sel16

We will be spending 3 days in paris in mid june. we have been there several times and seen the major tourist sights, walked marais district, main museums, the canal area, took a photography tour.

what are your special places in paris? we love to walk, people watch, looks at the buildings, etc.

Rastaguytoday

If you can't find that in the measly 3 days you have, by yourself, then....

adrienne

You should state your interests since there are hundreds of sights that can be recommended. Without knowing what you consider to be the main tourist sights here are a few suggestions:

Cemeteries
Street markets
Lesser known museums such as Maillol, Romantic Life, Lock, Nissim de Camondo, Post
Passages
Paris Walks tour

There are lots of other areas besides the Marais. You can choose a neighborhood and walk around.

tdk320n

I am confused why you want to return if you have no idea of what you want to see or do. Perhaps you should pick another city to explore.

MareeL

If you like walking you can walk the full length of the Promenade Plantee - a 3 mile long, 10 yard wide elevated "garden" running along an old railroad viaduct. The Viaduct des Arts is a set of artisans' studios built into the arches below the old viaduct.

www.promenade-plantee.org

adrienne

Lots of people post here about going to a particular place and not knowing what the town/city has to offer or what to do. This is a quite common question.

It seems that very few people read guide books.

welltraveledbrit

Several good suggestions so far.
I'd consider the Musee Bordelle followed by a drink at Ciel in Tour Montparnesse. Paris Walks has a new Modern Architectre tour but it's only once a month, not sure if it's on when you're here.

Have you been to Pere Lachaise or the Jardin de Plantes?

How about a Street Art Walking Tour with Underground Paris, through the 11th and 20th. I loved this! Highly recommended and only 15 euro! They also have a stencil making workshop too.
http://undergroundparis.org/booking

Go to the Loouvre and see something different, how about the Islamic Art Collection
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.fr/2...at-louvre.html

I have pictures of the Promonade de Plants on m blog if you're interested
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.fr/2...-plantees.html

ST Denis followed by a walk along the canal
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.fr/2...cathedral.html

Visit the Marmottan Monet or the Jaquemart- Andre Museums, have you been to the Rodin Museum with its lovely garden?
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.fr/2...dre-paris.html
http://somuchmoretosee.blogspot.fr/2...et-museum.html

Hope this helps.

Ackislander

Picking a theme is indeed the answer: churches with organs, parks in unlikely places, riding trams, Tunisian restaurants, card ware stores, whatever appeals to you.

adrienne

The street art tour looks great - something I'd definitely be interested in.

ackislander - what does "card ware" stores mean? I've never heard the term.

Are there trams in Paris?

isabel

God, some people on this forum are getting really snarky. Rastaguytoday, tdk320n, etc. - go find someplace else to be useless.

The OP asked a very intelligent question - and DID state her interests "walk, people watch, look at buildings". She's looking for something that maybe she had not thought of. Lots of people on this forum have great ideas (that are not in guide books) and she was just looking for people to share their favorites. Actually there's a post (quite a few years back though) with a title something like 'how to spend your favorite day in Paris'.

I agree about the theme idea - that can give purpose to what might otherwise seem like a random 'walk' but still gets you out walking (and looking at people and buildings). Personally I like fountains, bridges and statues and have designed walks around those. There are a couple of good websites that list all the bridges in Paris, all the fountains, etc. When I get a few minutes I'll see if I can find it for you. Googling it might work as well.

Nikki

Lots of ideas in this thread from last year:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...at-visitor.cfm

adrienne

Here are some threads:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...o-in-paris.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...o-in-paris.cfm

adrienne

Here are some walks from a fodor's poster:

http://fodors.com/community/europe/p...xploration.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-eating.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-shopping.cfm
http://fodors.com/community/europe/p...y-activity.cfm
http://fodors.com/community/europe/d...ter-jan-06.cfm
http://fodors.com/community/europe/d...is-revised.cfm

Gretchen

If you haven't been the Institut du Monde Arab is very interesting. I never tire of the Orsay. Street markets. Do a Metro entrance "tour".

FHurdle

I visit Notre Dame every visit to Paris, and I've been lots of times.

Have you visited St. Chapelle? Many people overlook it. It's pretty amazing.

surfmom

What about a cooking class?

a bike tour?

visit Fontainebleau?

Paris Walks is another great idea...

sueciv

The crypt of the ancient Paris? The entrance is on the plaza in front of Notre Dame. Versailles? Giverny?
I HAVE to set time to cafe sit.

ahiddenbird

isabel: I agree! Some posters are being unnecessarily snooty if you ask me.

sel16 didn't say that they have no clue what they want to see or do, so I'm not sure why people are giving her so much flack? She just wants to know about some special, out of the way sort of places. She said "what are your special places?"

Lighten up, people!

d_claude_bear

Try Parc Monceau (Metro 2, Monceau station) and the adjacent Musee Cernuschi and Musee Nissim de Camondo.

ParisAmsterdam

Take Segway tour! Immense fun.

Catacombs?

Les Egouts?

A tethered hot air balloon ride at Parc Andre Citroen?

General Leclerc and Jean Moulin Museums side by side above the Gare Montparnasse at the Jardin Atlantique?

Behind the Scenes Eiffel Tower tour?

Electric Bike tour with Paris Charms and Secrets was great fun and interesting too.

Have fun!