PARIS 5 Nights JUNE 2018
Took a 5 Nights stay and tour of France from 19 June to 24 June 2018. The aim was to stay in Paris at one place and do day tours to see around Paris.
The Hotels were expensive arnd 130 Euros per night and had very small room. I took a Air BNB Studio Apt close to Gare D”Est as this was to help me in local travel in Metro, Bus and TGV. The Gare de l’Est was less than 200 meters, and just about 5 Mins walk from the Apt.
DAY 1
Came from JFK by Code Share Flt of Etihad ( operated by American Airline; Don’t take American Airline Flt, it has No Entertainment system, Dinner was not very good, the seats are very small, Leg space is even lesser) to Paris. The Flt reached at 08.30 Hours , late by 1hr 30 Mins.
Immigration was very Fast at CGD. Took a Taxi at 9.30 AM to Studio Apt. 11Bis Rue D Recollects, Paris. The Independent Apt was for 65 Euros per night, with a double Bed, Kitchen, Micro Wave , Friz, Utencils and Misc items. There is a dinning Table with Chairs and a Bathroom. A Lobby to walk in and a wardrobe.
The Taxi have fixed rates from Airport. Right Bank 50 Euro and Left Bank 55 Euro. Since we had big bags we got a mini van but the rate was 50 Euro, no extra amount for Luggage. It took aprrox 1 Hr and 30 Mins to Paris Centre due to Traffic in the Morning.
The Apt was on II Floor with a Lift. The Complex had a IN Gate with electronic Lock and the Tower too had a Electronic Lock. Highly recommended to stay. Ms Anne owns this Apt but stays at London. The arrangement for keys are made by her.
After resting, bathing and Tea we went to a close by local superstore and bought our requirements.
I also bought a Carnet of 10 Tickets from the Train Station . The Local Metro/Bus ticket is 1.8 Euro but a packet of 10 Tickets is cheaper 14. 76 Euros.
In the evening we took a Metro to see Lido Show. Cost for Two Euro 170. The Show of approx. 2 Hours is good . We took a taxi back.
DAY 2
We packed our breakfast and took a Metro to Parisvision office for our Day Trip to Mont Saint Michel.Cost for Two Euro 272.
The Bus started at 7.30Am. It was very comfortable and had a washroom . The journey is about 4.5 Hours with a half hour break around 9.30 AM. The journey was comfortable with nice views. We reached the destination at 11.45AM. We were given tickets to the Abbey and Audio Guides. You need to take the free shuttle to the base of Mont, which is 2 Km from bus halting place. The walk up the Abbey is about 1 Hour. After Entry the route is fixed and you can take your own time to see. It is covered by sea from all sides during high tide. It is beautiful attraction to visit.
Return journey started at 4.15 Pm . We had a halt enroute and reached Paris at 9.15 PM.
DAY 3
Today I had made my personnel trip to Champagne region. The conducted tour is for approx
125 Euro with visiting 2 Champagne Houses. I decided to do it at my own as it was very easy. Cost for Two Euro 114. I had pre booked my TGV Train Tickets to Reims @15 Euro one way for each. The TGV starts from Gare D East and hats only at destination Reims after 50 Mins. You have your Coach and seats on the Ticket, when you book on line. Incase you book the tickets late the price goes higher. I had also sent mail to Vivo Clicquot for English conducted Tour with One Tasting, which costs 25 Euro per person.
We then walked to town as it was just a Km. We saw the famous Cathedral and walked the market
Took the train back to Paris at 17.15 and we were back to our Room at 18.30 Pm.
We decided to take a walk along the Saint Martin Canal which was just 50 meter from the Apt. there were lot of people in the Park, on banks of canal with loud Music. I was informed that it is Music Festival Day hence the celebrations.
Day 4
We started for our next destination at 11.30 AM. We reached the next Chateau Chenoneau at 12.30 Am by driving along the River and beautiful countryside.
Those who had opted for Lunch started the visit after Lunch. I had not opted for Lunch hence we went to visit the Chateau. The Chateau is well furnished with Renaissance furniture, a good collection of 16th and 17th century tapestries and a great number of masterpieces. The bedrooms of the ladies of the chateau, who played major roles in the history of Chenonceau are the most exquisite. During the First World War, Chenonceau castle was used as a hospital. After our visit of this comparatively smaller chateau, we went to resturtant and had our Lunch.
We again started for our last Chateau Cheverny at 3.30 Pm. We reached the Chateau after 1 hour drive. The Chtaeu was big but not fully open to visitors as the chateau is still owned by descendents of the original builders, the Hurault family and has retained an intimate charm.
It is good tour and you have nice chateaus to see in a day.
Day 5
Today we took our personnel tour to Palace of Versailles. When the château was built, Versailles was a small village dating from the 11th century; today, however, it is a wealthy suburb of Paris, some 20 kilometres (12 miles) southwest of the centre of the French capital Paris . Versailles was the seat of political power in the Kingdom of France from 1682, when King Louis XIV moved the royal court from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789, within three months after the beginning of the French Revolution. It is a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy of the Ancient Régime.
It is better to to do it at your own as it is very simple .The travel agents takes anything between 100 Euro to 130 Euro per person. I decided to do it at my own. Cost for Two Euro 87.20 including Gardens.
The Return ticket from Paris to Versailles is 7.1 Euro. The VIP tkts of 35 Euros each with no waiting time with audio guide is best taken from Guida Tours which is just opposite the train station of Versalles. Thus your trip costs much lesser than any travel agency will charge you.
We took the Metro 5 to Jacques Bonsergent Replique for Austerlitz
After 8 stops and 12 Mins you arrive at Gare d’ Austerlitz
Here you change to RER station . Just walk with directions given on walls you will reach RER C stations, take RER for “Versailles River Gauche” or Versailles RG in short
We just walked across to Travel agent and confirmed our arrival. Since we had time we took Coffee at MacDonals next to it.
We gathered at 11.30 and then with guide walked to the palace. It was a short walk of 10 mins. We were given map and audio guides and we went through Security to the Palace. It is a big palace and there were many tourists. After the Palace we went to the Gardens.
We walked the Gardens and finished the visit by about 4.40 pm
We took the train back to Paris and then Metro for our Apt. We reached apt by 6.30Pm
DAY 6
We took a prebooked shuttle to Airport. The Shuttle takes 18 Euros each. We started at 7.30 AM reached airport by 8.15 . The check In was easy and the immigration was fast.
Took back the fly at 10.30 for Home.
The Notes I made for my tour , from Gare de l’Est are given below;
METRO
The Paris Metro runs from roughly 05:30 till 00:40 . Frequency between most trains range from 2 minutes during rush hour up to 8-10 minutes during off hours, holidays, and sundays.
A single Métro ticket, called ticket t+, costs 1.80€ , but if you ask for un carnet(unh kahr-NEY, a booklet) you will get ten (loose) tickets for 14.10€.
Each ticket entitles you to one ride on the Métro or tram. On city buses, you can use the ticket on one bus, then within 90 minutes for a transfer to another bus line.
All Metro lines are numbers 1 to 14. All RER lines are letters, A to E,
Every train and metro platform will have Line No and which is the terminus station
When the train arrives, the doors will not open automatically; Someone on the train, or you, must press the green or silver button on the door to open it.
After arriving at the terminus station, look for blue “Sortie” signs which mark exits for the station.
Airport to Paris Centre
RER B to Gare D Nord 30 Mins
Taxi 50 Euro
Going to Lido Show
From Gare D’L EAST
Take Bus 32 To Porte D’Auteuil Bus 30 to Trocadero
14 Stops 32Mins 18 stops 23 Mins
Faubourg La Fayette Magneta
Hauteville Magneta _Maubeuge
…………….. ………………………….
La Boetie Mitomesonil Courcelles
Saint Phillippe Ternes
Get down at
La Botie Cham Elysees Charles de Gaulle Etoile Wagram
Walk 400 Mtrs Walk 500 Mtrs
Going to Parisvision Tour
Take METRO From Gare d L’Est Line Pink 7 to Villejuif –Louis Aragon
6 Stops 9 Mins RETURN Pink7 To La Courneuve 8 Mai 1948
Poissonnière : Cadet……………….Chausse La Fayette……Opera
Get Down at Pyramides Walk 400 Mtrs
Going To Versaillies
Versailles is all the way out in Zone 4, on RER C 5 Yellow
From Gare Dl”Est Take Metro 5 to Jacques Bonsergent Replique for Austerlitz Total 8 stops 12 Mins Look out for Bastille : Quai de la Rapee : Get down at Gare d’ Austerlitz
Then walk as per directions to RER C stations, just look for direction “Versillies River Gauche” or Verisllies RG in short
For return to Paris all trains from Versillies Chateau RG go to Paris.
For Return Metro take METRO 5 to Bobigmy Pablo Picaao
Take Return Tkt Cost for Tkt is Euro 7.1 Euro each
Going To Reims
TGV trains go direct to Reims Gare and others go to the Champagne-Ardenne station where you'll transfer to the local train for the city center.
For Remis Champagne Tour
Dep Paris East TGV 09.28 Train 2713 Coach 18, Upper Seats 63,64
Dep TGV Reims 17.15 Train 2752 Coach 18 Upper Seats 67,68
Took a 5 Nights stay and tour of France from 19 June to 24 June 2018. The aim was to stay in Paris at one place and do day tours to see around Paris.
The Hotels were expensive arnd 130 Euros per night and had very small room. I took a Air BNB Studio Apt close to Gare D”Est as this was to help me in local travel in Metro, Bus and TGV. The Gare de l’Est was less than 200 meters, and just about 5 Mins walk from the Apt.
DAY 1
Came from JFK by Code Share Flt of Etihad ( operated by American Airline; Don’t take American Airline Flt, it has No Entertainment system, Dinner was not very good, the seats are very small, Leg space is even lesser) to Paris. The Flt reached at 08.30 Hours , late by 1hr 30 Mins.
Immigration was very Fast at CGD. Took a Taxi at 9.30 AM to Studio Apt. 11Bis Rue D Recollects, Paris. The Independent Apt was for 65 Euros per night, with a double Bed, Kitchen, Micro Wave , Friz, Utencils and Misc items. There is a dinning Table with Chairs and a Bathroom. A Lobby to walk in and a wardrobe.
The Taxi have fixed rates from Airport. Right Bank 50 Euro and Left Bank 55 Euro. Since we had big bags we got a mini van but the rate was 50 Euro, no extra amount for Luggage. It took aprrox 1 Hr and 30 Mins to Paris Centre due to Traffic in the Morning.
The Apt was on II Floor with a Lift. The Complex had a IN Gate with electronic Lock and the Tower too had a Electronic Lock. Highly recommended to stay. Ms Anne owns this Apt but stays at London. The arrangement for keys are made by her.
After resting, bathing and Tea we went to a close by local superstore and bought our requirements.
I also bought a Carnet of 10 Tickets from the Train Station . The Local Metro/Bus ticket is 1.8 Euro but a packet of 10 Tickets is cheaper 14. 76 Euros.
In the evening we took a Metro to see Lido Show. Cost for Two Euro 170. The Show of approx. 2 Hours is good . We took a taxi back.
DAY 2
We packed our breakfast and took a Metro to Parisvision office for our Day Trip to Mont Saint Michel.Cost for Two Euro 272.
The Bus started at 7.30Am. It was very comfortable and had a washroom . The journey is about 4.5 Hours with a half hour break around 9.30 AM. The journey was comfortable with nice views. We reached the destination at 11.45AM. We were given tickets to the Abbey and Audio Guides. You need to take the free shuttle to the base of Mont, which is 2 Km from bus halting place. The walk up the Abbey is about 1 Hour. After Entry the route is fixed and you can take your own time to see. It is covered by sea from all sides during high tide. It is beautiful attraction to visit.
Return journey started at 4.15 Pm . We had a halt enroute and reached Paris at 9.15 PM.
DAY 3
Today I had made my personnel trip to Champagne region. The conducted tour is for approx
125 Euro with visiting 2 Champagne Houses. I decided to do it at my own as it was very easy. Cost for Two Euro 114. I had pre booked my TGV Train Tickets to Reims @15 Euro one way for each. The TGV starts from Gare D East and hats only at destination Reims after 50 Mins. You have your Coach and seats on the Ticket, when you book on line. Incase you book the tickets late the price goes higher. I had also sent mail to Vivo Clicquot for English conducted Tour with One Tasting, which costs 25 Euro per person.
 |
| Cathedral |
Took the train back to Paris at 17.15 and we were back to our Room at 18.30 Pm.
We decided to take a walk along the Saint Martin Canal which was just 50 meter from the Apt. there were lot of people in the Park, on banks of canal with loud Music. I was informed that it is Music Festival Day hence the celebrations.
Day 4
Once again the Conducted tour by Parisvision , this time to Loire Valley. The tour started by Bus at 7.30AM. We were given map and audio guide. Cost Euro 278 for Two.
After a journey of 2.5 hours we reached our First Chateau Chambord . We had approx. 1 .5 Hours to see the Chateau. It is the most famous of the Loire Valley chateaux, is a vast Renaissance extravagance started by Francois I in the early 16th century as a hunting lodge (seriously) it contains over 400 rooms, 365 fireplaces and 84 staircases.
Those who had opted for Lunch started the visit after Lunch. I had not opted for Lunch hence we went to visit the Chateau. The Chateau is well furnished with Renaissance furniture, a good collection of 16th and 17th century tapestries and a great number of masterpieces. The bedrooms of the ladies of the chateau, who played major roles in the history of Chenonceau are the most exquisite. During the First World War, Chenonceau castle was used as a hospital. After our visit of this comparatively smaller chateau, we went to resturtant and had our Lunch.
We again started for our last Chateau Cheverny at 3.30 Pm. We reached the Chateau after 1 hour drive. The Chtaeu was big but not fully open to visitors as the chateau is still owned by descendents of the original builders, the Hurault family and has retained an intimate charm.
This Chateau is a rare within the
|
It is good tour and you have nice chateaus to see in a day.
Day 5
Today we took our personnel tour to Palace of Versailles. When the château was built, Versailles was a small village dating from the 11th century; today, however, it is a wealthy suburb of Paris, some 20 kilometres (12 miles) southwest of the centre of the French capital Paris . Versailles was the seat of political power in the Kingdom of France from 1682, when King Louis XIV moved the royal court from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789, within three months after the beginning of the French Revolution. It is a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy of the Ancient Régime.
It is important as as these treaties were signed here
Peace of Paris (1783), in which the United Kingdom recoganised the independence of the United States.
On 18 January 1871, Prussian King Wilhelm I was proclaimed German Emperor in the Hall of Mirrors and the German Empire was founded.
After the First World War, it was the site of the opening of the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, also on 18 January. Germany was blamed for causing the First World War in , which was signed in the same room on 28 June 1919.
It is better to to do it at your own as it is very simple .The travel agents takes anything between 100 Euro to 130 Euro per person. I decided to do it at my own. Cost for Two Euro 87.20 including Gardens.
The Return ticket from Paris to Versailles is 7.1 Euro. The VIP tkts of 35 Euros each with no waiting time with audio guide is best taken from Guida Tours which is just opposite the train station of Versalles. Thus your trip costs much lesser than any travel agency will charge you.
We took the Metro 5 to Jacques Bonsergent Replique for Austerlitz
After 8 stops and 12 Mins you arrive at Gare d’ Austerlitz
Here you change to RER station . Just walk with directions given on walls you will reach RER C stations, take RER for “Versailles River Gauche” or Versailles RG in short
We just walked across to Travel agent and confirmed our arrival. Since we had time we took Coffee at MacDonals next to it.
We gathered at 11.30 and then with guide walked to the palace. It was a short walk of 10 mins. We were given map and audio guides and we went through Security to the Palace. It is a big palace and there were many tourists. After the Palace we went to the Gardens.
 |
| Entry to Palace from Back of Palace |
We walked the Gardens and finished the visit by about 4.40 pm
We took the train back to Paris and then Metro for our Apt. We reached apt by 6.30Pm
DAY 6
We took a prebooked shuttle to Airport. The Shuttle takes 18 Euros each. We started at 7.30 AM reached airport by 8.15 . The check In was easy and the immigration was fast.
Took back the fly at 10.30 for Home.
The Notes I made for my tour , from Gare de l’Est are given below;
METRO
The Paris Metro runs from roughly 05:30 till 00:40 . Frequency between most trains range from 2 minutes during rush hour up to 8-10 minutes during off hours, holidays, and sundays.
A single Métro ticket, called ticket t+, costs 1.80€ , but if you ask for un carnet(unh kahr-NEY, a booklet) you will get ten (loose) tickets for 14.10€.
Each ticket entitles you to one ride on the Métro or tram. On city buses, you can use the ticket on one bus, then within 90 minutes for a transfer to another bus line.
All Metro lines are numbers 1 to 14. All RER lines are letters, A to E,
Every train and metro platform will have Line No and which is the terminus station
When the train arrives, the doors will not open automatically; Someone on the train, or you, must press the green or silver button on the door to open it.
After arriving at the terminus station, look for blue “Sortie” signs which mark exits for the station.
Airport to Paris Centre
RER B to Gare D Nord 30 Mins
Taxi 50 Euro
Going to Lido Show
From Gare D’L EAST
Take Bus 32 To Porte D’Auteuil Bus 30 to Trocadero
14 Stops 32Mins 18 stops 23 Mins
Faubourg La Fayette Magneta
Hauteville Magneta _Maubeuge
…………….. ………………………….
La Boetie Mitomesonil Courcelles
Saint Phillippe Ternes
Get down at
La Botie Cham Elysees Charles de Gaulle Etoile Wagram
Walk 400 Mtrs Walk 500 Mtrs
Going to Parisvision Tour
Take METRO From Gare d L’Est Line Pink 7 to Villejuif –Louis Aragon
6 Stops 9 Mins RETURN Pink7 To La Courneuve 8 Mai 1948
Poissonnière : Cadet……………….Chausse La Fayette……Opera
Get Down at Pyramides Walk 400 Mtrs
Going To Versaillies
Versailles is all the way out in Zone 4, on RER C 5 Yellow
From Gare Dl”Est Take Metro 5 to Jacques Bonsergent Replique for Austerlitz Total 8 stops 12 Mins Look out for Bastille : Quai de la Rapee : Get down at Gare d’ Austerlitz
Then walk as per directions to RER C stations, just look for direction “Versillies River Gauche” or Verisllies RG in short
For return to Paris all trains from Versillies Chateau RG go to Paris.
For Return Metro take METRO 5 to Bobigmy Pablo Picaao
Take Return Tkt Cost for Tkt is Euro 7.1 Euro each
Going To Reims
TGV trains go direct to Reims Gare and others go to the Champagne-Ardenne station where you'll transfer to the local train for the city center.
For Remis Champagne Tour
Dep Paris East TGV 09.28 Train 2713 Coach 18, Upper Seats 63,64
Dep TGV Reims 17.15 Train 2752 Coach 18 Upper Seats 67,68
