Debbie and Russ arrived in Paris and so far things have gone well. They have gotten the "lay of the land" and are preparing for our arrival (I hope). I'm struggling with what to pack as I never seem to get it right. I want to look stylish and hip, not fat and matronly. Since money is not free flowing I'll have to make due with what I've got, I've just got to pack the right stuff. Here are some pictures Debbie sent and a copy of an email that just got our travel juices flowing. Viva La France!
Hi Renee and Woody,
Don't fret about the cost, when you are here just enjoy. It rained a little yesterday, just a light rain and then stopped. We didn't bring raincoats. We used little collapsable umbrellas. Today, the sky is clear with hardly any clouds. There is a slight chill in the air this morning and it will warm up to 81.
We slept from about 12:23 am until 10am -- guess we're still adjusting to the time change, jet lag and so on.
In Rick Steve's book (p. 457 in the 2009 edition), it states that you can buy the combination Le Passeport one-day pass for Versailles and a roundtrip RER ticket for 25 euros. The weekend tickets are 5 euros more than weekday tickets -- maybe because it includes the weekend Fountain Spectacles.The combination pass and roundtrip RER ticket must be purchased from an RER station that serves Versailles. We are only a block from the Javel RER station on Line C that goes directly to Versailles, so we'll get our two tickets that way -- do not buy any tickets for us.
From what we can tell by looking at the RER map, from your hotel you may have to get on the A line, then the B line, and then the C line. If you go that route, then you might not be able to buy the combination ticket at an A or B line station. Alternatively, you could come to our apartment or the nearby Metro or RER stops and we could all meet there and travel the rest of the way together. The Javel RER stop and the Javel Andre Citroen Metro stop are across the street from each other and only about a block away from our apartment. If you like, then you could buy the combination roundtrip RER tickets and Le Passeport tickets at the Javel RER station. Alternatively, we could buy your combo tickets at the Javel RER station -- let us know what you decide.
The Paris Museum Pass does not include several things at Versailles that Le Passeport includes (e.g., weekend Fountain Spectacles and audioguides). In other words, Le Passeport includes everything at Versailles that's on the Paris Museum Pass and more. Without Le Passeport, admission to the Gardens on weekend "spray days" (the Fountain Spectacles), cost another 8 euros.
The Paris Museum Pass does not include several things at Versailles that Le Passeport includes (e.g., weekend Fountain Spectacles and audioguides). In other words, Le Passeport includes everything at Versailles that's on the Paris Museum Pass and more. Without Le Passeport, admission to the Gardens on weekend "spray days" (the Fountain Spectacles), cost another 8 euros.
Under Day 4 on p. 22 of Steve's Paris 2009 edition, it recommends catching the RER by 8:00 am to arrive early at Versailles before it opens at 9:00 am. The weekends are more crowded because of the fountains. He suggests touring the palace's interior in the morning. Lunch in the Gardens at Versailles. In the afternoon, tour the Gardens and the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette. The Fountains run 11:00 - 12:00, 15:30 - 17:30, with the finale from 17:20 - 17:30. Have dinner in Versailles town to allow the sun to set more in preparation for the Floodlit Taxi Tour. It doesn't really get good and dark here until quite late. After dinner, we'd take the RER back to Paris, then go on the Floodlit Taxi Tour (pp. 427-432). We've already made copies of the route and French instructions to give to the cabbie (pp. 428-429). We can bring a bottle of red and some chocolates to consume at each stop. We can also rotate seats after each stop to allow the middle passenger to have a window seat.
Russ & Debbie
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