JC98

Paris experts out there, please throw out suggestions on what we can do to relax in Paris during our 2-day stopover before heading off to our Asia adventure? We'll be there mid November--Thurs morning til early Sat. morning.

We just went to Paris last year, and had done pretty much all the tourist stuff--museums, monuments, churches, etc. It was too hectic, as my DH still likes to complain.

To make it up, we'd like to take it easy on this short trip. What interesting walks to take, where to hang out, what interesting restaurants/cafes/pastisseries to eat at?

I like to walk along the Seine more. What's a good section to do this? Possible to bike it? Where to rent the bikes and will it be too cold in Nov? How about kayak the Seine?

Well, I still like to fit in the new Musee Quali Branly, but we probably go there on Thurs night when it opens late. And my DH has to have his macarons at Pierre Hermes.

Thanks, all! I like to hear all your brilliant suggestions!

chicagolori

Dont know about the bike thing on the Seine just because I dont know where you get the bikes - but how about a picnic in Luxembourg Gardens?

starrsville

The Fat Tire Bike Tour is a great way to experience the city - even if you have already "done" Paris. They rent bikes if you want to go on your own.

I want to relax (maybe a picnic) in Rodin Gardens next time.

alan64

The last time we went to Paris, we did a few of the tourist sites (I can't pass up the d'Orsay) but spent much of our time wandering the streets, buying picnic supplies and then eating in parks, reading books on park benches, drinking coffee and red wine in cafes. Generally doing a lot of nothing and we loved it.

If you walk from the Eifel Tower across the Sienne, and then make a right it's a nice walk all the way past the Louvre. We typically picked a direction and just walked, trying to stick to as many small side streets at possible. The 4th-7th district had a lot to see.

annhig

Don't forget the boats - You can go all the way down the Seine from the Eiffel Tower [not on your list of things you did last time] to Notre Dame [or back], then wander around the left bank, cross over the river, walk back up through the Tuileries; alternatively, head for the Place des Vosges in the Marais and make for Victor Hugo's house - I still remember how interesting it was after ovre 20 years! Lots of other beautiful buildings too, great restaurants and cafes - enough for a whole day then more, and not too touristy.

Travelnut

even your request about doing 'nothing' seems a bit manic
(should we walk? bike? KAYAK??) LOL

I guess November could be chilly and damp, probably not so great for picnics unless it turns out to be a really nice day. The highways down along the Seine are shut down on Sundays, which is when you can bike there - otherwise, traffic would be bad and too much exhaust. The bike tours know how to take you around in the best routes, I imagine.

Did you do a Seine cruise before? That would be nice.

It's really not hard to 'pass' a couple of days window-shopping, cafe-sitting, a couple of museums.. it will be time to leave before you know it.

p.s. the Orangerie re-opened in May so I know you didn't see that.

JC98

Thanks all for your good suggestions! Travelnut, you're right. We just don't know how to relax!

Weather is also a concern in November. We'll keep biking with Fat Tire in mind. What to do if the weather is lousy? I guess museums and churches would be the only refuge.

Yes, last time we went, we cruised down the Seine at night, and also picnicked in several places. Crashed on the lawn of the Luxemburg garden and a little park on Ile de la Cite the first two days because of jetlag. It may sound relaxing, but we were rushing about even when we tried to do these things.

Anyhow, please teach us how to relax in Paris! Merci!

treble

After seeing all the sights one must see, my family enjoyed exploring via metro--out to the last stops on each line. Also, stopping at all the little bakeries, creperies, wine shops, etc. you know, eating and drinking your way through the day.

nessundorma

Lunch at the Musee Jacquesmart-Andre

Tour St Denis (but only if it's sunny)

Otherwise, how about filling the time with a macaroon sampling tour? Just walk from one famous tea shop to the next and see what you find in-between without a guide book.

moldyhotelsaregross

In addition to bicycles, Fat Tire Bikes offers a fun Segway tour. http://www.citysegwaytours.com/paris/

How about afternoon tea at Mariage Frères? I love the Lune Rouge tea - green tea with black pepper, ginger and rose petals. http://www.mariagefreres.com/

JC98

Thanks, all, for the great suggestions! I'll need to pull out my Access Paris guidebook to map out my routes based on your suggestions!

Afternoon tea sounds good. Yes, I think our focus for this trip should be on satisfying the stomach. We didn't feel we had the best French food experience last time.

Please share your favorite eateries in Paris. And also specific items to order in those places. Sometime you can go to a great restaurant but end up ordering the wrong food--something not exemplary of their talents.

Keep the suggestions coming! Merci beaucoup!

JC98

Besides restaurants/cafes/bistros, please also share your favorite bakeries and patisseries. Last time we went, we were quite disappointed with the chocolate croissants in Paris! We tried it in so many places, but they're not chocolatey enough and they're not hot from the oven, as I like them. When I attempted to ask them to heat it up, one shop just pop it in the microwave and it turned all mushy! I had my best chocolate croissant in Tokyo! In the Le Meridien hotel. Fresh, flakey, very chocolatey.

Anyhow, please share your secret eating out spots.

nessundorma

Some places to indulge yourself other than Pierre Hermes:

Laduree (two locations)

Cafe Le Flore en l'ile on Ile St Louis, just over the bridge from Notre Dame. (Try a chocolate croissant there along with a hot chocolate since it is November.)

Print out this list and take it along:

http://parisvoice.com/03/may/html/fooddrink.cfm

nessundorma

And this one too:

http://parisvoice.com/01/mar/html/restaurants.cfm

ira

Hi JC,

>Anyhow, please teach us how to relax in Paris!<

Don't plan anything at all.

Get up late. Step outside the hotel and turn either left or right.

Next day, repeat, but go in the other direction.

Have a nice visit.

suze

Sit in sidewalk cafes and drink wine. Seriously.
;-)

shellio

Sounds like you need some structure, even in your relaxation. Take a look at "City Walks: Paris" a boxed set of cards with 50 short walks all over the city. Pick some that sound interesting and then research some eating places along the way.

City Walks is published by Chronicle Books.

Lexma90

Use any printed walking tour as a basis for a walk that could take as long as you like. On our last trip, we did Frommer's walking tour of the Passy neighborhood, for example. We've also done several of the walk in the ParisWalks book. Take your time, look at everything, stop when you want.

In terms of chocolate croissants (or pain au chocolat), I think if you get them from a bakery (as in, for takeout), they won't be warm unless they happen to come fresh out of the oven. Each day on our last trip to Paris, we'd have breakfast at a cafe in the 6th Arr., then go to a nearby bakery (usually to Jean-Pierre Carton, at 6, rue de Buci) and pick out several new pastries/breads to try. And as many trips to Laduree as we could fit in - macarons are a new favorite!

PatrickLondon

If it were summer, I'd suggest the Promenade Plantée or the Canal St Martin, starting at Bastille. But in the winter, you can't beat just strolling along streets with plenty of cafés to dive into if the weather gets too much: or what about the Passages:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34731940

Some pictures at:
http://www.patrickwallace.me.uk/france.htm

(start at picture 56!)

palette

Some of my most wonderful "down times" have been spent wandering the various cemeteries. Last trip I sat in the quiet and had my own private picnic.