Travel to Versailles and Paris in France
(April 2011)
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| Hall of Mirrors in Versailles |
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| The Basilica of Sacred Heart in Paris |
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| Abbi and Gella |
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| Abbi, Gella & Pinkie |
Itinerary: 3 days/ 2 night by Train (TGV)
Day 1: Geneva/ Paris
Geneva – Lyon 6:41 am/ 8:26am
Lyon-Paris 9:00am/10:57am
Day 2 Paris
Day 4 Paris/Geneva
Paris-Lyon 12:54 pm/ 2:51 pm
3:30 pm/ 5:14 pm
Travel Arrangements
1. Travel arrangements on TGV were done on-line. Roundtrip tickets for two cost Euro 180 (second class) but reservations need to be done months ahead to avail of the promo rates.
2. Travel from Geneva to Lyon thence to Paris is smooth and easy. Train station in Lyon is huge and crowded.
3. As expected, due to the travel season, there are lots of travelers. Try to be at the train station early enough to identify the gate and train coach that you will take.
4. Travel light if possible.
Hotel Arrangements
1. Marriott Courtyard
58, Boulevard Victor Hugo
F-92200 Neully sur Seine
Tel. +33 (0) 1.55.63.64.65
Fax +33 (0) 1.55.63.64.66
2. Hotel
· Check-n at 15:00; check-out at 12:00 noon (concierge available for left-luggage)
· Rate for a double room is Euro 102 (family rate) per night including tax but without breakfast. Regular published rate for the same room is Euro 420 per night. Breakfast is Euro 18-20 extra per person. Hotel is very clean and is located in a very quiet residential neighborhood. Facilities include:
o Queen-size beds (but you have to request for it ahead)
o TV, Ref. aircon,
o Large toilet with tub
o Ice maker machine on the same floor
o With small kitchenette with second ref, microwave and kitchen sink
· Underground parking available at Euro 17 daily
· Hotel has good facilities (restaurants, bar, large lobby, business center with internet, wireless internet facilities in room (for a fee)
· Payment is done upon check out. Credit cards accepted.
· Hotel is quit a distance to the center of the city (about 15 metro stops from Gare de Lyon on yellow line).
· There are good restaurants within walking distance from the hotel. As the concierge for directions and maps (Restaurants du Quartier)
o For good Japanese restaurant, try YOKO at 31 r Voltair 92300 Levallois Perret (01 40 89 33 54). Good variety of food including sashimi and sushi plates at reasonable prices. Average dinner per person is Euro 20. About 10 minutes walk from the hotel.
City Travel
1. Purchase “Paris Viste” ticket (for three days at Euro 20.70 for zones 1 to 3 only) upon arrival at Gare de Lyon in Paris. “Paris Visite” is valid for a number of days specified in the ticket (choice of 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days). Passengers benefit from unlimited travel on all OPTILE networks where the carte orange season-ticket is valid, and on RATP and SNCF bus, coach, metro and RER networks, as well as SNCF Transilien trains.
· “Paris Viste” consists of a card bearing your name and a travel coupon. Before use, you have to write your surname and first name on the card and copy the card number onto the travel coupon and enter the date of first use there. The card and coupon must be used together.
· “Paris Visite” is only available from ticket offices and not from ticket machines.
· Reduce prices are available to children aged 4 to under 12.
· Don’t forget to validate your ticket in the machines provided on buses and at train metro stations.
· Ticket is for personal use only and is not transferable.
· The “Paris Viste” will save you on travel costs since the regular metro ticket is Euro 3.00 per person per ride which is valid only for one hour.
Travel to Versailles
1. The Palace of Versailles and its gardens form one of the most famous world heritage monuments and stands out as the finest and most complete achievement of French art in the 17th century. This site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site which recognizes the universal and exceptional value of cultural and natural heritage that may be preserved for the benefit of Humanity.
Establissment Public du Musee et du Domaine
National de Versailles
RP 834 – 78008 Versailles Cedex
Informations and reservations: 01 30 83 78 00
2. How to go there. Versailles is just less than 30-minute away by train ride from Paris. Since your “Paris Viste” ticket is just good for zones 1-3 you need to purchase additional roundtrip ticket to Versailles at Euro 6.10 per person (second class). You can purchase this ticket from any ticket office or from Gare de Lyon where you purchased your “Paris Visite.”
3. Palace Schedule. The Palace is open daily, except on Monday, some French public holidays and during official ceremonies:
a. High season: from 9am to 6:30 pm (last admission at 6pm)
b. Low season: from 9am to 5:50pm (last admission at 5pm)
4. Schedule of the Park and Gardens. The Park and Gardens of Versailles are open everyday from 7am or 8am until 6pm or 8:30 pm depending on the season. Opening times are posted on the gates.
5. Tickets to the Palace de Versailles are sold at the ticket desks onsite or at the Tourism Office just before the Palace gates. Advance tickets may also be purchased online on www.chateauversailles.fr
a. Tickets to Palace is at Euro 15 per person which entitles you to free audioguide in 10 languages.
b. Ticket to the Garden is sold separately at Euro 8 per person. This ticket allows you access to the Grand Musical Fountain display and the Musical Gardens.
6. Tour of the Gardens.
a. The Park and Gardens cover about 800 hectares. The Parc is an exceptional open air museum comprising of:
i. The Gardens – which stretches from the Chateau to the Grand Canal;
ii. The Park – crossed by its spacious alleys,
iii. The Trianon Gardens and Museums, Marie Antonette’s Hamlet.
b. Try getting the mini trains in the park of Versailles at Euro 6 per person (www.train-versialles.com). Purchase your mini-train ticket at the ticket counter where the trains are parked. The mini train allows you to get off at any of its three stops for a visit and take the next train again using the same ticket, which is valid in both directions.
7. Restaurants and Souvenir Shops
a. There are lots of restaurants , eateries and souvenir shops on the way to the Palace from the train station. Just affront of the train station is McDonalds.
b. There are also restaurants and souvenir shops inside the Palace and its grounds.
8. Security
a. There may be long (but fast) lines at the main entrance to the Palace due to security screening. Bags pass through x-ray machines and people go through the metal detector. Food items are not allowed inside.
While in Paris, try visiting:
1. Le Marche aux PUCES (The Flea Market) for second hand furniture and antique products (www.st-ouen-tourisme.com or www.parispuces.com)
· Flea market hours: Saturday (9 to 6pm), Sunday (10 to 6pm) , Monday (11 to 5pm).
· Access by public transport (Metro: Porte de Clignancourt – line 4 or Garibaldi – line 13; by bus: take bus 56-60-85-95-137-166-255-PC3).
2. Basilique du Sacre-Coeur (The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) in Paris, France
· The Basilica is a roman catholic church and a minor basilica (1919) dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Paris, France. A popular landmark, the Basilca is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the hightest point in the city.
· Access the Basilica by foot using the steps but it is recommended that you use the funicular which take you to the summit in 5 minutes. You can use your “Paris Visite” ticket in the funicular.
· The place is full of tourists with lots of shops and eateries.
· The place is also known for its retail of French textile products with very good designs at bargain prices.
· Place is accessible by public transpo (bus 163).
Good Eats in Paris
1. Café-Brasserie Le Bailli de Suffen
7. Avenue du Suffren
75007 Paris
Tel. 01 45 66 59 71
(for good coffee and snacks) just in the area of Eiffel Tower and off the Metro Station. Try their Assiet Charcuterie (Euro 12) for good selection of French sliced meat/ sausages with a slice of pate).
