Fifth Trip to Paris Ideas
May 27th, 2011, 05:08 AM
#21
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Have you read Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik? It's a sweet book about his life in Paris but he does mention some of his explorations. Perhaps something there for you?
Of course, look at our kerouac's threads for some ideas!
Of course, look at our kerouac's threads for some ideas!
May 27th, 2011, 06:35 AM
#22
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Ann Marie--Your post sounds so familiar. We are headed there for our 4th trip and like you, am ready for something different. Tables are turned a bit this time. DD has always relied on me for the planning, but this time she will be finishing up a study abroad term there, so hopefully she will have some different ideas and such. We will be in an apt again, but will do quick one night trips to a few places, leaving everything at the apt except for a tiny bag. I am looking forward to a more relaxing trip
When are you going?
When are you going?
May 27th, 2011, 06:45 AM
#23
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I've done a macaron tour and it was a blast! I like themes also, one was a Marie Antoinette tour and some things I did were to visit her favorite bakery on rue Montegreuil (sp), the Concierge, walked to Place de la Concorde, Versailles, St. Denis plus there was a special exhibit at the Grand Palais of her things. Can't remember all of the other places. One I'm working on is a Renoir theme, I read the book "The Boating Party" and another book about the ballerinas at the Grand Opera. Both take place mostly in Paris so it should be easy to put together a tour. I love doing themes and am enjoying all of the ideas on this thread. I think the drink with a view will be near the top of the list!
May 27th, 2011, 07:30 AM
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cls2paris - those are very cool & creative ideas. I love the concept of themes also and use them for everything (parties, menus, graphic design). Walking through Paris' historical venues is a perfect vehicle for countless themes and the do-it-yourself plan suits me better.
The Macaron Crawl is a fabulous idea, Ann Marie! I had planned a similar patisserie taste-off, but your term is much more fun. "Drink with a View" - sigh. I think I'll steal that, too.
Monet, Renoir, Marie Antoinette, the passages - all good. This is just too much fun!
How about a garden/park theme (loads of those, of course, and ideal for a Sunday)? Or maybe a cemetery sampler that includes Pere Lachaise, Montparnasse and Montmartre?
Personally, I'm contemplating a wine bar review tour - but I suppose that should be spread out over several days!
The Macaron Crawl is a fabulous idea, Ann Marie! I had planned a similar patisserie taste-off, but your term is much more fun. "Drink with a View" - sigh. I think I'll steal that, too.
Monet, Renoir, Marie Antoinette, the passages - all good. This is just too much fun!
How about a garden/park theme (loads of those, of course, and ideal for a Sunday)? Or maybe a cemetery sampler that includes Pere Lachaise, Montparnasse and Montmartre?
Personally, I'm contemplating a wine bar review tour - but I suppose that should be spread out over several days!
May 27th, 2011, 07:54 AM
#25
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LOVE these ideas and the link to the recent similar thread was incredibly helpful too. mms- embarassing to admit because it points to my obsessive planning with regard to Paris but I'm not going until fall of 2012. I just thought it would be fun to start collecting new ideas which might also influence my decisions on when to go and where to stay.
Ann Marie
Ann Marie
May 27th, 2011, 08:22 AM
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I'm a theme-a-holic myself.
On our first trip to Paris together, my husband put together a literary cafe crawl, based on a book similarly titled. We did nothing but go to these cafes all day, starting with coffee in the AM, right down to dinner late in the evening. He mades notes about what/who/when was of interest for each cafe.
And at the risk of making some people gag, I organized a kissing tour once based on a book called "The Best Places to Kiss in Paris." I think there were 16 places on my list (sorted by either metro/area or time of day, which the book recommended for some places) and we maybe hit 6 or 7. It was a fun day.
I'm liking the ideas here a lot, and I just realized we were theme-less on our last trip (quelle horreur)!
On our first trip to Paris together, my husband put together a literary cafe crawl, based on a book similarly titled. We did nothing but go to these cafes all day, starting with coffee in the AM, right down to dinner late in the evening. He mades notes about what/who/when was of interest for each cafe.
And at the risk of making some people gag, I organized a kissing tour once based on a book called "The Best Places to Kiss in Paris." I think there were 16 places on my list (sorted by either metro/area or time of day, which the book recommended for some places) and we maybe hit 6 or 7. It was a fun day.
I'm liking the ideas here a lot, and I just realized we were theme-less on our last trip (quelle horreur)!
Jan 23rd, 2014, 10:52 AM
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I'm topping this for myself as trip number six is scheduled for September and I need to remember the ideas I've not gotten to yet.
DH is going with me this time and he isn't a fan of museums so I plan to focus on neighborhoods and new experiences. Think I'm going to check out that Best Places to Kiss book for some fun photos.
Ann Marie
DH is going with me this time and he isn't a fan of museums so I plan to focus on neighborhoods and new experiences. Think I'm going to check out that Best Places to Kiss book for some fun photos.
Ann Marie
Jan 23rd, 2014, 01:41 PM
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Fun!
This is the book I used, although it looks like there's an updated version out there.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Best-Place...+kiss+in+paris
Happy planning - and yes, we definitely want a TR.
This is the book I used, although it looks like there's an updated version out there.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Best-Place...+kiss+in+paris
Happy planning - and yes, we definitely want a TR.
Jan 23rd, 2014, 02:57 PM
#33
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If neighborhoods are on the agenda then how about some off the beaten path ones. Here's a walk for the lower 20th arrondissement. Start with a visit to the art deco Eglise Saint-Jean Bosco on rue Alexandre Dumas. Head down rue Planchat and go left onto rue des Vignoles and note the old timey cobbled lanes off it (on your right). Across from them note the cool looking modern loft style buildings and then realize this is a recent social housing project designed by a famous architect. Some good restaurants here such as Café de l'Amitié, 20ème Art, La Petite Fabrique, Paris Polska, O-Di-Vin-Resto, A la Vierge de la Réunion. Les Mondes Bohèmes has a beautiful terrace and ambiance but the food is just average. Go there for the terrace. I really like the couple that owns this place though. They'll explain the background of the resto and the neighborhood if you ask. Next door check out the little lane with the anarchist headquarters and the flamenco dance studio.
Head to Place de la Réunion and continue down rue Vitruve to rue Saint-Blaise. Along the way see the salamander on the wall at the corner of rue Courat (look at the oddball "artists" home across the street) then at 50 rue Vitruve lived the French singer Barbara. On rue Saint-Blaise itself is the old village of Charonne with 18th century buildings and a village feeling. Lots of cafés and restos here, such as Café Noir. See the old church (if renovation is complete yet) and the art nouveau boulangerie across from it. Go down rue de Bagnolet and there's a great bistro/wine bar (Le Papillon) at the corner of rue des Balkans. Across is the Jardin Debrousse, the remains of the châteaux grounds of the Duchess of Orléans. One building remains, the Pavillon de l'Ermitage. You can go in and see the rococo murals on the walls.
http://www.pavillondelermitage.com/P...e/accueil.html
Walk over the to Place Edith Piaf and see the ugly statue in homage to her. The bar here (Bar Edith Piaf) looks like it hasn't had a decor update since the 1950's and the walls are covered in old black and white photos (no idea if she ever sang here). The regulars seem to be just as old as she would be, and just as rough around the edges. Go around the corner to see La Campagne à Paris (rue Jules-Siegfried, rue Irénée-Blanc, rue Paul-Strauss) and the beautiful homes and small gardens. Hard to believe these were built for workers as part of a social housing project.
photos: https://www.google.com/search?q=la+c...w=1272&bih=629
Great old timey café nearby at Place Octave Chanute. Judging by the photos on the walls there must been a lot of old time French celebrities that came here.
I've got more ideas for the 19th and 20th but this should get you started.
How about day trips outside Paris?
Head to Place de la Réunion and continue down rue Vitruve to rue Saint-Blaise. Along the way see the salamander on the wall at the corner of rue Courat (look at the oddball "artists" home across the street) then at 50 rue Vitruve lived the French singer Barbara. On rue Saint-Blaise itself is the old village of Charonne with 18th century buildings and a village feeling. Lots of cafés and restos here, such as Café Noir. See the old church (if renovation is complete yet) and the art nouveau boulangerie across from it. Go down rue de Bagnolet and there's a great bistro/wine bar (Le Papillon) at the corner of rue des Balkans. Across is the Jardin Debrousse, the remains of the châteaux grounds of the Duchess of Orléans. One building remains, the Pavillon de l'Ermitage. You can go in and see the rococo murals on the walls.
http://www.pavillondelermitage.com/P...e/accueil.html
Walk over the to Place Edith Piaf and see the ugly statue in homage to her. The bar here (Bar Edith Piaf) looks like it hasn't had a decor update since the 1950's and the walls are covered in old black and white photos (no idea if she ever sang here). The regulars seem to be just as old as she would be, and just as rough around the edges. Go around the corner to see La Campagne à Paris (rue Jules-Siegfried, rue Irénée-Blanc, rue Paul-Strauss) and the beautiful homes and small gardens. Hard to believe these were built for workers as part of a social housing project.
photos: https://www.google.com/search?q=la+c...w=1272&bih=629
Great old timey café nearby at Place Octave Chanute. Judging by the photos on the walls there must been a lot of old time French celebrities that came here.
I've got more ideas for the 19th and 20th but this should get you started.
How about day trips outside Paris?
Jan 23rd, 2014, 03:40 PM
#34
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Thanks FMT. We'll only be in Paris for four days after a week biking in the Loire Valley so I'd rather spend our time in the city rather than daytripping from the city. We're staying on Ile Saint Louis for the "village" feel.
Ann Marie
Ann Marie
Jan 23rd, 2014, 09:31 PM
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Jan 24th, 2014, 03:51 AM
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While it is a museum, it's small and doable for the non -museum lover.
http://www.marmottan.fr/mobile/
http://www.marmottan.fr/mobile/
Jan 24th, 2014, 05:11 AM
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Even if DH isn't a fan of museums, have you done the parts of the Orsay of furniture. Wonderful Art Deco and Nouveau exhibits. And there are scale models of the architecture of the Gare (I think). And the "basement" of the Louvre shows how the chateau was actually built.
The Marmottan is wonderful. Look for a brocante--we went to one in the 16eme in the Pl. Auteuil that was great. Also their street market (don't remember the day) was very fine.
Have you been to the roof of the Galeries Lafayette for the view of the city--since Samarataine has closed. Galeries also has a nice cafeteria for a stop.
The Marmottan is wonderful. Look for a brocante--we went to one in the 16eme in the Pl. Auteuil that was great. Also their street market (don't remember the day) was very fine.
Have you been to the roof of the Galeries Lafayette for the view of the city--since Samarataine has closed. Galeries also has a nice cafeteria for a stop.
