Paris: 14 days of complete freedom...

Old Aug 26th, 2005, 09:09 AM
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Paris: 14 days of complete freedom...

My wife and I have leased an apartment in Paris. Late October into early November. We have been there before, usually in a rush. Now we see time will be on our side, for once. We wonder what you would do if you had the same opportunities. Give us your list of things you would dream to do.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 09:14 AM
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Hi USNR,

I would look up where all of the markets, bakers, wine shops, cheese shops, butchers, fish mongers and delicatessens were and cook for 2 weeks.

Enjoy your visit.

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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 09:32 AM
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My husband would no doubt bring his golf clubs.
I would wander around taking photos and we would do some day-trips by train to places we haven't yet been.
I would get to some of the rooms in the Louvre I'm sure I've missed
I would try to do all my Christmas shopping
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 09:40 AM
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I would go to cooking school and then try out everything I had learned.

Byrd
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 10:07 AM
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I would do Marmottan, Nissim du Camondo, viaducts, vilage St. Paul shops, Marais and Monmarte walks, eat on rue des Rosiers,parks esp. Monceau and Luxembourg, wine bars, cafe sitting, Grands Boulevards shopping and browsing, a ballet and a concert.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 10:12 AM
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sigh.. what a gorgeous idea. A dream of mine. I'd probably finally get to see the Eiffel Tower! <GRIN>... and then some of the "littler" museums...and take time to find my favorite cafe/bistro...cook some...

Have time to take a nap and stay up late...hit a jazz or swing club...
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 10:20 AM
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USNR,

-Visit the great parks like Parc Monceau; Place Des Vosges.
-Musee D'Orsay
-Walk about the Marais District and the Ile St. Louis--nice shops, restaurants. Dine at "Le Pamphlet" in the Marais.
-Take in a classical music concert at Saint Chapelle and Saint Germain.
-Take a Seine cruise.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 10:39 AM
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We'll be there for 10 around the same time..that will make 18 for this year!

I'd certainly take the opportunity, with an apt, to sample every cheese I could find and as many boulangeries as possible!

I'd try to manage at least a few day trips ..it seems we are always going to but then feel our time is too short and we miss too many things we like to do right in Paris. We are definite for Auvers-sur-Oise this trip.



I'd probably need several 512 MB flash cards
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 10:42 AM
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I would love to browse in the small antique stores.

I would take a couple of daytrips (maybe to Chartres and Chantilly).

I would do some serious café sitting. Check the pulse of Parisians. Do they enjoy life as much as I think they do?

If the weather is good, I would go to the Jardin des Tuileries, grab a chair and sit by the fountain.

I would take long walks along the Seine, no rush.

I hope you have a lovely vacation.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 10:57 AM
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Having been to Paris many times I'd suggest doing the "less famous" sites and also doing plenty of walking the various neighborhoods. We always have loved just "walking around".

Go out to Chateau Vincennes, Museum Marmottan, sit in the parks and people watch, shop in local neighborhood stores, if you have not done it before take a day trip to Chartres (or any other place for that matter). Walk along the Seine at night. Walk the Champs Elysee at night. Take a canal ride on St. Martin canal, ride the bus and get off if you see an interesting neighborhood and wander around. Go to the Eiffel Tower at dusk and watch the lights come on around the city (even if you have done that before it's spectacular and something we do everytime we are in Paris).

With the extra time you have consider a day trip on Eurostar to London .. a long day perhaps, but fun just the same and you would not be dragging any luggage so you can hit the ground running in London and see quite a bit.

Simply enjoy the luxury of having some extra time. A few minutes spent talking to a stranger in the park for example, can turn out to be a highlight of your trip.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 11:13 AM
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I'd do the Marmottan and the D'Orsay, boat rides, shop, shop, shop, shop, and shop at stores, markets, flea markets, eat and drink when ever I felt like it. Oh what fun you will have!!!!!!!
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 11:33 AM
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We would eat huge, luxurious lunches with lots of fois gras, game, and other rich fall foods and lots of red wine, then go home to our apartment and take a decadent nap, knowing that we have many more days and don't have to rush.

Then we would wake up and stroll one of the pedestrian-only market streets, buying a huge, colorful armful of flowers and some cheeses, breads and pates (with cornichons, of course) to make a light evening meal at home.

We would also stop into a wonderful parfumerie or even pharmacie to buy some scented French bubble bath.

After arranging the flowers, I would retire for a soak in a hot tub while drinking cold Champagne. (Of course, DH would bring me refills so I don't have to jump out.)

Then we would eat our lovely snacks while watching the lights of the Tour Efiel from our window. (This is a fantasy, right? In my fantasy we stay in one of those incredible Paris Perfect apartments with the views.)

Finally, DH and I would take our two precious mutts for a night time walk along the Seine before turning in for the night. (Again, in the fantasy, we win the lottery and can afford a charter flight that allows us to bring our dogs into the cabin with us!)

The next morning, we would rise early to walk the entire Promenade Plantee, which should still have some flowers blooming even in November. (http://www.promenade-plantee.org/)

We would find a cute place for lunch at the end in the Promenade in the 12th, and start the whole cycle all over again.

Ahhh... If we didn't have our memories and fanatasies, these Fridays at work would really drag!

Have a fabulous trip!
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 11:34 AM
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Have a taste test of every cafe that served chocolat chaud
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 11:45 AM
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A few things I'd do with a lot of time in Paris:

Go to the hammam at the Mosquée de Paris and "take the baths."

Take the RER out to the Ile des Impressionistes and have lunch at the Maison de Fournaise

Go to Auvers-sur-Oise for the day. And another day to Chantilly and Senlis.

Take tours of chocolate factories, boulangeries, patisseries, etc.

Visit the flea markets on a weekend.

Try out a wine bar or two.

Go to Brussels for dinner one night.
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Old Aug 26th, 2005, 12:11 PM
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I second all of the above--would add a trip to Giverney--especially Ira's contribution--that's what we do (but we don't just cook--we eat!).

Also, get a little box of cards "Fifty Adventures on Foot" City Walks: Paris. It's published by Chronicle Books www.chroniclebooks.com. Each card has a little map and describes the area (including restaurants and cafes) and nearby metro stops. We always walk a lot in Paris, but found many neighborhoods and sites we had not seen with this little gem. Enjoy
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Old Aug 28th, 2005, 06:16 PM
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if you have even the slightest interest in music you should go to the museum at the cite de la music....easy metro ride....you will not believe the huge collection of instruments and the audio guide provided....the collection is huge and the audio m arvelous. you can easily spend an entire afternoon there!!! a nice cafe is just outside the museum.
other winners are carnavalet and baccarat museums.
and the holocust memorial at the far tip of ile st louis is uniquely moving.
for a change of pace try the sewer museum at the left bank side of the bridge, on the right bank of which is the tunnel where diana met her doom.
the musee guimet has interesting asian stuff.
enjoy....
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