I'll be in Paris for a week in June, and I'm looking for any kind of advice that may be helpful... especially suggestions on where to stay, things that I should not miss, and most importantly, what to avoid. <BR> <BR>Thanks!!

Paris is nice in June, but may be crowded. Be sure to book your hotel as soon as possible. Any location in central paris is good (1st to 9th arrondissement). Try (800) 44 UTELL. They have access to 2star and 3 star hotels in Paris. If you decide to wing it and look for a place while you're in Paris, you may just be wasting time looking for a hotel instead of seeing the sights. Remember, in Europe, some 2 star hotels do not include bath, so you should verify before you book. <BR> <BR>When in Paris, the metro is the most convenient way to get around. I have used all kinds of tickets, and depending on your plans, you can save a lot of money by buying the Paris Visite card. However, if you don't plan to see the outskirts of central paris, the 1-2 zone passes would suffice. If you do travel outside, check out Versailles, but get there when it opens. Crowds are unbelievable in summer. The Sorbonne and Latin Quarter area are full of toursists, but there's lots of restaurants. Also, the Marais and Beaubourg area are best bets for cheap eats. Also, if you plan on going to the Sacre' Ceour, visit Place du Tertre as well. It's the area behind the Sacre' Ceour (to the left of the church if you're facing it). Be warned though, this is a major tourist trap. There are artists who try to draw your picture and sell it to you. Of course, sometimes the drawing doesn't look like you, but since the artist spent so much time drawing you, you may feel compelled to buy it. It can cost you as much as $50 to buy a drawing. The best thing to do is say NO, but say it firmly because they are persistent. <BR> <BR>One way to see the monuments is on the Bateaux Mouche. It's about $7-8, and since most monuments center around the River Seine, it's a great picture taking opportunity. The evening cruises are nice too since all the monuments are illuminated with lights. <BR> <BR>Have a good time. Hope all my tips help.

June should be a great time for Paris! <BR>We were there in September and had quite an adventure. <BR>Let me make a few practical suggestions that worked well for us. <BR>First, arm yourself with some good guide books. I bought the Michelin Green Guide, Let's Go Paris, Fodors Paris Guide, and Rick Steves book. (And I talked extensively with a Paris native.) The first 3 books I think are fine. <BR>Second, get a good map of Paris. The map that comes in the Fodors guide is pretty good for a pocket map. I carried it until I lost it. I also had the big Michelin foldout map that is quite large, but also very thorough. I kept the big one in my hotel room, but I used it to plan and reinforce the smaller map. <BR>Third, study the metro maps and the bus maps. We found the bus much friendler to use than the. The metro to me was down in deep holes, crowded, always hot, and you could not see anything of Paris. In contrast the buses went where we needed to go, and best of all, they were above ground and we could look out and see the sights of Paris. We bought carnets of 10 tickets at 55 francs per carnet. Some people argue that this card or that card is better. But I don't think we took a financial beating by doing it our way. We bought just what we needed until the end, when we gave a couple of tickets away. (Still cheaper than single purchases at 8 francs each.) <BR>Fourth, decide on your primary objectives before you leave for Paris. Then, prioritize them, and then group them geographically. This way you see your major objectives,but you also travel efficienty. (And take into account the days particular museums are closed.) <BR>Fifth, don't try to do too much in a day. Paris demands that you have some freelance time in your schedule because there is always something else to see and something else to do as you visit your tour objectives. <BR>If I had to list the places not to miss, I think I would include the following: <BR>the Eiffel Tower, the Musee d'Orsay, the Louvre (and it is a huge place), Ste. Chapelle (which has the most gorgeous stained glass walls I ever saw), Notre Dame, Versailles, and Musee Marmottan (if you like Monet), Musee Rodin and Musee de la Orangerie. (I did not list Napoleon's Tomb or the military museum because those things don't interest me. Other people think they are what you should see first.) There are also fascinating walking tours that you can take around the Marais district, the Isle de la Cite, and the Champs d'Elysee including the Arc de Triomphe. I am sure other people will have a few dozen other suggestions. But that is what is so great about going through more than one guide book. You get all kinds of ideas. We are music fans, so we took in concerts and made one trip to the Opera de la Bastille. We did not visit several major places I had on our original list because we were there only 5 whole days and sandwiched in a trip to Giverny as well as Versailles. <BR>Also, take time to eat leisurely. That is a lot of the fun of going to Paris. The food is outstanding. After I got home, I have had trouble facing the local restaurants. I may never be the same again! (But Athens has got a few places that the local rave about while I despise them!! No matter, no one would ever mistake them for Parisian!!) <BR>And, one final note, be prepared for rain and be prepared to walk until you are done in! Then, when good and tired, eat some of that great food!!

Grace's and Bob's suggestions are very good for the general question you asked. I will only focus on the following points: <BR>- Place du Tertre is utterly tacky, and should only be seen at dawn, or before 8 AM. But if you just walk 50 m away, you'll find the most charming and romantic streets in Paris. Bus tours are so sheepish ! Try rue Saint Vincent, with the only remaining vineyard in Paris, or avenue Junot, our own little Beverly Hills. <BR>- The Bateaux Mouches are a must, however touristy they might seem. They are the best introduction to the city. Avoid the overpriced and bad dinner cruise, and possibly the main Bateau Mouche company, at Pont de l'Alma, too overcrowded by bus loads. Prefer the charming Vedettes du Pont Neuf at the Western tip of Ile de la Cite. <BR>- I know I am preaching in the desert when I say this, but I am not discouraged: avoid the Eiffel tower, unless you like to stand in line for two hours with Japanese salarymen and package tours from Dusseldorf while getting your pocket picked, all this for a hefty charge. Rather go to the Tour Montparnasse: it's ugly, but as high as the Eiffel Tower. Big advantage: when you stand on top of it, you don't see it, but you see the Eiffel. Got it ? For half the money and one tenth of the crowds. <BR>- You mentioned you were there for a week. If it is a "standard" one (starting on a week end or Monday), you'll be better off buying a "Carte Orange hebdomadaire" (a weekly metro + bus pass), that, for 100 F, will allow you unlimited travel within Paris. Not to mention the pride of showing your pass to the driver as if you were just one more Parisian commuter ! <BR> <BR>If you have any more specific interests, please tell them, so that I can try to address them.

Grace, Bob, Vincent: <BR> <BR>Thanks so much for your most helpful tips. I'm sure I will use most of them on my trip. Your advice to book accommodations early is well taken, which leads me to a more specific question. Some friends told me that the Marais area is one of the nicest places to stay. What do you think? Also, can you recommend a hotel there? <BR> <BR>Thanks again!!!

Tommy, i agree with pretty much the above. Let me add one other thing that really helped us...the "Monument and Museum" Pass. For 1 price ( 1 day, 3 day, or 5 day passes available) you get admission into most major museums and monuments, the best thing is you don't have to wait in line to get in ! this is particularly helpful at the Louvre and Versailles...forget the line out front and go right in! This feature alone was worth the price. You can buy them at any participating museum (we got ours at the Museum D'Orsy, so easy !)

Hi <BR>If you have any interest in receiving my sightseeing notes for Paris, feel free to email me. <BR>I suggest you Search on this forum for "Paris"--there is a wealth of information. <BR>good luck