Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Paree! Trip Report. Thanks to all who contributed information

Flights by Air France out of Aberdeen at 11.40am.The weather when we left was pretty blowy, and whilst the forecast for Paris was not great, Paris in foul weather was bound to be better than Aberdeen in the same. The snow drifting over Aberdeenshire, fortunately did not follow us.

We decided to take the Air France bus in to Gare de Lyon, which, for simplicity, was a good idea. On a Friday afternoon, struggling with traffic overground was probably not the best thing. It was, I think, about an hour to get in.

Next issue was the standard run in with a Parisian, in this case, the taxi driver, who simply refused to believe that our hotel existed, or at least, that its street did.

But we got there, in the centre of Bercy, the area where all the wine for Paris was offloaded, formerly warehouses, now mostly demolished to make way for huge office developments or a lovely park, or converted into some boutiquey shops and wine bars. So we then headed for some fresh air and a plate of cheese in "Partie de Campagne"

Then we made our way on the Metro to Pont d"Alma on the river, just in front of the Eiffel Tower.

We joined the river boat with, I guess, 70 others and a jazz band, and sailed up river past all the monuments illuminated for the Olympic bid, as far as Bercy, then back down as far as the little Statue of Liberty. I have to say that with the statue lit up and the lights dancing on the Eiffel Tower, behind, it was immensely moving.

Saturday we rose at 10 and headed into the maze of wee shops and cafes in Bercy Village for a good look round. We went for a walk in the park and were astonished to see half a dozen people practising Tai Chi.

Spent far too much for 30 minutes use of a computer in the local Sofitel, then changed for the wedding.

We were bussed to the church of St Thomas Aquinas, just off the Boulevard St Germain, to hours of French milling about with a wedding in the middle.

The wedding reception was in a funfair Museum, (Musee des Arts Forains). Sunday, we packed and moved to our new hotel, Hotel Harvey, about 100 yards the unfashionable side of the Arc de Triomphe.

Monday morning we sorted out the Carte Orange (definitely right for a stay of any length) and headed down to the Ile de la Cite. After a bit of a wander (past maigret's Quai des Orfevres, and the flower market) we paid a visit to Sainte Chapelle. Gorgeous tiny church with fantastic stained glass. You can buy a joint ticket with the Conciergerie with its mediaeval hall and exhibition of the Terror. We had a well earned stop then a trip to the Memorial to the Deportation.... closed for cleaning!

So we walked along the Left Bank, with a brief stop at Shakespeare & Co, then took the RER to Les Invalides, where, having been alerted, we saw the arrival of the President of Portugal and his being conducted in state with a troop of horse and a mounted band, over the Pont Alexandre III to the Elysees. Very impressive but maybe the funniest bit was the troop of mechanical street sweepers cleaning up the horse shit afterwards.

We ate in an Italian restaurant called Paolo Petrini, which was recommended in a guide we picked up. The food was very good but it was €160 for the two of us!

Tuesday we crossed the river again and went to the Musee d"Orsay. It took half an hour to get the tickets. Definitely a good shout to get them in advance, but the entertainment in the queue was high class- a guy with a trumpet and clarinet (not, you understand, at the same time), accompanied by a boy on a piano. Not your normal street entertainment.

On the advice of the locally based cousin, went straight up to the Impressionists, and they are just stunning. KMR wanted to see the Art Nouveau stuff on the middle floor and I wanted to see the Corots on the ground floor, so, 2 1/2 hours later, we left. Had bowl of soup in caff, then walked up towards the Musee Rodin.

En route, we passed a riot. No idea what the story was, but brushing past policemen in riot gear was surreal.

Fantastic sculpture at the museum, fantastic location, at least 5 Van Goghs, a Renoir and a Degas, and the building's disintegrating. What's that all about?

So, next day, shopping. How many of you have gone shopping with your spouses, on the assurance that they think this is a top notion, only to have them stand inches behind your shoulder, saying nothing, till you give in and leave? Guess what happened to me in Galeries Lafayettes, with the sole exception of the few minutes we spent in the cave? Caught the Metro across to the Marais, and had a very pleasant lunch in a cafe off the Place St Catherine. In the aftenoon we followed the route in the green Michelin, through Place des Vosges and around all the grand hotels particuliers.

Thursday we were on the RER to Versailles at 9am. This is definitely the way to do it. The train ticket included the self done tour (with headsets) of the State Apartments, and the tour of the King"s Bedroom yet again, with headsets. No queuing!

Lunch at a cafe opposite the station, then back into the city and up to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Queueing took about 30 minutes. Fantastic, it was.
had supper in very chi chi Chinese off the Champs Elysees- Diep. Valet parking for Chinese?!
Friday we went across to the Latin Quarter, and first up, went to the Cluny Museum. I think I"m in love with the Lady and the Unicorn.

Wandered around a bit, bought some oil, and some books.

We, as has become habit, just came back to the local café- Ma Maison- for supper. It"s been around a long time there are pre war photos on the wall.

Saturday, we went up to Rue de Levis and wandered through the market, then walked back down to Parc Monceau, where there was an antique market, and then on to Avenue de Ternes and walked through the Rue Poncelet market. We were heading for a restaurant I had picked, which was.... closed on Saturdays.

But at this point we had a stroke of luck. Having been told in the hotel that Stade Jean Bouin was in Angers, we passed a rugby bar, and discovered it's actually out at Parc des Princes. So we sloped off out there, had lunch in a very posh place called Murat, and watched Stade Francais beat Castres at rugby.

Used the Michelin Green Guide and the Rough guide to Paris.

Things I would do differently next time:- I'd take a flat instead of a hotel room. It would be in the Marais or Quartier Latin. We'd sort out the eating/sleeping schedule so I got at least ONE good meal out of it:)