We will be in Paris for our first time soon staying at Holiday Inn
Bastille at 11 Rue de Lyon as part of an organized tour and have most of our first day as free time. Because we will be very tired and
jetlagged (7 hr time diff) after a long flight we thought the batobus
might be a fairly relaxing way to get our first look at the sights of
Paris and make a stop or two like the Eiffel Tower.
Could someone familiar with the area comment on this plan and give us some advice as to the best way to get from the hotel to one of the closer batobus stops. Should we take a bus or metro to Hotel de Ville (which bus/metro, where would we catch it, what stop to get off at) or walk or take a bus to Jardin des Plantes (how long to walk there or bus directions) to get to the batobus.
Would also appreciate suggestions for a good reasonable cafe for lunch that would fit into this plan possibly near the Eiffel Tower.
Other suggestions welcome as well.
Thanks so much for your help.
Linda
Sorry if this is a duplicate post. Screen just went blank first try.
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I would not recommend the Batobus. For one thing, it%26#39;s quite a walk to/from the stops along the river, often involving a lot of stairs. There are eight stops, where it can take quite a while for people to get off/on - not very relaxing.
Better would be a regular Seine cruise. We actually prefer the Bateaux Mouches. For sure they are very large and hold a lot of people, but they are nearly never full, and there%26#39;s lots of space walk all over. They%26#39;re taller, so you see more.
Still, from the river you%26#39;ll only see things along the river.
If the weather is pleasant, L%26#39;Opentour is relaxing and a terrific way to enjoy, from seats on the open air upper deck, the scenery all over, the neighborhoods, the major monuments.
A wonderful cafe with a large terrace with terrific views of the Tour Eiffel is Chez Francis at the Alma Marceau metro/bus stop.
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Thanks for the advice. We will be doing a tour of the city and an evening river cruise as part of our organized tour but are looking for something to do as we have free time right up until dinner that first day.
Would it be difficult to navigate the bus system from our hotel to Eiffel Tower or what about a pretty park to wander in and look out over the river? I know we will be exhausted but hey we%26#39;ll be in Paris!!! and want to start enjoying the experience. The Louvre is not open that day so we%26#39;re planning it for our other free afternoon.
Thanks,
Linda
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www.ratp.info/orienter/tous_plans_pdf.php
Click on Bus Paris (avec rues).
This is an excellent bus/street map - with the metro stations as well.
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If I were you, I would pick up a map from your hotel, ask the staff to mark the nearest metro station, walk out the hotel door and just wander... When you get tired, stop for a bit, have a coffee and watch people... Then wander some more... When you have had enough, you don%26#39;t even need to worry about finding your way back - just find the nearest metro station and get the metro back to the station nearest your hotel (which is really easy). You will have plenty of opportunities to do more organised stuff on your tour.
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