Here is a Googlemap my daughter put together for Paris. Has about 50 locations on it.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=210793889675451204341.0004970f4e17ab7408387&msa=0&ll=48.864941,2.309361&spn=0.089324,0.154324&iwloc=0004aaa6987ca2ae61d27

dave

That's a great map!

Fantastic map! Thank you so much!

Well done...thanks for sharing!

To the OP....please search by kerouac. He posts regularly and is a local who has terrific perspective and always interesting posts. He always encourages us to get out of central/tourist Paris to see more of his world.

The map is grand!

That's an absolutely fabulous map. But I would also say that if you're not a regular in Paris, almost anywhere you land will be "local." Especially since you are staying in the Marais. I have been to Paris more than 100 times, but last time I was there spent a lot of time in the Marais, where I hadn't spent a lot of time before. There were an incredible number of lovely sort of "special" small places we ended up. I can't even recall them for you - we just kept wandering around and found lovely places. I'm sure you will too. I always find that if I stay on my own two feet and keep moving I find amazing things no matter where I am.

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied. Thank you to Dave for his daughters expertise and sharing that. A superb map. Also to Denisea for her link to Kerouac. I will search his posts. St Cirq I plan to wander and find these special small places too.

Since you enjoy walking, you would probably enjoy the Promenade Plantée. See Kerouac's post:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-the-promenade-plante.cfm

If you love photgraphy then you should probably spend some time at this museum in the Marais-

http://www.mep-fr.org/us/

Bookmarking. The map is excellent.

One thing you might do is take the RER to Chatou and visit the Ile des Impressionistes and have lunch at the Maison Fournaise, where Renoir painted "Luncheon of the Boating Party." It's an easy, short trip, the maison looks exactly as it did when Renoir painted there, the food is good, and the setting is lovely.

One thing you might do is take the RER to Chatou and visit the Ile des Impressionistes and have lunch at the Maison Fournaise, where Renoir painted "Luncheon of the Boating Party." It's an easy, short trip, the maison looks exactly as it did when Renoir painted there, the food is good, and the setting is lovely.

We too rent an apt in the Marais for our twice yearly trips to Paris. Check out the Richard Lenoir market at Place de la Bastille on Thus and Sundays. A canal ride from Place Bastille is fun and informative , it is along Canal St Martin. Lots of museums in the area and some good eating. We like Le Bouquet Saint Paul on the corner of Rue St, Paul and Rue St Antoine. Village St Paul has lots of Antique shops and there are interesting shops under the Promenade Plantee.Transport is good to all areas of Paris from Le Marais

Two lovely little parks: Square Georges Cain at 1 rue Payenne, and Square Leopold Achille just a few meters away.

The Place du March Sainte Catherine is charming and has several nice cafes.

Le Jardin des Plantes in the 5th, near the Seine, is huge and beautiful (and free).

Another recommendation for the Promenade Plantee.

Since no one else has mentioned La Place des Vosges, I will. Gorgeous. Always full of people of all ages enjoying themselves -- and still peaceful.

Enjoy your trip!

Whoops-- one more! Place Dauphine, at the western tip of the Ile de la Cite. One of the prettiest little places in Paris.

It is wonderful to wake up in the morning and to see so many wonderful replies with beautiful ideas. Promenade Plantee will be a destination. The planting is superb and gardening and art are also my interests. Thank you MaineGG. To St Cirq and Kagoo thanks for your special places as these incorporate my love of artists writers, painters also. Kagoo I love some of your suggestions. Thanks to all who have so picked up on where I am at emotionally, mentally and physically and suggested the most beautiful places. One day, along time into the future Christchurch will once again be the garden city it was with even more green spaces and our house will be fixed. In the meantime I still have the mountains, the sea and the skies and those beautiful sunsets that have remained unchanged. My heart goes out to Indonesia who suffered an 8.5 quake this morning. No one, unless you experience it, knows the sheer terror as the earth decides to rearrange herself under your feet and your life as you know it is changed in the twinkling of an eye. Thank you to all of you who have shared your "special" places. The mix has been wonderful and thanks Avalon for the market and eating place and Canal St Martin I will definitely go there.

It was heartbreaking for all of us who have been fortunate enough to visit your lovely home city to hear of the devastating earthquakes you suffered. I'm sure it was terrifying. Here's hoping that you will have a lovely respite in Paris and that Christchurch will recover soon.

Such irony! I will be celebrating my 60th birthday and our daughter's college graduation in Provence and Paris. One week each. Renting apartment in the Marais for the Paris week. Browsing this site for ideas. We will be in Paris May 2 - 8.

Rutheye have a wonderful time. I will be there in early June. That is the wonderful thing about sharing on this site - you get such marvelous information that is so so helpful to so many. Thanks to all who contributed.

Wonderful map.

We left Paris on the 6th of April (are presently in Corsica) and had a great time. Your apartment maybe close to the wonderful pedestrian shopping area (food) that has been created on Rue Montorgueil and Rue Saint Denis. It is in the 3rd, tho near the Marais (4th). Well worth stocking up on produce, deli products, fabulous artisan breads etc.
We also used YELP.fr for restaurant recommendations and found it quite resourceful. In fact, we posted our finds there too.

One area often not mentioned - unless it was to say "don't go there, it's modern, not what you want to see in Paris" - is La Defense. We found it fascinating, and beautiful in its own way, a look at modern French architecture and public area sculpture (some with fanciful humour - like the giant thumb) along the broad central pedestrian boulevard. It acts as a space age continuation of the Champs Elysees which culminates in an Arc de Triomphe of its own from which you can see mirrored its old grandpa, the "real" one, and which you can also ascend. Sitting on the steps in the sun by this arc we watched spectacular feats by local inline skaters, and a very different segment of the Sunday strolling Parisian population. I recommend it for a pleasant and interesting change and a fresh view of Paris.

One more thing - a place we love for Breton galettes and cider, is Breizh Cafe, 109 rue Vielle du Temple (closed Mon/Tue) There's a nice blog you may find helpful for other things Parisian, including Breizh Cafe: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2008/01/breizh-caf-1/

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thank you to everyone for sharing the joys of exploring Paris. I'm taking my Sketching group there in September '12 and many of these places will be be perfect for us, including the little cafes. We also stay in The Marais, our favourite area and a picture at every turn.
Wishing everyone happy times in Paris.

Thanks so much for the map! wonderful!

I've been in Paris and I arrived in my home today. I love Paris! Just walking in Paris is a big program, here's my tip: go to Giverny and visit the Monet's gardens, it's near Paris and very beautiful place.
Stand a few steps of the Tour Eiffel at night when it's iluminated.
So many things to do in Paris...
I hope you enjoy your trip!