Wedding Blog
My Paris Itinerary
Part I: Guidebooks and Hotels
Sightseeing Pics: Part II, III, IV
I could eat macaroons all day long…
Thanks for bearing with me through this whole series. This is the last installment! 
Sightseeing
A lot of sights are closed on specific days (the Orsay on Monday, the Louvre on Tuesdays), so if you can, try to map out a general itinerary before you get there. A Paris Museum Pass, available for 2 days (30 euros), 4 days (45 euros), or 6 days (60 euros), will grant you admission to over 60 museums and monuments in Paris. It’s definitely a worthwhile purchase as admission to the Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and much more are included.
My Must Sees: Orsay Museum, Marais (esp Place des Vosges), Ile de la Cite, Champs Elysees/Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Versailles (though I visited Vaux Le Vicomte instead)
Things I Wish I Could Have Seen: Pompidou Modern Art Museum, Orangerie Museum, Jacquemart-Andre Museum (a mansion turned museum of a wealthy art-loving couple), Sacre Coeur (my mom had already been and hadn’t cared too much for it), Left Bank
Transportation
You have the option of taking a cab (approx 50 euros), shuttle, bus, or RER train (the suburban leg of the metro) into Paris from the airport. The RER train (approx 8 euros) was a quick 10 minute walk from our terminal. We made a transfer to the metro (they share the same stations) once we were in the heart of Paris and easily got to our hotel.
Carnets are a book of 10 metro tickets at about 30% off (around 11 euros). We purchased and used 3 carnets for the two of us throughout our 5 day trip.
Speaking French
I quickly learned that reading French as you would read English is usually very wrong. The one time we took a cab, our driver had absolutely no idea what I was saying with my American pronunciation.
These were the only French words and phrases I knew, and I used them all practically every day.
Bonjour/Bonsoir - Good Day/Good Evening (click links for audio of pronunciation)
Au revoir - Good bye
Parlez-vous anglais (parlayvoo ahnglay) - Do you speak English?
Merci - Thank you
Pardon - Excuse me
Ou est…? (oo ay) - Where is…?
General Tips
My computer automatically rebooted to install some updates before I saved this post, so I had to rewrite it. I know I’m forgetting a couple of things, but if you have any questions at all, comment below and I’ll try to answer.
For those of you that have been to Paris, what tips do you have for honeymooners, and what are your recommendations for must see/do/eat?
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Share this post: Paris Tips
I got engaged in Paris and one of my favorite memories is getting macaroons at Laudree (pistachio is my favorite!) and devoring them on the steps of St. Madeline. I love your Paris posts! It would be great to go back with my mom:)
There’s a large department store by Pont Neuf called La Sammaritaine (I think I spelled that right). It’s about 7 or 8 stories high and you’re able to stand on the roof! The view of the city is just beautiful and it’s a great way to see the top of the city (plus it’s free).
I just came back from my Paris honeymoon too! Here are a few of my tips:
- take a sunset ride on one of the Bateaux Mouches. Bring a small bottle of wine, some cheese, and bread and enjoy a romantic ride. Bring a warm jacket though as it does get chilly riding outside once the sun sets
- Like La Samartaine, the Printemps Maison store has a rooftop café with fabulous (free!) views of the city
- Galleries Lafayette Gourmet is a great place to pick up souvenirs and gifts. There is a huge selection of local delicacies - the sea salt with herbs, local mustards and chocolates are fairly inexpensive and easy to pack.
- Definitely visit Montmartre. The views of the city and the quaint cobblestone streets can’t be beat – definitely romantic Paris at its best
- Skip the hotel breakfast. You’ll get better tasting and cheaper breakfast pastries from the artesanal boulangerie likely steps away from your hotel.
- Bypass the entrance line at the Louvre by entering through the shopping mall underground, near the Metro subway entrance.
- Montparnasse is a great area to stay in. There are many restaurants and cafes nearby and you feel more like you are in an authentic Paris neighbourhood.
In Paris, you can’t go wrong no matter what you do!
Also, with the Paris Museum Pass, you don’t have to wait on line. You can skip right to the front and flash your pass.
I’ve never been to Paris, but the first thing my old French teacher taught us “Je parle francais un peu” which means I speak a little French. The other one she insisted we learn was to ask “How do you say ?”, but I forgot it. I guess I just need to take a trip to Paris for a refresher.
i LOVE french macaroons. i actually used to make them in college, albeit sans food processor, which made them a little flatter but still delicious. your post makes me want to make them again. yum!
jennifer - great tips! i wish i had visited montmarte… now i have something to do when i go back with mr. bee!
breakfast in paris consists of espresso and bread with jam/butter. hotels will prolly give you yogurt and cereal too… but it’s all very very overpriced. we bought sandwiches made on fresh baked bread from the local market instead for breakfast. french bread is just so good!
jfs - laudree is where we bought our macaroons. my mom liked the ones with jam best. but they were all sooooo good, pistachio, coffee, yum yum yum!
No wonder they looked familiar! Wow I’m getting hungry. Mrs. Bee- one day I would love to treat my mom with a trip. She has always wanted to go shopping with her girls in Paris or Milan:) You are right on with the comfy shoes- I would have been in trouble without my pumas.
One last thing: Brasserie Balzac is where we had dinner after the proposal and it was unbelievable. It’s off the tourist path (in the left bank), the food is amazing, and the waitstaff actually treat you respectfully (hehe).
“Comment dit-on” is how you would ask “how you do say _______” in french.
“comment dit on ‘car’” en francais?”
“comment” is pronounced “commo.” of course, this only works if the person you’re speaking to knows english (most people do, a lot of them just won’t try unless you try to speak french first.)
“dit-on” is deet-on
en is on
francais - is fran-say.
a great hotel location was key for our honeymoon. for most days we walked to all the museums and cathedrals. there was a lot of shopping in the st germain area and plenty of restaurants. it’s nice especially when you just want to explore where the locals eat late at night.
we also went with the museum pass, it helped us get into places without having to wait too long.. it’s also a great deal if you plan to visit a lot of places in two days.
what else can i recommend.. definitely eat a savory or sweet crepe while you’re in paris, they’re delish!
[...] Paris Tips , Eiffel Tower, and Versailles (though I visited Vaux Le Vicomte instead) Things I Wish I Posted in France | Trackback | del.icio.us | Top Of Page [...]
[...] Paris Tips , Eiffel Tower, and Versailles (though I visited Vaux Le Vicomte instead) Things I Wish I Posted in France | Trackback | del.icio.us | Top Of Page [...]
[...] Paris Tips My Must Sees: Orsay Museum, Marais (esp Place des Vosges ), Ile de la Cite , Champs Elysees/Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Versailles (though I visited Vaux Le Vicomte instead) Things I Wish I Could Have Seen: Pompidou Modern Art Museum , Orangerie Museum [...]
Climbing to the top of Notre Dame is one of the BEST things to do in Paris. We went there on our honeymoon, and while my husband is afraid of heights, he braved it for me and agreed that it was one of his favorite spots in the city too. Soooooo worth it!
I adore Paris, and can’t wait to go back again someday!
We got back from paris yesterday and I have to say walking the whole city, on Thursday and Friday it was mostly because of the strike, was fun! Montmartre’s views of the city at night are so romantic!
As you’ve recommended (and Mrs. Bell pepper and Snow Pea have mentioned) the museum pass is great. We skipped a lot of long lines!
If you have a geeky husband (or are geeky bride) give the Musée des Arts et Métiers a visit too. It’s bigger than I expected and very interesting.
Food wise I recommend trying madeleines with your morning coffee or brioche au sucre…they taste the best there! Can’t wait to get back…never made it to the petit palais…
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Mrs. Bee, New York
Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet
Engagement Date: May 7, 2004
Wedding Date: March 5, 2005
Venue: Westside Loft, New York
About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
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