susan001

Hello -- I've been drafting and re-drafting an itinerary for my 5-night stay in Paris in September. I play the piano and specifically admire Chopin (and recently read Chopin in Paris) so some of my planning revolves around Chopin landmarks. Also, I'm planning a morning trip to Auvers, to visit Van Gogh spots. Here are the plans so far:

I'm also interested in getting cafe/ bistro or restaurant recommendations. I will be traveling solo in Paris.

Wednesday morning: Take the RER (and regional train) to Auvers-sur-Oise to visit Van Gogh places.

If time, when I return to Paris, stop at Orsay to visit the Van Gogh paintings.

Thursday: Musee Marmottan, Rue Cler, Rodin, Polish Library (located on Ille St. Louis -- Chopin exhibition only open on Thursday afternoons).

Friday: morning: Hemingway Walk, afternoon: Montmartre Walk (with Paris Walks)

Saturday: Square d'Orleans (where Chopin and Sand lived -- I've heard the doors to the square are only open on Saturdays), Pere Lachase for Chopin's tomb (and, if time, l'Orangerie).

Sunday morning: St. Sulpice to hear the pipe organ.

Sunday afternoon -- Depart for my next hotel in Chartre.

I hope to visit Place Vendome (just the outside - Chopin death place) and Madeleine church (funeral place) at some point. I may have to drop Marmatton in favor of seeing The Polish Library Chopin room.

Christina

I think it's fine, you have enough time for everything. I don't remember any problem with doors to sw d'Orleans being closed, but it's been a while since I've been there. The Polish LIbrary is hard to find BTW. I play the piano, also, and really love Chopin's works, so have visited these sites, also, as well as an apt he lived in at 27, bd Poissoniere, but there's nothing there now. He lived in several places around Paris. see
http://untappedcities.com/2011/08/04...-poissonniere/

http://www.chopin.pl/france.en.html

If you are a musician, I would think you'd really under the Music Museum, which is fantastic. I think they have one of Chopin's pianos out there (Pleyel, of course), but am not positive. The problem is you don't have much extra time, and it's out near Villette so eats up a little time going to/from, so that probably isn't possible with your schedule.
http://www.cite-musique.fr/francais/...sentation.aspx

susan001

Thanks so much, Christina. Do you mean they've torn down the building at 27 Poissoniere? I was planning to go there, as well. Yes, I've read many accounts of the doors to the Square being locked most days, but open on Saturday. I will check out the Music Museum link. Thanks!

RonZ

You need to see "Voyage Back to the Time of the Impressionists" at the Auvers Chateau.

Look it up--it is not to be missed.

RonZ

Chopin's grave is in Père Lachaise.

Classic bistro: Le Vaudeville, right at the Bourse Metro.

susan001

Thanks so much, RonZ.

susan001

Christina,
It seems there is a dearth of online information regarding Chopin's Paris. I appreciate your sending the links; I had read these some months ago. A reader comments below the first article that Chopin's first apartment is actually there to the right of what was once a carriage gate (now a white walk in gate - apartment buildings, left and right accessed from alley entrance).

Christina

no, I don't mean they've torn it down, just that it isn't preserved as a "museum" or place you can visit, that's all. You can look at the facade. So I wouldn't go there if you are pressed for time, unless that is enough for you. There is a toy store there now, at least on the bottom. Here it is https://plus.google.com/photos/at/10...54835019?hl=en


Maybe I was at Sq d'Orleans by coincidence when it was open or maybe I even planned it and have forgotten.

mattd2001

On Thursday when you visit Ile St Louis go have dinner at Aux Anysetiers du Roy restaurant.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...de_France.html

I would have never found this place if a very close friend of mine who spent the better part of 3 years living in Paris as one of the locals didn't emphatically urge me to go. Tiny little place with authentic french cooking - the chef makes the meals literally in the same room you sit in and you smell everything she is making. Probably the best meal I've had in Europe period. It was so good we went back there a 2nd time on our last night (even with all the other great restaurants in Paris to choose from) and wern't disappointed! Unique experience you won't soon forget!

susan001

Hi Christine. Thanks for your reply. Yes, I know that these buildings can only be viewed from the outside. I wish some sort of national trust would buy up these places and convert them to museums, much the way the Austrians do for Mozart and as the English do for British author's homes (I visited many of those in '88 as part of an English Lit summer school).

mattd2001 -- I can't thank you enough for this restaurant recommendation. I will definitely try it!

StCirq

More on Chopin (though you unfortunately will miss the festival:

http://www.frederic-chopin.com/
http://www.offi.fr/expositions-musee...aise-1804.html

http://www.paris.fr/loisirs/se-prome...33_sheet_15633

http://mediatheque.cite-musique.fr/m...02300/03-3.htm

susan001

Thanks so much, StCirq! I'm sorry I will miss that festival. I will work on getting translated versions of these articles.

mattd2001

no problem - it's my little way of "paying it forward". You will love it!

Enjoy your trip - Paris is wonderful!

go_laura

We are just back from Paris and LOVED Le Cusisine de Phillipe in the 6th arrondisement. Terrific French food in a small neighborhood restaurant, the chef came out after dinner to meet us and inquire as to how everything was. Was glad to be able to say "splendide" and "magnifique". I think it would be a fine place to dine alone.

Enjoy your trip, your plans sound wonderful!

susan001

Thanks so much for the recommendation, go_laura! I will definitely try this place! I'm staying in the 6th.