I totally agree that one does not have to limit oneself to bus 69. The official Paris transport system website, www.ratp.en is very helpful to plan out a couple of bus routes you'd like the best.

Their English route search page is:
http://www.ratp.fr/itineraires/en/ra...herche-avancee

Since I myself am now starting to use phone apps with offline maps (did it in Ljubljana last year) you might load up a couple of these before you head off.

I know that the "RATP : Subway Paris" is available for Android, so I'm assuming it's available for iPhones. The Android version: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...abernovel.ratp

Heck, now that I'm thinking about it, I think I'LL download it and play with it.

The app "Metro 01" is supposedly more reliable and can be used offline, but it's limited to metro lines, I think.

What the heck, I might as well download this one, too!

Again...
Enjoy
AZ

I buy one of this pocket size map in book form at a kiosk in Paris livre.fnac.com/a1019764/Collectif-Paris-pratique-par-arrondissement. It lists all the streets metro map and does not have the LED screen glare problem outdoors under the sun.

Another feature of the RATP site is this interactive map:

http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/carteidf.php?lang=uk

Used in conjunction with the itinerary planner recommended above, I find it especially helpful in planning bus travel.

Well, I've been playing around with the RATP app link that I posted above:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...abernovel.ratp

It's not bad. However, I think I need to go to Paris to really test it out. Anyone willing to fly over to do a test run with me?
AZ

Wow. Thanks everyone. I really appreciate all of the insight and help. The more I have been doing some research, the more I realize there is no way I can get more than a taste of what Paris is like in the short amount of time that I have -- but I can certainly enjoy my brief visit!

I picked up a Streetwise map, which seems very good for getting an overview of the city. Allessandra, I agree. Nobody is likely to swipe my little map, but I wouldn't want to be standing there for long periods of time staring at my iPad. I am going to try a few apps though. And Google Maps is always good.

The biggest problem I am going to have is getting over that feeling like I am going to miss something and just slowing down. I would much rather spend more time in fewer places than marching from one place to another checking off items on a "must see" list.

A question about Le Marais. I had been considering a photo tour in that area (there are other options also) but the only day I could do that would be Saturday and I had read that is not really a good day to visit. Am I better off choosing a different place?

Stores are more likely to be closed in the Marais on Saturday than in other areas, but for a photography tour I don't think it would be a drawback, and it might be less crowded than on other days.

Actually I saw many stores in the Marais advertising 7/7 opening. But that's probably not much help if the one you want to shop at is closed.

AZ

I used the RATP App quite extensively.

It was pretty good for a quick look at the Metro or bus maps.
The actual journey planner was also okay.
You just need to set the App to "Bus & Tram" as transport modes if you want to stay over ground.

The only downside may be that the App does not have a preset list of bus stops. So if you want to go to a certain bus stop you may need to manually use an adress in the neighborhood.

It obviously works best when you also have a mobile internet connection and do not have to rely on finding free WiFi here and there.

Another option, as a sort of river-based HOHO bus, might be the Batobus:
http://www.batobus.com/english/index.htm

For me, every trip includes one wander round BHV (especially the hardware in the basement, and household items, for small, inexpensive souvenirs that will also be useful), but that's just me. Where you'll be is pretty well on top of the Galeries Lafayette (worth a look for the domed atrium alone).

>>The biggest problem I am going to have is getting over that feeling like I am going to miss something<<

Of course you are. That's why you'll be saving a list of things to see when you come back again, isn't it...? :)

Almost forgot..
For a very different shopping experience than at Galeries Lafayette, Printemps or BHV, you could take a look at Tati's "flagship store" at Metro Barbès-Rochechouart.
But only if you were going to Montmartre anyway, e.g. to visit Sacre-Coeur.

Of course you are. That's why you'll be saving a list of things to see when you come back again, isn't it...? :)

:-)


Nikki, you might be right that it may be an advantage if it is somewhat less crowded. The other possibility for a photo tour I am considering is Montmartre. I'm not sure if I would otherwise get up there,

I'm not much of a shopper, so the sights are more of interest to me than the shops (for shopping sake), generally. But the shops are certainly part of the experience as well (and make for some great photo-ops).

Montmartre backstreets are FABULOUS for photo shots, trips4fun. Everyone takes pictures from Sacre Coeur, but there are so many neat angles in so many places from the tops and bottoms of staircases and winding streets up there.

And who doesn't want to photograph windmills?

Plus you have a gorgeous Wallace fountain (those lovely things designed by Charles-Auguste Lebourg, financed by Englishman Richard Wallace, and with eventual placement chosen by Hausmann) near that Abbesses Metro entrance with Hector Guimard's glass edicule.

And there's this fab "Wall of Love" up there. I could gush a bit more.

Our best photo we ever took (pre-digital) was from the roof of Sacre Coeur during a thunderstorm. My kids talked me into climbing up there, and I found myself shivering up between lightning bolts, praying for dear life. My second grader grabbed my camera and started clicking away. But I sure don't recommend that :)

There are many online "walks" you can take, so you can't run possibly out of ideas, believe me. Art and literary history abound up there.

Note: You DO realize, trips4fun, that you have become the teacher's pet of so many of us because you obviously had a handle on trying to experience Paris as opposed to attempting a checklist.

That's why we're dripping with envy that you, with your objectives, are going and we're staying home.

Thanks, Cowboy, for the review of the app. I tried it out last night and thought it was OK. The place name search isn't perfect, but then again, neither is that search perfect on a website. I like it in that I won't have to steal my husband's iPad under cover of darkness to check out if I want to mix bus and metro routes.

One other thing--I don't shop but I LOVE watching how Parisians shop. I once got escorted out of Galleries Lafayette by security because I was enchanted by two patient West Highland White Terriers (aka--"Westies")with their owner in the dress department. I swear, the two dogs were giving opinions on which dress was a "yes" and which dress was a "no". I just HAD to take a pic while they were going through the racks.

Oh yeah, trips4fun--maybe you don't want to take pics of people or dogs in Galleries Lafayette.

AZ

>>But the shops are certainly part of the experience as well (and make for some great photo-ops).<<

I tend to be a bit more cautious about photographing strangers, and I'd think twice about doing so in Tati either - and I once got shouted at taking photos in the market under the metro station there.

>>Note: You DO realize, trips4fun, that you have become the teacher's pet of so many of us because you obviously had a handle on trying to experience Paris as opposed to attempting a checklist.

That's why we're dripping with envy that you, with your objectives, are going and we're staying home.<<

I really do appreciate all of the information you and everyone else have been so kind to provide. I just know, however, that at the end of the day any intended plans are probably going to get thrown out the window as I walk around getting lost in my surroundings -- and that's probably not a bad thing.

As I mentioned in my initial post, the last and only time I was in Paris was over 20 years ago (although I have been back to France). At that time I was on one of those "if it's Tuesday it must be …" European bus tours and I spent a little time in Paris. I saw the highlights, toured Versailles and had a good time for what it was. I will no doubt see some of the same sights again and will enjoy them, but I have found that I don't get much satisfaction these days from driving or walking by something simply for the sake of saying that I saw or have been to "x".

>>Oh yeah, trips4fun--maybe you don't want to take pics of people or dogs in Galleries Lafayette.<<

Duly noted :-)

You're right trips4fun, getting lost in your surroundings is definitely not a bad thing at all in Paris! I find it's best to pick an area, have a few things in mind to see in said area then have a wander and see what else you can stumble across. Coincidentally I just published a blog post this morning about a Montmartre walk (that is a wander away from the crowds) you might be interested in www.myloveforparis.blogspot.com - also, I prefer downloading an app as a map rather than carrying one around as wi-fi hotspots can help to locate your position if needed, but be careful (I had my iphone snatched out of my hand and I have been living in Paris!) this post http://myloveforparis.blogspot.fr/20...scammersi.html highlights all scams to be aware of in Paris - not to put a dampener on your trip or anything but always good to keep in mind!
Enjoy Paris! :)