Since a good portion of my time in Paris was spent visiting museums, the Paris Museum Pass was both a money saver and time saver.

With the pass, you get admission to a number of monuments and museums in and around Paris. Best of all — you don’t have to stand in those long lines — you get to bypass all those people and go straight to the front of the line. Temporary exhibits at the museums are usually excluded, though.

The pass can be purchased for 2, 4, or 6 days, and currently costs 30, 45, and 60 euros respectively. (Check the website for pricing changes.)

On your first visit to one of the museums or monuments, the pass is activated, and your time starts running. This allows you to buy the pass in advance, should you wish. You can buy the pass online, at participating museums and monuments (I purchases mine at the Louvre), or at any Paris Tourist Office.

I planned my museum visits so that I could maximize the value of the pass, taking note of the location, travel time, open days and hours of each that I wanted to visit. I knew that I couldn’t see everything, but with good planning I was able to save a lot over individual admission prices AND speed up the process by avoiding lines. You can find the full list of museums and monuments online.

With a four day pass, I was able to take in the following:

• Arc de Triomphe (regular admission is 8 euros)
• Centre Pompidou (regular admission is 10 euros)
• Conciergerie (combined admission with Sainte-Chapelle is 9 euros)
• Louvre (regular admission is 8,50 euros)
• Museum d’Orsay (regular admission is 7,50 euros)
• Pantheon (regular admission is 7 euros)
• Rodin Museum (regular admission is 6 euros)
• Sainte-Chapelle

For me this represented a savings of 11 euros (about $16) over regular admissions, and savings in time of several hours avoiding lines. Granted, I had to cram a lot of visits into a short period of time, but I tried to find a good balance of art, architecture, history, food, and fun every day. It worked for me, but it you would prefer a slower pace, get a longer pass.

Additional considerations when deciding if the Paris Museum Pass is for you: Most museums are free for those under age 16, and offered reduced admissions for those 16-25 years of age. Many museums also offer free admissions at least one day of the month.

If the museums and monuments are on your to-do list in Paris, a Paris Museum Pass can be a savings in more ways than one.

Photos: personal collection

Post from: The Paris Traveler

If the thought of a fine bag, a decadent pair of heels, or the feel of the fabric of a finely crafted suit makes you swoon, then an afternoon on the Champs-Élysées in Paris may be your definition of heaven.

Avenue des Champs-Élysées is not only one of the most recognized street names in Paris, but in the entire world, and is lined with luxury and specialty shops, theaters, cafes and restaurants.  Its name translates to "Elysian Fields" a reference to the "place of the blessed" in Greek mythology.  With the prices you’ll see at most of these shops and cafes, you’ll need to be blessed, indeed, to make this your prime shopping district.

The street itself is a little over a mile and a quarter long (see photo at left), running from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe in the 9th arrondissement.  While its easy to get caught up in its current incarnation as the ultimate shopping location, originally, in the de Medici era, the area was a field and garden market.  It was also the location of the famous marches to celebrate the 1944 liberation of France, one march by the French and the other by American troops.  Today, the Champs-Élysées is home to the annual Bastille Day parade and is the end of the Tour de France.

It seems like the Champs-Élysées is always full of people, day or night.  You’ll find people stopping off to shop at places like:  Drugstore Publicis (filled with so many upscale products that it seems a misnomer to refer to it as a "drug" store), Louis Vuitton (its largest store in the world), Virgin Megastore, Adidas (its largest store in the world), and Nike Paris, as exclusive stores co-exist with the growing presence of large chain stores.

Above the street level stores, you’ll find offices, attracting still more people.  And, of course, day or night, patrons are flocking to the restaurants, cafes, and theaters.

I enjoyed wandering the street, stopping of at a few shops now and again.  Although the strength of the dollar was not on my side, I did manage to justify a purchase at Louis Vuitton, followed by lunch at cafe right in the heart of everything.  While lunching on the Champs-Élysées is quite expensive (some might say over-priced), I considered it both a meal and an opportunity to do some people watching as I whiled away a beautiful fall afternoon in Paris.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Post from: The Paris Traveler

This is a guest post from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and blogger at Flyaway Cafe

Bateaux Parisiens is a cruise company that conducts sightseeing, lunch, and dinner cruises on the Seine, along with operating a river-boat shuttle called Batobus.

I opted for an evening sightseeing cruise, and for an hour we cruised the Seine while the hostess pointed out a number of attractions.  The commentary was pleasant and informative, and not filled with the typical puns and drivel that you so often get on tours.

Schedules vary, but details and information can easily be found in the city.  At the time I was there the sightseeing cruise operated every half hour until 10 pm, and cost €11.  It was easy to walk up and get a seat.  Reservations required, however, for lunch and dinner cruises.

Photo credit:  Jon Rochetti

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Post from: The Paris Traveler

Standing in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle (also called the Place de l’Étoile) at the western end of the Champs-Élyseés, the Arc de Triomphe is the largest triumphal arch in the world. 

It honors those who bravely fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars.  ,  Beneath the arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I, marked by the very first eternal flame.  The flame burns in memory of those who died, but were not identified, in both WWI and WWII.  An inscription reads “Here lies a French soldier who died for his fatherland 1914-1918” (translated here into English).

The arch stands about 165 feet tall, and measures about 148 feet wide, and around it is a roundabout that is one of the busiest in Paris.  Do not try to dodge in and out of this traffic!  That would be dangerous, and brand you as a serious nutcase.  While I watched, I saw many people tempted by it – but fortunately no one crazy enough to actually attempt it.

You can reach the arch sensibly by following the signs to the underground passage way that will take you beneath the crazy roundabout to the arch.  From there you can take a short elevator ride back to ground level or climb the stairs.  In the photo above you see me waving at you before heading to the passageway to cross over.

What will you see?  Keep reading to find out!

Spend some time walking around the Arc de Triomphe looking at the sculptured facade.  A few highlights include a winged figure of Victory, a sculpture of Napoleon, and the 30 shields (each representing a victorious battle) on the crown of the arch.  On the inside and top of the arch are inscribed the names of generals and battles fought, with the names of those who died in battle underlined.  Conveniently missing are some of Napoleon’s later battles.

If you’re up to it, climb the 284 steps to the top of the arch.  There is no elevator!  The steps are stone, and the passageway narrow and circular.  It’s okay if you need to stop and catch your breath – most people did.

Once at the top, you’ll be treated to magnificent views in all directions.  Take a look around and you’ll see 12 major arterials leading into the Place (for an example, look at the photo below).  Watch how the merge into the roundabout, and you’ll have a real appreciation for driving in Paris.  There are fabulous photo opportunities from the top, and since the Arc is open late, it’s a favorite spot for sunset and evening photos.

You can reach the Arc de Triomphe by RER line A (train) and Métro (subway), getting off at the Charles de Gaulle-Étoile stop.

It is open daily from 10 am – 11 pm, and closes a half hour earlier during the fall and winter months.  There is no charge to walk around the base of the arch.  Access to the top was €7 when I was there, and kids under 18 are free.  Admission is also covered as part of the Paris Museum Pass.

The Arc de Triomphe was one of my favorite monuments in Paris, and is probably the most famous in Paris.  I’d put it on a must-see list for a Paris trip, for its historical significance, art, and views.  Allow half an hour or so to explore the ground level, and an additional hour (or more) if you are going to go to the top.

Photos credit:  all from personal collection

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Post from: The Paris Traveler

Playing with photo editing software today – always a fun thing to do with travel photos.

I like making the Eiffel Tower even more artistic looking that it really is!

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Post from: The Paris Traveler

As is often the case when travelers get to talking, the discussion soon turns to places we’ve been, places we’re going, and places we want to go.

One of my favorite recent trips was to Paris.

The photo was taken on a visit to the Louvre.  The statuary was in a garden atrium area of the museum, and is just one of hundreds of pieces on display.

I recently had the opportunity to watch some sculptors at work, and that has given me a new appreciation for the effort that went into these marble pieces of art.

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: The Paris Traveler

I’m not sure why, but these last few days I have been drawn to vintage photographs of Paris;  Sunday I posted an old photo from the World’s Fair of 1900, capturing the exhibition halls built along the Seine.  Yesterday, I found a series of more photos, including the one above that I had to share.  This is Rue de Seine in the 6th arrondissement, smack in the middle or thereabouts of the Saint Germain area.  Bustling, artsy-fartsy in the best way, it is lined with art galleries, small cafés and shops.  Certainly not an end to itself as it is entwined with other remarkable streets all around, it just happens to be the one that I found these photos of.  The old photo and the new just reinforce how the charm and beauty of this city remains forever pulling us in with its seductive stare and we follow. 

The same street corner, almost 50 years later and while things look a bit cleaner, little has changed.  Well, much has changed, good and bad, but certainly, should old friends or lovers make plans to reunite here, their surroundings would still be the same.  For me, that is the beauty of Paris.  

Photo credit:   Tobalo@flickr, Cock Robin@flickr

Enjoy the drive….

Paris 6eme Rue de SeineUploaded by Chouettedor

Post from: The Paris Traveler

 Do not pass Go, do not collect $100,  but immediately take yourself  to the following link and be treated to a remarkable visual tour of the beautifully refurbished Grand Palais.  It is an amazing 2 minutes of time well spent!  The new website is fantastic.  

Grandpalais.fr

Photo credit:  bratan@flickr 

Post from: The Paris Traveler

 I hold individuals that live life outside the box of what most people’s definition of “normal” might be in high regard.  Those mavericks who listen to their heart and are moved by what it tells them regardless of the judgement of others is a gift.  It may cause them great pain or great delight but they move to their inner voice and only when all is said and done will they be deemed genius or crazy!

Take Ferdinand Cheval.  A French postman, he tripped on a stone one day, admired its shape and started collecting them on his route.  First in pockets, then baskets and finally a wheel barrel, he gathered stones and created his “Palais Idéal” or Ideal Palace with what he gathered.  For two decades he worked on the exterior walls, binding the stones together with mortar, cement and lime.  His “building” incorporated various styles and symbols taken from the Bible and Hindu mythology. Eventually, his work became labeled as one of the finest examples of “naive art” architecture.  

 Leaving school at 13 and becoming a bakery apprentice, Mr. Cheval left that line of work to become a postman.  Fate had a hand in that I do believe and this rural postman in the south of France had gifts some of us can only dream about!

Additional information:  Destinationsen.eurostar

Photo credit:  Mariehahaha@flickr, QbiT@flickr, 3 second memory@flickr, Wikipedia

Post from: The Paris Traveler

 Well, finding Paris in New York is much easier than I thought–especially if you take your search to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Today, I took an incredibly long cab ride from my hotel in SoHo to the museum–clearly I was being ripped off as the ride home took a mere 10 minutes.  The rest of the day made up for all that.  

Looking at the photo above, you would guess I might be at, oh, I don’t know, perhaps Versailles.  I say that because every room there looks very similar to this one.  One whole section of the Met’s  European collection is devoted to recreated rooms from hôtel particulars–those grand old mansions built around center courtyards in and around Paris.  The particular elements from this room were taken from one located in Saint Germain.  Truly, walking through this exhibit really had me confused with where exactly I was.  

The name on this shop window says it all! 

  Lots more where these came from, but, hey, I am in  New York and a girl has to move and groove!  More later.  

Photo credit:  personal collection 

Post from: The Paris Traveler