Paris Itineraries: Q&A Reader Questions Answered

REVISE  Choosing where to stay in Paris can be challenging simply because you have so many wonderful options.  Each neighborhood offers its own vibe, attractions, things to do, places to shop, and of course, appealing cafes, bistros, and restaurants.  So naturally, you may have lots of questions.

In the Sunday edition of my free Paris Discoveries Newsletter, I answer reader questions about Paris travel.  Not surprisingly, where to stay and which hotel to book are among the most frequent inquiries. 

This article is part of the Paris Discoveries Q&A Archive and brings together my answers about neighborhoods, arrondissements, and choosing the right area and hotel for your stay.

Some questions focus on the best neighborhood for your first visit, the feel of different areas, and choosing the right hotel when online reviews vary.  I've lightly edited, expanded, and updated my original answers, and added photos to make this a more complete Paris travel resource. 

Interested in staying in the Marais or Saint-Germain?  You'll find those Q&A archives here:

• Where to Stay in the Marais (placeholder: add links later)
• Where to Stay in Saint-Germain (placeholder: add links later)

John's Question about His Itinerary for 3 Days in Paris in Late November

Should I book the Paris Tootbus Open-Top Christmas Bus Tour for our first evening in Paris when my wife and I arrive in late November?  The tour departs at 6 pm.  

And should we take the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off the next morning?

We are staying at Hotel Pullman Paris Montparnasse. 

For the following day, we have booked the Montmartre Cheese, Wine, and Pastry Guided Walking Tour.

Susan's Answer: 

The short answer:  Great plans!  The open-top Christmas bus tour is one of my own personal favorites for this time of the year. 

The long answer:  Well, my answer turned out to be too long for this newsletter.  So I ended up writing a separate article about why your plans are right on target, plus a few tips and a couple of other suggestions for things to do nearby.  And, of course, some photos showing the magic of Paris in late November.

Here's my article about John's itinerary for three days in late November - a wonderful period with (usually) crisp fall days, the last golden hues of fall foliage, and in the evenings, beautiful Christmas lights sparkling in every Paris neighborhood.

See Questions & Answers on Similar Topics

Should You Split Your Paris Stay between 2 or More Neighborhoods & Hotels? - Find out when and why to consider doing this, plus practical tips

Paris Discoveries Q&A Archive - See Q&As on all topics

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