Paris sightseeing - public transport
- The travel pass - value for money
Summary
A day travel pass for Paris and the “environs” is excellent value for money. Come and go at your own pace.
User Review
( votes)We had a fairly early start this morning. Breakfast and then a trip to the boulangerie to purchase baguettes for our packed lunch. In addition to our own stock of crisps, canned drinks and chocolate, we had sandwiches and pastries to keep us full of energy for our Paris sightseeing.
From our base at Camping Beau Village, we took the local train, the RER into Paris. The journey time is around 35 minutes. The ticket was priced at seven euro per person return. However, for thirteen euro per person, we could have a travel pass. This allows use of buses and the Metro for the entire day. This ticket was excellent value and I have lost count of the number of Metro services we have travelled on today.
Paris sightseeing – our starting point
The Eiffel Tower was our starting point for our Paris sightseeing
Our first stop was the Eiffel Tower, with admission being 4.50€ per person. This the cost to climb 699 steps to the second level. Prior to entry though, we were searched by security staff and were told we had to get rid of our canned drinks – part of the packed lunch. Rather than throw the drinks away, we went for a short walk and hid several cans of Coke, Pepsi and lemonade under some bushes!
We hid our drinks under some bushes.
From the second level is costs a further five euro to take the lift to the top of the tower. Despite the poor weather, the views were quite good. I have visited Paris many times in the past but have never stopped long enough to explore the Eiffel Tower.
Looking up the tower reading for the ascent in the lift
Although we had paid only 4.50 euro to climb the first two levels, we cheated on the way down and used the elevators. Once at the bottom,we retrieved our hidden treasure – the soft drinks!
The Arc de Triomphe and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
After the Eiffel Tower, we continued on foot to the Pont D’Alma – the Alma Bridge. During the day we were able to visit Montmartre, The Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, The Opera and Oscar Wild’s tomb.
Tomb – Oscar Wild
Not content with 699 steps at the Eiffel Tower, we also went on a climbing mission to the Sacre Coeur. As a result, our feet are asking for some pampering!
Paris sightseeing is not complete without a visit to the Moulin Rouge
We really enjoyed the atmosphere at Montmartre and found this a good contrast to the centre of Paris.
The Sacre Coeur
Paris sightseeing from the Camping Beau Village
The Camping Beau Village is an excellent choice for visiting Paris. Unlike some sites with proximity of the French capital, we were not charged extra for being a tag axle or for being over 3500 kg.
We did notice a fairly high level of both police and military personnel in Paris. However, we did not see any signs of trouble. All in all, we have had an excellent day. We have seen almost all the major sights that Paris has to offer and have probably worn away a fair amount of shoe leather!
Don’t forget if you are heading for Paris in your ‘van, have a read of our toll-free routes section. This features two toll-free routes to Paris from the Calais area.
Hi Russell,
Sounds like a very busy day! I’ve also been to that cemetery called Père Lachaise which is an interesting place to visit, even though it’s not in the heart of Paris.
Besides Oscar Wilde, other famous people buried there include Jim Morrison, Sarah Bernhardt, Maria Callas (ashes later moved), Chopin, Edith Piaf and Marcel Proust among many others.
Hope the weather improves as the journey south continues!
Gary
We also liked Montmartre area. Thanks for the campsite link. After all that walking you must both be fit.
Hi Russell
Great site very informative. I picked up my Kontiki 679 last Saturday and looking forward to many adventures away in the not to distant future.
One concern I have is security when abroad. Leaving the vehicle to go site seeing etc. Do you have any advice?