I have one Saturday in Paris Jan 28th at the end of the business trip. I've not been there in 10 years and what I really want to do is walk, people watch, do a little shopping and eat!
I don't know the neighborhoods very well. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Maybe go to the Place d'Aligré market for the people watching, then lunch at Baron Rouge or somewhere else, then explore the area a bit?

http://france-for-visitors.com/paris...re-market.html

Then you could walk towards Bastille along the Promenade Plantée

http://www.paris-walking-tours.com/p...deplantee.html

And end up at Bastille, with either a small excursion to the Seine or to the Marais.

If you want to go for the Alsatian Brasserie experience, Bofinger is just off Bastille, but book ahead. Otherwise, lots of decent places for you to have a bite.

Let us know where you are starting from. Where are you staying?

I'd use Notre Dame as my starting point. Tour that island {ND, Sainte Chapelle, flower market), then go over to Ile St Louis Then wander banks of Seine on Left Bank. Head into Left Bank along Blvd St Germain. Rue de Buci, Cluny museum, Luxembourg Gardens, St Sulpice, cafes where intellectuals once frequented,etc..

Go to the Marais, walk along rue Vieille du Temple, rue des Francs Bourgeois, rue de Bretagne, rue de Turenne, rue de Poitou and explore the streets connecting these. Don't miss the Place des Vosges, There will be lots of shopping opportunities and lots of food choices. You can find pizza at Pink Flamingo on rue Vieille du Temple, felafel at l'As de Felafel on the rue des Rosiers, contemporary cooking at a reasonable price at Glou, next door to Pink Flamingo, the best crêpes in town at Breizh Café just half a block away.

The Marché des Enfants Rouges hidden off rue de Bretagne is worth visiting and this northern part of the Marais is full of interesting shops as well. It will be less crowded than the southern, more touristed part.

I wouldn't spend my single day wandering all over town but would rather explore one area in a bit more depth.

Shellio, is As de Felafel open on a Shabat, in the Marais? the "jewish" Marais will be all but closed on a saturday. Pink Flamingo is nice, yes.

Thanks you so much for these great ideas.
I am staying near the arc de triumphe near avenue Marceau

Walk in Parc Monceau, and then walk down to the Jacquemart Andre museum, where you can even have lunch.

I would take a metro to Place St. Michel, walk up to Blvd. St. Germain, walk over to St. Germain des Pres, sit at Café Les Deux Magots for a beverage, and then amble back to Place St. Michel along Rue St. Andre des Arts.

menachem, sorry, you are right of course. l'As de Felafel will not be open on Saturday, but there are lots and lots of other choices in the area that will be open. As you probably know, the Marais is less and less Jewish in character than it used to be and many shops and eating places are not at all Jewish..

I know. shellio. I have an apartment on rue des rosiers. it's safe to say the marais is now more gay than jewish. as for falafel: mivami opposite l'as de falafel is better imo. but also closed on saturday

Hi Suz,

>Walk in Parc Monceau, and then walk down to the Jacquemart Andre museum, where you can even have lunch.<

I second that.

After visiting the museum, take a walk down the Champs Elysee to the Tuileries.

Watch your budget for dinner?

Follow spaarne's suggestion and then stop off rue St Andre des Arts at Un Dimanche a Paris. The macarons are heaven and the pastries are truly works of arts! They also serve tea and have a restaurant. It was favorite "find" on our trip last November.

The left bank! As if anything is still happening there Bastille and Republique are the places to go now. Perhaps a walk along Canal St Martin? And coffee at Hotel Du Nord then a tour of galleries in the neighbourhood?

Suzette85, if we were in your situation, we'd combine the suggestions above by Michel_Paris, Denisea, and spaarne. Since you're staying near the Arc, you could return there in the evening and enjoy the activity on the Champs. We've stayed in that area, and really liked it. Whatever you decide, hope you have a fun time!

I'd end my day with a Seine cruise, after dark. One that gets mentioned often is. Vedettes du Pont Neuf, located at western tip of Ile de la Cite. You can get a discount ticket online.

in general area...if you want a late night..Caveau de la Huchette jazz bar.

Agree with Michel_Paris. A nighttime cruise to enjoy all the major sites! Or, we would at least catch a taxi and get a "tour" of all the major sites en route to our hotel. But a Seine cruise would be our first choice.

<i>Michel_Paris on Jan 31, 12 at 10:57am
..if you want a late night..Caveau de la Huchette jazz bar.</i>

Ditto.

Bookmarking.