Beatchick

Nancy, I've glanced thru the responses, I'm not sure if this is listed, but I'd focus on the jardins & parcs. I also like the suggestions in the "100 Best Things to do in Paris" thread, specifically the walking along the quais of the Seine and the one about standing in the middle of one of your favorite bridges at dusk, watch the bridges light up one by one, finish with the lighting of the Eiffel Tower!

Another suggestion is an RER trip to the Ile des Impressionistes to lunch at La Maison Fournaise (where Renoir painted the "Luncheon of the Boating Party"). Websites:
http://www.fournaise-museum.com/
http://www.realfrance.com/rt/artfourn.htm

I also would do the passages (specifically Passage Jouffroy). Websites:
http://parispassages.free.fr/francai...s/passages.htm
http://passagescouverts.free.fr

Last suggestion is the Viaduc des Arts; website:
http://www.viaduc-des-arts.com/

Lisa2464

Btilke:
The hot air balloon sounds very interesting. Where can I get more info about that?

BTilke

Hi Lisa,
Go to:
http://www.whatsontheplanet.com/wow/...event_id=79655

for the complete lowdown on the balloon, including a photo. It was supposed to run only until Jan. 2004 but will now keep going til 2007. The Parc Andre Citroen is great for picnics as you are welcome to walk, lounge, eat or even play frisbee on the grass (unlike, for example, the Luxembourg Gardens where the keep off the grass policy is stiffly enforced).

Lisa2464

Btilke:
Thanks so much for the balloon info. I had not read about that before. It is now on my must do list! I already have the segways booked so this will be a great addition!!

BTilke

Lisa, Enjoy the ride! You will have a terrific bird's eye view of the Eiffel Tower. One of the large, very modern buildings at the side of the Parc, FYI, is the Hopital Europeen Georges Pompidou (HEGP), one of the newest and most sophisticated hospitals in Europe (90% of the rooms are private). As you ascend and then descend, take a look at the beautiful penthouse apartments in the modern apartment buildings at the edge of the park.
The ascent and descent are very smooth. The basket will bump a little bit at the top with the breeze, but the operators only let it go up when conditions are very good.
Re the Segway tours, how long do they last? They look like fun, but I wonder if your back or legs will get stiff standing in essentially the same position for so long.

Joe_in_Silver_Spring

Hi Lisa, How soon are you leaving for Paris? I'm fascinated by the idea of the Segway tour, and I hope you'll post a full report. In response to your question, BTilke, the Web site says that the tours last four hours. It does seem to be a long time to be standing, although I've no idea how much leg flexing you can do one one of the contraptions. Joe

yesmar82787

ok this is easy, you need to go wonder Mount Marytre (Spelling) and you also need to go to Sainte Chapelle (sp again) on Ile de la cite. It's a great little church. Have you been on a bateau mouche yet?

Scarlett

I ,too, reeeally like Edith Piaf, her music and what I know about her! And living in NYC, there has been more than one occasion where I have found myself in some demented guys apartment, so at least, this is the one that Piaf used to live in! Or did she just live in the neighborhood? While you look at her photographs and letters, you can listen to her music, while the curator tells about her final days..
Now I can't wait to go too~

Lisa2464

Joe - I leave next Sunday for London & Paris and will return 10/10. The segways may be rough on the legs especially since we are doing the night tour but I will let you know in my trip report!
Lisa

skaf

lisa, i did the balloon last week, great fun. after all my fears of vertigo and the swaying, it was very peacefull. just great.
another link
http://www.aeroparis.com/venir.php

RonZ

The special lighting effects on the Eiffel Tower go on for 10 minutes, on the hour after sunset.

BTilke

According to NYTimes, Segway scooters are being recalled...hope this doesn't affect the Segway tours in Paris!

daph

We just returned from a trip that included 5 days in Paris[been there many times] and I was looking at my list of things to do and restaurants to try, etc. and it was hardly touched! Will just have to go back again [again]!

Lisa2464

BTILKE
I got a call at work today from one of my colleagues who saw the Segway article! I leave Sunday for London and arrive in Paris on Friday so I am hoping it is all worked out by then! My Segway tour is supposed to be Saturday night and I will be crushed if it is cancelled! In fact, I think I will email the tour company right now and see what they say ....

Lisa2464

The segways were repaired last week and are good to go!

Dr_DoGood

Topping for Hellokittie!

BTilke

Glad to see the balloon is still up and floating, although not today because of the weather. The operators are very cautious about conditions and suspend flights if there's even a hint of problems.

I'll have to try it again next time I'm in Paris (weather permitting).

The balloon's web site:
http://www.aeroparis.com/