[Lisa: <BR>and a few nuggets of info from a recent visitor . . .] <BR> <BR>Author: Daniel Lee ([email protected]) <BR>Date: 3/22/1999, 10:35 am ET <BR>Message: Hey Folks: <BR> <BR>I just got back from Paris last night. <BR> <BR>Since it is still so fresh in my mind, I decided to let you know my experiences there. <BR> <BR>1) Go to the Louvre EARLY as soon as it opens. You can walk right up to things like Mona Lisa, Winged Victory without having to worry about waves and waves of tour groups coming through. I feel sorry for Parisians because their wonderful city is so wrought with tourists. How do the Parisians get to enjoy their own city whn everything is so crowded and perverted by this madness? <BR> <BR>2) Bring COMFORTABLE walking shoes. I made the mistake of looking "chic" with leather casuals and my feet are killing me. You will end up walking around the whole damn city and don't worry about looking like a tourist. A lot of Parisians wore gym shoes, too. Just don't look like a slob is all. <BR> <BR>3) Get the museum pass. You save money and time. Period. <BR> <BR>4) The Bastille and the Montmartre were the most fun areas that we saw in Paris. Lots of stuff happening. Cool little neighborhoods to see and tons of shops. <BR> <BR>5) A restaurant called Le Tire-Bouchon on the north end of Rue Mouffetard. The owner, Antoine, is very American-friendly and is a great guy. His prices are way too cheap for the high quality food that he gives you. I'm talking GOOD food. You get a 3-course meal for 55 francs or less. That is an absolute STEAL. <BR> <BR>6) Learn how to say "I'm just looking", which will come in handy in small shops. i'm still not sure what the best way to say it is..."seulement regarder"? <BR> <BR>7) Always be polite and friendly and watch those silly stereotypes of rude and haughty Parisians dissipate into nothing. <BR> <BR>8) The Pantheon can be missed. Versailles was a disappoinment but DO check out Marie Antoinette's hamlet behind Le Petit Trianon. It is absolutely enchanting. <BR> <BR>9) Check out every patisserie, confiserie, and boulangerie you can. Great stuff. <BR> <BR>10) If you need cheap eats, there are creperies all over that will give you a delicious crepe or panini sandwich for like 15 francs. <BR> <BR>11) Check out the catacombs by the Metro stop Denfert-Rochereau. Awesome and gives you a rich sense of history. <BR> <BR>12) Check out the Maiden and Unicorn tapestry exhibit in Musee de Cluny. Makes you think. <BR> <BR>13) Hotel Pascal, which is right next to the wonderful market street of Rue Mouffetard, is a great bargain for only 250 francs for a double WITh shower and bathroom. A little small, but you won't spend a lot of time in your room, trust me. <BR> <BR>14) KEEP your ticket stubs when you ride the RER lines. You need them to get out again. <BR> <BR>Daniel <BR> <BR>(Note that Daniel's posted his message elsewhere - I'm just adding it to this topic) <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>