I am not sure if you are interested in art/museums but I prefer Musee D'Orsay over the Louvre. It is really more interesting and that is where "Whistler's Mother" is located as well as a lot of Monet and Manet. What are you interested in and maybe I can say more. I was in Paris a couple of days in early November.

I am going to make five recommendations that are easy to get to: <BR>1. Rodin Museum - beautiful, small, uncrowded, part inside, part in gardens. <BR>2. Cluny Museum - a superb medieval collection; the tapestries are stunning. <BR>3. Ile-St-Louis - the other island next to the Ile-de-la-Cite; great for a morning or evening stroll; good bakeries and Berthillon ice cream. <BR>4. Fauchon - this company has a multitude of shops with spectacular displays of all kinds of foods - they have a cafeteria too (they are on the same sqaure as La Madeleine). I wouldn't make a special trip there but definitely worth stopping if in the neighborhood. <BR>5. Place des Vosges - near Place de la Bastille. A beautiful park-like square surrounded by symmetrical brick buildings where many famous French men and women have lived. A lot of books give it a high rating, but it seems that a lot of people never make it there. Great for a picnic.

1)Edith Piaf Museum (it's in a guy's apartment; email me if you want the particulars) <BR>2)Any of the cemeteries (Montmartre, Pere Lachaise, Monparnasse) including the dog and cat one outside of Paris on the Seine <BR>3)Menilmontant - area of the 20th where Edith Piaf and Maurice Chevalier were raised. There are little "villages" throughout: narrow paths between houses, some paths are steep staircases, creating self-contained villages (often gated) <BR>4)Back side of the Butte; walk north, past Sacre Coeur and Place de Tetre and down the other side of the hill; there's the only vineyard in Paris! It produces wine, and there's a festival in October. It's a "real" neighborhood. <BR>5)Balzac's house in the 16th; it's a little bit of country (ok, it's also a little bit of rock and roll) in the middle of the city. Cool stuff in the house! <BR> <BR>

Find the Rue des Rosiers in the area between the Marais and Les Halles - it's the old Jewish quarter - narrow streets filled with people and wonderful looking street food. Loads of good restaurants as well. You feel as if you've been flipped back a couple of centuries.

You might think this is a little tame, but watching an American movie with French subtitles with a French audience is a different experience. We saw "Good Will Hunting" in Paris last year. You could just FEEL the audience watching and listening intently, and you can pick up some French, ie, a colloquial French phrase for "blowjob." Also, you get to sit down in a comfortable place for awhile. Terrible popcorn, though.

Get a copy of Cadogan's City Guides, the Paris guide. My wife and I have been to Paris probably 8-10 times and found this guide had some really great walks and commentaries. Have you heard of the Paris catacombs? <BR>

Though in the books, a must see is Saint Chappelle (near Notre Dame), which though quite small is one of the most amazingly beautiful interiors one can imagine: the interior is 90% stain glass windows of extraordinary colors and brightness - one feels as if you are on the interior of a ruby looking out! <BR>

Thanks to all for your great responses. I have a pretty good list of monuments and museums, etc. but, the out of the way sights and experiences is what I am looking for and received many suggestions. We are going to Paris, June 21st for 8 days and then to Switzerland, southern Germany and Viena the following two weeks. If you have anything to contribute regarding these areas, they would be welcome. Thanks, again, for your help. Jim

We especially enjoyed the Viaduct des Arts, from 9-129 avenue Daumesnil in the 12th. Under the brick arches of a defunct railway viaduct are the ateliers of craftsmen from many disciplines - from gold-leafing, to porcelain painting, to copper,silver, or musical instrument repair. Fascinating and beautiful - like a living museum of valued artistry of the past. Metro lines 1,5, or 8 - Bastille stop, or line 1-Gare de Lyon. <BR>

The responses to my message have been absolutely wonderful. I would never have found these places without your help. I hope there are more suggestions out there like the ones I have received. Jim

When you go to Ste. Chapelle, walk a bit further and go behind Notre Dame. You will find the memorial to the French who lost their lives in the Holocaust. It's a monument comparable to the Viet Nam in D.C - absolutely breathtaking in its poignancy.

Agree with all of the above, but would add three more: 1) Paristoric - this is a multimedia presentation shown in a brand new theatre at 11bis rue Scribe (just around the corner from Opera Garnier). Shows are on the hour 9-9 (9-6 in winter). Incredible visuals with fabulous music of the history of Paris along with the modern day museums, sights and attractions. We went here last, but wish we had gone there first. Having seen this, you'll be able to decide what most appeals to you for an up close visit and plan your itinary accordingly knowing what not to miss and what to skip. 2) The view from the rooftop terrace of La Samaritaine. A 360 degree panoramic view of the city - spectacular! 3) A walk along rue St. Dominique starting at ave de la Bourdonnais. One specialty shop after another. The charming, quintessential Paris one imagines (and it's just around the corner from rue Cler, of Rick Steves fame).