europhile

My husband and I will have one afternoon and night in Paris on July 18th on our way home from a trip to Greece. We arrive Paris at 11:55am, and depart at 10:35am the following day. We're staying at the Ritz in Place Vendome. I'm thinking we'll have lunch at the hotel when we arrive, then head out from there. We have spent time in Paris before, but not recently. We're trying to come up with a relaxing itinerary that allows us to see some of the city, but not wear ourselves out with too much sightseeing. We can skip the Louvre and d'Orsay this trip, leaving more time for some other sights that wouldn't require so much time. We do enjoy art, cafe/wine bar culture, architecture, etc. and just wandering around. We'd like to make good use of our time without running all over the city, since we know we just don't have time to do all the must-sees. Would be wise to just pick an area or two to explore? Or to hire a guide for a few hours? Is there a scenic neighborhood with a small museum that wouldn't be quite the time commitment of the big museums in town?

Also, we'd like to end our trip with a romantic dinner (not more than about 200 euros tops). This time of year I thought may be good for outdoor/terrace dining. Is there a cool cocktail lounge or champagne bar to visit after dinner? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Gretchen

Have you been to Paris since the Orangerie reopened? That could be a nice stop.
I'd get a copy of the DK Paris Guide and choose a quarter from there and do a little tour.

europhile

No- we haven't been to Paris in years. Excited for the stopover, though! Thanks for the suggestion.

TPaxe

Why not visit the Musee de la Vie Romantique? The metro is Place de Clichy. A wonderful hidden Museum with a tea room as well, rambling old garden, a beautiful place to explore. Then walk over to Place St George and down Rue des Martyrs and stop at the gourmet shops along the way.

RonZ

I f I were to pick one small museum, it would be the Jacquemart Andre. The mansion with it's beautiful interior decoration is really spectacular, and there are numerous paintings and other works of art.

Le Cottage Marcadet, with only six tables, is about as romantic as restaurant gets.

For a unique experience there is the Chalet des Iles in the Bois de Boulonge.

dunia123

For another small museum recommendation, you might try the Musee Nissim da Camondo. It is near the Parc Monceau, which would make a lovely walk, and has an amazing collection, decorative arts, furniture, art, with a heartbreaking story.

http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/engl...e-camondo-742/

RonZ

The Nissim de Camondo has beautiful furnishings, and is right next to Parc Monceau.

Chalet de Iles: bring a google map for the cab driver.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xan...t-paris_travel

europhile

thanks for the suggestions! Are there any small museums or great restaurants in the Marais? We have't really explored that area before but it looks to have good atmosphere.

Gretchen

If by any chance it is a rainy day you could do the passages. The Rodin is always a nice stop for us. Or the Cluny just for the Unicorn tapestries (if time is tight), or the French Revolution floor of the Carnavalet.
Musee Picasso is in the Marais.
Someone come up with the name of the restaurant in Pl. St. Catherine.

Michel_Paris

I might be tempted by one of the restos in Ile St Louis, like Ilot Vache. Being so near the Seine, buildings lit up, hanging out on one of the bridges over the river...then maybe finish evening with Vedettes Seine cruise..

Alternatively, lot of restos on Left Bank near Notre Dame, some with outdoor seatng.

I could easily see passing part of day in area..Cluny would be nice, or Jardin des Plantes.

macdogmom

If you haven't been to the Marais, I would highly reccomend it. There is a wonderful Picasso museum plus the Carnavalet Museum which traces the history of Paris. Lots of small boutiques on Rue des Francs Bourgeois, the magnificent Place des Vosges is a wonderful small plaza in the middle of the Marais and Rue des Rosiers is the heart of the old Jewish quarter and a great place to wander with a falafel in hand. For dinner you could try cafe des Musees for comfort food or Le Gaigne for excellent new cuisine.

RonZ

I believe Gretchen is referring to the Bistro de la Place.