travelchat

I am thinking the same thoughts. Not long before we get to use our five senses in Paris. Weather around here is definitely cooler and we are surrounded by fall fairs and pumpkins that get larger by the day.

I have looked at the Paris Walks website and printed off their October 2015 offerings. I am really impressed - to the point I want to avail myself of so many of them. The two you mention sound very appealing - the Marais more so.

As I read it, one merely shows up at the meeting site, pays 12 Euro and starts walking. That sounds so simple. It would be a real treat for me if we were on the same walk.

tC

We did Paris Walks in July. Yes, we just went to the meeting location--very easy.

The guide we had was very knowledgeable. We gave a gratuity, but it wasn't required.

Enjoyed the Marais walk.

TeacherCanada
See you in Paris if you choose either or both of the walks I mention above.

I arrive on 9/20, so the evening of 9/21 would work for a GTG cymthia-booker ahead of your 9/22 departure. How about you, teacherCanada? Any other Fodorites interested, please chime in.
Chartier?

Let's do it. I had posted a similar suggestion on another site, asking if anyone was available for drinks or a light supper, just meeting at a sidewalk café. Sounds like a lot of fun.

I'm in. Absolutely. As I mentioned, I am staying in the 19th arrondissement, but I am willing to meet wherever it works for others. Any of the three options offered by cynthia_booker: drinks, light supper, sidewalk café would be lovely. Any other Fodorites interested?

tC

teacherCanada and cynthia-booker
Just logged on and see I made a grave error in the above dates! Not September 21 - should read October 21 for proposed GTG. Sorry for confusion. I am in California dealing with a family emergency and sleep deprived. My Paris dates are October 20-25 prior to a Bordeaux river cruise. Ditto drinks or a light supper.

I'm probably in for that GTG in mid ocotber.
I'll know for sure the week before but I' should be there either on 20 or 21 or both.

I'll be in Paris at that time (October), and would be very interested...will keep an eye out for updates....

travelchat - so glad that the months align. I did wonder when I saw the "9th month", but in your notes you gave no indication that you would be in Paris quite that soon. I hoped you had meant October. Sorry to hear that you are in California for a family emergency. I hope things work out well for all concerned.

Pariswat and Traviata, thank you for your positive responses. I hope it works out for all of us (and any interested others) to make a connection.

tC

Looks like a few of us are interested in a Paris GTG for October 21. I'm thinking it might be a good idea at this point to start a separate Paris GTG post for any who haven't been following along here. Those of you who have signed on here, please add your name to the new post when you have a chance. Cafe recommendations welcome!

This will be my first Fodorites get together and I!m really looking forward to it!

Have you visited the Arenes Lutece? It's one of my favorite places in Paris. I still remember getting chills while sitting on ancient stones watching old men playing boules on one side and boys playing soccer on the other end. It's easy to access, free, and no crowds.

I haven't read all of the above, so hopefully am not duplicating, but I would strongly encourage a visit to the Musee des Arts et Metiers. Wonderful exhibits and truly fascinating.

Just returned from Paris also. A place that hasn't been mentioned, at least I didn't see it, is the Louis Vuitton museum. It is a Frank Gary building and the architecture is like none other in Paris. Worth going to see.

Lulu

Thank you both paris1953 and Lulu. I have read about the Musee des Art et Metiers from other sources and have placed it on my list of strong possibilities. I think the LV Museum is located just outside the peripherique. It is new since I was last in Paris and if I remember correctly, there was a bit of controversy when it was built. I will look into a visit there too. Thanks again.

tC

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful suggestions. I have decided that I will spend much of my time doing walks through neighbourhoods (using Frommer's Paris Walks as my guide). My walks will provide opportunities to visit many of the museums mentioned earlier. I have spent time trying to balance activity with leisure. Luckily, a group from Fodor's is meeting on Wednesday evening (Oct. 21) to share some travel stories at Bouillon Racine. I look forward to that evening. The weather forecast looks glorious.

Following my time in Paris I take the TGV to Lille to meet with a friend who is staying in De Panne (Belgium) where we will plan a WWI battlefield tour scheduled for June 2016.

I'm pretty much all packed and ready to roll. Thanks again to all for their support and suggestions.

tC

Bon voyage!

Here are a couple of ideas for battlefields and cemeteries near Arras:

Notre Dame de Lorette: http://tinyurl.com/q437sld

Vimy Ridge: http://tinyurl.com/nzhnpzw

Have a good trip in Belgium.

Don't forget they don't speak french in De Panne (well not all of them) and good morning is said 'goede morgen' pronounced like something close to 'chew ye morw shun'.

Mvg

The frite and gaufre sellers in De Panne all speak perfect French!

If you are particularly interested in WWI, I'd suggest you visit the fairly new Musee de la Grande Guerre as a day trip from Paris, it is fantastic.

http://www.museedelagrandeguerre.eu/en

It's in Meaux which is real easy to get to for a day trip by RER from Gare de l'Est. directions on the above website, then you take a short bus trip from the train station to near the museum.