My husband and I are planning a last minute trip to Paris for a long weekend in Nov. Neither of us has been, but we have no interest in trying to cram in lots of activities. We'd rather take our time and see a couple of places and have some great meals.

I haven't done a good job of searching the archives, but will do that. In the meantime, since this is last minute, I'd love to get recs for places to stay and the best two or three things to do for a first visit so I have an idea of where to start.

In terms of where to stay, I think location is the most important thing for us--I'll be 5.5 months pregnant, and it will be helpful to be closer to the places we want to see (of course, don't know what those are yet). We don't need luxury or top of the line and don't really want to pay for that, but don't mind a little splurge since this will be our last trip together for a while. Of course, charming and romantic would be wonderful.

Thanks so much. This trip is very unlike us--I usually spend months researching before we even decide where to go, but we don't want to pass up this opportunity.
Kym

Could you provide a budget per night for your hotel room?
Also, how many days will you have there?
Three? Four?

A long weekend trip to Paris is a great idea! I just returned and I'm ready to go back.

I suggest you stay in the 5th or 6th. The Select Hotel Rive Gauche, overlooking a pedestrian square next to the Sorbonne, is very conveniently located and recently remodeled.

http://www.paris-hotel-select.com/en...-hotel-01.html

Once in Paris, your potential activities are endless. If you like museums, I suggest Le Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Don't be overwhelmed by the Louvre -- you can see "the majors" in a few hours and then be on your way, perhaps to Notre Dame which is nearby.

A Seine cruise is another good idea for a quick overview (and you can "hop on, hop off&quot at the Eiffel Tower and other sites.

Enjoy!

Thanks Gekko, I appreciate the info!

Elaine, I think we will be in Paris for 3 days, but I haven't nailed down the reservations yet. I was thinking $200 for the hotel room, but I hate putting a dollar amount on it b/c I don't really know what the market is and what we need to pay, if that makes sense. We'd pay more for something great, or would be happy paying less for a small, charming place.
Thanks again!

KDR...My husband and I spent two full days in Paris on a return trip from Italy last spring. The best thing we did since time was limited and I had a bad ankle was ride the "tourist bus". You can pick it up at any of the major sites (Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Trocadero, etc.) and ride it all day. It allows you to get on and get off at any of the stops.

The pass is for two days and the cost was (I believe) 20 Euros each. For us, it allowed us to see all of the major sites without having to walk, it saved money on taxis, and it allowed us to decide which sites we truly wanted to spend time going to.

Hope this helps.

Here's what my group of 6 friends did in Paris over three days earlier in the month:

Friday -- We arrived CDG at 9am and took taxis to our hotel in the 5th. After a few cups of coffee at the cafe next door, we took the bus to the Eiffel Tower and went to the top.

Then we walked across the Seine and through the Palais de Chaillot to catch another bus at the Trocadero. This bus took us past the Arc de Triomphe and up to Montmarte where we visited the Sacre Coeur Basilica (the highest point in Paris). After that, dinner, then sleep, glorious sleep.

Saturday -- Shopping/walking in St. Germain in the morning and then the Musee d'Orsay in the afternoon. Drinks at the Ritz (Hemingway Bar) followed by dinner at Kong, then Bar Le Forum for more drinks. Late night.

Sunday -- In the morning we explored the many markets on Rue Mouffetard, then jumped on the 7 metro to Le Louvre. After a few hours at Le Louvre, we walked to Ste Chappelle to see the famous stained glass and then to Notre Dame. Seine cruise in the evening.

An amazing weekend!

I would choose a hotel in the 5th, 6th or possibly 7th arrondisement. That's most central part of Paris and most likely near what you want to see.

Besides that, I don't think Paris requires a lot of pre-planning. Buy a guidebook and read it in the evenings or over breakfast to plan your day &/or pick up free information from the hotel lobby. Just choose 1-2 things to anchor your sight seeing, then wander about the city.

Though I've not done it myself, maybe a brief city bus tours might be a good thing to do your first day for an overview.

Hi! I will be in Paris Nov. 6-15 with my husband. We chose to stay at the Hotel St. Jacques in the 5th, Latin Quarter. This is a moderate, but charming small hotel in the traditional 6 floor french style with balconies. It is close to the metro and in the middle of the quarter. If you wish to be on the right bank, I can recommend the hotel Brittanique which is very close to the Seine and Les Halles area.

I do also recommend a hop on/hop off bus tour such as L'Open Tour. These are for one or two days and on each of it's four routes you can get off/on to see the sights. I am sure you are perfectly able to walk at your term of pregnancy, but with a short stay this gives you an overview of this great city. You may not be able to "visit" all the major sights, but at least you can say you saw them all!

With 3 days, I would stay in the 6th, which is centrally located. I would visit the Musee D'Orsay, especially the Impressionists, the Ile de la Cite and the Ile de Saint Louis, stopping at Notre Dame and Ste. Chapelle, visit the Louvre and choose some specific things to see there, take a Seine Cruise in the late afternoon and early evening. Eat long lunches and make frequent stops at cafes during the day to sit a while and watch the passing scene.

For the price of a single métro ticket, the #69 bus will take you by a good number of the main sites of Paris. You can't hop on or off without paying again, and there's no commentary, but the price is unbeatable.

If you get the hang of the bus system, it's a terrific way to see Paris from above ground. I've put together a DiY bus tour (linked below) that begins at Gare du Nord, but once you've seen the tourist bus map, you'll begin to appreciate some of the other possibilites, such as StCirq's excellent suggestion for the #69. Another main scenic route is the #24 west of Gare d'Austerlitz. I like introducing people to Paris with the #42 to Tour Eiffel. With a pass, you can jump on and off all you like.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568214

Google for the Batobus. This is a shuttle boat on the Seine which makes stops between the Eiffel Tower and the Jardin des Plantes. One ticket [11€] is good all day; last run at 10pm.

Here is another self guided circular city tour using 3 bus lines. For ease of explanation we are starting at the Opera Metro.

Walk down the Ave. de l’Opera and left on rue du Quatre Septembre [second street] and board the 29 bus [direction Gare du Nord]. You will pass the Bourse, Place des Victoires, Centre Pompidou...into the Marais...passing Musees Cognacq Jay, Picasso & Carnavalet and Place des Vosges. Get off at Bastille and then board the 69 bus [direction Champ de Mars].

If you prefer to get off at the Place des Vosges and walk through [maybe stopping for a coffee at one of the cafes], proceed through the center south exit and down the street to the corner and left [rue Saint Antoine] a few steps to the 69 bus stop. This is the best of all the bus routes.

Soon you’ll be on the rue de Rivoli, passing the Hotel de Ville and close to the Palais Royale before going left through the Louvre complex [between the pyramid and the Arc du Carrousel] and crossing on the Pont Royale. Now it’s past the Musee d’Orsay, through the Place des Invalides, past Rue Cler and into the Champ de Mars.

At the end of the line, board the 42 bus [same stop]. If you prefer to walk to the Eiffel Tower, continue to the quay, turn right and board at the next street.

Now it’s across the Pont de Alma up Ave Montaigne, past the famous shops and the Plaza Athene to the Rond Point des Champs-Elysses and down past the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais and through the Place de la Concorde. Then up Rue Royale to the Madeleine and to Opera.

Wait! You left out the Arc de Triomphe. From the Eiffel Tower: instead of the 42, take the 82 to Porte Maillot, then change to the 73 down the Champs Elysees to Rond Point, where you <u>then</u> get the 42 and finish as above.

http://batobus.fr/english has all the details on the river taxi. Notice that they offer a 7&euro; all-day rate if you have an RATP pass such as <i>Mobilis</i>. It's a great place to take a picnic to munch as you cruise one of the most cities on the planet.

Wow, I really appreciate all of the help, thanks so very much! I am really looking forward to the trip and keeping my fingers crossed b/c my husband is traveling for work and there is always a chance his meeting will be cancelled. Thanks again! I'll continue reading the archives, and any responses, and will post a trip report when we return.
Kym

HENRI IV RIVE GAUCHE is a great little hotel, very centrally located in the Latin Quarter just one block from the Seine and Notre Dame. New (2003), nicely decorated with a lovely woodburning fireplace in the lobby. Rooms are very comfortable. Everything is extremely clean. We paid 162 euros per night for a twin-bedded room facing Rue St. Jacques, with a wonderful view of St. Severin church just across the street. Loved the ambiance and convenience. So many places to eat everywhere and such a short distance to metro and RER station. www.hotel-henri4.com