one day in Paris
 

My husband and I will find ourselves in Paris for one day in October, and we would like to maximize that day. We've visited the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, Versailles, Montmartre, Givenchy, and Notre Dame, etc in the past, and would certainly be happy to return to any one of those spots. But I'm just wondering if anyone could suggest something else that would be special and that perhaps we might not know about. Thanks for any help.

Have you been to the Musée Auguste Rodin? Or what about both ends of the number 1 metro line, La Defence and Chateau de Vincennes -- The Grand Arch at La Defence and the chateau at Vincennes. The Pantheon, the Jardin des Plantes or the Luxembourgh Gardens. Have you been to Ste Chapelle, Opera Gariner or the Invalides? Do a little shopping in the basement of BHV?

If you haven't been to Ste. Chappelle, that is a wonderful place to visit. Try to see it during the brightest part of the day to see the stained glass at its most striking.

We really like Musee Jacquemart Andre on Boulevard Hausmann.

I second the Musée Rodin and Jardins du Luxembourg. Also just sitting in a cafe and people watching, or strolling the Bd. Saint Germain. Absorb the ambience.

I havent gone there yet,but from the research I have done some mentioned the Musee des Egouts de Paris (Sewer museum) as a unique experience for the repeat visitor. its been open for a century but they no longer give tourists "boat trips" Sam

Surely you've visited the Eiffel Tower? I'd walk around the 7th between the Tower and the Rodin Museum, taking in both while eating chocolate and pastries found in the 7th: Jean Paul Hevin, Recchuti, Poujauran's.

If I had only one day in Paris and have already been there many times I would try to find a theme based on my likes or dislikes and follow it. Perhaps history; try to find places where there is still the original wall. Try cemetaries. Places where newlyweds have their pictures taken in Paris. Go from park to park. Offer to take a Parisien couple out to lunch and try to speak only french.

If you like history, I suggest the Cluny/Musee de Moyen Age (or something like that). It has the unicorn tapestries. The building it's in is very cool,too. It's close to Notre Dame, Sainte Chapelle and the Luxemboug Gardens...also St. Sulpice Church (have you read DaVinci Code?)

Here would be my day:

St. Chapelle
Notre Dame - climb tower/ visit church
Walk in back to see the Deporation memorial
Cross the river and go to the Cluny
Walk to the Luxemborg Gardens
Visit St. Sulpice Church
Shop at Monoprix for affordable jewelry, accessories and yummy food treats downstairs

All of this is in easy walking distance.

Okay, here's the Fat Tire Bike Tour fan again. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the tour. I would imagine you would see things you haven't seen before and hear trivia tidbits about Paris you didn't know. I'd take a tour.

If I were back for only a day, I'd probably have lunch at Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower again, wander the stalls along the Seine, maybe have high tea (if I didn't do lunch at JV) and stop for a Nutella crepe at a Cafe de la Comedie.

With one day, and having seen some of the major sites...I'd just walk around, stroll around, and soak up the flavor of the streets, the people...and you'll find plenty of interesting things. You might want to study a map first and "sort of" have a route...with back streets etc. OR ride the bus and see what is going on.

Assuming it's a nice day, I'd start at Jardin de Luxemburg, where you can spend as much time as suits you, strolling through the grounds, and then head down to St. Sulpice, take in the beautiful interior, especially the organ. Then, perhaps grab a crepe [or whatever your preference is] and sit on a bench on Pont Neuf to eat, while taking in the scenery in every direction. Cross over through the grounds of the Louvre to the Samaritaine dept. store and stop in to browse, if nothing else. The wrought iron railings inside are beautiful, and the store has a rooftop terrace with a spectacular view of the whole city. Walk to Pompidoux, and at least study the unique building and famous and interesting fountain in front of it. Behind Nortre Dame, there is a little noticed memorial to victims of the holocaust, at the tip of the island. Take time to appreciate the amazing building facades everywhere. I love the city. I'd emphasize soaking in the flavor of the city, rather than trying to see how much you can see.

Do the Marais -- Place de Vosges, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Picasso, great little silver shops, nice restaurants, interesting boutiques.

Wow -- thanks so much to everyone for such great suggestions. Our big problem now will be deciding what not to do. (As problems go, I guess that's not too serious.) Thanks again.