Paris in a day

[Pootle]

Its our 3 year anniversary in June and I am thinking about taking my wife to Paris for a day trip on the Eurostar. What are the best things to see in a day? Has anybody done Paris in a day, any tips? Is this worth doing in a day considering the travelling time? What is the train journey like? With thanks in advance

[KebabMeister]

Wow, in a day!  That's a toughy!

Well, I've been to Paris a few times.  I think if you were to queue (maybe up to an hour) to go up the Eiffel Tower then from the top you can see most of the sites.  So afterwards you can actually say you did see this, you did see that etc.

That still leaves the afternoon.  A boat trip on the River Seine takes about an hour and you could even take some lunch with you.

Afterwards you can either fit in Notre Dame or the Sacre Coeur (Montmatre).  I would go for the latter because Montmatre is absolutely beautiful and my favourite part of the city.  Again you get a very good view of the city, the Sacre Coeur is beautiful, and behind there are the artists and cafes to spend more time. (the Impressionists used to hang around this area in the 1800s)

Flump eh?

[corganiser]

Kebab is spot on. Some of the galleries are fantastic but best avoided if you have only a day.

Montparnasse cemetary and the catacombs are also well worth a visit, but Eiffel, boat and Sacre Coeur would be a great start.

[KebabMeister]

Incidently, the Eurostar trip is quite long and tiring.  I would suggest to try and stretch it to a 3 day visit (2 nights).  This would be far more relaxing and will give you 1 complete day to see the city.  Prices are very reasonable.  Have a look at www.lastminute.com

[jno]

Yes, it makes a longish day depending what trains you catch; but perhaps for a first trip, an extra day or two would be nice. I'd say as well as seeing Notre Dame go into the Sainte Chapelle church nearby - almost totally made of glorious stained glass and yet it's not well known as a tourist sight. Not bad view of Paris from the escalators at the Pompidou centre as I recall (though it was all under repair last time I was there), and without the Eiffel Tower queues. Sacre Coeur has good views but the church itself is a bit of a letdown inside. If you like art, the Louvre or the Orsay museum (fantastic impressionists in an old railway station) - I could spend the whole day in either of these. Or if you like food, spend the whole day having lunch!

[Litchick]

Really -- try to stretch it out if you can.  Everyone should see Versailles!  It is about 40 minutes outside the city but TRULY WORTH spending a day there!