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-   -   Paris - for the 6th time - need new ideas! (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/paris-for-the-6th-time-need-new-ideas-881271/)

Piccolina Mar 9th, 2011 04:42 PM

Paris - for the 6th time - need new ideas!
 
I'll be in Paris for about 4 days on my own before meeting up with my parents (their first time there). It's my sixth time in paris and have already seen all the touristy stuff (plus will see them again with my parents!). Please - I need some ideas on what to do on my free days on my own. I love experiencing the local culture, eating great food, blending in with the local folks going about their daily business, people watching. i like museums but I'm not the type to be able to spend the whole day in museums.

I'll be stayin gin the 11th arrondisement close to the Nation metro station (never stayed in the 11th before but found a fabulous hotel with high ranking from Tripadvisor).

So far, my plan is to take a 6 hr cooking course at Cordon Bleu and to see the Musee l'orangerie. Other than that, I'm open to suggestions. I have thought about doing a day trip to Giverny or Chatres but would be more inclined to stay in Paris. So please tell me your favorite haunts, neighborhoods, food-related ideas for Paris. Thank you in advance!

tuscanlifeedit Mar 9th, 2011 04:54 PM

Village St Paul?

Any of the photography museums?

Cemeteries?

Opera?

Ballet?

Street markets?

StCirq Mar 9th, 2011 05:00 PM

Cimetière PicPus? To visit Lafayette
Canal St-Martin?
Ile des Impressionistes?
Belleville?
The covered galleries?

Seriously, I've made more than 108 trips to Paris and never been wanting for things to do or see. Get out to the outlying arrondissements - get on a bus and take it until it stops and get out and look around. Go to the suburbs: St-Denis, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Boulogne-Billancourt, wherever. There's a whole world out there waiting to be explored.

jpie Mar 9th, 2011 05:01 PM

Living part time in Paris, I have to admit it is easy to overlook all the amazing tourist things to do and just spend time trying new restaurants, cafes etc. But one thing that has stayed with me over the years and I still think back about. One is going to a concert at Sainte Chapelle. I am not a particular classical music fan-so saw something light like Vivaldi. The concert setting at night with the windows is amazing: http://www.classictic.com/en/Special...ainte-Chapelle

Also the bateaux mouches are worth taking, especially in the evening I think.

I also have enjoyed the Paris Walks that I gone on with friends, the Montmartre one particularly. And I am seriously considering a segway tour with fat tire tours, but I may be too cheap :)

I actually think that trip advisor's list is very good of activites for Paris if you want to do some organized things.

Piccolina Mar 9th, 2011 05:53 PM

excellent ideas!! thank you all. Please keep the ideas coming!

Jpie - love the classical concerts at la chapelle idea! I'm a huge classical fan, having played the piano since the age of 5. Will definitely go to one of the concerts.

Bellarosa Mar 9th, 2011 05:54 PM

How about a boat tour of the Canal St. Martin? It starts at the Seine, not far from where you will be. Also, I loved the Cluny museum, and just walking around, soaking up the sights (people and buildings).

GregY2 Mar 9th, 2011 07:29 PM

This website gives you the dates/places of many concerts:
http://www.archetspf.asso.fr/

Grandot Mar 9th, 2011 10:09 PM

If you search this forum, especially for trip reports, you will find many unusual things to do. My husband and i have been to Paris about thirty or more times over many years. We spent two weeks in an apartment in the Marais two years while visiting our granddaughter who was studying in Paris for the year. I asked many questions on this forum and got so much information that it would take two years, not two weeks, to do it all. Take a look at the answers that people posted under my name on this post regarding Paris. There's an ethnic tour that one poster has on the forum and the link was given to me when I asked the question.

We missed the fashion shows because they started in April and we were there in March. One of the department stores has them and they're free. But there was also one that was mentioned that involves afternoon tea and did cost money. you might check into that.

I applaud your choice of l"Orangerie.

The answers people gave on this post are excellent. You'll have lots to do.

Grandot Mar 9th, 2011 10:22 PM

I went back to my past posts and you'll get TONS of information in the post "Neighborhoods to explore for repeat visitors to Paris" with links to many places.

jenmorg Mar 9th, 2011 11:00 PM

1. Go to Le train Bleu for dinner. Its at the Gare de Lyon, a beautifully decorated Art Nouveau place. They have a website so you can check out the decor, menu, booking etc before you go.
2. Walk along Promenade Plante. It is an old railway viaduct that has been turned into a garden. I think its about 4km long.
3. Jardin du Bagatelle. Its part of the Bois de Boulogne and its a rose garden originally set up by Marie Antoinette. If you like gardens this one is spectacular.
4. Also stress Canal du St Martin cruise is well worthwhile, especially if you have seen the movie "Amelie".
5. The food hall at Galeries Lafayette. Have lunch there after you look around and don't forget to go up to their roof area to take in the view for free.

zmac Mar 10th, 2011 12:46 AM

You could take a photo tour, if you are interested in photography. Not only do you learn about techniques etc, but also about how to find those interesting compositions. Sightseeing in a different way.
http://manstouch.com/travel/paris-photo-tours.html

TommieG Mar 10th, 2011 01:47 AM

Bercy Village; restaurants, shops and a cinema (with movies in the original languages) in converted wine warehouses. www.bercyvillage.com

La Defense can be worth a visit also.

Val d'Europe; large shopping mall (including a huge Auchan hypermarce) and outlet mall.

Disneyland Paris.

Gretchen Mar 10th, 2011 03:24 AM

I agree about never seeing everything. You might really enjoy engaging Michael Osman for a day while your parents are there. You may feel you can "do" it justice, but I did it when we took our adult children. I didn't want to be in charge of "herding them". He showed ME things I had never seen, in addition to telling the great background of the major sites.
You might enjoy shopping the consignment shops. If you haven't seen the galeries/passages that someone else suggested. Have you been to teh Carnavalet? The Cluny? the concerts are WONderful. The bus idea is terrific. Be sure to use the buses while you are with your parents. Been to the Marmottan? That area is also fun to poke around in. Are there brocantes while you are there?

ParisAmsterdam Mar 10th, 2011 05:13 AM

Take a Segway tour! You won't see anything you haven't seen before but you'll have a great time!

Try the Jaquemart-Andre Museum. Have tea on their
terrasse if the weather is fine. My wife and I were there last visit (my 6th too!) and loved it.
It's close to Gare St Lazare and small enough to combine with Giverny too...

Try a Paris Charms and Secrets Electric bike tour.
My daughter and I did one a few years ago. I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about Paris but our guide took us to places I might never otherwise have found. There were only 3 in our group so it was almost like a private tour. And the electric bikes are great!

What about the tethered hot air balloon at Parc Andre Citroen?

Rent a bike and try following one of French Mystique's itineraries?

Pere LaChaise?

I still haven't worked up the courage to see les Egouts but one of these days...

Take a "Behind the Scenes Tour" of the Eiffel Tower. You'll see things others never get to see and learn some interesting things. My wife isn't keen on heights but even she enjoyed the tour.

AnselmAdorne Mar 10th, 2011 05:21 AM

It is always such a pleasure to read about someone staying in an area like the 11th. I've walked a great deal of it over the years; you'll find that it feels very unlike the more touristy areas near the Seine. And it will feel very different from the upscale residential areas of the 7th, for example.

There are lots of good restos in that area. I recall reading a few years ago that lower rents have made it an attractive area for newer and younger chefs looking to open their first restaurant. Try, for example, Au Vieux Chêne, 7 rue du Dahomey in the 11th (www.vieuxchene.fr). It's within walking distance of Nation.

You will be within striking distance of a couple of markets. There is the very popular Thursday and Sunday market on Richard Lenoir, running north from Place de la Bastille; a bit closer is the market on rue d'Aligre. There's also the Charonne market at the Alexandre Dumas metro station. It's open on Wednesdays and Saturdays; you could easily combine it with a walk through Cimetière du Père Lachaise, which is nearby. Belleville, always an interesting stroll, is just a few stops north of Nation on the number 2 line of the Metro.

Another vote for Cluny (the Musée national du Moyen Âge). It is a very manageable size — you can be in and out in 90 minutes, although you may find yourself transfixed by the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries. (We had a lot of trouble prying my sister-in-law out of that room last month when we were there.)

I love your plan for the cooking course.

Bitter Mar 10th, 2011 05:28 AM

I think last year was our 4th trip. Each time we re-enjoy the popular sites. One new visit for us was Chateau de Vincennes, complete with drawbridge and moats. Frankly pretty amazing. I think I started a post on this upon our return. Easily accessible by metro. Nice AR display of how part of the castle would have been finished, and an impressive church nearby (though closed at the time, maybe still?).

Michel_Paris Mar 10th, 2011 05:32 AM

St Denis
Louvre des Antiquaires (high end anti
Les Passages

Michel_Paris Mar 10th, 2011 05:43 AM

Buttes Chaumont
Catacombs Tour
Sewer Tour
Chapelle Expiatoire
Promemade Plante
visit a hammmam
Chocolate Tour

When are you going? There are also many concerts, festivals,etc..

Michel_Paris Mar 10th, 2011 05:51 AM

Chartres
Rheims
Versailles (Chateau, gardens, stables, fountain show, concert)
Auvers sur Oise
Giverny

Marija Mar 10th, 2011 06:02 AM

Have you been to the Musee Quai Branly?


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