mlascolarn

We have been so lucky as to WIN a trip to Paris. The hotel was chosen for us. As this is our first trip to Europe, we plan to take it easy and just soak it in. I have read a few guidebooks but still have questions. We love smaller more casual family restaurants and bars. Any recommendations in the Arc area? How far in time is the walk fro Arc Du Triumph to Louvre? I would be interested in cuisine other than French also to see the French spin on things like Japanese and Thai. Any favorites that aren't an hour away? The idea of the subway makes me nervous as my French is minimal.
Charcuterrie, mmmmmm meat. What's a fav?
No single guide or map or app seems to include most places so assistance is appreciated.

mlascolarn

More details. We are only in Paris for 4 1/2 days,and don't want to spend a lot of time in line. We would like to see smaller museums. I love beautiful glass and lighting. A river cruise sounds wonderful. St. Denis and Notre Dame seem to be high on our very vague and minimal list.
What about wine tastings?

RonZ

You can pull up the hotel on google maps. It's about 8 blocks from the Arc. By all means visit the Musee Jacquemart Andre, which is right down the street on Blvd. Haussmann. Then proceed further down Haussmann to the first Printemps store. Admire the glass dome and then go up to the roof. Both stores have domes with 17,000 pieces of glass, all taken out and stored during the war. The huge glass dome is in Galeries Lafayette, further down. From there you may wish to visit the Opera Garnier.

The Metro is a breeze. Every line has a number and a name at either end denoting the direction of travel and every station has a name. Buses work the same way. So getting from one stop to another is just a question of where lines intersect when you have to make a change. Your hotel will explain it. This is a big time saver.

One of our favorite lunch stops, Julien, has some very pretty glass.

RonZ

By the way, you're in a largely residential area. If someone calls a taxi for you [or if you order one], the driver starts the meter when heading in your direction. Back and forth from the airport there is a charge of €1 per bag.

http://www.taxisg7.com/order-taxi/order-taxi-telephone

Any interest in period furnishings, this is very close:

http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/en/m...sim-de-camondo

RonZ

http://www.aphotographerinparis.com/...aged=8&s=paris

Kathie

A couple of quick recommendations:

Choose two or three places in Paris that you REALLY want to see. That will help you structure your time without trying to pack in every museum or monument.

Don't worry about finding restaurants - you'll find them as you walk.

The metro is easy to use - you'll want to take the metro to lots of places - St. Denis, for instance, would likely be a six-hour walk from your hotel, but maybe 20 minutes on the metro. You can use google maps to plot your route - by foot or on bus or metro.

Incredible museums everywhere. My favorite smaller museum is the Cluny - and visiting it will give you a chance to explore this fascinating neighborhood.

For a river cruise - skip the dinner cruises. We liked the batobus, nobody yelling in our ear about what you are seeing. You can get a two day pass for a couple of Euro more than the one day pass. We planned a day where we were going to places along the Seine, so the batboys was fun (albeit, slow) transportation.

fuzzbucket

As of March 2016, there is a flat fee for taxis coming from both airports - 50 or 55 EU depending on Left or Right Bank - and there is no more baggage fee. The fares are good for 3 passengers, more than that will pay 3 EU apiece in addition to the metered fare.
Just follow the overhead signs to the official TAXI rank and remember than legitimate drivers always remain in their taxi. Hand the driver the printed address of where you are going, including the Postal Code.

If you're interested in seeing a lot of museums, you should purchase the Museum Pass, which includes some other attractions and will allow you to skip the admission lines, though you'll still have to go through Security. Buy the Museum Pass at the first museum you visit, or purchase at the airport at the tourist kiosk. Go to the official website to see what the pass includes and if it will be worth your while.

There won't be any way to avoid crowds or standing in line - it's pretty much a way of life in Paris. Go to ParisByMouth or ChowHoundParis websites to research the type of restaurants that interest you, then make reservations - otherwise, you'll risk not getting a table. You can also reserve online using LaFourchette or TheFork.

Don't recommend the Batobus - it's too slow for the amount of time you have - and the city bus is too slow, as well. The Metro is fast and extremely simple - just download a map of Paris and a Metro map and plot your way around town before you arrive. Buy carnets of 10 loose tickets in the airport or Metro stations and go. Other option is to use G7Taxis or simply look for a taxi with a green light on top and hail one in the street, like you would anywhere else.

Stained glass is everywhere - best is Sainte-Chapelle (long lines) and most large churches. If you like crystal, visit the Baccarat museum.

mlascolarn

Thank you all. any thoughts on organized wine tastings?

jamikins

A great way to spend an hour just after sunset is a river cruise.

You can book tickets here http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

If you get on a boat at xx:30 you should be at the Eiffel Tower to see it sparkle.

You don't need to choose a time until you get there.

MaineGG

According to Google maps, you are an 18-minute walk from the Petit Palais, a city of Paris municipal museum with no charge for admission to view its permanent collections. In the Paris 1900 collection is some beautiful glassware from Emil Gallé (Art Nouveau-from Nancy), Baccarat and others. This is a wonderful museum with many treasures on display.

https://www.google.com/search?q=emil...w=1280&bih=671

In addition to the Jacquemart-André recommended above, you are very close to the Musée Nissim de Camondo, another beautiful home with a sad but interesting family story.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3...sim_de_Camondo

WeisserTee

When is your trip? Be sure to ask for a room away from the construction if there will be any work on your dates. For example, the remodeling of the hotel's Executive Lounge will continue until April 30. You don't want a room anywhere near (and that includes above and below as well as beside) construction work.

fuzzbucket

If you want an organized wine tasting, and don't mind being surrounded by English speakers, go to the official "O Chateau" website. On this website, you can also take a semi-private boat ride on the Seine with champagne included.

jpie

This looks kind of interesting for wine and not too far away from your hotel

http://www.winebyone.com/site-uk.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...de_France.html