I just found out that I will be going to France on a business trip. Unfortunately, I'll be going with a bunch of people who have no interest in sightseeing. I have managed to get three days to myself the weekends before and after the meetings. I leave on the 21st of January. I've only been to Europe once before and it was with a big tour group that showed us Paris in a single day. I'm a young female and will be by myself. Please give my your recommendations on what to see and where I should stay during my short visit. Also places that should be avoided since I'll be by myself and any other info you think would be good for a first timer. <BR> I just recently got married and we're still paying off those bills and trying to recover from buying a house so money is tight. Thanks in advance for your help.

Recommend buying "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paris". Seriously. It's a fabulous tour guide. And, there are lots of others. You could also do a search of this forum, whereupon you'll find a wealth of information, tips, and suggestions. If you're not inclined to do any reading, research or planning on your own, just visit Paristoric when you arrive.

Lucky You!! Paris is so beautiful. There are so many things to do and see - but one thing you might want to do is check the news on the damage from the recent very severe storms. I read that Notre Dame was severely damaged as well as some other chapels - also Versaille. The thing I like about Paris is just the whole scenic part of the city. From the Eiffel Tour, along the streets (not sure if the cafes will be open at this time of year) - everywhere. Why not take a guided city tour? We did that when we first got there - and then went back to see the stuff that really looked intriguing. D

If you did not take an overview tour of the city when you were there before, then I would suggest taking the morning Cityrama tour on your first day. It is pretty good to get a quick look at much of the city. It leaves from near the Louvre so after the tour you could grab lunch at one of the many places in the area and then visit the Louvre. If you like museums and art then the Musee D'Orsay is a must-it houses an incredible collection of impressionist art. <BR>A single female friend of mine likes to stay at the Hotel St. Jacques-it is reasonably priced and well located. On my most recent visit we stayed at the Hotel de Jardins du Luxembourg which is quite charming and has a helpful, friendly staff-our room was around 125USD. <BR>There is a wealth of Paris info on this forum about Paris plus numerous other sites from which you can get lots of valuable information. My mantra when visiting a place with limited time is "plan, plan, plan"-you can still be spontaneous but you'll go with a good idea of your priorities. <BR>Have fun!

Hi Stacy. It would help the Paris vets if they knew what sort of activities you were interested in. I like art and music, so for me the Musee d'Orsay was a must. Close behind was a visit to the Opera Bastille and a concert at Ste. Chapelle. Even if you are not into music, Ste. Chapelle is treat. The upper floor, although recently damaged, the walls are made of incredibly lovely stained glass that dates from the Middle Ages. <BR> <BR>Of course the usual sights of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame await you, but it could well be chilly when you are there. <BR>If you are game for it, the Louvre is a mind-boggling experience. It really requires some preparation to avoid wandering aimlessly and getting saturated to the point that you end up seeing nothing in particular. <BR> <BR>One area I suggest staying away from at night as a single person is the Montmartre area, and also the area around Les Halles. As man, I avoid those areas, too. Montmartre may have famous night clubs,like the Moulin Rouge, but it also has a fair share of sleaze de la sleaze. I would not advise at all going there alone, particularly at night. Also, the Bois de Boulogne after dark (and the days are short in January) seems to attract some rather strange people -- not exactly the type I would invite to my house for dinner. Whether or not they congregate there in January, I don't know. <BR> <BR>I can understand the tight money bit. <BR>There are several good hotels in Paris of the 2-star category. The Muguet the Hotel du Champ de Mars and the Grand Hotel Leveque in the 7th District have good reputations, and the Muguet is advertising specials right now. Here is a good web site to browse for hotel ideas: <BR>http://www.globe-market.com/75paccue.htm <BR>It lists a lot of hotels. <BR> <BR>In general, the 5th, 6th, and 7th districts (Arrondissement) are ok districts, with several good cheaper hotels with 2-star ratings. The 14th and 15th districts are a little farther away from the center of the city, but still OK places to look for hotels. <BR> <BR>I recently stayed at the Acacias Saint Germain on Rue de Rennes. I did not like it, so I have no plans to go back when I return in September. <BR> <BR>If I can answer any specific questions, please ask. Also, I am sure that some of the Paris veterans will respond. (Elvira, Wes, and Dan, are you out there??)

"a bunch of people who have no interest in sightseeing"? Well, people still have to eat - - maybe you can convince them that they still have to eat somwhere sometime - - since it isn't all that much fun to eat alone. Persuade them to go with you to Musee d'Orsay. It will be interesting to see if they totally resist looking at the collections of the world's best and most accessible-feeling art museum. <BR> <BR>But even if they do resist, it's a great place for lunch - - the main dining room on the second floor. And then they can leave you, and you can enjoy the place by yourself. <BR> <BR>And I agree that the Louvre is a big undertaking - - and yet, curiously, they have made it easier than ever to do an "express visit" there. And then you are in a great place to shop -- Le Carrousel du Louvre - - an underground arcade, which is also accessible down the escalier from the Pyramid. In fact, you don't have to go in the Louvre to get into Le Carrousel du Louvre. A great place to get stuff for the hubby who (is this right?) won't be there with you? (how unfortunate!) <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

Hi Stacy, <BR> <BR>First of all, print out the Paris destinations guide from this website. It's got lots of really good suggestions about where to stay, what to see and where to eat. Then think about what you like to do--maybe you're not so big on museums but enjoy window shopping! Anyway, the highlights on my list also include all of the Ile de la cite--Ste. Chappelle, the Conciergerie, Palais du Justice et al--for a real sense of the history of Paris; the d'Orsay and the Rodin museum for beautiful art and the beauty of the buildings themselves; the Marais for the wonderful 18th century buildings and the hip boutiques and cafes. <BR> <BR>The recommendations for hotels in the left bank 7th arrondissment are good, you might also like to try the Hotel Verneuil right near the D'Orsay and in the midst of a beautiful antiques district on the left bank.

Ok girltogirl womano y womano: <BR> <BR>1)Shopping: Galeries Lafayette, Bon Marche (very girl department stores); shoe shopping in the 7th (around rue de Grenelle); flea market junk at Vanves; gorgeous stuff you can't afford at Louvre des Antiquaires; decorating fabric at Boussac, 27, rue du Mail and Pierre Frey (several locations; they also sell linens); Dehillerin at 18, rue Coquilliere for the most exquisite kitchen/chef stuff in the world; BHV for hardware to die for (arty hammers and screwdrivers; knobs and handles for cabinets and drawers around which you will redesign your house). <BR> <BR>2) Museums: Rodin Museum (he loved women; the sculptures and atmosphere are wonderful); Musee Marmottan (Monet's wonderful paintings; sit and relax); Musee Jacquemart-Andre and Cognac-Jay for collections of all sorts stuff (snuff boxes, china, you name it). <BR> <BR>3) Buildings and 'hoods: 16th Arrondissement for le Corbusier Fondation and several of their buildings; lots of iron balconies a la Guimart. 20th arrondissement for 'villages' ('hoods that are walled off with just pedestrian walkways) and a weird Chinese style theatre. Ile St Louis for gorgeous 'hotels', some owned by the Rothschilds. <BR> <BR>4) Literary: you can visit Gertrude Stein's grave and where she lived; ditto Collette and Oscar Wilde. There's even an address where the original d'Artagnan lived when he first came to Paris. Then there's always the Sartre-de Beauvoir haunts, or tracing Hemingway. <BR> <BR>5) Eating: Neighborhood places are great; France has a history of women eating alone (after WWII, there were lots of widows, who were given due respect as they'd lost their husbands in the war) so you won't get the table by the kitchen (sometimes they put you up front, kinda like advertising how good the restaurant is). If you choose to eat in a fency-dency place, you'll be treated as well as a couple (also, no poor-tipper stigma; the tip's included so women can't undertip as we're rumored to do). You can enjoy a beer or glass of wine or cocktail in a cafe without fear. Indulge in wonderful pastries, ice cream, hot chocolate and tea. <BR> <BR>6) Safety. No parks at dark; avoid the Clichy area late at night (if you want to go to a naughty club, get a taxi outside the front door; do NOT take the metro); make sure your hotel is near the metro station and that the front desk is open all night (or, at least, someone is on duty all night). Paris is very, VERY safe (Parisians seem to be out and about all night) and other than an incident in the Clichy area (my own damn fault) I've never felt unsafe in the city. It's like anyplace else, though, don't take chances and be aware of your surroundings (well, you are sightseeing, aren't you, how hard can it be?) <BR> <BR>I'm not a New Age/Sedona/Harmonic Convergence type, but I find Paris very positive female energy (Of course, I think hockey games have female energy) and I always feel like skipping when I'm there.... <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Hi Stacy <BR>If you'd like a copy of my sightseeing notes for Paris, compiled from several of my own trips plus tidbits gleaned from this forum, email me and I'll send them to you. <BR>Good luck

Lucky you!I was there last feb.mild but drizzly weather. wherever you stay the metro should be very closeby for returning after dark. ask. 1day call louve and find out when the english speaking tours are scheduled. go early. and exhaust yourself.don't spend time shopping or eating there. leave when you're hungry. walk to rue rivolli(sp)across the tulleries and enjoy lunch at sm cafe.hot chocolate is delicious. walk to concorde square then across the seine to musee d'orsay but only if you love impressionism. if not- either take the metro to effiel tower if you get there just before sunset you will the spectacular views day and night- go all the way to the top! walk across the seine past the fountainsand up between the museums/theatres.(another great view)across the circle there is a metrostop. what a beautiful city! you'll love it.

Hi Stacy, <BR>All good advice so far, and I especially loved Elvira's. I'll just echo Bob--don't miss St. Chapelle. I didn't go my first trip and couldn't believe what I had missed when I saw it on my second. Sample the bakeries for a quick, inexpensive lunch--most French bread baked in the US is a pale imitation, and the pastries are to die for (esp if there's a line, you won't be disappointed). Also plan for a little time just to walk around, sit in the cafes, that sort of thing--the Ile de la cite or along the Seine, for starters, and I agree, stay away from Montmatre. Dress warmly (now I sound like a parent, but, from personal experience, if being cold makes you miserable, it's relevant) and remember that the Parisians DRESS--since you are going on business, you should be fine, but the backpacker/fleece look can definitely make you self-conscious. Have fun! There is tons of info about anything you might want to know on this site.