1st time in Paris
 

Hi,<BR>I've never been to Europe and only have one week so based on the recommendations of many friends I am going to spend that week in Paris. I will be coming with my husband and 14 year old daughter. My daughter isn't like most 14 year olds. She loves history, museums, art, and she speaks french fluently.<BR><BR>Besides the obvious attractions is there anything we shouldn't miss?<BR><BR>Also I don't have time for all the various guidebooks. Is there one that you recommend above the rest? Frommers, Fodors, Rich Steves, lonely planet, etc...<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Kathy<BR>

Yes, I recommend Fodors. The Eyewitness Guide (Dorling Kindersley) would be considered better by many people if visuals are more important to you than reading.<BR><BR>But I have to say that it doesn't send the message you want to send to your daughter if you can't take one hour, go to the public library, and pick up a few books for browsing, and whetting your appetite. Surely you will find a few that don't seem like "work", to jus turn the pages and savor.<BR><BR>I also strongly advise getting your daughter involved in planning the days.<BR><BR>Last of all, plan to go out of the city for at least a day or two. Chartres is a good destination, among countless others.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Paris is a wonderful city. Rex's suggestions are all good. Especially the library. I think Rick Steves'Paris is very useful for a first time Europe first time Paris book. Anamericaninparis.com has some good restaurant suggestions as does a web site which I think is called frankaphone but can't seem to remember it. Maybe someone will mention it when they see this. Don't forget to get metro/bus passes and museum passes when you get there. There have been lots of threads on Paris so do a search. Don't try to do everything. Enjoy the Ambience of Paris!

Kathy,<BR><BR>I agree with Rex, get your daughter involved. The internet has everything she needs to assist in planning the trip.<BR><BR>Do not miss the Rodin Museum or the Muse d'Orsay or the Dali Museum..you can have the Louvre as far as I'm concerned but do not miss the three I mentioned.<BR><BR>Also do not miss St Chappelle church...awesome and notice the stained glass on the 2nd floor contrasted with the first floor.<BR><BR>Also take the time ot go on top the Arche de Triumophe. Great view and the traffic jam below is like nothing you have ever seen.<BR><BR>US

Hi Kathy<BR>Congratulations on your first trip.<BR><BR>You will need one all-purpose guidebook and a good map (perhaps two maps, if the three of you separate into a two and a one along the way.)<BR>Go to the Paris section of this Fodor's website and you can get a good taste of the Fodor's information. Like Rex, I recommend buying their guidebook for a first trip. If you wanted more detailed art and history information, Michelin's Green Guide (in English) provides that, but not much practical info. Rick Steve's books are short on art and history, more like a Cliff Notes guide to Paris imo. Good budget-level suggestions though, for eating and sleeping.<BR><BR>I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me.

A few of the things we most enjoyed on our last trip:<BR>Fashion show (45 mins.) at Gallerie Lafayette, reservations can be made online at their website; be prepared to shop your way down from the 7th floor to the street level.<BR>The Canal boat cruise from near the Musee d'Orsay; this takes 3 hours but the small boat goes down the Seine, then turns into the Canal St. Martin and the locks. About a mile is underground; it was such fun waiitng to see who was waiting to wave as we rose to the street levels in the locks.<BR>Catecombs - we didn't do this because of my dd's claustrophobia, but it remains on my list of "next times."<BR>Gospel concert at The American Church.<BR>Classical concert at St. Chapelle (both at night)<BR>Walking to top of either Notre Dame or Sacre Couer<BR>Sunday art market at Edgar Quinet metro stop where the artists display and sell directly to public. <BR>

For museums with a little different bent: the Museum of the History of France, 60, rue des Francs-Bourgeois - the last letter Marie Antoinette wrote before she went to her death; a fiat signed by Louis XIV; the keys to the Bastille...very cool stuff. The Picasso Museum - not only his works, but gifts from his friends. La Tour de Jean Sans Peur - very old tower with lots of info on medieval Paris (rue Etienne Marcel). History of Medicine (Ren&eacute; Descartes University), 12, rue de l'Ecole de M&eacute;decine. Fashion and Textiles, 107, rue de Rivoli, 75001 - usually has special exhibits like a collection of the Duchess of Windsor's ensembles. Music Museum at la Villette - old instruments and history. You're given headsets to wear so you can hear a commentary/description of the various instruments, as well as the instruments being played.<BR><BR>Odd bits: Dog and Cat Cemetery in Asnieres; Picpus Cemetery where Lafayette is buried, along with the victims of the guillotine (quite a history here); in mid-October, the vendange in Montmartre; the revitalized tram that runs around the edges of Paris; the St Lambert area of the 15eme all the way to Parc Georges Brassens. Bercy Village (oldest inhabited part of Paris - since prehistoric times; also the docks where wines from all over France were delivered - the warehouses are still standing, now mostly privately owned, the Village is a recreation with great shops and restaurants); Hotel de Ville always has some sort of free art show or exhibit (few tourists, because the shows/exhibits aren't in the guidebooks) - also go inside and ask for the brochure about artists' open houses - different parts of the city where artists have their studios stage open houses so you can wander in and out of the studios.<BR><BR>If you'd like to check out places where famous Americans lived<BR>http://www.amb-usa.fr/irc/CultE/famous2.htm

Leave Rick Steves where he belongs - on the shelf.

Rex-What I meant by my guidebook question was to find out if there is one that is better then the others when it comes to Paris. For other vacations I've bought several different books and basically they all say the same thing.<BR><BR>Also my daughter will be very active in helping us plan our itinerary. Weather I wanted her to be or not, which I do, she is a very assertive take charge type of person.<BR><BR>We are planning on at least going to Versaille and possibly 1 or 2 other day trips. Any suggestions are appreciated!<BR><BR>Harvey-Thanks for the websites, I'll check them out. <BR><BR>Regarding getting museum passes-I've heard both wait until I get there to get them and I've also heard that you are better off to get them here before you leave. Which do you recommend and if I should get them now how do I go about that?<BR><BR>Uncle Sam-thank you, I will investigate the Rodin, D'orsay, and Dali museums. I was already planning on going to the top of the arch, but thanks anyways.<BR><BR>Beth-You had many great suggestions. Thank you. We definitely want to take a river cruise, and the canal one sounds great. Both my daughter and I would love a fashion show. I wasn't aware that they were open to the general public. I'll have to check into that. The concerts sound wonderful. We already planned on visiting Notre Dame and Sacre Couer.<BR><BR>Elvira-The museum of the history of France and the tower both sound really interesting. We will investigate both of these.<BR><BR>Thanks again everyone,<BR>Kathy<BR>

Kathy,<BR><BR>You are so welcome. <BR><BR>BTW, the real beauty of the Rodin Museum besides the numerous sculptures including "The Thinker", "The Burghers of Calais" and "The Gates of Hell"is the fact that it is has very serene grounds surrounding the house which holds the museum.<BR><BR>A very nice, quiet place to write post cards etc and you can just get away from it all.<BR><BR>US

No need to buy a museum pass before you leave. It is sold in metro stations as well as Paris tourist office near the Arc d'T. Most museums and monuments are free for your daughter.

Rita, <BR>Thank you. Now for 1 more question. What museums/attractions does the museum pass include?<BR><BR>Thanks,<BR>Kathy<BR>

There is a complete list of the museums and monuments that accept the pass on it's website:<BR><BR>http://www.intermusees.com/wwwns/index.html

Thanks, Jenny thats a really great website. Anyone else with any other info would be greatly appreciated.<BR><BR>Kathy<BR>

Kathy, I see that you already have a list of the museums and monuments covered by the pass. The pass comes with a little "holder" that has all of them listed, very convenient. At the risk of stating the obvious, I suggest that you check out the days certain museums are closed so you don't miss out on your favorites. For us, this worked out really well. We had 10 days in Paris and based on everyone's favourite, chose certain days for museums and worked other attractions around it. Have a great trip.

If possible, visit Versailles on a Sunday so you can be there when the fountains are running. Absolutely incredible and not to be missed. Since your daughter is a history buff, I recommend taking one of the guided tours of the private rooms at Versailles. I particularly liked the one that took you through Marie Antoinette's private apartments. <BR><BR>Also, I also agree that a concert at Ste Chapelle is wonderful. I can't remember the web address, but while you are visiting there during day, check the concert dates. <BR><BR>As for guide books, I personally like the Frommer's guide, but I usually photocopy pages from my favorites and take with me. <BR><BR>Don't forget a good map of Paris! Have a great trip.

The museum pass is cheaper in Paris than buying ahead of time and there is no need to do so. You can buy it and metro passes at the Tourist Center on the Champs near the Arch de Triomphe. The museum pass runs for consecutive days, so plan well so you don't lose a day. We had to use the Louvre for an emergency bathroom stop (a result of heat exhaustion; remember to drink, drink, drink), and then realized we had "used a day." Oh well. BTW, the fasion show is a show of clothing at the Gallerie Lafayette, not a one designer show, but the clothes and the models were beautiful and the show is free, and it only takes an hour or so out of your morning. You have to make prior reservations and can do so at the store's website. You also need prior reservations for the Canal ride; there are two companies, but I recommend the one from the d'Orsay because you get to ride the Seine also. The second company starts at the Canal itself. Any guidebook will be good for basic info, but I found the best information was from this site and the various websites on Paris. I printed, copied front and back pages, and made my own notebook. I thought the cutoff age for free admission was 12, but I could be very wrong. For a map, I used The Paris Mapguide, by Michael Middleditch (bought from Amazon); it is a small book form and doesn't need to be spread open and you are not so noticeably "lost" when viewing. :) Have a wonderful trip. I am hoping to return to Paris next summer with my to-be 11 yr old granddaughter and her mother, so let us know what your daughter most enjoyed. I am looking for help there.

Kathy,<BR><BR>You may also want to include the Musee de Cluny and the Arene de Lutece, both in the Left Bank area. The museum is built on the ruins of roman baths and, in additiono to the architecture, has some interesting objects in it. And nearby is the Arene, which is a roman arena. A nice place to bring a lunch (and of course french pastries!) sit down, and imagine how it was way back then. There are some interesting stone carvings and pieces on the north (?) wall. Another interesting way to see Paris is to take one of the many walking tours offered. They are usually small groups, and it would give your daughter an opportunity to practice her french (and translate for you?). And take time to also have a Berthillon ice cream on Ile St Louis.<BR><BR>Enjoy,<BR><BR>Mike<BR>

http://www.pariscanal.com/<BR>The canal ride<BR>http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/France/parisday.htm<BR>Some suggestions for kids in Paris<BR>http://www.paris-gourmet.com/<BR>The French for a Day program, just thrown in for you to see; a day of cooking and shopping, great fun, about $160 per person<BR>http://www.ratp.fr/<BR>Metro and bus site<BR>http://travel.roughguides.com/planning/JournalDestination.asp?<BR>LocationID=595&Mode=2<B R>The Viaduc des Artes, renovated train viaduct with shops (most of them were closed last August when I was there)<BR>http://www.galerieslafayette.com/haussmann/inter/fashionshow.html<BR>Reservations for the fashion show<BR>http://family.go.com/travel/places/feature/dony119paris/dony119paris3.html<BR>Another "family" site<BR>http://www.paris.org/Kiosque/mar97/egouts.html<BR>The sewer tour<BR><BR>Enjoy; it's a slow day at work and I felt like playing....<BR><BR>

Don't forget the beautiful parks!! (I'm not much of a museum person myself.) Places like Luxenbourg Gardens, The Tuilleries, etc. (forgive misspellings) are great places to sit on a metal chair or park bench and people-watch. Bring sandwiches for lunch from a corner bakery. Parisians (as well as tourists) really USE their parks. Great fun & free!