yet another canal boattrip, one I very much enjoyed on the sunday. However, if time is short, it's perhaps too much of an investment of your time.
https://www.pariscanal.com/croisiere...?cn-reloaded=1

<<The Bateaux Mouches are tour boats. I believe Ann is talking about the Batobus which is like a hop-on-hop-off bus on the water. https://www.batobus.com/en>>

Nikki - you're right. That is indeed what I meant. In my defence it's about 10 years since I was in Paris and they both begin with B.

Thank you, TDudette, for bringing up the Musee Jacquemart-Andre. Indeed, a wonderful spot!

Oh, dfrosty, you need a month more! 😁

Thanks, janeyre! Jacquemart.... has a sweet caf� iirc.

One of my regular things is to visit the BHV department store (opposite the Hōtel de Ville). I've picked up all sorts of small kitchen and household items there - place mats, cushion covers, egg cups, even a baking tray/mould for making macarons (or trying to). The basement there also has some potential souvenirs, like those distinctively French house number plaques and assorted signs, even if you're not interested in the rest of the DIY/hardware stuff. Plus, it has a fair range of caf�s and restaurants.

Patrick, thanks, even the building looks wonderful.
menchem, the canal trip thru locks looks like something my husband is going to be sorry to miss. He doesn't want to ever get on a plane again but doesn't mind me traveling.

TDudette, I skimmed a book Ninasdream recommmded that was a free spirited trip thru France and lomger than my paltry 2 weeks total. C'est la vie.

dfrost, in may a picnic in any park is a wonderful alternative to eating in your hotel room, for either lunch or dinner. Paris is so much about soaking up the atmosphere!

dfrost, you don't need to go to one of the huge parks to eat outside. I'm not familiar with the area near your hotel but there are so many charming little pocket parks in the neighborhoods and church yards.

And if anything would get your husband to Paris, this is it. Les collections | mus�e des Arts et M�tiers . It is an amazing place and also has Foucault's Pendulum.

Yo DF, the gardener in you might appreciate the peaceful oasis that is the 'Jardin des Combattants de la Nueve' attached to the Hotel de Ville (City Hall). Water lilies, roses and more. A nice respite from the crowds and chaos, as few tourists are aware of its existence. You ask about food markets. Je propose the Bastille one held on Thursdays and Sundays on Richard Lenoir. The added-value there is that one could also visit Pl. des Vosges, which is nearby.
A pair of accommodation tips: 1) maybe check out Pl. Dauphine, as staying there would provide a pair of lovely island neighbourhoods to wander. 2) Hotel St. Paul sometimes has offered a 'free extra day'--dunno about their current post-covid deals.

Lastly, a lesser-known, far more local neighbourhood to visit as a contrast: Charonne. Its St. Blaise section has some nice places to eat that seem to have less of the 'mad tourist rush' vibe detracting from chilled-out enjoyment.
I am done. The City

zebec, I have been to Paris many times and in and around Hotel de Ville. I never knew about this garden. If I get back, it will be a must see.

dfrost, BVH is across the street from Hotel de Ville. As PatrickLondon suggested, BVH has everything you could want on the bottom two floors for gifts and mementos and tempting things you never thought you needed or even existed.

Count me as another who didn’t know about this garden. It appears it has only been accessible to the public since 2015 and is only open weekends and holidays.

https://www.sortiraparis.com/arts-cu...y-hall/lang/en

Ce jardin especiale n'est ouverte qu'aux invites speciaux sous le forme d'affiches chevronnes de FODORS ainsi que de femmes doit maris preferent les automobiles anciennes et comme ca.
Je pense.
I am done. The Rush swan song called 'The Garden'.

What fun, zebec, you've revealed a secret garden others didn't know about. It looks easy to get to.
Gomiki, the museum looks close to my hotel, too. I think the last time sh got on a plane it was with a friend to go to Meeting of the Green for John Deere lovers. They toured the factory.

There is so much to see that is convenient to the hotel at first the idea of visiting Paris was a bit overwhelming but all of you have given great recommendations that will keep me busy but not bewildered. It is much appreciated.

Garden bravos, zebec!

Just so that we're all being objective: that above jardin is not very big. But it makes a fantastic place to peacefully wander in, and take a sort of 'time-out' from the oft-hectic flaneur of Paris.
Btw DF, Sainte-Chappelle is a must in our book too. Important to book ahead for the live chamber-music performances there. Those musical moments provide a precious two-fer of music plus that famed stained glass.

You'll love Le Marais, its vibe is exactly what many travelers from our part of the world seek.
Maybe have lunch at The Paris Mosque cafe? Wonderful setting, good food and tea, and sometimes a hammam treatment too.
Good luck et bon voyage!

'When we are young
wandering the face of the earth.
Wondering what our dreams might be worth.
Learning that we're only immortal
for a limited time.'

('Dreamline'--by Johnny Shandoo & the Broken Pediments.)

Thank you again, zebec. The words from Dreamline are touching.

and good thing I already own pants with elastic waists. I love that mint tea and It jas been many years since I had some.

dfrost,
You might want to sign up for the weekly email from Paris Update or just check into their website from time to time. Each week you will find a brief restaurant review, news about a featured exhibition, and a round-up of current and upcoming events.

https://www.parisupdate.com

k_marie - thanks so much for that link as I am now also going to be in Paris at the end of May with the intention of meeting up with Frosty and another fodorite. I have already scoped out that it has some good suggestions for restaurants near where I'm staying in the 5th so that bodes well!

Thanks k-marie. That should be helpful.i would love to find something local that would be off the usual tourist radar. One time I went on a garden tour of an Anchorage AK neighborhood. Only time I've been on a garden tour and visited a garden with a beer keg. Usually they only serve lemonade.
And I'm excited to see Annhig again. First time I met her was in VT where she had arranged dinner with some friends. They picked a great restaurant. It will be fun not to dine alone at least once during my topime in Paris.

annhig and dfrost, this Paris adventure keeps getting better and better! I�m looking forward to the reports!

I believe I first learned about Paris Update here on Fodor�s. I like having that weekly connection to what�s happening there.

Question for anyone who has gone to Ste-Chapelle for an evening concert: Are you able to see the beauty of the stained glass in the evening? I always suggest going on a sunny day when the effect of the light through the glass is magical.

Our favorite musical experience in Paris is at Eglise St-Sulpice where the organ is considered to be the best in the city. When in Paris, we plan to hear the organ at the Sunday 11 am Mass and recital afterwards. St-Sulpice occasionally hosts evening concerts of classical music.