drempel

Say bonjour to the uniformed ladies at Poilane and stock up on bread and gateaux de pommes.

Find a movie in english with french subtitles and enjoy the ambiance.

Shanti

Go to Sacre Coeur - when the nuns are singing.

The beauty of their voices in such a magnificent building gave me goosebumps.

Sarvowinner

Fantastic - brings back so many memories plus lots of ideas for our 3 days in Paris in October.

One question - why does the print turn orange/red when I move my curser over it?

anamaria

ttt

WLS

bookmarking for upcoming trip. Thank you all!!

pollymac

quel string! No one has mentioned the charming Butte Aux Cailles area in the 13th arr, south of the Place D'Italie. It is hilly, and full of great patisseries and little cafés. Just south of that is the Square des Peupliers with some very nice small streets around it.

tuscanlifeedit

had to bookmark for upcoming trip

vanne

Visit the Cognacq-Jay Museum, an intimate museum showcasing the private collection of Ernest Cognacq (who founded the Samaritaine department stores) and his wife, Marie-Louise Jay. There are delightful paintings, porcelains, furniture, etc -- mostly 18th century (paintings by Canaletto, Fragonard, Greuze, Chardin, Boucher, Watteau, and Tiepolo). Quite a change from the wonderful, but overcroweded Louvre and Musee D'Orsay. When we were there there were only a few other people in the whole museum. Well worth the trip.
Metro: St. Paul 8, rue de Elzevir

dlejhunt

What a great thread! The wonderful posts are making me miss my favorite city - need my annual fix soon. I haven't read everything, so I can't number these, and I apologize if they are repeats - but here are my favorite things to do in Paris:

- Stay in an apartment so you can experience Paris like a Parisian (we always stay in the 7th). You will be surprised how quickly you settle into la vie Parisienne!

- Walk in as many different neighborhoods as you can. There are wonderful surprises around every corner.

- One of my favorite Paris memories is running in the Champs de Mars in the early morning, right after sun-up. I shared the park with a few other runners, the trash men cleaning up after the previous evenings festivities, and a few bench-sleepers. Running down the cool, shaded allées on either side of the park, towards the Eiffel Tower in one direction, and then towards the Ecole Militaire in the other direction, was magical.

- Shop everywhere - for cheese, for bread, for chocolates, for clothes, for wine, etc. In most shops, even the smallest purchase is packaged with care (and French style).

- Ask questions. Speak whatever French you can. I have found most Parisians to be very tolerant, helpful, and (yes, really) friendly. My husband did very well with only "Bonjour", "Merci", "Au revoir" and his favorite phrase - "Une Leffe pression, s'il vous plait".

Bon voyage!

caitlinO

Thanks to all! I'm going in September for the second time and I'm getting more and more excited. I'll print this.

suetibu

bookmarking

palermobabe

What a great thread! I will be spending a month (March) in France (I have an apt. rented in the 19th Arrond.). Yes, I know it's far away, but with a month, I needed to save costs and it's only a train trip away to go to the city. I'm taking this list with me and checking off items as I do them. I must say, though, I do love Italy (maybe because I'm part Sicilian). Each country has its own charm and flavor. Merci for the list. (Note to self: learn some French. lol)

PamSF

walk the passages ending at Le Grand Colbert for lunch

Visit Pere Lachaise and walk very slowly through the section with monuments to the camps and the resistance

Head over to Montmarte and visit Sacre Coeur. Have lunch at La Mascotte. The shellfish will astound you

Take a hamman, drink mint tea and head out for Moroccan or Berber food after same

Visit the Eiffel Tower at night and then catch a cab home with a ride among the monuments

We are heading back to Paris in September for our third visit. I cannot wait.

megamiles

What a super list of ideas - thanks so very much!

jbjayhawk

These are all after dark suggestions:

Sit on the grass in the Champs de Mars with a bottle of wine and watch the Eiffel Tower twinkle.

Go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to view the city lights including the sparkling ET.

Go to the illuminated Notre Dame. You can see how Victor Hugo was inspired to write The Hunchback. It is spooky and thrilling!

Walk along the Seine, enjoy the lights and music and people of all walks having the time of their life.

Stand on the Pont Alexander III and make out with a significant other, or anyone who catches your fancy!

Robespierre

(And is willing.)

jgeffner

We just came back from our 7th trip to Paris and we found new things to do each day of the 8 we were there. Try the Segway tour, it is fun, easy and a different way to see parts of the greatest city in the World!

artlover

WOW, what a great list. Have a few to add though:
Go to the Picasso Museum if half the collection isn't on loan to other museums (I plan to find this out somehow before we go in April)
Go to L'Orangerie now that it's reopened

Go to the ladies room at Le Grand Cafe--even the walk to it is fantastic (sorry guys, but you can check out the mens rr)

Go to Le Bilboquet for jazz--at Club St. Germain 13 rue St. Benoit, 6 E

Go to the Memorial de la Deportation behind Notre Dam--sombre but moving

Paris_ooohlala

Paris is my most favourite city in the world! We try and get back there at least once a year. Can I add a couple to your list?

You have not lived until you have had oysters at "La Coupole"

Pamper yourself to the most delicious hot chocolate at "Des Maggots"

Thank you for a wonderful thread......

Lady

Be there on Bastille Day (July 14)so you can spend the evening laying on a blanket beneath the Eiffel Tower watching the fireworks with all the Parisian families. Don't forget your wine.