In June I'm going to France with my boyfriend, and the first stop is six days in Paris, followed by three days in Nice. I'm hoping to get a tiny taste of everything I can in that time (we're taking an easyjet flight between the two destinations, that takes 1.5 hours).
In Paris I'm staying in a B&B in Montparnasse 10 minute's walk from the Jardin du Luxembourg, and in Nice I'm staying in a hostel just outside (within walking distance) of the town centre, so accommodation's sorted. I'd be traveling mostly on foot, and train (I have an unlimited Eurail pass for the month) and am really trying to stretch my buck for all its worth, although will splash out (within reason!) for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
I'm mainly interested in getting to see the "real Paris/Nice" and even though things like going up the Eiffel Tower is a must, I'm hoping to avoid the exceptionally touristy places. Although we do really like art, museums, and churches, we'd much rather, for example, have a quiet wander through a small side lane gallery, than spend two hours in a packed queue at the Louvre. We're both relatively young and fit (though not athletes!) and are happy to hike about a bit.
I'd like to know from people who've been there, if the following itinerary is doable, or if I need to cull it down, or indeed could afford to add to it. Also, have I left anything off that's a must see, or do I have anything on there that's missable? Here's my list:
PARIS
Left Bank
Montparnasse – Cimetiere Du Montparnasse (see Beckett, Satre and de Beauvoir's graves), Jardin du Luxembourg, St Sulspice, Montparnasse Tower; St Germain – walk along streets and squares like St Germain des Pres, Place des Vosges, rue de Verneuil, and go to the cafes ‘The Flore’ and ‘Deux Magots’; The Latin Quarter – have a good wander around here, must go up The Eiffel Tower.
Iles
I'd like to have a good look at Notre Dame on the Ile de la Cite, and a good wander around the Ile Saint-Louis
Right Bank
The Louvre (even just from outside if crowds are crazy), Tuileries, Champs Elysees, Arc De Triomphe; Marais - have a good wander around here, Place des Vosges; Montmartre – Sacre Couer (go in and have a good look around and climb up to the top), then wander down Place du Tetre, past the Vineyards, Au Lapin Agile, Moulin Rouge, and the windmills on rue Lepic.
Also, Cimetiere Du Pere Lachaise is a must see, and a night time cruise up the Seine is cheesy I know, but I'd like to include that one night as well, plus at night Jazz Clubs and Latin Clubs, and at least one drink at The Ritz Bar.
Possible day trips if there's time (I'm imagining I could do at least one of these, or am I crazy?)
Versailles and Chartres (either separately or in the same day); Giverny; Dijon; Rouen; Mont St Michel (although that's a much longer travel time than the others, so am thinking probably not)
Nice
Antibes followed by Cannes in one day; Monaco; and possibly but probably not realistically St. Paul de Vence.
Whew, that took ages to type, my thanks to anyone who reads it - all comments, critiques welcome - lemme have it!!!
Cheers
