I am 18/m. My mom and I are planning a vaction to Paris. I was wondering if someone could give suggestions on places check out, and the best hotels. I want to see something that will interest me, and at the same time get some experiences only possible in Paris. Any information would be great. Thanks!

Hi, i went to paris for 5 days (not nearly enough) but found it to be overwealming. i would reccomend puchasing a guide book such as City pack Paris By Fodor's not only is it small and to the point but i comes with a map of paris Very helpfull and all of the hippest, cheapest and wildest niteclubs to visit i reccomend L'Arc one of the hippest clubs i happened to hit!! have a ball

You didn't say how long you would be there or what your interests are, but probably your best bet is to specialize on either your interests or a specific district. You can't begin to see all or Paris unless you are there for weeks, so pick the parts that you are most interested in (use guide books) and stay in an area central to those interests. Have fun!

Hi Nick: I have been to Paris a dozen times and now
I stay at IBIS Hotel at #2 Rue Cambronne. About $90
per nite for 2 people and a nice newly renovated
htoel 15 minute walk from Eiffel Tower and a Metro
station just out side front door, When you get
there go to new visitor center at 127 L'Avenue
d'Champs Elysees near Arc d'Triomphe for brocures,
train schedules, restaurants etc. English spoken
there. If you have specific questions you can email
me. I have also rented cars and traveled most of
France and other European countries by trains,
planes, and autos. Have fun, Ed

Nick: I am not an authority on Paris, but I've been there a few times and just last month, my wife and I were there. We put our trip notes together, and if you would like a copy, email me and I'll send them along. I think they would be of help to you. Lee

Try www.france.com or the french tourist agency on the Internet. They have lots of free material, in Enlish, and will send it promptly. Only you can decide what to do in Paris--there's so much. Do try to visit a few of the classic sites while you're there. Have fun.

i recently returned from paris and stayed at the
" hotel pergolese " ( 16th ) it was my first trip and i loved the city and the hotel, it cost (in december ) approx 900 ff per night.i notice that may seem a little high judging from the other responses i stayed 5 days and thought it was well worth it. the hotel was located a little past the "arc" and perfect for metro travel.

e mail me if you would like more info

bobby

Paris is my favourite city in the world. I have only been there twice and I want to live there. Anyway...this is your first time, so do all the touristy things. Yes, it is worth it to go up the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, go to the Invalides, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame, the Conciergie, Saint La Chappelle, a day trip to Versailles, and wander the banks of the Seine. Go to the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Musee Rodin (if you like museums). This will take up a lot of your vacation, but don't skip one minute of it. You will love it all. If you are a Monet fan (I certainly am) visit L'Orangerie (a smaller museum at the foot of the Tuileries Gardens run by the Louvre) to see his huge panels of Waterlilies. Also visit Musee Marmottan, which houses the best collection of Monet's I've ever seen. You may also want to take a day trip to Giverny, where he painted and lived. Day trips to Rouen and Argenteuil are worth a shot too. You won't be at a loss I'll tell you. Make sure to have a crepe at the Art Market behind Sacre Coeur for me!!!

Hi. My name is Marc and I come from a French background. I have also been fortuate enough to have
visited Paris 5 times whereby I stayed at least one
month each time. I would suggest that you and your mother visit the cemetary which houses some very famous people like Jim morrison of the rock band The Doors and Edith Piaf. Unfortuately I cannot remember the name of the cemetary off hand but I'm sure it you ask around you can find it. Also check out Le Catacomb, and a scientific museum called La Geode.

I was just going to post my suggestion for the Pere Lachaise cemetery when I saw the above. It is truly an experience you will never forget - one of my favorite memories of Paris. It is huge and beautiful. Winding walks, lots of trees and burial sites of people like Chopin, Balzac, Oscar Wilde, Yves Montand and clear back to General Ney, Napoleon's right hand man. There is a flower shop right next to the entrance where you can (and must) buy a map. Otherwise you are hopelessly lost. There are some really stirring memorials to the victims of the holocaust. We kept running into a lady from Canada while crisscrossing the place and we would always compare notes as to whom we had just "seen." As she said, it seemed strange to go visit a cemetery, but she had heard so much about it she felt she had to do it and enjoyed it tremendously. I do hope you find time to do it.

You should try to do all of these things previously mentioned, but you should try and get a feel for the french culture too. Go to the open markets. I think every Wednesday morning and Saturday morning. It's really entertaining and you can find some really good deals. Also if you want to go out... try the "Bar sans nom" (around the corner from La Bastille) or "La Baine Douche" or Le Locomotive" (Pigalle). Also you must experience the fondue restaurants all thoroughout Paris. They are sooooo much fun. It's so crampt that they serve your wine in baby bottles so that if they tip over you won't ruin your clothes or your neighbors (who is literally practically sitting on your lap) it really is fun. Also the oldest restaurant in Europe or I think even the world is in Paris (like 300 years old?- served folks like Franklin, Jefferson, Moliere, etc..) could be wrong on age, but a local should know - really good food - do the 5-7 course thing. Try and fit in a show like "Les Miserables" (Theatre Mogador) I think. They have matinees as well as evening shows. Even if you don't speak French you will enjoy this version - it's truly moving and authentic. You can also try and catch a show at the Opera Bastille or L'opera (metro stop) - original. You can purchase tickets there. I would take a day trip to Giverny (Monet's home) if you can - it's well worth it. If you like tennis and your going there in May - go check out "Roland Garros" - the French Open - easy to get tickets outside the gate from scalpers (unfortunately), but makes for a really fun day! There's lots more I can tell you, but I've already taken up too much space... just email me if you're interested. Hope some of these things gave you some good ideas along with everyone else's. Have fun!

i was in paris for 4 days over thanksgiving. i will third the suggestion of the pere lachaise cemetery. bring a lot of film. i was there for over an hour and only saw about 1//5th of the thing ! i could have wondered around all day. [for you cemetery lovers, the necropolis in glasgow is a must see]

climb to the top of notre dame for a beautiful view of the city and an upclose look at the gargoyles.

i've been to the louvre twice and felt overwhelmed both times. pick a couple of things you'd like to see and spend 2 or 3 hours in thtere. don't try to see everything. the "medieval louvre" is very interesting. "the victory of thamothrace" is stunning.

i would highly recommend the d'orsay museum. much more accessible. incredible collection of impressionists all on one easy to walk floor.

i don't know that sacre coure is worth the trip if you're pressed for time. stroll around the marais. the place de vosges is beautiful.

a couple of reasonable, local restaurants: los ancestros de gaule on the ile st. louis (medieval atmoshphere, all the wine you can drink !), le apostrophe (small and quaint).

have a great time. it's a magical city.