The things we did on a short stop over like yours: Went to the Mulin Rouge, sorry for mispelling, did the Eiffel tower on another stop over, Louvre, and Notre Dame, all were great. This is probably the best 4 for a quick visit in Paris

I was in Paris last summer and recommend the elegant Luticia Hotel (on the left bank). Bon Marche, a high end department store and unbelievable food store is down the street. The oldest restaurant in Paris (Le Petite Chaise on Rue de la Chaise)is a few blocks away. It's very small but reasonable and good food. Another restaurant is Le Reclaimer - great souffles across the street from the Luticia. You should go to the Rodin Museum - a 20 minute walk and the Orsay Museum. Another favorite is the L'Orangerie Museum with the famous Monet panels.
Lots of great stores near the Luticia and you can walk to Rue Baci.
Have fun.

Last time there we were kind of broke and had one day. So off we went to the biggies. Eiffel Tower, the Lourve, Notre Dame, etc. Never could've made it with out a Metro day pass and some seriously taped up feet to prevent walking blisters. Eating, drinking and shopping? You can do all 3 home.

Overnight! Lucky!

I would definitely go to the best restaurant in the city and at the same time see a lot of the sights -- Yachts De Paris!! Do not confuse this high end culinary and touring delight with the not-so-bad-either Bateaux Mouches or similar. For one thing, there are one fifth the number of diners on board and for another -- the food.

It will cost as much as your next two month's car payment but you will never forget it. We weren't informed much about the adventure when we booked and an hour into our meal, we looked out the window and said, "That looks an awful lot like the Eiffel Tower lit up at dusk".

I agree -- shopping would not be my priority with just one day in Paris.

But that's what tuleppy says she wants to do.

From her descriptions I think she might like the Marais. I'm not much help with 3rd/4th hotels. Anyone have any suggestions for her?

You may very well want to book a hotel right at the airport. that way, when you arrive, you can ditch your bags, freshen up a bit, and head to town unencumbered by luggage. You could stay in paris until the wee hours, walking around, and then go back out to the airport and sleep with no anxieties about getting to your morning flight on time. I've stayed at the CDG Hilton and it was a very nice hotel, a very easy walk to the terminal, and to the RER into town.

I know many will disagree with this recommendation, but I'd steal 1-2 hours from your 24 and go down into the Catacombs. They are easily accessible via Metro, and won't take a big chunk out of your limited time -- and are quite the sight. I'd spend the rest of the day walking through the Latin Quarter, Il de la Cite, the Tuileries, etc. If you feel ambitious, steal another hour and take a quick walk through Pere Lachaise Cemetery (also easily accessible via Metro).

>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>&gt ;
Check out my new travel blog, STRICKLANDIA
Travel tips, news, deals, stories and more
http://www.stricklandia.com - updated daily!
>>>>>>>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>&gt ;

Given your enthusiasm, we may have to add the catacombs to our next Paris visit. Can you tell me how they compare to the Scavi tour and catacombs in Rome?

Head from the airport to rue du Buci. Check in at the Hotel Buci Latin - charming, great breakfast, lobby bar, very homey. You're on a wonderful shopping street - there is an open market, as well as wine, olive oil, gourmet and cheese stores on the street. I agree with the post below about the Bar du March. Also check out Creperie St Germain or resturant-Cremerie Polidor,or FISH, which are close by, and all excellent. St Germain has a lot of cute shops, and its close to the Louvre. Marais is a walk, but worth it. See the Musee Picasso if you have time. Just walk, you'll see more.

smarte:
I'm glad you mentioned the museum. A close-by option is the Musee du Luxembourg. Just a couple of days ago I read a rave review of their Vlaminck exhibit.

Sadly for the OP, the Vlaminck show ends in July. But tuleppy may want to check later in the summer. If she stays in this area she'll be very close to Luxembourg Park. Every time I've been to Paris the M. du L. has had wonderful special exhibits. It's a tiny museum, can easily be done in 45 minutes.

If I was in Paris and had only 24 hours, I'd spend as much time as necessary to get out of France ASAP. As a seasoned world traveller, I've found no other City where the people are as arrogant; amd without any reason to be so. They are a people who willingly surrendered their City to the Nazis to anoid having it damaged. Stick up for principal? Not the Parisians. But they do have a famous saying, :\"Not even a sous." which describes exactly how much I want to spend there!

Lunch is a better "deal" if you're on a budget, but given you're tight on time, and probably want to do and see, pass on a sit-down affair, but go wild with local goodies, like their fabulous cafes, grab picnic meal of fresh baguette and pate and yummy cheeses at specialty shops along your sight-seeing paths...and of course crepes ! you can get the sweet or savory. If you like impressionist art, go to the Musee D'Orsay, walk up to the Louvre from the Jardin Tuleires (the beautiful gardens in front of the Louvre.) I ran along the Seine and then up and down the gardens...it was fabulous ! Try to get to the museums early or late to beat the crowds. I'll post a more in-depth article on my Paris trip on my brother's blog in a couple of weeks, will send a link then.

What do you know, there must be two cities in France named Paris, the one I know and love and the one visited by hnsodher.

Tuleppy, I agree with Mertsimmers and would grab a hotel at the airport, dump your bags and crawl back to the hotel as late as possible that night.

From the airport hotel take a taxi to the Rodin Museum have lunch in the garden tearoom then tour this jewel of a museum. After stroll to the Seine cross the Pont Alexandre III to the Place de la Concorde. I would walk through the Tuileries, see the pyramid at the Louvre, have a cherry sorbet at the Cafe Marly or on the rue de Rivoli, visit the shops in the arcade at the Palais Royal, stroll past Notre Dame and perhaps visit inside the Sainte Chapelle if it's still daylight. Then a crepe for dinner before a bateau on the Seine at twilight takes you past some of the most beautiful landmarks including the Eiffel Tower. Try to make it to the top of ET or the Arc de Triomphe that night. The Champs Elysees would be a good spot for a night time stroll and perhaps a dessert and champagne before finding a taxi stand to get back to your airport hotel.

Have a wonderful time!

I would recommend a lovely bistro by the Seine then a walk in one of the parks, Guy Savoy has a great bistro www.lesbouquinistes.com and its five minutes from St. Germain des Pres. You have two courses from 25 euros, fantastic food, 53 quai des Grand Augustins t : 01 43 25 45 94. Visit a travel planning site www.myweekin.net for more restaurants and attractions, parks you can quickly plan your 23 hours.

Hi there,

I spent 5 days in Paris in January and loved it. First, remember it will be hot in August..so walking around all day may not be the best option. Personally, I'd spend the warmest part of the day indoors and the Louvre must not be missed, it is indescribably beautiful. Don't waste your money on the audio-tour, I found it to be uninformative and boring. Do however, check online for the maps and figure out what you just have to see, trust me, you could spend days inside there and miss things. After a few hours in there, I would take the metro to Eiffel, walk around (dont bother going to the top unless it is a "must" for you), cross the river and weave your way up to the Arch and then down the Champs d'Elysee back towards the river ..timing this at twilight is just gorgeous and you can do all the shopping you'd like there. If you can grab a baguette and a treat at a patissierre, eat by one of the many gorgeous bridges...that would be a great day in Paris. Best of luck!

Wow! What wonderful information! This may be a stupid question, but is it pretty easy to get a cab in Paris? If I would stay close to the airport and cab it downtown, I am just concerned about getting a cab back. We would probably be coming back 10 or 11ish? I am traveling with my mother-in-law. This was another reason I didnt want to dedicate the whole 24 hours seeing the sites. My husband and I want to go to Paris for our anniversay, and I want to experience the famouse sites with him! :) I will have to pick one museum to see though. What is the Picasso one like? I am kinda liking the idea of going to cafes and eating. I will have to really look at all your recommendations and then decide with a restaurant! I can not thank you all enough for this wonderful info! I feel like I am living an 'Eat, Pray Love' (the book)scene! Paris than India! I am doing a Yoga Retreat in India, so the two stops are going to be quite different! I am really looking forward to this!

That gives us a much better picture. Good. Once you check into your airport hotel and cab to Paris it will probably be 2 or 3pm.

One museum? The Musee D'Orsay! They have a vast collection of Impressionists: Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Manet, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec. Gorgeous building, a former train station built for the 1900 World's Fair. There's a terrace from which you can see the Louvre, Tuillerie Gardens, Place de la Concorde and watch the boats on the river. The only problem is lines. Perhaps others can tell you what kind of delay you might encounter at that time of day in August. If you like this idea, start a new thread asking about getting tickets and lines.

The D'Orsay is right in the center so you could go in any direction for dinner. (Save the boat cruise for your trip with DH)

I, too, would worry about finding a cab that late. You could make prior arrangements with a private car service to pick you up at the restaurant. It will be more expensive but stress-free. Mother-in-law will think you're a genius! ;-)

You may take the bateau at Sena River, near the "Tour Eiffel" and after, if you're interested in Picasso Museum I think the best is a walk around the Marais, where you'll find the all shops you want, lunch at Place des Vosges and go to the museum.