Atypical things to do in Paris
#21
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,874
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Have you been to L'Orangerie? It's open again, you know. My friend was just there and said it is breathtaking.
If you are a Princess Di fan, go to "the overpass." The area over is has lots of handwritten tributes - bring a Sharpie if you want to write anything.
Harry Potter fan? See Nicholas Flamel's house.
Have you been out to St. Denis? It's fabulous.
If you are a Princess Di fan, go to "the overpass." The area over is has lots of handwritten tributes - bring a Sharpie if you want to write anything.
Harry Potter fan? See Nicholas Flamel's house.
Have you been out to St. Denis? It's fabulous.
#25
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,099
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Have you been to the Nissim Commondo Museum? The Jacquemart-Andre? Both of these can be seen on the same morning or afternoon. Also, the Musee Gustave Moreau is close by these. A visit to these museums can be combined with a vist to Parc Monceau. Last visit, I was really impressed with the Musee Maillol - went to see the "Magritte on Paper" exhibit and came away a big Maillol fan (very close to Musee Rodin). Of course, the Musee Quai Branly just opened if you're into "primative" art and Musee Tokyo (Arte Moderne) just re-opened earlier this year. The Orangerie reopening is the big news to me - can't wait until my next trip to see it.
If you like chamber music, there are adverts on the fence at La Madelaine. The top of Tour Montparnasses is touristy but the views are great. Chateau Vincennes (last stop on metro line 10)has jazz concerts on Saturdays during July and then classical from Aug 5 to Sep 24. If you enjoy modern architecture, spend a couple of hours walking around La Defence. As someone mentioned, the 16th arr has beautiful Arte Noveau (sp) but so does the 7th. The 16th has the Foundation Corbusier and several of his buildings nearby.
Have a great trip!
If you like chamber music, there are adverts on the fence at La Madelaine. The top of Tour Montparnasses is touristy but the views are great. Chateau Vincennes (last stop on metro line 10)has jazz concerts on Saturdays during July and then classical from Aug 5 to Sep 24. If you enjoy modern architecture, spend a couple of hours walking around La Defence. As someone mentioned, the 16th arr has beautiful Arte Noveau (sp) but so does the 7th. The 16th has the Foundation Corbusier and several of his buildings nearby.
Have a great trip!
#33
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 793
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Eat at Dans Le Noir. You eat in complete darkness and served by blind servers. It's a trip!
http://www.danslenoir.fr/
Explore the neighborhood of La Butte au Cailles. It's where I am going to look at staying next time.
I also second the Musee Marmottan recommendation.
http://www.danslenoir.fr/
Explore the neighborhood of La Butte au Cailles. It's where I am going to look at staying next time.
I also second the Musee Marmottan recommendation.
#36
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 191
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I love exploring the large parks/woods in Paris. Try wandering through:
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
- Bois de Boulogne, esp. Jardin d' Acclimatation if you have children, and the beautiful Parc de Bagatelle.
-Bois de Vincennes - Le Parc Floral and the Zoo (for kids)
- Parc de la Villette
My husband's favorite activity is to find and run a 5/!0K race. You see a whole different view of the city running through the closed streets of Paris.
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
- Bois de Boulogne, esp. Jardin d' Acclimatation if you have children, and the beautiful Parc de Bagatelle.
-Bois de Vincennes - Le Parc Floral and the Zoo (for kids)
- Parc de la Villette
My husband's favorite activity is to find and run a 5/!0K race. You see a whole different view of the city running through the closed streets of Paris.
#37
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 21
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Having just returned from Paris, I can say we waited inline about 40 minutes to buy our ticket and enter the first elevator up the Eiffel Tower on oa Thursady early evening. THEN, it'a another 20 minutes for the elevator from the second to the top, another 20 for the lelevator ride back down. Altogether, we were about 1 hour 40 minutes, with no excessive lingering (i.e., we didn't write postacards and mail them, or buy items in the shop). A long time, but a must do!
As for atypical things, we loved the Catacombs, and sort of liked the Sewer Tour (it did have great English explanations).
Bonne Chance!
As for atypical things, we loved the Catacombs, and sort of liked the Sewer Tour (it did have great English explanations).
Bonne Chance!
#38
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
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I recommend this all the time, but I haven't had any feedback; I'd love to know if anyone else goes here. I am referring to the OLD not new, Biblitheque National, where they always have the greatest photography exhibits. I've seen three shoes there that were all spectacular. It seem to be the place to see great photography in Paris.
And another favorite of mine is the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal. I could translate that to French, but I am out of brain power. This is where St Catherine Labouree had her vision of the Blessed Mother. Tons of worshippers all the time; an amazing statue of the vision, and medals for sale, since giving away miraculous medals was part of the message given to the Saint.
I am assuming that cemetaries and flea markets are not atypical for Paris, so I won't elaborate there.
And another favorite of mine is the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal. I could translate that to French, but I am out of brain power. This is where St Catherine Labouree had her vision of the Blessed Mother. Tons of worshippers all the time; an amazing statue of the vision, and medals for sale, since giving away miraculous medals was part of the message given to the Saint.
I am assuming that cemetaries and flea markets are not atypical for Paris, so I won't elaborate there.
#40
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Don't know what you consider atypical so this may be "typical", but I'd do it again just because it's such a beautiful place, and on a week day, almost empty! Pere Lachaise Cemetery. It's on the metro, or bus 69. The vistas are lush, the monuments monumental, the 'citizens' legendary (Abelard and Heloise, Oscar Wilde, Morrison, Chopin). Take a picnic, or go out to Cafe Charbon (109 Oberkampf). It's a small cemetery, but so big that you can spend the whole day (5 hours) there. Kids can be allowed to discover on their own as long as they agree to never leave the well-fenced area, meet at entrance etc.
Also saw a tour group riding those motorized scooter things that you stand on. (Don't know the name; someone else will enlighten you.) They all looked like they were having fun, despite the helmets they all wore; Segway Tours, I think?
Also Fat tire Bike Tours looked interesting as an alternative to walking.
Another favourite is to take a picnic on Champs de Mars any nice summer evening. watch the exercise groups, the daddies and mommies and grand parent and babies and dogs. If the kids are interested, bring or buy a Frisbee, I don't remember being bothered by mosquitoes, so they must spray.
Bob Voyage
Also saw a tour group riding those motorized scooter things that you stand on. (Don't know the name; someone else will enlighten you.) They all looked like they were having fun, despite the helmets they all wore; Segway Tours, I think?
Also Fat tire Bike Tours looked interesting as an alternative to walking.
Another favourite is to take a picnic on Champs de Mars any nice summer evening. watch the exercise groups, the daddies and mommies and grand parent and babies and dogs. If the kids are interested, bring or buy a Frisbee, I don't remember being bothered by mosquitoes, so they must spray.
Bob Voyage


