The most well-priced, delicious and inventive meal we had on our last visit to Paris was at Le Bistro des Gastronomes in the 5th.

I am one to carefully choose each dinner in Paris and for a lot of food bang for your money, this is one I recommend. Although we didn't drink, I think our bill was about 70 euro for three courses each, and mineral water. It was a hell of a meal for the money.

Easy to get to and from.

http://parisbymouth.com/our-guide-to...s-gastronomes/

Can't emphasize enough....do not over pack. I have a rule that if I can't carry it all on my own, I don't take it. I can make it for quite awhile with only a 21 inch rollerboard and a tote. Learn to pack efficiently (I use dry cleaner bags to keep every thing from wrinkling and I roll almost everything up to save room. No one will know that you have already worn the outfit before.

You can find great food all over Paris - just avoid restaurants right by the tourist attractions (bad food. over priced). If there are photos of the food or lots of international flags on the menu, skip it.

A night boat excursion on the Seine would be a great way to see the monuments, especially when they are lit up but you will need to go later at night for that in summer.

I like staying at http://www.hotelprinceparis.com, which is close to rue Cler and the Eiffel Tower. My husband and I really like eating at rue Cler.

I am glad that you are rethinking your luggage situation. I cannot stress enough the importance of packing light! I take one carry-on luggage and one other bag for two or three weeks in Europe.

My favorite museum is http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/.

I would have to say that eating on rue Cler except for breakfast would be a waste of good meal time. I love it as a "market street" to look at the beautiful food displays. There are MANY good restaurants nearby--our favorite, La Florimond is just at the "head" of rue Cler on Av. LaMotte-Picquet. It is small, intimate, wonderful menu.

I would have to say that eating on rue Cler except for breakfast would be a waste of good meal time. I love it as a "market street" to look at the beautiful food displays. There are MANY good restaurants nearby--our favorite, La Florimond is just at the "head" of rue Cler on Av. LaMotte-Picquet. It is small, intimate, wonderful menu.

There's a Kyriad hotel inside Gare de l'Est. It's quite OK for a night. The hotel will keep your luggage for you in a closed room.

Thanks KL467. Hotel Prince looks like a good option. I have contacted them to see if they will keep our luggage until about 5:00pm on Aug 3rd.

I agree that you don't dine on market streets, they are for shopping. The best restaurants aren't on them. Rue Cler is okay, I don't think of it as that lovely myself, seems a little sterile compared to some others, but if you want to look at food, it is fine. You can do that in other places, as noted, but if you are over that way, it's okay, why not.

If you are staying in a hotel that night, it doesn't matter if the hotel is right near the train station or not as your luggage will be in the hotel, not the train station. Unless you picked one within a block to walk to it, but I'd pick one in reasonable distance, the Latin Qtr or St Germain would be fine, or the Marais, actually, if you can find something you like.

Menachem, We have a reservation at the Kyriad. I have not heard back from them if they will keep our luggage so thanks for letting me know. Our initial plan is to go straight to Kyriad from Orly, check in and then explore. Take the Seine boat ride at dusk and have dinner are Bistro des Gastronome at 8:00. Have breakfast in the 10th and then head to the street market. Maybe do a quick tour of Museum D'Orsay for me while my husband walks around (not the museum type). Then we can hit another bistro for our early dinner before heading back to the hotel for our luggage (which will be much trimmed down as suggested by all). There's laundry service on the cruise ship so we can bring clothes for one week only.

Any suggestions for my husband as I do a quick run of Musee D'Orsay?

Christina, you're right about luggage storage. I reserved a room right at the station also because my husband is a train buff. He will not mind the sounds of the train if it is within hearing distance.
Now, I am looking for a second restaurant to have our last meal in Paris.

Restaurants and bistros typically close between lunch and dinner service and don't re-open until sometime between 7-8pm. You'll need to find a place that is open all day. I haven't been but I believe Chez Casimir is open all afternoon on weekends and isn't far from Gare de L'est http://notdrinkingpoison.blogspot.co...mir-75010.html

jojojg,, you say hubby isn't a museum type, but he may really enjoy the Invalids Army Museum, its weapons etc right back from medival times to present,, battle axes, samurai swords, muskets, suits of armour, then right up to WWI and WWII .. and bonus its a lovely museum that's never crowded , so nice and easy to make your way through.. my kids loved it , as did my mate.. and I even liked the cool retreat and the well laid out exhibits.
Its close to Orsay, and he can pop in and see Napoleons Tomb if he wishes..

jojojg,, you say hubby isn't a museum type, but he may really enjoy the Invalids Army Museum, its weapons etc right back from medival times to present,, battle axes, samurai swords, muskets, suits of armour, then right up to WWI and WWII .. and bonus its a lovely museum that's never crowded , so nice and easy to make your way through.. my kids loved it , as did my mate.. and I even liked the cool retreat and the well laid out exhibits.
Its close to Orsay, and he can pop in and see Napoleons Tomb if he wishes..

Your husband might be surprised by the Orsay. The building interior itself is absolutely stunning. There are architecture, furniture exhibits. Tell him to at least look inside.

Since the D'Orsay is an old train station, your husband might be interested in the building, if not the art.

I agree with the others that your husband might like the Orsay. Great building!

True, and the best part of the Orsay to me was the decorative arts section, which includes amazing pieces of furniture( think of Dr Suess on acid and workworking.. )

August 2 is a Friday. I don't know if you'll have wilted from jet-lag by the late evening, but you or your husband might be interested to see the roller-blade rally through the streets. It starts at 10pm by the Gare Montparnasse:
http://pari-roller.com/la-randonnee/...e-rendez-vous/

and then follows a different route every week (announced on the Thursday on that website), so it might pass somewhere near you in the following 2-3 hours.

OMG, i am so psyched by your suggestions! I think I will take him with me to Orsay. He is willing to be dragged anywhere but I thought it might be a waste of money and his time. but you're right, he probably will enjoy the building since it's an old train station! And the furniture that Justineparis mebtioned would definitely interet him. That's the kinf of stuff he likes.

And I think we will try to catch the rollerbladers. I thought that only happened on Sunday mornings and I was orry that we'll miss it.


Thank you so much all!