Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)
-   -   1st time to Paris (HELP) (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/1st-time-to-paris-help-467725/)

by350 Aug 17th, 2004 09:32 AM

1st time to Paris (HELP)
 
My wife and I are going to Paris for our first time in early September. We will be there for 4 full days and are staying at the Relais Bosquet in the 7th.

We're not real big on museums and want to find out what sights are a MUST! We have no problems walking a lot and want to make sure we cover all of the major sights during our stay.

ira Aug 17th, 2004 09:38 AM

Hi by,

Have you looked up the miniguide to Paris at www.fodors.com?

miguelgcuadra Aug 17th, 2004 09:52 AM

Go on line and study the METRO system, it is quite easy to master and will take you anywhere you want to go.
Before my firts visit, i bought the FODORS guide for Paris, studied the METRO and did great.
Four days in not enugh for Paris...there is lot to see.
1- Walk Champ Elyses
2- Notre Dame.
3- The Tower Eiffel.
4- You said not much into museums, you got to go to Louvre.
If you enjoy wlking, you got the city ...it is spectacular.

cheryllj Aug 17th, 2004 09:53 AM

The Fodor's suggested 3-day itinerary covers all the "must see" sights of Paris very well: Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Coeur, Arc de Triomphe, etc.

Even if you are not "real big" on museums and are not that interested in the (gigantic) Louvre, you might want to check out the smaller Musee d'Orsay (which focuses on impressionist and post-impressionart paintings), or the very small Rodin Museum, which has a lovely sculpture garden. Other things to consider are a tour of the Catacombs (creepy but interesting) and Pere Lachaise cemetery.

strass Aug 17th, 2004 09:55 AM

I'd definitely purchase a good guidebook (Fodor's or Lonely Planet) and start reading!

SuzieC Aug 17th, 2004 10:59 AM

I think I would have felt like I REALLY missed something had I not gotten to see the church, St. Chappelle.
I'm glad I saw the "crypt" and its story about Paris under Notre Dame.
I enjoyed the Louvre, but didn't see the Mona Lisa...
Moulin Rouge?
Crazy Horse?
Jazz Clubs?
Latin dance clubs?
I'm also a fan of just walking around, plunking down at a terrace, a cafe or a vin blanc! <GRIN>

Travelnut Aug 17th, 2004 11:01 AM

Do a 'bateau mouche' Seine cruise early into your visit...
Look at the Fodors or Frommers suggestions, then make a list of 10 places you want to see. Then group them by location so you don't backtrack too much. If you are going 'inside' anything, make sure it will be open the day you slot it.
The rest of the time, sit in a park, sit outside a cafe, people-watch, etc. By the way, it's a hoot to sit at the Arc de Triomphe roundabout and watch 12 streets' traffice merge and split.

mamc Aug 17th, 2004 11:16 AM

Fodor's "Best in 3 Days" itinerary hits most of the high spots or MUSTS for Paris. My favorite spot in Paris is the Sainte-Chapelle on the Ile de la Cite. Visit on a sunny day to see the sun shine through the exquisite 13th C. stained glass. IMHO, Paris is the best city in the world for walking.

by350 Aug 17th, 2004 02:52 PM

Great information...keep 'em coming.

I just bought the Lonely Planet guidebook.

donnae_b Aug 17th, 2004 03:29 PM

Go to a fashion show at the Galleries Lafayette Department store.
Email them for reservations here:
http://www.galerieslafayette.com/vdm...ue=1&lg=uk

nancy Aug 17th, 2004 06:14 PM

I found the Streetwise Paris map (Borders or Barnes & Noble or thru the web) an excellent map to carry (could locate all sites easily along with metro station every place I was going). Also, the Access Paris guidebook lists the arrondissements and what's there - I thought this was excellent. If you don't like large museums (especially for a short stay) two that are really nice are the Rodin and the Cluny. If you'd like to wander thru a home, the Nissan Camondo is excellent as is the Jacquemart Andre (neither will take up a lot of time. And, don't pass up the Marais. You might also want to look at Rick Steves Paris and Steinbicker's Daytrips France for walking tours. Oh, my gosh, I want to go back!!

joearena99 Aug 17th, 2004 06:19 PM

I wouldn't do Paris without sipping a glass of wine in the Tuilleries. Another great people-watching park is the Luxembourg Gardens.

sandypaws3 Aug 17th, 2004 06:52 PM

Oh, how exciting... your first trip to Paris! You're staying in a good location. We ate at a lovely restaurant not far from there, La Fontaine de Mars at 129 RUE SAINT DOMINIQUE, Tel: 01 47 05 46 44. As Cheryl mentioned, Rodin's home is a must. It has the most wonderful gardens, and rue Cler isn't far from there... a pretty little market street. I would definitely take one of the Paris Walks. My favorite -- so far -- was the Montmartre walk.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?X3DE25319

Best,
Sandy

leuk Aug 17th, 2004 08:50 PM

Walk down Blvd St. Germaine.
Walk Along the Seine
Go to a Vivaldi Concert at night at St, Chappelle
Visit the rue Moufftard in the evening
Go to the Eiffel Tower

francophile03 Aug 17th, 2004 09:13 PM

Haven't done a Bateaux Mouche cruise during nighttime. But according to a friend who did the 11 p.m. cruise (final cruise for the night) last month it was spectaular! It'll explain why Paris is called "The City of Light".

gard Aug 17th, 2004 09:36 PM

Hi

My wife and I went to Paris a few years ago and we had a great time there. We did a lot of walking and when we got tired we just got on the Metro to get back to the hotel. Things that I think you should see: Eiffel tower (of course :-) ), Versialles, Notre Dame, Sacre ceour and Arc de Triomph. But a guidebook should give you some useful information. I have posted a trip report with pictures from our trip on my homepage www.gardkarlsen.com :-D Maybe you can find some useful information there. Have a great trip :-)

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

hawaiihoneymoon Aug 19th, 2004 10:30 AM

Hi - My husband and I are also travelling to Paris in Sept - and we are not Museum people either. I would highly recommend this site (Fodors - destinations section) as well as www.frommers.com to do research to find out things that best meet your interests. There is no MUST DO - you should do what interests you.

Here are some ideas of things to do/see that we have included:
1) Eiffel Tower (go to the top to see the sunset)
2) Walk from Arc de Triomphe (you can go to the top), down the Champs-Elysées to the place de la Concorde (can go to top)
3)Jardin de Tuileries (the gardens infront of the Louvre area)
4) Palace Royal
5)Notre Dame (can go to top)
6) Sacre Couer
7) Walk down Ile St Louis
8)Luxembourg Palace and Gardens
9) walk around/have a meal in the Latin Quarters
10) Seine river Cruise
11) Invalides
12) walk around Rue de Cler
13) Day Trip to versailles
14) have coffee and pastries at a street side cafe
15) Have fun! :)

ody Aug 19th, 2004 12:15 PM

1 Sacre Coeur, the view fron the steps is good day or night.
2 Walk up the Champs Elysee, stop to sip a kir royal and people watch.
3 Bateaux Mouches- see all the main sights while sitting comfortably.
4 Enjoy

donnae_b Aug 21st, 2004 10:23 AM

The Rodin Museum is not your typical museum. It is a worthwhile stop.

donnae_b Aug 21st, 2004 10:31 AM

My husband and I really enjoyed our visit to Aux Trois Mailletz.
A piano bar.
Here is a link to some reviews:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Newslette...raction_Review


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:51 PM.