First Impression of PARIS: which neighborhood???
May 18th, 2006, 07:44 AM
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First Impression of PARIS: which neighborhood???
Next month will be our first ever trip to Paris! I can hardly wait!
On our first day, we will be arriving in the late afternoon and would love to take a long neighborhood walk. We’re mostly looking to soak up a Parisian feeling, sit in a café for a snack and watch the world go by.
Our plan is to stroll stroll down to the Jardin Tuilierres (very near our hotel) and then either metro or walk to either the Marais or the Left Bank. I have Degas’ walks already, and have done research on others’ walks, but not sure which is best for our FIRST introduction to Paris.
(We plan to do Ile de la Cite and St. Louis the next morning.)
So…
Which neighborhood would you suggest for our first impression of Paris? Marais or Left Bank or something else???
As always, thank you!
Dina
On our first day, we will be arriving in the late afternoon and would love to take a long neighborhood walk. We’re mostly looking to soak up a Parisian feeling, sit in a café for a snack and watch the world go by.
Our plan is to stroll stroll down to the Jardin Tuilierres (very near our hotel) and then either metro or walk to either the Marais or the Left Bank. I have Degas’ walks already, and have done research on others’ walks, but not sure which is best for our FIRST introduction to Paris.
(We plan to do Ile de la Cite and St. Louis the next morning.)
So…
Which neighborhood would you suggest for our first impression of Paris? Marais or Left Bank or something else???
As always, thank you!
Dina
May 18th, 2006, 08:21 AM
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It's all a personal choice as all districts have their own charms, but I would say the Ile St. Louis and the left bank (Latin Qtr. & St. Germain des Pres) are my favorites to get a nice firsttime impression of Paris.
May 18th, 2006, 08:33 AM
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OK, I would take the Metro to St Michel, you are on the Left Bank. When you exit there is Notre Dame and the Seine. Walk over to visit, or stay on the Left Bank and walk above, or maybe more interestingly, below along the Seine. Cross over and visit Ile St Louis. When done, come back to the Left Bank and take Blvd St Germain, that begins at the Seine, right across from St Louis. Walk the length of St Germain, with a possible detour to Jardins de Luxembourg. Nice cafes along the way (FLore, Napoleon) and churches (Germain des Pres, St Sulpice..Da Vinci code). At the end of St Germain, you are back to the Seine, across from Place de al Concorde, Tuileries...a nice way to finish a tour. Use Degas's tour, there are some neat sidestreets off of St Germain (Procope resto, rue de Buci market..)
Hope this helps
Mike
Hope this helps
Mike
May 18th, 2006, 09:33 AM
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I'd pick the Marais. It will be calmer and it isn't as broad an area. It's close to your hotel, also. Depending where you go on the Left Bank, you may be disappointed by thinking this is some great Parisian experience. There are lots of tourists and commotion in certain parts, as well as cheap stores.
May 18th, 2006, 12:24 PM
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Hi Ira,
we're staying at the Westin Paris. It's address is 3 Rue De Castiglione. (free on Starwood pts!)
What do you think?
Thanks everyone!
I LOVE reading all this great advice. Keep it coming!
we're staying at the Westin Paris. It's address is 3 Rue De Castiglione. (free on Starwood pts!)
What do you think?
Thanks everyone!
I LOVE reading all this great advice. Keep it coming!
May 18th, 2006, 02:32 PM
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Hi dina,
Enter your address at www.viamichelin.com
You are 2 blocks from the Pl Vendome and the rue de la Paix, 5 blocks from the Opera, 6 blks from the Pl Concorde, 6 blks from the Madeline, 6 blks from the Louvre, and a blk off the rue Rivoli.
You should be able to have a very pleasant stroll through the neighborhood.
Enter your address at www.viamichelin.com
You are 2 blocks from the Pl Vendome and the rue de la Paix, 5 blocks from the Opera, 6 blks from the Pl Concorde, 6 blks from the Madeline, 6 blks from the Louvre, and a blk off the rue Rivoli.
You should be able to have a very pleasant stroll through the neighborhood.
May 18th, 2006, 02:52 PM
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One of our favorite spots for lunch is right around the corner--Le Souffle on rue du Mont Thabor.
I would walk through the Tuileries into the Louvre complex and past the pyramid, proceeding into the next courtyard and right onto the Pont des Arts. This is the little pedestrian footbridge right below the Ile de la Cite.
I would walk through the Tuileries into the Louvre complex and past the pyramid, proceeding into the next courtyard and right onto the Pont des Arts. This is the little pedestrian footbridge right below the Ile de la Cite.
May 18th, 2006, 02:53 PM
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Congratulations! Well, everyone has their own idea of that special first walk, but here's mine. Indeed, start out in the Tuleries, and stroll east toward the Louvre, not going into the museum itself, but toward and past the pyramids, and through the archway straight ahead into the Cour Caree, the "smaller" courtyard of the Louvre.
Hang a right and walk out of the Cour Caree, and straight ahead will be the Pont des Arts, the pedestrian bridge. Take your time crossing the bridge and admire the amazing views in all directions.
From there you can either continue south to the Blvd. St. Germain (my choice), and stop at any number of cafes, including the famous Cafe de Flor and Deux Magots; or walk along the banks of the Seine, both next to the river and up above, taking in the many booksellers on your route.
If you have gone to St. Germain, get yourself to rue de Seine and make a left, then make a right on rue de Buci, which turns into rue St. Andre des Arts. Walk all the way down until you reach Place St. Michel, and then cross back over to the Ile de la Cite. Check out Notre Dame, then cross again back to the right bank and visit the Place de Hotel de Ville.
Some might walk back along the rue de Rivoli, but I'd walk back along the Quai de la Megisserie, checking out the various animal markets along the way. Then back through the Louvre, the Tuleries, and back home for a verre de vin as a reward for your hard work.
Don't forget to stop at a market on your travels for wine and other necessities.
Just one Paris compulsive's opinion!
Hang a right and walk out of the Cour Caree, and straight ahead will be the Pont des Arts, the pedestrian bridge. Take your time crossing the bridge and admire the amazing views in all directions.
From there you can either continue south to the Blvd. St. Germain (my choice), and stop at any number of cafes, including the famous Cafe de Flor and Deux Magots; or walk along the banks of the Seine, both next to the river and up above, taking in the many booksellers on your route.
If you have gone to St. Germain, get yourself to rue de Seine and make a left, then make a right on rue de Buci, which turns into rue St. Andre des Arts. Walk all the way down until you reach Place St. Michel, and then cross back over to the Ile de la Cite. Check out Notre Dame, then cross again back to the right bank and visit the Place de Hotel de Ville.
Some might walk back along the rue de Rivoli, but I'd walk back along the Quai de la Megisserie, checking out the various animal markets along the way. Then back through the Louvre, the Tuleries, and back home for a verre de vin as a reward for your hard work.
Don't forget to stop at a market on your travels for wine and other necessities.
Just one Paris compulsive's opinion!
May 18th, 2006, 06:27 PM
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Ira,
Sounds like if we don't feel like wandering too far (we may be really tired from jet lag!), we have plenty to see and absorb in our own neighborhood. Thank you!
---
The consensus seems to be, though, to head towards the left bank
Laughing and Mike-- thanks so much for the very detailed suggestions! How long do you think your walks would take? They seems so long, but I really have no idea. We'll probably start our walk around 4:30 or 5.
Francophool-- you're the 2nd to recommend Le Souffle! We'll definitely try it. thanks!
Christina-- I was sort of worried the Left Bank is really big. What areas would you concentrate on, since you say some areas aren't that appealing?
Thanks to all,
Dina
Sounds like if we don't feel like wandering too far (we may be really tired from jet lag!), we have plenty to see and absorb in our own neighborhood. Thank you!
---
The consensus seems to be, though, to head towards the left bank
Laughing and Mike-- thanks so much for the very detailed suggestions! How long do you think your walks would take? They seems so long, but I really have no idea. We'll probably start our walk around 4:30 or 5.
Francophool-- you're the 2nd to recommend Le Souffle! We'll definitely try it. thanks!
Christina-- I was sort of worried the Left Bank is really big. What areas would you concentrate on, since you say some areas aren't that appealing?
Thanks to all,
Dina
, since restos start serving around 8 PM, this will work out well.
May 19th, 2006, 10:01 AM
#16
I'd save the marais for another day - there's a great market in the morning, and you mustn't miss the place des vosges - my memory [from 20 years ago] is that Victor Hugo's house is in the corner, and was so interesting. Also loads of nice restaurants in this area for lunch.
Regarding the suggestions for your first day, if you find you have wandered too far up the left bank, why not get a boat back?
Regarding the suggestions for your first day, if you find you have wandered too far up the left bank, why not get a boat back?
May 19th, 2006, 10:09 AM
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dina, it's hard to say, because the thing is that there are parts with tons of tourists, noise, souvenir shops, etc. They aren't that appealing, but they are major areas you are going to have to see in Paris. It's just not what I would pick for the first day if I'm feeling tired or stressed and want to get a special feeling for Paris.
Basically, the areas around Notre Dame, St Michel metro stop and up bd St Michel to the Sorbonne, and the warren of tourist streets in-between those two, bd St Germain from bd St Michel west, the entire quai along the Seine from just west of St Michel to the East -- those are all areas that are really busy and crowded and not particular quaint. Same for the islands, especially the one with Notre Dame on it. Ile St Louis isn't as bad.
The Left Bank is half of Paris, so I guess the smaller streets in St Germain off the main boulevard would be more pleasant. I think the area around the Pantheon, St-Etienne du Mont church and just SW of there, walking over maybe to rue Monge or something, is relatively tranquil (like rue de l'Estrapade and Thouin, going to place Contrescarpe. You could then walk down rue Mouffetard to St Medard church, and there is often a street market down at the bottom, some gourmet food shops, and a cafe or two. I think that could be a good walk.
Really, you may just end up walking around the areas around the Seine, I'm just saying some people just think that isn't what they expected because of certain fantasies about Paris, whereas in many parts it's just a big, dirty city.
Basically, the areas around Notre Dame, St Michel metro stop and up bd St Michel to the Sorbonne, and the warren of tourist streets in-between those two, bd St Germain from bd St Michel west, the entire quai along the Seine from just west of St Michel to the East -- those are all areas that are really busy and crowded and not particular quaint. Same for the islands, especially the one with Notre Dame on it. Ile St Louis isn't as bad.
The Left Bank is half of Paris, so I guess the smaller streets in St Germain off the main boulevard would be more pleasant. I think the area around the Pantheon, St-Etienne du Mont church and just SW of there, walking over maybe to rue Monge or something, is relatively tranquil (like rue de l'Estrapade and Thouin, going to place Contrescarpe. You could then walk down rue Mouffetard to St Medard church, and there is often a street market down at the bottom, some gourmet food shops, and a cafe or two. I think that could be a good walk.
Really, you may just end up walking around the areas around the Seine, I'm just saying some people just think that isn't what they expected because of certain fantasies about Paris, whereas in many parts it's just a big, dirty city.
May 19th, 2006, 12:00 PM
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Hi, Dina,
So NOW I notice the "late afternoon" part of your post! My walk is a good 4-5 K, or close to 3 miles, so unless you are power walking (which should be illegal in Paris), it may be too long. (I'd still do it, but we rarely go out to dinner our first night in town.) But if that distance interests you, when you get to the Left Bank, cut up Rue de Seine to get to Rue de Buci, and stop at any of the cafes near that intersection. You'll avoid the hustle and bustle of St. Germain, and cut the distance down a little.
And yes, it's not the quietest route. I just feel like for a first day's walk, it conveys the feel and energy of what is, after all, a big city.
Even if you save the Left Bank for another day, I'd still definitely get myself to the Pont des Arts, especially in the early evening - it's just magical.
So NOW I notice the "late afternoon" part of your post! My walk is a good 4-5 K, or close to 3 miles, so unless you are power walking (which should be illegal in Paris), it may be too long. (I'd still do it, but we rarely go out to dinner our first night in town.) But if that distance interests you, when you get to the Left Bank, cut up Rue de Seine to get to Rue de Buci, and stop at any of the cafes near that intersection. You'll avoid the hustle and bustle of St. Germain, and cut the distance down a little.
And yes, it's not the quietest route. I just feel like for a first day's walk, it conveys the feel and energy of what is, after all, a big city.
Even if you save the Left Bank for another day, I'd still definitely get myself to the Pont des Arts, especially in the early evening - it's just magical.
May 19th, 2006, 07:41 PM
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Hi dina4. I love to hit the streets when I get to Paris - wherever you go will be a delight. But these posters are right: around the islands/river for your first day will work well. and Pont des Arts is utterly romantic. The view, the bridge, the - everything. Don't walk. stroll. stop. eat. stroll. drink. stroll. It's Paris. Like anywhere, you will notice things when you give yourself time to see. Have a wonderful trip!
