My tour clients always ask me the best way to avoid the long lines and crowds at the museums and popular tourist sites. I hear from many clients that certain tourist attractions have gotten so overcrowded that it’s hard to appreciate them with the hoards of people overrunning them. Below is a list of the major tourist attractions and the best times and days to visit.
One rule of thumb for all attractions that you need tickets for: Buy them in advance or purchase a museum pass.
Eiffel Tower- This is a tough one but a better time to go is early evening, sunset, or nighttime.
Note: Best to purchase tickets directly from Eiffel Tower site http://toureiffel.com/, as other sites will charge you a hefty surcharge.
Notre Dame- Many clients ask if there is VIP or skip the line access to Notre Dame but unfortunately there isn’t, as Notre Dame is free to get in. The lines move quickly at Notre Dame and I’ve never waited more than 20 minutes to get in. Again, later in the day at 5 or 6PM is better or right at 8AM.
Notre Dame is open from 8AM to 6:45 daily, 7:15 on Saturday and Sunday.
Louvre- With swarms of tourists taking selfies in front of the pint sized Mona Lisa, it’s more than difficult to see the attractions at the Louvre. My best advice is to go late afternoon or evening to avoid the crowds.
The Louvre is open Wednesday and Friday from 9AM to 9:45PM.
If you can’t go at night, go first thing in the morning at 9AM.
Another option if you are staying in Paris for longer periods of time is to buy a membership which is only 35€ or a family membership is 80€, which allows admission for 2 adults plus 3 children.
D’Orsay Museum- The second most visited museum in Paris, the D’Orsay is another crowd pleaser. According to their website, the best days and times to go are all day Wednesday and Friday and Thursday 6PM-9:45PM.
Pompidou Museum- The Pompidou Museum or the Modern museum is the most popular museum after the Louvre and D’Orsay. The good news about the Pompidou is it’s open every night till 10PM, except Tuesday. When I Googled “Pompidou museum hours” a daily graph appeared of popular times the museum is visited and 11AM (when the museum opens) and 9PM had the least amount of traffic. If you go late in the day or early evening it’s nice to have a drink or dinner at the Georges restaurant on the top floor, which has a great sunset and views of the city. Prices are a bit high but well worth it.
Versailles- This is another tough one and crowded most of the time during peak season May to October. From April 1 to October 31, the palace is open from 9AM to 6:30PM (last admission 6PM). My suggestion is to go either right at 9AM, or go at 5PM. The gardens are open till 8:30PM, so you can visit the gardens after the palace. From November 1 to March 31, the palace is open till 5:30PM (last admission 5PM) and the gardens are open till 6PM.
Sacre Coeur- Rising 1300 feet above Paris, the magnificent Sacre Coeur Basilica in Montmartre is a tourist magnet. The good new is that’s it’s open from 6AM to 10:30PM, so you can be an early bird and watch the sunrise or beat the daytime crowds and go at night.
Mass time Monday to Friday is 7AM, 11.15 AM, 3PM(Friday only), 6.30PM, 10PM.
Saturday 7AM, 11.15AM, 3PM (Friday only), 6.30PM, 10PM
Sunday 7AM, 11 AM, 6PM, 10PM
Eye Prefer Paris Postcards
I am thrilled to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards, a 6 or 12-month subscription service where the subscriber receives three physical postcards of my iconic Paris photos every month. Each month will have a specific theme, from architectural street scenes to romantic outdoor cafes to beautiful gardens to unique shots of iconic monuments. Each mailing will include two postcards in color and one in black & white or sepia, beautifully packaged in a special French Blue postcard holder with a custom designed seal.
Each 6” X 4.25” traditional size postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock that enhances the vibrancy of every image.
Only $60 for a 6 month subscription (plus shipping)or
$110 for a 12-month subscription (plus shipping)
My offer of a 12-month subscription with an extra month free is good until October 11, so remember to order now before the offer ends.
Click here to order a 12-month subscription from my Etsy store
Click here to order a 6-month subscription from my Etsy store
Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more. In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.
Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 195 euros per person (about $210)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.