We%26#39;re in Paris for a long weekend, arriving on a Friday morning flight that is scheduled to land at 8 am. My husband has never been to Paris, so a trip up the Eiffel Tower at some point in the weekend will be required. I thought I would try to take advantage of the lunch menu at the Jules Verne and kill two birds with one stone (a Ducasse resto and the Tour - check and check) but the catch - because of schedule - is that it would have to be Friday - just after we arrive.
I realize there are a lot of variables here - will flight be on time, how well will we have slept, how horrible will I look after the flight, etc. The sensible voice is saying %26quot;no way - just go up the Tower with the rest of the hordes on Saturday, after a good night%26#39;s sleep.%26quot; But some other not-at-all sensible voice (who gets louder and louder the more I plan this trip) is saying %26quot;what the heck - start of the trip with a bang and a good meal!%26quot;
Anyone care to weigh in with advice? Is it impossible to get from CDG to our hotel in the 6eme and over to Champs de Mars by 1:30 pm? (Barring flight delays, I don%26#39;t think so, but I%26#39;m bad at guessing these things). I know that the restaurant has a private elevator %26amp; entrace, but would we still be able to get to the observation deck to look around? (Or would I have to go back up anyway so that he can get the full 360?)
80 euros each for Ducasse plus the view just seems like a deal worth suffering a bit for, but I don%26#39;t want to start us off with %26quot;mission impossible%26quot;.
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Yes, from Le Jules Vernes you can get to the outdoor observation deck. If you plan to return to the restaurant, let them know so they can advise how to get back in (there%26#39;s a special staircase with a buzzer). Don%26#39;t overlook the cocktail lounge - most do - which has the best views!
I think the views are best from that level and also the best photo ops. But, you can even purchase a ticket for going to the top if you like.
We take a taxi from CDG and usually stay in the 7th. We%26#39;ve been there as quickly as 1 hour after landing, maximum to my recollection 2-1/2 hours (accident on highway). I would say 1-1/2 to 2 hours would be about normal.
I think you%26#39;d have plenty of time to get to your hotel, drop the bags, and get to Le Jules Verne for lunch.
However, you may not be able to get into your room, which means you won%26#39;t have the opportunity to freshen up. I, personally, try to keep a low profile first day in Paris, until I can get into the room to shower and change and get rid of everything %26quot;airplane%26quot;. But, nearly every hotel has restrooms where you can do a certain amount of freshening up, and change if you like.
Even after an overnight flight, with little sleep, we%26#39;re always anxious for some really good food and coffee (even crepes and cafe creme at a cafe) as soon as we%26#39;ve dropped the bags. The real weariness doesn%26#39;t set in until later in the afternoon.
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Perfect! Just the kind of info I was hoping for. Thanks!
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I realize this is off subject, but what exchange rate are you paying now for USD and what vehicle are you using for the exchange?
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I hope you can make the booking for the lunch. You will need to go on line and make it through that process. Sometimes they are booked a long time in advance.
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After sitting on a long flight and suffering jet lag, the LAST thing I%26#39;d want to do is sit through a 2-3 hour lunch. My head would be spinning and I would NOT be appreciating the food.
And the minute I get to Paris the LAST thing I want is to closed up in a restaurant, I want to be OUT, exploring! Walking, Strolling, drooling!
Personally that plan would not float my boat, but then I%26#39;m a rather demanding thing.
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It would really float my boat. To be cosseted and fed gorgeous tidbits while looking at that view. No exertion required. Yes please!
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While our preference is to go to Le Jules Vernes, for dinner, the next to last night of our trip, if I could only schedule lunch day of arrival, I%26#39;d manage quite nicely.
You can pack a change of clothing on top in your bags, and head for the rest room at the hotel before storing your bags if you can%26#39;t get into your room that early.
The views and the food would keep me going for a while. You can always crash after lunch for an hour or two in your hotel room, then head back out for the evening.
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About the cocktail lounge at Le Jules Vernes, you can advise your waiter that you plan to take a stroll around the observation deck after lunch and return for dessert and coffee in the cocktail lounge, and you%26#39;ll be nicely accomodated.
Again, the views from the cocktail lounge - toward Place de la Concorde, Pont Alexander III, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame, etc., are the best! From the restaurant, view are toward Arc de Triomphe, Trocadero, etc.
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For Shel:
The most prudent way to exchange is to use your ATM card once you arrive in Paris. That gives you the best exchange rate. Find out if your bank charges a withdrawal fee, so you%26#39;re not doing small transactions rather than larger ones if the fee is high.
You can wait until you arrive and find an ATM at the airport. But, call your bank and find out when they perform their overnight processing. If your bank is offline when you land, your transaction cannot be approved.
I, personally, like to land with about €100. I check with AAA and my local bank (you often have to %26quot;order%26quot; foreign currency). The exchange rate won%26#39;t be as favorable, but for a few dollars more, we can grab the bags and just head for the taxi stand without worrying about lines at the ATM or that it%26#39;s out of order. Then, we find an ATM as we%26#39;re exploring our neighborhood.
If you are planning on future trips, have enough left over when you leave to get you started on the next one.
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I made the reservation - the first one for the trip! (Other than the hotel, of course). We still have 15 days, in case I become sensible in the meanwhile... but I%26#39;m actually quite excited about it now. I figure we%26#39;ll taxi to the hotel, grab a cuppa, change, and have a nice leisurely walk to the Tour. Hopefully the weather will be nice. Lunch is at 12:30, then go back and get in the room, maybe a little nap - and then maybe catch the late hours at the Louvre.
Just a few more restaurant reservations, and the pre-planning is done! I can%26#39;t wait!
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