Paris for a week, solo
 

I am going to Paris for the first time for business. The first three days actually be business during the day and have time in the evening to roam around. The next four I am totally free and would love suggestions both in Paris and or a two or three day trip anywhere from Amsterdam to Normandy. Big fan of walking and checking out history/architecture/museums. Thanks.

Bob: Stay in Paris. You'll be where you need to and will have plenty to keep you busy. Buy a pack of 10 Metro tickets as this is a very easy and efficient method to get around. I'm not sure where your hotel is located, but it probably won't matter. Just pick up a Metro route map. You can spend one day easily at the Louvre', an amazing place and one of the world's finest museums. Take the "RER C" to the palace at Versailles. If you appreciate architecture, you'll like Versailles. For other points of interest, my favorites are the Eiffel Tower (see it at night), Notre Dame, Champs Elysees' and the Arc de Triomphe and finally, Sacred Heart (Sacre Coeur) church at Montmartre (what a view of the city!)and nearby "Painter's Square". You can't go wrong and with four days you'll miss plenty, but see so much. Plan you days and evenings. Have fun! <BR>

Bob, <BR>Other interesting htings are the Cluny Museum (located in old roman ruins) , Orsay Museum (impressionist/modern art), <BR>Rodin Museum (house+gardens), Marmottan Museum (impressionist-great Monet,old mansion,not well known). There is a roman arena (Lutece) on the left bank...kind of neat..I have never visited the Catacombs or the Sewers of Paris, but have heard it is a different experience! Wandering around the Marais you will see lots of neat archi. Village St Paul neat area here, narrow streets, old bldgs. Also try to visit the beautiful squares, like Place Royale, Place des Voges and gardens, like Luxembourg, Louvre, Champs Elysee. Notre Dame is nice, St Chapelle may be even nicer, more stained glass... <BR>A day trip to Chartres would be worthwhile, I have also been to Giverny (Monet's house). Good for half day. Been also to Fontainbleau, Napoleon's estate south of Paris. Interesting, nice grounds. Lot of tour buses leave from street beside Louvre. <BR>If you pick up Pariscope, the weekly Paris events magazine, there is an English section. If you can, try to take an english walking tour of a neighbourhood. <BR>As Lee said, I would recommend taking the train to Versailles. It is cheap, easy, and the castle is an easy walk from the station. Go early in the day to avoid the crowds (closed Mon ?). There are englogh tours of the buildings. The grounds are enormous, you could spend a half day exploring these. There is a little tour train that can bring you around. There are also concerts/water fountain concerts given. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps.

I was in Paris on my own for five days at the end of July. I've been there several times, but always with my wife, so this was new for me. I was staying in the 5th arr and used the Place de Contrescarpe as my homebase. I set out each day for lunch in different parts of the city at moderately expensive places (les Bookinistes, Ma Bourgogne) that I'd read about, and explored the city and the sites on the way to and back. Then I spent the evenings at one of the cafes on the Place de Contrescarpe. Had a great time and it was a nice way to explore. <BR> <BR>Three places that I especially liked: St. Chapelle, Wednesday evening services at Notre Dame (it's a summer prorgram and may still be going on in Sept.), and the open air cafe on the 10th floor of La Samaritane. I've read about the great view from Samaritane before, but didn't try it until this trip -- it's really spectacular! <BR> <BR>Have a good time.

I have been to Paris many times - once alone. It's nice to go to the Musee D'Orsay or the Louvre in the evening. They're both open one night a week, there are no crowds and each has a nice restaurant and cafe. It's also nice to sit at a cafe and people watch. I'd go to the big cafe right on the Place de la Bastille or Cafe Flore,(next to Deux Magots on Blvd. St. Germaine). The shops are so beautiful in the 6th that it's nice just to walk around. <BR>I've also taken the TGV to Avignon for a weekend (it's about 3 hours)- you can stop off in Lyon on the way. From there I drove with friends to St. Paul de Vence, Nice and other towns near Monaco.I believe a 3 or 4 hour train ride will bring you to Amsterdam, which is my next excursion from Paris, too. <BR>