Grateful

I will be renting an apartment in Paris in May in the Marais district. I would like to know from locals if possible if they could recommend some places I could go that would give me a "Local" feel. After suffering these 4 big earthquakes in Christchurch my desire is to have a relaxed holiday this time around. I love Paris even though I have only been twice for 3 days each time so then it was go go go. My interests are photography, walking, water - I love the Seine at night because of the sunsets and the ambience it creates on the water. Any beautiful spots that I can wander that are serene and peaceful. Some smaller gardens or "squares". Any where I stroll in Paris is beautiful but to know where to go would be helpful. Even if it is a day trip away. Paris will be the end of my five week trip away and I always said I wanted to be in Paris when I was 60.

daveesl

Here is a Googlemap my daughter put together for Paris. Has about 50 locations on it.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=...6987ca2ae61d27

dave

michele_d

That's a great map!

mogsanova

Fantastic map! Thank you so much!

lynnh242

Well done...thanks for sharing!

denisea

To the OP....please search by kerouac. He posts regularly and is a local who has terrific perspective and always interesting posts. He always encourages us to get out of central/tourist Paris to see more of his world.

DebitNM

The map is grand!

StCirq

That's an absolutely fabulous map. But I would also say that if you're not a regular in Paris, almost anywhere you land will be "local." Especially since you are staying in the Marais. I have been to Paris more than 100 times, but last time I was there spent a lot of time in the Marais, where I hadn't spent a lot of time before. There were an incredible number of lovely sort of "special" small places we ended up. I can't even recall them for you - we just kept wandering around and found lovely places. I'm sure you will too. I always find that if I stay on my own two feet and keep moving I find amazing things no matter where I am.

Grateful

Thank you so much to everyone who has replied. Thank you to Dave for his daughters expertise and sharing that. A superb map. Also to Denisea for her link to Kerouac. I will search his posts. St Cirq I plan to wander and find these special small places too.

MaineGG

Since you enjoy walking, you would probably enjoy the Promenade Plantée. See Kerouac's post:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ade-plante.cfm

zoecat

If you love photgraphy then you should probably spend some time at this museum in the Marais-

http://www.mep-fr.org/us/

nwtraveler

Bookmarking. The map is excellent.

StCirq

One thing you might do is take the RER to Chatou and visit the Ile des Impressionistes and have lunch at the Maison Fournaise, where Renoir painted "Luncheon of the Boating Party." It's an easy, short trip, the maison looks exactly as it did when Renoir painted there, the food is good, and the setting is lovely.

StCirq

One thing you might do is take the RER to Chatou and visit the Ile des Impressionistes and have lunch at the Maison Fournaise, where Renoir painted "Luncheon of the Boating Party." It's an easy, short trip, the maison looks exactly as it did when Renoir painted there, the food is good, and the setting is lovely.

avalon

We too rent an apt in the Marais for our twice yearly trips to Paris. Check out the Richard Lenoir market at Place de la Bastille on Thus and Sundays. A canal ride from Place Bastille is fun and informative , it is along Canal St Martin. Lots of museums in the area and some good eating. We like Le Bouquet Saint Paul on the corner of Rue St, Paul and Rue St Antoine. Village St Paul has lots of Antique shops and there are interesting shops under the Promenade Plantee.Transport is good to all areas of Paris from Le Marais

kagoo

Two lovely little parks: Square Georges Cain at 1 rue Payenne, and Square Leopold Achille just a few meters away.

The Place du March Sainte Catherine is charming and has several nice cafes.

Le Jardin des Plantes in the 5th, near the Seine, is huge and beautiful (and free).

Another recommendation for the Promenade Plantee.

Since no one else has mentioned La Place des Vosges, I will. Gorgeous. Always full of people of all ages enjoying themselves -- and still peaceful.

Enjoy your trip!

kagoo

Whoops-- one more! Place Dauphine, at the western tip of the Ile de la Cite. One of the prettiest little places in Paris.

Grateful

It is wonderful to wake up in the morning and to see so many wonderful replies with beautiful ideas. Promenade Plantee will be a destination. The planting is superb and gardening and art are also my interests. Thank you MaineGG. To St Cirq and Kagoo thanks for your special places as these incorporate my love of artists writers, painters also. Kagoo I love some of your suggestions. Thanks to all who have so picked up on where I am at emotionally, mentally and physically and suggested the most beautiful places. One day, along time into the future Christchurch will once again be the garden city it was with even more green spaces and our house will be fixed. In the meantime I still have the mountains, the sea and the skies and those beautiful sunsets that have remained unchanged. My heart goes out to Indonesia who suffered an 8.5 quake this morning. No one, unless you experience it, knows the sheer terror as the earth decides to rearrange herself under your feet and your life as you know it is changed in the twinkling of an eye. Thank you to all of you who have shared your "special" places. The mix has been wonderful and thanks Avalon for the market and eating place and Canal St Martin I will definitely go there.

MaineGG

It was heartbreaking for all of us who have been fortunate enough to visit your lovely home city to hear of the devastating earthquakes you suffered. I'm sure it was terrifying. Here's hoping that you will have a lovely respite in Paris and that Christchurch will recover soon.

rutheye

Such irony! I will be celebrating my 60th birthday and our daughter's college graduation in Provence and Paris. One week each. Renting apartment in the Marais for the Paris week. Browsing this site for ideas. We will be in Paris May 2 - 8.