and you're more likely to go places the tours don't go.

I've been to Paris a few times - usually I stay in Versailles. (I have family there - SCORE!) As to where you should stay...try something more personal than a standard hotel. The B&Bs in Europe are generally nicer, more friendly and personal, and less expensive than a standard hotel.

One pice of advice I will give you is the French dress up. You won't see anyone walking around in sweat pants or very casual clothes. Jeans are OK though. If you look like an American, they may treat you like crap. (Sad, but it has happened.) Most French will treat you fine as long as you respect them and try to speak French to them rather than just assuming that everyone speaks English.

Explore...have fun....and don't feel like you have to see everything. One of my best afternoons in Paris was when I sat in a park and just watched the people go by....

Answer 2

I recommend getting Rick Steves' Paris. There is a guided tour of the Louvre...very helpful. Or, you can download the tour on iTunes and listen on your iPod. It's free. There are a number of other guided tours he offers: Musee d'Orsay and Versailles. Very helpful.

I'm not sure how many days you'll be in Paris, but I would suggest taking an introductory bus tour of Paris with Cityrama or Paris Vision. Both are located on Rue de Rivoli, across the street from the Tuileries Garden. They're both pretty comparable in price and offer historical commentary via headset. It's a great way to sort of get the lay of the land.

Montmartre is my favorite area in Paris. The steps of Sacre-Coeur Basilica offer a beautiful panoramic view of the city. It's the highest natural point in Paris. It's quite a climb, but well worth it. There is a very good restaurant: Auberge de la Bonne Franquette...We always go on a Saturday night and have a wonderful time. The food is fabulous.

If you have enough time, you can venture out of Paris. Versailles is not far and it's a must. If you wish to venture further out, there's Mont-Saint-Michel...beautiful. And the Loire Valley. Both Paris Vision and Cityrama offer great trips.

Get a museum pass. They are available in 2-day, 4-day and 6-day passes. You can get them at participating museums or, better yet, at any major Metro ticket booth. You can get it the same time you get your Carte Orange (week-long transportation pass). If you're opting for the Carte Orange, you'll need a small photo...1.5 by 1.5. Don't buy individual tickets...if you won't be in Paris long enough to use the Carte Orange, get a carnet de dix (10 Metro tickets)...it's cheaper than buying them separately.

The museum pass allows you to waltz to the front of the line at many museums (this is also very good to have if you want to go to Sainte-Chapelle) or enter through a different entrance.

Souvenirs. The closer you are to a major attractioin, the more expensive the items are. Walk away and the prices decrease. Rue de Rivoli has a lot of great souvenir shops. So does the street near Notre-Dame Cathedral.

All restaurants have their menus posted outside, so you can browse the selection (and prices) before deciding.

Wear a money belt! Just do it.

Answer 3

Check with the various web sites to find a good hotel at a good price. Unless you have money to burn, opt for the lower priced-ones. Paris has the Metro, their subway, that has maps that will light up. You don't need to know French to use it or to get around or even to order food. When I was there, I went to McDonald's. (And the bakery!) Anyway, the maps for the Metro are easy to figure out. If you see the Eiffle Tower on the map, just push the button and it will show you what subways you need to ride on to get there. The same with the Champ Elysee, Notre Dame, Arc d'Triumph and other major tourist sites. Don't bother with tours if you don't need to; a tour is mostly a waste of time and money. You might want to spend more time in one section of the Louvre than another. Of course, there will be a big crowd around Mona Lisa. Michel Angelo's state of David, in the basement, did not draw a crowd the two times I was there. You can buy brochures (about any language) near the main entrance, which is on the North side (expect a VERY long line). Go straight south past the souvenirs and brochures to the restrooms. Look through the brochures and decide where you want to go first and map a plan of action.
Versailles is very worth going to, but it is out of town and you will need to drive or arange transportation. Again, expect a VERY LONG LINE. After waiting in line for more than two hours, I managed to get in, but hundreds behind me did not.
Across the Seine from the Eiffle Tower are the Anthropology Museum and others. I did not get to tour them. It's amazing what short hours these places have. There is also the boat tours on the Seine River. Night is a good time to go on them; the city looks prettier by night.
Visit some web sites and make plans before you go. Unless you will be there for a VERY long time, you can only hit the highlights.

Answer 4

It is cheaper to just explore the Louvre on your own. But most likely you would need to make it the first thing you do that day. The Louvre is extremely large and there are lots to see and do there.

Effiel Tower is another must. It's worth the wait. But don't go up if you are afraid of heights!

Sacre Couer is another place in Paris that's awesome. It was my favorite place, matter of fact. You can either ride this tram up the hill or walk up like 1000+ steps... I chose to pay for the tram(it's not expensive). But once up top, there's so much to see and do. Be sure to turn around and you will be able to see all of Paris! It's breathtaking!

*Beware of "Gypsies". They will rob you blind in a minute. They are sneaky about it too. They will throw their baby to you and when you drop your packages to catch the baby, they will snatch your packages and their baby and be gone before you know what happened. They have "pimps" that they have to bring stuff back to in place of a bed. If you have any problems with them find a cop or security officer. THE GYPSIES ARE ILLEGAL!!!!

Answer 5

I would get a book about the Louvre and the artwork. On a guided tour you cannot go at your own pace. I spent over 16 hours there, between 3 trips, and still didn't have enough time. It is huge, and amazing. Pick up a book before hand, and figure out what your must see's are, your I'd like to see's and then the if I have time to go see's.

Answer 6

Just try on your own first as it 's the best way to feel the place.
Just sit in a corner and watch what's going on, then walk around and if you feel you are missing out something then do join a guided visit
the money is worth it ! and not that expensive :-)

Answer 7

It would be good to have a guide to explain the facts hidden in paintings sculptures and treasures displayed in louvre.Surely you can not understand with your own , these facts
Be careful if you join a group time to time led by a guide as a complimentory outsider ,

It is very unsafe if you venture alone. in late eveining hours.

Answer 8

I always say you should learn about where you go beforehand so you can be your own tourguide when you get there. That's one of my favorite parts of traveling, learning about where I'm going before hand. That way it doesn't feel so foreign when you get there. It also helps build anticipation for the trip, and you will appreciate what you see that much more.

Answer 9

all are good