Meadybone

Hello All and apologies if I seem slightly all over the place, this is my first post.

I am planning a 2nd trip to Paris in Late September/ early October and would appreciate any ideas an/ or suggestions to do while there.
a little background:
in 2012 I traveled to Germany and Paris for 2 weeks, on my first full day in Paris I tore my Achilles Tendon. and while the pain was excruciating I tried to not let it ruin the trip.
originally my trip was going to be a solo vacation but my 80 year old grandmother asked to come along and I couldn't say no. while I loved the idea of spending time with my grandmother she really did not make a good travel companion. the biggest problem was that she constantly complained, about everything, from the water to the weather to the food (blasphemous I know).
I did visit :
the Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame ( including the tower) and an amazing Ave Maria Concert at the Cathedral
Arc de Triomphe
Invalides
we had a private tour through the Louvre

I had an amazing experience and I cant help but to think that if I go back without injury and on my own as I had intended I would have an even greater experience.

so any ideas or suggestions of things to do this go around would be beyond appreciated.

Thanks!!!

amwosu

Use the search box above to find lots of archived info. Type things like Paris Solo, Paris in the Fall, Paris trip report, Paris in September.... Cut and paste info that interests you to a word document.

Currently there are several threads regarding repeat trips to Paris. Here's mine. http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...aris-ideas.cfm
Ann Marie

robertcoon

Check out the War Museum - http://www.musee-armee.fr/en/english-version.html

Very impressive info on WWI and WW2 and others. Also worth seeing Napoleon's tomb.

MmePerdu

You say nothing regarding your interests. There are so many things to do that I suggest you have your way with a guidebook and then maybe return for more specific input such as would we recommend A over B. And, in my opinion, the unnecessary complaints about your grandmother are the real blasphemy.

amwosu

Fodorite welltraveledbrit just spent several months in Paris. Read her Top Ten list then dive into her excellent blog. http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.fr/s...ll%20Adventure
Ann Marie

Meadybone

thank you all --

MmsPerdu - I meant no disrespect, I love her dearly and I have dinner with her twice a week. I had a hard time enjoying certain things while there, such as we were at the Eiffel tower and I asked her to take a picture of me her response was " why? its just a piece of metal, save the space on the camera for something good" and when I suggested to go somewhere or see something her response was always along the lines of " why I can do or see something like that at home"

I am very open in my interests and I am willing to try anything.

MmePerdu

Of course you mean disrespect. Please consider that many of us might wish to still be traveling at 80, bitching & moaning as we go.

Judy

I certainly hope to be traveling when I'm 80, but I don't think that should entitle me bitch and moan to my travel companions. If I did so, I wouldn't think it disrespectful of any of them to mention the impact of my behavior on their trip!

Meadybone

excuse me? you do not know my intentions.
I was explaining that while I had visited some sites around Paris it wasn't the best experience. that isn't disrespectful it was a fact. I'm all for traveling at ANY age and I do hope to be traveling when I am older but I don't see a problem with wanting to enjoy my trip. I saved for a long time to afford an amazing time in an amazing location.

amwosu

If you're in Paris on a Sunday, start at Sainte-Chapelle when the chapel known as the little jewel box opens. The stained glass windows on the second floor are so lovely. Then walk over to the bird market on Place Louis Lepine (its a flower market every other day of the week). The birds and small animals, the locals and their dogs and the iron stands that house the market are all worthy photo subjects. Walk behind Notre Dame and over the pedestrian Pont Saint Louis (frequently has entertainers) to stroll the narrow one way streets of the Ile Sainte Louis, the well planned and largely unchanged 17th century community that is still home to wealthy Parisians. Walk across Pont Marie to the right bank and visit the Place des Vosges, a beautiful square packed with locals and tourists enjoying a Sunday afternoon. Consider a visit to Victor Hugo's longtime home on the square. Walk to the Musee Carnavalet and enjoy a free visit then stroll the Rue des Rosiers sampling yummy falafels and baked goods. Walk to the Centre Pompidou for a taste of modern art or just go to the top for a wonderful panoramic view of Paris. Don't miss the nearby Stravinsky Fountain.
Ann Marie

Goldens

Consider getting a good guide book, I like Frommers Paris for sightseeing information. You can also use the Frommers website. They show suggested itineraries to cover all of the main sightseeing attractions.
You can follow their itinerary or make your own. You will get an idea of locations and opening hours.

Posters here will give you additional specifics, but you should start with a list of what is important to you.

You should definitely do a Seine boat trip.
www.vedettesdupontneuf.com

Also check out the cheap and wonderful Paris walks.
www.paris-walks.com

Meadybone

wow, thank you Ann Marie and Goldens.

I know I am starting very early and I will absolutely take everyone's suggestions and start from there!

you guys are a great help

Gretchen

Oh, for pete's sake, perdu et al. It's her grandmother and she can handle it for herself. I would expect to tell the GM to quit whining. AND I AM that age. When travelling with others I establish a "no whining zone".
Meady, do some search and see what appeals. You've been given some good ideas already. I love the street markets and usually look for one or two per time there, even though we don't cook. Bread and cheese is always welcome in the late afternoon!!
The main street of Ile St. Louis is fun, and there is an amazing marionette shop about 3 blocks down from the bridge. It is worth a peek for the artistry.
Picnic on the champs de Mars and ask another picnicker to take your picture with that beautiful piece of iron.
I always have to go to the Orsay. The Marmottan and Orangerie are small gems for Monet. The Carnavalet is free, and another favorite museum of mine.

MmePerdu

Gretchen, et al, I don't care who whines and who doesn't, in part why I travel alone. It was the disrespect implicit in telling us all about it TWICE that I found so unpleasant. And so unnecessary to her purpose here.

Meadybone

my apologies once again. I didn't mean to be unpleasant. I really am not an unpleasant person. perhaps I shouldn't have included the info, and I will surely be more mindful of what I do share if I ever post again.

thank you MmePerdu for taking the time to even read and reply to my initial post. I truly was just trying to get some useful information and start any problems.

Meadybone

I meant ** not start any problems

StCirq

I didn't take it as unpleasant or disrespectful. I think it's perfectly legitimate to bi*ch and moan a bit about travel companions who really have no interest in anything. There have been many threads here on Fodors about such issues. Few scenarios are as problematic as ending up with disinterested whiners on a trip you've planned as enjoyment and spent a lot of money on.

Meadybone, here's something a bit different and really fun. Google Ile des Impressionistes, Maison Fournaise and get yourself out there for a lovely visit and lunch.

amwosu

Window Shopping Day
Starting at Metro Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre, go north to walk through the courtyard (Cour d'Honneur) and garden at Palais Royal. The courtyard is filled with nearly 300 chopped off, black and white striped columns which entertain children running among and on them. The shopping arcade surrounding the garden, filled with high end boutique was frequented by Thomas Jefferson during his time in Paris. Peek into Didier Ludot’s shop that sells obscenely priced vintage haute couture. (He scares me. One of his assistants also scares me. I just look in the window. ) Clients include Reese Witherspoon who bought a dress that she wore when accepting an Academy Award. Nearby, Ludot also has a lovely shop called La Petite Robe Noir that has new but vintage inspired Little Black Dresses. Pricey but lovely and the intimidating Cruella DeVille lookalike that once ran the shop has been replaced by a sweet girl from the US Midwest. Walk to the northwest corner of the arcade and peek into Le Grand Vefour, one of the oldest and most beautiful restaurants in Paris. Lunch will set you back 100 euros. Not far from the restaurant, continuing north, walk through Galerie Vivienne and Galerie Colbert, shopping arcades built in the early 19th century to protect shoppers from the hazards of Paris streets. Beautiful tile floors and lovely shops. Le Grand Colbert restaurant was used in a final scene from the movie “Something’s Gotta Give” with Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Keanu Reeves. Return south toward Palais Royal and go west on rue Danielle Casanova for .5 mile then south to Place Vendome to peek in uber expensive watch and jewelry shops. Walk through the newly reopened (I hope) Ritz where Coco Chanel lived and maybe have a drink at the historic Bar Hemingway. Return north from the Place Vendome and go west on rue des Capucines then west on rue de Seze to Place de la Madeleine. Visit the food stores of Fauchon and Hediard, longtime business rivals with sumptious window displays. Go south from the place via rue Royal and take a right (west) on the tiny Cite Berryer/Village Royal, a tucked away alley of expensive stores including Dior and Chanel and worth the stroll. When you exit the west end of the passage, turn south to walk past Bread and Roses and Hermes and continue south to Place de la Concorde where many heads rolled including the king’s and the queen’s. (If you want to visit Monet’s huge water lillies, L’Orangerie is just to the east.) Walk over Pont de la Concorde, admire Palais Bourbon’s exterior then head east to the newly installed floating islands in front of Musee D’Orsay. http://www.paris.fr/english/english/...293_port_19237 (interesting video of their installation)

Google Maps is my friend. I use it to plot destinations that are close to one another and print off hard copies of my walking maps to take with me each day.
Ann Marie