We leave on 12/29 for what must be about trip #20... remember one thing, my mantra "There is always next time"... so go slow and soak Paris in.

Denisea - Sounds like it is going to be a wonderful trip! During my trip to Paris in May, I did some of the thins you mentioed. Here are some of my thoughts:

1. L'orangerie - I got a tip from this forum to go to l'orangerie as soon as it opens. I was there at 8;50 and there were already a few people in line. Hopefully you will get the chance to have the whole room of Monet' lillies to yourself. It was breathtaking to be alone with Monet.

2. Les Cocottes - went there for lunch and luckily got a table. It was quite busy so perhaps you want to make a reservations. It was a short walk from the eiffel tower. Food was great! It'll be perfect for a cold autumn day. I didn't go to Cafe Constant but I think it was just down the street from les Cocottes if I remembered correctly.

3. Le Comptoirs - food was fabulous! I went there for lunch (didn't want to be bothered with the dinner reservations). I got there 15 mins before they open for lunch and there was already a line forming. The entire restaurant filled up with diners from the line by the time it opened. My advice is to get there before they open and get in the line! Keep in mind that there will be more diners wanting an indoor able since the outdoor tables (making up of about 50% of all the tables) might be too cold for Nov!


4. I highly recomend Musee Carnavlet. I went twice during my 10 day stay in Paris. Make sure to find the "hidden" door to go to the garden. It was an oasis in the middle of the bustling Marais.

5. The line to climb notre dame is the same for both museum pass holder and non-museum pass holder. We tried to go on several days we were there but gave up on it after seein the long line. Maybe the line won't be too long since you're there in Nov.


You might be interested in the below thread which I started to ask fodorites for new ideas to Paris (it was my 6th time going). You might find it useful!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-new-ideas.cfm

Denisea: I'll second your plan to have lunch at l'Orangerie on Ile St. Louis. Thanks to Tpayt, we lunched there on our last full day in Paris, and DH thought it among our best meals in three weeks of Dordogne and Paris. Charming and quiet, a rarity in Paris. Food and wine excellent.

If you have a chance to walk the Promenade Plantee, I think you'd enjoy it. There is a lot to see from that vantage point. Google it before you go, since it's not well marked, so you'll know how to find it.

Bon voyage!

Wow, I am overwhelmed by all the responses and well wishes!

Taconic traveler, I remember seeing L'Orangerie (restaurant) also in TPAYT's report! We seem to have similar travel styles and restaurant "likes", so I had to add it to the list. We spent a little time on Ile St Louis last year but it was Christmas Eve and not much was open....but so many charming looking places we knew we would have to go back!

Piccolina- we are very familiar with Le Comptoir and I could stand an outdoor table there, for the lobster bisque. They do have the heaters and the adorable "pig" blankets to use while you are there. We are staying right by the Constant line up. Les Cocottes doesn't take reservations, but we will get in if it kills us. What a great tip at L'Orangerie! I imagine being alone with those paintings is quite an experience. Notre Dame towers...we will have to see about the lines (It's why we haven't climbed before).

TPAYT-I have read Lunch in Paris and have made a few of the desserts from the book as well!

Judy, I hear you...we love the food and wine and it is a bog part of the trip.

Zeppole...you should write professionally! You have sold me on St Denis. I wanted to go last trip and we just didn't do it. I got interested in it after reading a book on Marie Antoinette. So, I think St Denis, Marmottan and L'Orangerie are in for the trip.

Thanks so much to you all and I will look forward to hearing about your trips when you go!

My husband and I will be in Paris during thanksgiving as well! I remember that you suggested it in my first thead here (as we were deciding where to go) and I have to say we're very happy with the decision :)

I hope you have a lovely time!

LNWC...how great! So far the weather looks good for that week. I hope you love it as much as we do!

We will also be in Paris for Thanksgiving.

One tip: if you would like to skip the lines at L'Orangerie without getting there early, FNAC sells tickets.

I've heard people say that one has to wait in line at FNAC, which I found to be true, but certainly the lines are not that long, and you're indoors.

We will probably hit FNAC on our first day or the next morning.

We may also buy a two day museum pass to skip the lines at the Orsay for the Wilde show, the Pompidou for the Munch, and probably we will want to stroll into la Louvre. St Denis is also covered. That would be a lot for two days, but we could probably do two and two.

We mostly travel for art, and there are abundant exhibitions on in Paris right now. It's an embarrassment of riches.

Great that you will be Thanksgiving, as well!

We are most likely going to get a 2 day pass and try to get most of our museum visits in on those (to also use at L'Orangerie). I am a fan of saving time as much as money. I will pick up the passes the afternoon before we will start using it. (and always pick up at a less busy museum to avoid standing in line). I think you can not use the pass at Marmottan, anyway. So we will do that last.

We will skip the Louvre and D'Orsay this time.

I don't think I have anything to add since you always seem to be so well-organized. Do take your own advice and leave some time open to just be in Paris. Oh, and be prepared to never turn back when it comes to apartment-renting vs. hotels!

Have a wonderful trip! Toast us if you find yourself with a glass of champagne. ;-)

Denisea:
1)Enjoy your stay in Paris.
2)We are planning our sixth and longest stay in Paris(3 to four weeks); and some must do are:
-St.Denis.
-Cluny.
-Musee Jacquemart Andree; including lunch or tea.WE have best references about this place.
Once again,enjoy; try to keeo Chaz away from Starbucks and please, give us a beautiful report with lots of pictures and info!!!

Sorry: not We; but We.

Sorry once again; not WE but We

Denise:

I stopped at Starbuck's on Blvd. St. Germain around 4PM on Saturday and the line was well out the door.

Thanks denisea! I have been checking the weather obsessively and I agree it's shaping up to be a great week!

If you like art in an intimate setting, I second Musée Jacquemart André. Hubs and I ate at nearby Bistrot Haussman not remembering there is a café in the museum.

Hope you'll write a trip report when you return.

It took me a minute to recall why we had bought Orangerie tickets at FNAC, then I realized that on a few trips to Paris, we have not had Museum Passes, and thus went for prepurchased tickets to the Orangerie.

We will probably get passes this time, for reasons mentioned above.

LNWC, that is great news about the weather. I haven't looked yet, but is good to know.

What kind of coat are you wearing?

Once you've seen the main stuff, you can slow down :)

Cluny is a must. You've seen Rodin and the Jaquemart already? Cognac jay?

Have you done any Paris Walks? These will take you away from the big ones, and let you hear some stories, and see some sites you may have walked by beforehand.

I've added to my list the markets, like Vanves and Clignancourt. With a list of the local markets, could visit some around your hotel, or where you are headed that day.

The Catacombs? Arene de Lutece, for a place to eat lunch and wander (same with Luxembourg Gardens).

Have you done the covered 'Passages'?

http://www.parisinconnu.com/passages/index.htm

Did a canal ride on Canal St. Martin?

Jazz club?

There are stable (ecurie) visits at Versailles on most mornings, if horses are your thing.

If you are going to the 16th for the Marmottan, why not plan to spend a bit more time there. Market, shopping, Marmottan, dinner.

Markets by arrondisements. http://marches.equipements.paris.fr/

I did the Marche Auteuil in the 16th. Rght nearby is a Monoprix, for your miscellaneous purchases, as well as a good cheese shop and an outstanding chocolate shop not too far away on Avenue Mozart.

http://www.chocolat-chapon.com/site.html

I ate at Rotonde de la Muete and had a very nice meal including seasonal vegetable soup and sole meuniere par excellence.

Also in the 16th are some buildings designed by the architect who did the Art Noeuveau metro station, Hector Guimard.

http://www.parisinconnu.com/guimard/oeuvres.php

Michel-Paris, nice list! I'd add Nissim de Camando to it. We've been to Paris over 20 times and still find new things to see each visit.

Yanky Gal - IF I find myself with a glass of champagne? Now, don't you know me a little better than that? It will be one of the first things I do and it will also be the thing I do the most!

No decision on the coat yet...still watching the weather to decide on that, Tucanfeedlit!

Michel_Paris-The passages we have done and Rodin. We do plan on spending a little time checking out the 15th and 16th on this trip. Thanks for the chocolat shop tip-always good to know. We won't get to all of it this time, and so we will always have a reason to go back again.

About Starbucks, at least it's a once a day, early AM trip (no Parisians are around to see us there). But there is no way Chaz will go a week without his 'Bucks....but I have my diet coke addiction to feed, as well!

I love all the tips and suggestions I am getting!!

Denise,

I noticed that you have not mentioned "Un Dimanche a Paris", a new chocolate shop concept that opened after we left for my birthday trip in February but we will certainly visit this coming trip.

It is on 4, 6, 8 Cour de Commerce Saint Andre (very new - chocolate boutique,pastry shop, restaurant, tea shop, bar, and demonstration and cokking classes)in about 3 stories. Take a look at this:
http://www.parispatisseries.com/2011...8-patisseries/
Then click on Special features after you've seen all the different pastries (38 in all).

When you get to Josephine Chez Dumonet on rue de Cherche Midi, try their confit de canard and foie gras. You being a souffle lover, they also do a good Soufflke au Grand Marnier.

Most of all, enjoy yourself and I'm sorry that you would have left Paris before we arrive!

-Lilia