non traveler needs help to Paris!!!
May 13th, 2008, 09:44 AM
#22
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Laura
As you read different posts here, you will realize that one of the most enjoyable things to do is to wander along (and around the area of) the river. You could spend days just wandering the area between the Eiffel tower and Notre Dame. You say that you love to walk, then just don't sweat it. Have your map and guide book and you will have the time of your life. Enjoy! CJ
As you read different posts here, you will realize that one of the most enjoyable things to do is to wander along (and around the area of) the river. You could spend days just wandering the area between the Eiffel tower and Notre Dame. You say that you love to walk, then just don't sweat it. Have your map and guide book and you will have the time of your life. Enjoy! CJ
May 13th, 2008, 10:32 AM
#25
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Laura,
As others have recommended, a good guide book is a nice strating point. Michelin Green is good, and Fodors too
How many days will you be touring in the city?
One thing that is worthwhile spending time on and understanding in the Metro system. It will be your main means of getting around. Get a good map, and using the Metro Map, figure out where the main sites are...which..of course..leads to the question about what do you want to see?
Paris is huge, Paris cannot be seen in 1,2..etc...weeks. So, decide what your sites are. Do you want museums? Walks in interesting areas, history, fashion, architecture, flea markets,etc..Which is where a good guide book will help.
Break up your days and group together sites that are in the same area.
One my forst day, I might consider doing a morning bus tour. This would be good to get your feet wet on using the Metro, and you will see the main sites on the tour. If you do the Parisvision/Cityrama tours, they leave from near the Louvre. Afterwards, tour the sites around the Louvre (Place Concorde, Champs Elysee, Tuileries Gardens, Place vendome, Palais Royal,etc..would be some ideas). Dinner (your husband will join you?) somewhere in that area.
I'd also recommend Paris Walks. I have done both Marais Walks, the Islands Walk and one of the St Germain walks. Mix one (or more) of these in with the sites you have on your list. For example one of the morning Marais walks finishes at Place des Vosges, one of the prettiest (purtiest
squares in all of Paris. You could have lunch there and then walk around the Marais, good shopping, some good museums (Picasso, Carnavalet,etc..).
Another day could be used to tour the Islands and are. This would include Notre Dame, St Chapelle, Ile St Louis, the banks of the Seine,etc..At the far west end of Ile de la City (Notre Dame's island) is the Vedettes du Pont Neuf Seine cruise company. Good one, I recommend. I would do a late night one as they light up the bridges and buildings...and the Eiffel Tower sparkles on the hour. You and your husbankd could have dinner on the Left Bank and walk over to tkake the tour.
Another day for Left Bank (St Germain boulevard, Luxembourg Gardens, rue de Buci, Cluny museum, cafe time,etc..)
Another day for Eiffel Tower, Place Trocadero (best way to approach Eiffel), Rodin Museum, Napoleon's tomb, Orsay...
Another day for shopping...
Hope this gets you thinking. Ask lots of questions...
A
As others have recommended, a good guide book is a nice strating point. Michelin Green is good, and Fodors too
How many days will you be touring in the city?
One thing that is worthwhile spending time on and understanding in the Metro system. It will be your main means of getting around. Get a good map, and using the Metro Map, figure out where the main sites are...which..of course..leads to the question about what do you want to see?
Paris is huge, Paris cannot be seen in 1,2..etc...weeks. So, decide what your sites are. Do you want museums? Walks in interesting areas, history, fashion, architecture, flea markets,etc..Which is where a good guide book will help.
Break up your days and group together sites that are in the same area.
One my forst day, I might consider doing a morning bus tour. This would be good to get your feet wet on using the Metro, and you will see the main sites on the tour. If you do the Parisvision/Cityrama tours, they leave from near the Louvre. Afterwards, tour the sites around the Louvre (Place Concorde, Champs Elysee, Tuileries Gardens, Place vendome, Palais Royal,etc..would be some ideas). Dinner (your husband will join you?) somewhere in that area.
I'd also recommend Paris Walks. I have done both Marais Walks, the Islands Walk and one of the St Germain walks. Mix one (or more) of these in with the sites you have on your list. For example one of the morning Marais walks finishes at Place des Vosges, one of the prettiest (purtiest
squares in all of Paris. You could have lunch there and then walk around the Marais, good shopping, some good museums (Picasso, Carnavalet,etc..).Another day could be used to tour the Islands and are. This would include Notre Dame, St Chapelle, Ile St Louis, the banks of the Seine,etc..At the far west end of Ile de la City (Notre Dame's island) is the Vedettes du Pont Neuf Seine cruise company. Good one, I recommend. I would do a late night one as they light up the bridges and buildings...and the Eiffel Tower sparkles on the hour. You and your husbankd could have dinner on the Left Bank and walk over to tkake the tour.
Another day for Left Bank (St Germain boulevard, Luxembourg Gardens, rue de Buci, Cluny museum, cafe time,etc..)
Another day for Eiffel Tower, Place Trocadero (best way to approach Eiffel), Rodin Museum, Napoleon's tomb, Orsay...
Another day for shopping...
Hope this gets you thinking. Ask lots of questions...
A
May 13th, 2008, 10:51 AM
#26
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As for dining, this is not a gourmet option but department stores like Printemps or Gallerie Lafayette (both are pretty much next to each other in city centre) have self-service cafeterias. I like GL's--reasonable selection, good views, little hassle even if you don't understand the language.
Also good suggestions about crepe stands. You can also get savory fillings like cheese.
Do you know when in July you'll be there? You might be there just in time for semi-annual sales (solde).
You should get a map to acquaint yourself to general locations. I like Streetmap--which is a laminated city map you can find at Barnes & Nobles (or other bookstores?).
About transportation, metro is super, but sometimes it's easier/faster to walk esp between points A to B if it involves many changes. The metro map may seem a bit intimidating (esp compared to Atlanta MARTA) but you basically need to know the # of Lines and directions (usually the last station on the line).
You should find out the name and/or the address of the way-out-of-town "business hotel" y'all will be staying.
Also good suggestions about crepe stands. You can also get savory fillings like cheese.
Do you know when in July you'll be there? You might be there just in time for semi-annual sales (solde).
You should get a map to acquaint yourself to general locations. I like Streetmap--which is a laminated city map you can find at Barnes & Nobles (or other bookstores?).
About transportation, metro is super, but sometimes it's easier/faster to walk esp between points A to B if it involves many changes. The metro map may seem a bit intimidating (esp compared to Atlanta MARTA) but you basically need to know the # of Lines and directions (usually the last station on the line).
You should find out the name and/or the address of the way-out-of-town "business hotel" y'all will be staying.
May 13th, 2008, 11:41 AM
#27
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Paris is definitely a walking city. Use the Metro to get you started, but part of discovering the place is just to go wandering off down small streets and into parks.
Also..a common mistake is to try and book too much into a day (9:30 Louvre, 12PM lunch, 1:30 Orsay,etc..) Pick one or two things you want to see/do per day, then spend the rest of the time letting Paris spin its magic on you. Cafe time is important to encourage this process.
Also..a common mistake is to try and book too much into a day (9:30 Louvre, 12PM lunch, 1:30 Orsay,etc..) Pick one or two things you want to see/do per day, then spend the rest of the time letting Paris spin its magic on you. Cafe time is important to encourage this process.
May 13th, 2008, 02:33 PM
#28
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When you have the address of your hotel, post it here on Fodor's and I'm sure some kind soul will give you directions for which metro line to take to get to the major tourist areas.
You will find that Fodor's contributors are extremely generous and happy to help, well that's been my experience.
You will find that Fodor's contributors are extremely generous and happy to help, well that's been my experience.
May 13th, 2008, 03:17 PM
#29
My favorite foods in Paris were mostly casual experiences. The crepes (sweet or savory) as mentioned by many. One memorable chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat bread that I bought at a bakery and ate sitting on a park bench at a neighborhood park near the Sorbonne on a sunny day. And the best "hot dog" of my life - a perfect sausage on a split baguette with melted gruyere cheese on it.
When you know your hotel, do post it, or at least the arrondisement (number of neighborhood) and people who know Paris well can chime in.
When you know your hotel, do post it, or at least the arrondisement (number of neighborhood) and people who know Paris well can chime in.
May 13th, 2008, 07:47 PM
#30
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How exciting for you! May I say, please do not worry, it may well be the most exceptional travel experience of your life. Language will not be a problem, just take a few moments to memorize a few key phrases. Bonjour madame or bonjour monsieur is very significant. Paris IS different from North America...here we do not take the time to greet shopkeepers, waiters, cab drivers etc with this simple greeting. In Paris, it is 'de rigeur' and they will feel hurt and slighted if you do not. Thus, you will not be well served. 'Merci' (thank you) is critical. Also "je voudrais" (I would like...) and then do the best that you can.
1. Look at this site: http://www.geobeats.com/videoclips/france/paris...this will give you a visual sense of what you may want to do.
2. Food: There are MANY less expensive cafes and bistros for your budget. They ALL post their menus with prices outside, thus no embarrassing surprises. Think also of buying from a market and having a lovely picnic, very special. Think also of ethnic food.
3. Spend at least one day using the Batobus, a boat that goes up and down the Seine stopping at all the key tourist spots. With one ticket, you can leap off and on, all day long....perhaps you may want to get get a 5-day (cheap) pass?
4. The Metro system is excellent, I think that you should buy a weekly pass. This covers the subway, buses, the Montmartre funicular and the fabulous Montmartre bus. Take with you a 1" photo of yourself, or get photo in the metro stop.
5. At any newsstand on the street, buy a copy of 'Pariscope'. It is cheap (0.4Euro), small and light to carry. It is an excellent guide to everything that is happening in Paris that week. It is in French, but easy to understand.
6. There are so many things in Paris that are free or inexpensive. Parks, cemeteries (I love Pere laChaise),museums, churches (both for the beauty of their architecture and lovely concerts), .....walk and walk and walk, and pause for a coffee or a glass of wine.
www.Paris-walks.com is great and the best value.
7. You may not have the time or the inclination, but I LOVED my boat trip on Canal Saint Martin. 3 and 1/2 hours...I had a picnic on the boat. Then, having arrived at La Villette I meandered back 'home', to my studio in the 5th, along the canal, it was lovely. It took me 3 hours, but I confess I often stopped for a cafe, un verre du vin. Simply beautiful.
Have a beautiful time.
