2 weeks in Paris in the 6th
 

Has anyone stayed alone in an apartment in Paris in the 6th and ran out of things to do? What is the weather likely to be like in April?

Paris is about on the same parallel as Seattle, Washington. It also has similar weather in terms of on-again, off-again rain in the spring, and cooler temps, generally in the 50s, but you might luck out and get one or two into the low 60s.

Take Gore-Tex, and a few guide books, and I can't imagine you'd be bored with 2 weeks in Paris.

You could easily spend 3 of those days going on train rides out to Versailles, Giverny and Chartres, all easy daytrips from Paris and a chance to see the countryside without having to spend the night outside of town.

Your remaining 10 days could be spent seeing the sights, giving the Louvre some quality time, and wandering the back streets near the Pompidou.

No, you probably won't be bored. And if you go to the same cafe/bar at night after sightseeing, after a couple of nights and a few drinks with the French, you will find they are quite friendly and will look forward to talking to you. That was our experience when we stayed in the 7th in September.

Also, being alone makes you more approachable. I went to Paris in September with my husband and all the in-laws, and had several opportunities to be alone, and found those were the best times to meet people and get to know someone willing to talk, from the laundromat, the cafe near the hotel, to the line at the post office.

Go. Enjoy!

I always recommend Rick Steves guidebooks because he has great walking tours you can do on your own, along with the most accurate info on museum hours, costs, and transportation.

Happy travels.

Jules

you won't be bored - you'll just be really getting into it when it will be time to come home!

Here's what will happen - you'll have a little lull after a week (when you've covered most of the main tourist attractions). Then, you'll get a second wind even better than the first. You'll feel like you live in Paris. You'll have your regular breakfast spot, you'll just stroll around, sit in the park and read, re-visit restaurants you love, go back to the Louvre and really go slow, you'll love it.

I spent 10 days in Paris while my husband was working there (so I was alone a lot -- including several late nights) and it was heaven. (Sorry hubby.)

for historical weather, see
www.accuweather.com and www.wunderground.com
but it won't help you with a forecast this far in advance.
In addition to the daytrips mentioned, there are even longer daytrips you could take: Mont St Michel, Loire Valley, Normandy beaches, Champagne area.

After 10 dys in Paris, I was still dragged, kicking and screaming back home to NY :)

We were in Paris at the end of March/beginning of April and had bright chilly days. We were lucky , no rain. But it was chilly, especially at night.

We always stay in the 6th ( although our last trip was an apt in the 7th)...after you have seen the sights that you have on your list, museums, cathedrals, parks, then you can just start wandering and walking. Take a bateau mouche and see what the city looks like from the Seine.
You can see things and like them and go back for a second time.
I always think that I might run out of things to do in Paris if I get to stay there for say, maybe 10 years..ok, never :)

I would say it is pretty damn impossible to be bored in Paris.

liz

wexford - If you have never bee before you won't run out of touristy things to do in Paris. I just love all of Paris and beyond. Get a good guide book and maybe also do some day excursions by rail.
April is a fabulous month with all the trees exhibiting their new leaves. Of course you should keep an umbrella with you at all times.

Hi W,

>Has anyone stayed alone in an apartment in Paris in the 6th and ran out of things to do?<

It is conceivable, but highly unlikely.

April is changeable weather. Bring an umbrella.

((I))

If you really like Paris, then it's almost unthinkable that you would run out of things to do :-) But if Paris doesn't float your bateau as much as other places or you're simply the fidgety type, then some day trips are definitely in order. There are many threads on day trips from Paris; do a search on this forum and you'll find a wealth of suggestions.

Thanks for your comments. Paris cast its spell on me over 30 years ago and I have been back many times but never in an apt. It has been my dream to just go and pretend it was home...for awhile anyway.

My first two trips to Paris were spent on all the standard sights: EiffelTowerNotreDameSainteChappelleLouvreOrsayGive rneyChartresVersaillesChartrePicassoMusuemClunyPic assoMuseumPantheon etc., sort of in that order. The third time I was on my own for 5 days, staying in the 5th near the Place de Contrescarpe. I picked 5 restaurants that I wanted to have lunch at, all of which happened to be a good distance from the hotel. My only rules were that I had to walk and that I would take any sidestreet or diversion that cauught my eye. Some afternoons I wandered around the neighborhoods that I passed, others I'd have lunch and then go to a museum. Then in the evenings I'd have dinner at one of the sidewalk cafes on the Place de Contrescarpe and watch the people. I had a wonderful time, got to know areas of Paris that I wouldn't have otherwise, and incidentally had some great meals at lunch rather than dinner prices.

Have you seen the trip report by someone who recently spent 8 weeks (okay, ended up to be 7 weeks) in Paris. Great ideas on her thread.