RER C – To Palace of Versailles


From our place in Strasbourg- Saint Denis, we jumped on the Metro 8 to reach the Invalides station. This is where you jump on the RER C (trains that go outside of inner Paris).

We took some stairs and got to the RER part of the station (different hall and platforms).

 

The RER trains are 2 level compared to the metro (at least the metros we used on this trip).

Monitor tells you want train has arrived its destination as well as the next trains and destinations with times.

 

RER train with upper and lower levels.

 

If you can see on the far bottom left of the station map, our stop was going to be Versailles – Chateau/ Rive-Gauche stop.


 

A good 45 minute ride (if that) and we are here.

Arrival!

 

Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile


credit Google Maps

 

One of the most iconic and famous structures in Paris ( there are many!) is the Arc de Triomphe.

Located at the west end of Avenue des Champs-Elysees, this structure was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile honors the soldiers that fought in the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars. Their names are inscribed on the Arc itself.

There is also the Tomb of the Unknown soldier with flame below the Arc.


When we arrived, we didn’t know how to get there. The Arc is the center of a bunch of avenues and the circular traffic is known in many movies.

On Champs-Elysees, there is an entrance that goes below.

 

Once you get out, you will be right next to the Arc.

 

There was a huge line to go up. We had the Paris Pass, so that helped us go pass the waiting lines and straight to the stairs. YES I SAID STAIRS.

 

I read that the Arc is about the equivalent of a 15 story building…. so those spiral stairs will have you sucking wind quickly!!!

we got to where it is kinda like a tiny museum.

 


A couple more flights of stairs, you go outside and on top of the Arc.


There is also a gift shop and a small history lesson about the Arc when you go back inside again.


The Arc is truly gorgeous and when you break down the sculptures and inscriptions… you can’t stop looking at this monument with awe!

3 different artists did the sculptures seen here.

 

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris


It’s infamous. The hunchback of Notre Dame help fuel the name, but also helped bring awareness to its decaying condition.

 

This is a huge tourist attraction and the gothic features are amazing. Inside is breathtaking.

* There is a way to go to the top of Notre Dame and see the Gargoyles, but there is limited visits each day and the time we went, it was sold out by morning. We were not able to go on top.

 

Riverside Bouquinistes of Paris


Jasmin read about the book vendors that have stalls along the Seine. You can read here: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/articles/paris-riverside-bouquinistes

You will see these wooden storage compartments next to the sidewalk and bridges. You will find these along the Seine on both sides.

These are book vendors (also have other items for sale) that typically sell used and older books and magazines.

While brick and mortar shops are abundant, these vendors are part of the old style of selling in Paris.

We decided to buy some books from them.

Paris Big Bus review


 

The Paris Big Bus (and others) offer tourists the hop on/hop off experience at many of Paris’ local attractions.

This can help cut time if you buy their ticket on top of the Paris Pass. I think it was about 32 Euros.

The bus offers earplugs and audio tour as it is going about the city.

The buses we jumped on were open top, so we sat up there, even though it was cold.

I felt this was worth it, especially if you are still unfamiliar with the Metro or bus system.

We took this from Palais Royal to Notre Dame to Arc de Triomphe to Trocadero and around.


They told us that they could take us to Palace of Versailles, but we had to show up in the morning and pay (which I forgot the amount).

 

Paris Pass


One of the things I really wanted to get was the Paris Pass. The Paris pass would give you access to all Museums, Paris attractions such as River boat on the Seine, free public transportation within Paris, which includes Metro, RER and buses. Picking this up also gave us one day on the Big Bus, which is a double decker, open top, hop on/hop off style bus. These buses visit all the main attractions and museums.

The Paris pass is offered in variations from 2, 4, 3 or 6 days. Obviously price increases with more days.

* Once you scan your pass, the pass is active consecutively.  If you have a 2 day pass, the day you activate it, the next day it has be used too.

With that said, have your itinerary and spots down so it doesn’t go to waste.


We got our Passes at Costco. It was $230 for each pass and covered 3 days of attractions (with fast track) and 2 day travel card (public transportation). The travel card isn’t enough IMO.


Seeing as many attractions are about $15-20, it just depends on what you want to use it for.

The Louvre and Musee D’ Orsay, and Arc de Triomphe we were able to bypass lines, which was great.

Palace of Versailles didn’t work out. I asked one of the staff members there and she said to get in line… and that line was long and zig zagging!

 

In all honestly, I didn’t maximize it as much as I wanted, but I did feel it was worth it not standing in those long lines.


We had an E-voucher from Costco, which we brought to Paris Big Bus office and picked up our Paris Passes.

Statue of Louis XIV, Le Palais Royal, Fontaines de Pol Bury and Les Deux Plateaux


It doesn’t take much to see something amazing in Paris.

 

We were walking to get our Paris Pass and on the way there we came up Place des Victoires and the Statue of Luis XIV in the middle.

 

The Place des Victoires is at the confluence of six streets: Rue de la Feuillade, Rue Vide Gousset, Rue d’Aboukir, Rue Étienne Marcel, Rue Croix des Petits Champs, and Rue Catinat.

 

Taking one of the streets led us to the Palais Royal and the Jardin du Palais Royal. We took some pictures and enjoyed the stroll through the Garden.

 

Before exiting the Palais, checked out the Fontaines de Pol Bury and Les Deux Plateaux.

Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower)


It must have been in the cards that night. We weren’t planning to visit our first night, but the night was clear (even though chilly) and we were there.

Upon arrival, the Eiffel was sparkling (which I think it does every hour) and we went to the front entrance at the base.

A quick security check and we were inside. My wife wanted to go up and quickly found out we have a few hours before close… so we lined up.

 

It was still busy and we got to the first floor (first level of Eiffel Tower), then took another elevator to Sommet (to the top).

 

Got outside and WOW… amazing!!!

 

It is a 360 view of Paris

 

When they started to close for the evening, we got on the lower level and started to do some shopping.

Afterwards, when we got out, we took more pictures.

The Louvre Pyramids


After walking along the Seine, we came upon the Louvre pyramids. Tons of people taking pictures and enjoying it.

It was cold though, but we still made the most of being there. We would eventually come back and see the Museum itself.

 

As I mentioned it was cold and the Eiffel Tower was still relatively distant. We opt’d to get on this well light pedicab that was blasting EDM.

As he was talking us to the Eiffel Tower, he took us around, kinda like a small tour of the area. Very cool guy!