I will be spending 3 days for the first time in paris in early may. As I am not a very artistic guy, other then museums, are there any must-sees around? also, are there any cheap but great restaurants in paris? finally if i wish to enjoy a delux dinenr (Euro 50-70), where should i go and wt are their specialties?
thx.
Phil

Hi, Philip... if you bought a good guidebook, you could discover what other 'must-sees' exist that would interest you... Meanwhile, what DOES interest you? There is a wide scope in the range of musuems and exhibits in Paris, could very well be something of unique interest to you.

Also, do you have some insight for us as to why you decided to visit Paris (as opposed to Rome, London, Berlin...) I mean, there must be something about the city that drew you to it..?

Sorry about the ambiguity...Actually I have a guide book in hand, but over half of it focuses on the museums, but other than effiel tower, arch de triumph, bastille, notre dame and louvre museum i cannot decide where to go. so I would like to receive some inspiring comments from natives or travellers who've been there before. The reason behind choosing paris instead of other places is that I'd love to experience the renowned energy, romance and passionate lifestyle of paris. Well, I am hoping that I can experience in-depth the local culture, esp teen culture. History and modern art/ music are wt i m also looking for. I would also like to shop around local markets (intead of department stores like Lafayette). A good frenchy meal is as well wt i desire. thx

Hi PL,

For 70E you can have lunch at Taillevent (about 80 with a glass of wine).

You will talk about it for the rest of your life (well, a long time anyway).

As far as where to eat: there are thousands of reasonably priced restos in Paris (of all kinds and nationalities). Just read the menu posted on the door or window.

As for what to see: You are a first timer. Do all of the touristy things.

Enjoy your visit. Paris is wonderful.

<i>finally if i wish to enjoy a delux dinenr (Euro 50-70),</i>

Forget it. Do you think that you could get a deluxe meal in the States for that price (plus tip and tax)? Meal prices in France include tip & tax, although some usually non-French argue that there is a difference between the included <i>service</i> and a tip.

Centre Pompidou would a be a museum to visit for modern art. Check out the <i>Cité de la Musique</i> for contemporary music, Going there will also take you off the beaten tourist track.

OK. I'll defer to Ira on that one.

Oh, see, that's much better. We can boil down your description to:

<red>1. experience the renowned energy, romance and passionate lifestyle of paris</red>
- this sounds a bit 'poetic' and I am not sure how to respond to it
<red>2. experience in-depth the local culture, esp teen culture</red>
- are you a teen yourself? are you traveling with any friends or family?
- you might enjoy some of the "Meet the Parisians at Work" tours that feature a particular artisan's studio or shop. There is a loooong list that includes how to make chocolates, jewelry, ceramics, puppets, stained glass, go behind the scene of a French theater, and so on...
http://www.meetingthefrench.com/services23.php
<red>3. history</red>
- you might enjoy some of the 'guided walks' offered for free or 10€; usually for a couple of hours and often taking you into lesser known spots
http://www.parisgreeter.org/PdJ/
http://www.paris-walks.com/
- any specific periods of history? there is quite a range at the Musee de l'Armee, including coats of armor, WWII rooms, etc. Also, you can view the huge tomb of Napolean.
http://www.invalides.org/pages/anglais/infos_a.html
- there is a subterranean archiological room underneath the Parvis de Notre Dame
http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/Nouve...n-50-Les-Tours
<red>4. modern art/ music</red>
- I'm not very 'modern' but I'm sure more 'hip' people can help with this one...
<red>5. shop around local markets</red>
- there are a lot of local markets to explore, some are primarily food products but there are also specialty markets such as for stamps, books, birds and so on. Here is a list of all the markets in Paris - there are 2 lists, so check both of them.
http://www.v1.paris.fr/en/Living/markets/default.ASP
- there are also some 'flea' markets - some junky, some full-on antiques
The largest is at St Ouen/Clignancourt..
http://www.parisperfect.com/paris-fl...a-markets.html
http://www.marchesauxpuces.fr/
http://pucesdevanves.typepad.com/
http://www.perfectsunparis.com/en/sh.../paris_markets

travelnut..
great reply. thanks for the meetthefrench tip.

For teen culture, my daughter, who was a little bit older than a teenager, but still young, enjoyed the area around the rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter in the evening, filled with young people. In the morning, this street also has a street market.

For modern and contemporary art, the Pompidou Center. For cutting edge contemporary art installations, the Palais de Tokyo, and in the adjoining building for modern art there is the Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.

thx to all of you for the info.
ira and michael, i never knew eating out in paris is that costly...wt and where do parisians eat for dinner then?

travelnut, you are definitely the paris encylopedia. yup in fact i m just 18, that explains my innocence~ I think i'll go to the flea markets and the musee de l'armee. do i have to be particularly alert about the security around St Ouen? btw, wt would you recommend for accomodation, hostels or B&B, considering both the price and the security?

Nikki, that's a big tip for me. but i would like to know if there're other places, e.g. galleries/ archives/ studios, wehre I can see arty thingys? btw, are you a parisian yourself?

Philip
My son (23) just returned from 4 days in Paris first trip and lived it. Could have spent a month he said.

He did a free walking tour of Paris (3 hours) had a great guide, met lots of other young people and also did a pub crawl with them which was fun.

He said their guide gave them lots of other great sightseeing ideas and cheap ticket options. He even went to a French play for 5 euro and although not being able to speak French he said it was a highlight, a beautiful building and great atmosphere

Philip, there are lots of galleries all over Paris. Many galleries showing contemporary art are clustered near the Picasso Museum in the northern part of the Marais. Another area with many contemporary galleries is the rue Louise Weiss in the 13th arrondissement near the National Library (La Bibliothèque Nationale de France). You can do some googling on the internet and find lots of listings. There might be gallery openings ("vernissages") while you are there also.

Here is a current article from the Guardian, a UK paper, about some Paris galleries: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/mar/04/paris.art

I have visited Paris several times, but I am not lucky enough to live there. My daughter is an art student, so we have done some exploring together.

There are lots of places where you can eat very well for much less than the prices quoted above. Search for threads on Paris restaurants on this forum; there are many.

Aussie, 5 Euro?! that's a good price! do you know where did he get the tickets?
Nikki, thx for the info, I think I'll go for those "less commercialized" galleries. btw, do you recommend any famous chocolatiers around paris that i should go, e.g. Galler?

I haven't checked out the famous chocolatiers. The food everywhere I have been is so good that I don't go out of my way to buy it. Here is a thread about chocolate shops on another message board: http://europetogo.yuku.com/topic/1785

Here's a price list for a one-star restaurant, which might fit your bill but would not qualify as deluxe dining.

http://www.jacquescagna.com/menujcus.htm

This was chosen <i>au hasard</i> and does not represent a recommendation on my part.

On a budget in Paris, my favorite "eat" is a falafel on the Rue des Rossiers in the Marais. I can't stop thinking about it now that I've thought of it! Yumm!!!!

Michael,

will you pass the

Mousse au chocolat, cœur fondant à l’orange, éclats de noix de pécan et crème vanille ....
Chocolate mousse, orange mousse pastry, pecan nuts and vanilla cream

Dessert is not what makes a meal for me; a simple tarte or piece of fruit will do, and I am fully aware that it does not fit in a <i>haute cuisine</i> restaurant.

your suggestions have been really helpful. finding a good yet affordable dinner in Paris doesn't sound really that hard, so maybe I'll just step in any restaurant that attract me~~ but if you still have any suggestion to give, I'll be extremely thankful =]
thank you all~

Philip,
We have been to Paris four times, once for a month. I think you would enjoy dinner at Bofinger. It is bustling,beautiful, very French, good food, and , although not cheap, is moderately priced. Be sure to try the I'lle Flotante for dessert for a bit of Heaven. The restaurant would appeal to young and old alike.