Ok here is my Paris question.
 

I've read so many great Paris trips reports here on Fodors and helpful suggestions from experianced travelers and have noted many. My question is. We will try to see many of the main tourist sights however, our plan is to just get up in the morning have some breakfast and walk around or take above ground transportation to "Discover" paris instead of having a set itiniary. Do you think we are wrong about this idea? Thanx.

No problem at all.

But it IS a good idea to at least have a list of the opening/closing days/times of the major sites/museum

Do you have a web site where I could download a list like that janisj. Thanx.

I'd just look at the individual sites for the Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou, Versailles (for the fountain schedule), Rodin - etc - whichever places I wanted to be sure to see -- and make my own list.

Ok I understand. Thank you.

I may be mistaken but if you buy a museum card they list the hours and days of operation on it og the museums and monuments it covers.

A good guide book like the Michelin Green Guide, etc. will have all the info in one book -

The museums/monuments pass has the info.

But I prefer to write up my own list orgainized by day of the week. Just takes minutes.

Hi

I don't like to make a detailed itinerary when I travel to places but it is good to have some sort of idea what you want to see and do. The best things is to read your guidebook before you go and make a mental list of what you want to see. Here is a trip report with pictures and links from a trip to Paris last year: http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . My wife and I went there and stayed for a week and we had a lovely time. Take a look at this Google map that I have made by the way: http://gardkarlsen.com/paris_france_map.htm . It shows where some of the attractions are located and you might be able to use this in the planning process. You can click on the markers for more info :d

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Just getting up and walking around the city works just fine. That's how I did it the first time and it was very enjoyable.

Well, sure, that's one of the great pleasures of travel to any great place, but it does help to have some contextual background about the history. Unless you just want the "veneer" I'd suggest at a minimum you read the first 10-20 pages of the Michelin Green Guide so you have some background for what you'll be seeing. Otherwise, to me, it's like visiting a theme park.

But certainly one of the most wonderful things to do in Paris is just wander and soak up the atmosphere.

We are reading the Fodor's 2007 Paris guide right now. I will also get a copy of the Michelin Green guide this weekend. Thanx everyone

Idaho_jaane,

Great idea.

A lot of travellers to Paris try to jam in as many tourist sites into their planned itinerary, then find out when they get there that they 1)can't see it all 2)didn't realize the distances involved 3)forgot about jet lag 4)found a nice cafe or two along the way ;)

So bravo for your plans. Walking around and just letting 'fate' take you left or right is a fun way to see the "non-guide book" treasures Paris has to offer. Little street markets, old buildings, small parks, a cafe frequented only by locals,the local cheese shop,etc..I steyed with my sister at her place in the 16th, and it was my first introduction to life in Paris away from all of the tourist sites. I enjoyed it a lot, and when I went back last time, I again stayed in the 16th, and took some time to "chill" in the area (found my 'local' cafe', newspaper and breakfast there every day, caught a movie at local theatre,etc...)

Enjoy!

Mike

I've used Thirza Valios's books, which presents the history of an arrondissement, followed by a walk in that area.

I've also take some Paris Walks, another way to see and hear about neighbourhoods that may not make it into the guidebooks.

I think that's a great idea. Amazing what "surprises" you can find. I'd just take along a good map/guide book. We think the Fodor's City Pack books are very useful for things like this - small, full of specific info, and very detailed fold-out maps.

I would read up on the different Paris neighborhoods before hand and then create a simple "reminder" word file with the highlights of each neighborhood (for example, Marais, Latin Quarter, St. Germain, Auteuil/Passy, Golden Triangle, Montmartre, etc. )that you could print out and take with you. Note the museums and their hours in each neighborhood along with anything else that may interest you...certain shops, restaurant, cafes, non-museum sights. The whole thing shouldn't be more than two or three pages. Then when you're in that neighborhood, you can just glance at your reminder list and see if you feel like checking them out or just going with the flow. That way, you won't go back to your accommodations at the end of the day and think, dang, I wanted to see XXX but forgot.

Above-ground transportation is the best way to get from place to place IMO. You'll get plenty of walking when you reach a destination. Here's a bus tour you can take for 5,50€: tinyurl.com/ovpaw

Yes, I know where you can download the information for the museums, monuments etc. There is a set of .pdf files on the Paris Tourist Office website. If you don't want to download and print them, then go to the Tourist Office in Paris and pick up the booklet. It's very comprehensive yet lightweight, and great to carry in your handbag for quick reference.

www.parisinfo.com
- upper left corner, 'trade information', look under the publications for "Paris for You 2006"

http://tinyurl.com/28zqcx

We love to do this with a bit of a difference--walk an area, knowing what is to be seen in that particular part. That is one thing I like about the DK Guide to Paris. It breaks up the city into "parts" with the principal sights/sites highlighted.

We're staying at the Mayfair hotel 3, rue Rouget de Lisle 75001. Which is right by the river sein so I think we'll have a good base to start our discovery walks from. The hotel on a map of Paris shows it to be right in the middle of the main tourist areas.

Your hotel VERY central. You are basically at the Tuileries, Palce C oncorde,Champs Elysee, etc. Might be a bit "busy" in that area, but as long as your hotel has double panned windows...should be very nice. You can also get easy access to/from airport by coach nearby, if you choose to do so. I'm thinking you'll enjoy going to the Palais Royal park/gardens which is only couple blocks away. Much to spend your time on in that neighbourhood!

Mike

We do this everytime, we just get up and set out. We have never been disappointed. I always tear the little map out of the Rick Steves book and put it in my pocket. We have never had any set plans. It's wonderful, getting lost is part of the fun.