Not your typical Paris sights?
 

Hello everyone,

I will be spending the summer in France, working with students studying abroad. We will be spending most of our time in Cannes (3 1/2 weeks), but there is a 4-day travel extension in Paris. I know the students are going to want to see all the big sights—Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, Musée D’Orsay, Sacré Coeur, Quartier Latin, etc…but what I am looking for are suggestions from seasoned Paris travelers for some “deeper cuts,” if you will. I have been to Paris 4 times, and spent a little over a month there two years ago. However, even a month in Paris was not enough to see all the things I wanted to experience. On my list are the not so rare Orangerie, Rodin Museum, and Maison de Victor Hugo, but I’d like to add to that list. I’m hoping to see the Musée Cluny – which I lived right by during my month in Paris, but never got to (shameful!). Any ideas for delightful, little-known, or under-appreciated things a true Francophile might fall in love with? :)

Merci beaucoup!
Susan

Hi - I finally saw the Cluny and Pantheon on my 6th visit. Both were very interesting. I also had heard about the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal (or is it Miraculous Mary?). It is right by the Bon Marche food store. I found it to be a very interesting and beautiful chapel. You can even see two nuns (both are now saints) who are buried in glass coffins. Now, there's something you don't get see everyday! Have fun!

Are you looking for things to do with the students (and what are their ages? college? high school? younger?) or by yourself? That might make a difference in how people answer your question.

My 14 yr old son and I loved the little zoo in the Jardin de Plantes. You could go to the nearby Mosquee de Paris for mint tea and lunch afterward.

The Musee Jaquemart Andre gets very high marks here on the message board. Beautiful home and artwork (and the cafe is recommended as well).

Kids tend to like the catacombs and sewer tours. Wandering the Marais, hanging out in the Place des Vosges or near the Stravinsky fountain by the Pompidou are all good people watching opportunities.

You might explore the recently opened Musee du quai Branly in the 7th.

You don't mention the age of these students but I guess Les Catacombs and the sewer tour are obvious fun/educational/offbeat things.
You might want to look into the Arago Markers and during your treks you could detour to find some of these. There is a lot of background and history involved and the search is fun.
Definitely "delightful, little-known, or under-appreciated things".

I just sat in on a marionette show in the Jardin du Luxumbourg. It was cute, but the most enjoyable part was to watch the reactions of the children.

The students are high schoolers, 10-12th grade. I will be spending most of my time with them, but might have a day off in Paris (TBD), so any ideas are appreciate.

Walking the entire length of the Promenade Plantée from Bastille to the edge of Paris is always an interesting discovery.

Musee de l'Armee at the Invalides is also popular with kids. I love the medieval armor and weapons there.

Susan,

Might I suggest just riding the bus system for a day. What location in Paris? Rue Cler Market. Great Chocolate stores at the corner of Rue Pergolese & Ave De Malakoff Bus # 82 from Eiffel Tower. Poilane Bakery, Dalloyau Pastry. What age group.

The Arene de Lutece is a real roman arena. located in the 5th. Nice place to have a picnic and check out the pieces of roman architecture.

In a similar vein, in front of Notre Dame is the entrance to the Archeologycal crypt, which showcases some of the history back to gallo-roman times.

How about the rollerblading outing on Friday nights (need to research were to rent). Or a Segway tour...Or a Fat Tire tour..

Seine river cruise good idea.

I'm still thinking...

Hi S,

The recently-opened Musee Branly has gotten good reviews.

((I))

St. Denis...the resting place for many kings and queens.

Also, if you happen to be a Princess Diana fan, it's pretty easy to find "the underpass." What is touching are the handwritten "memorials" on the area above it.

Deyrolle, an incredible taxidermy shop at 46 rue du Bac will interest teens and adults alike. The displays are upstairs and reached by going through the shop.

Some photos (not mine):
http://www.pbase.com/al309/paris1

Wow ! Deyrolle !
What an intriguing place...
Definitely on my list to visit.

We enjoyed the walk along the Canal St. Martin. Walk from the Stalingrad metro station to the Republic, or in reverse. About 2 miles, very scenic and interesting.

Yes, walking the canal is great; I also recommend the Paris Canal St. Martin Canal ride (http://www.pariscanal.com/sommaire.php3?lang=en), which includes some of the Seine on a three-hour cruise - our commentator played the sax during the underground part of the trip, and it was quite wonderful. I prefer the ride up from the d'Orsay rather than down the other way. You do need to make a reservation, but the folks speak English. We went back another day to do the walk and see the area from the ground instead of the water.

Absolutely the new Quai Branly museum! It's terrific, and very educational, the art of Africa and the Asias, plus that garden at night is quite stunning (not to mention the fact that this where the fab rooftop restaurant Les Ombres is located, but that's not for the kids....)

I must confess I'm a bit bewildered that you don't already have the Conciergerie on the itinerary? All about the guillotines that were used and the jail cells where the royalty were kept? Students kinda like this sort of stuff!

www.parisdigest.com/monument/laconciergerie.htm

This is where Marie Antoinette was kept before she was taken to the Place de la Concorde and beheaded.