My husband and I will be spending two days and nights in Paris. We're not really into museums and art. Does anybody have suggestions on what to do outside of museums? Of course we'll see the eiffel tower, but what else should we see and are trains just as good as taxis to get around?

I suggest you take the tourist bus (same as british buses with an upstairs floor), it's convenient , takes you to all major buildings and monuments , you can hop on and off...very touristy , but so easy to use!By the way , these buses are yellowish green in Paris , but I can't remember their name.Anyone can help?
Go to one museum only if it's nice out:the musée RODIN in the 7th arrondissement , because they have a garden , sculpture , and tea outside!
Take a guided tour of the parisian "passages"(covered galleries , XIXth century , that helped the belles not to have soaking hats and wet muddy feet when they went shopping).Look for the "passages parisiens" on google!

caljosh, click on the "destinations" at the top of the page and read what Fodors has to say about Paris. They give a pretty good overview of what Paris has to offer, including ratings of all the sights. It will give you some good ideas about how to use your two days.

My ideas? Sitting at a sidewalk cafe people watching. Believe it or not, in Paris this could take up hours! Visit the parks. My favorites are Butte-Chaumont in the 19th, Parc Monceau in the 8th, and Luxembourg Gardens in the 7th. Go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Shop, even if you're not into shopping. The dome at Galleries Lafayette is a sight so see. Peek into the churches and see some amazing architecture. Take a boat ride down the Seine. The possibilities in beautiful Paris are endless!

The metro (subway) and busses ARE as good as the train. If you think you're going to be visiting many parts of the city, you could buy a carnet, which is ten tickets for the metro/bus, which come at a discount over the regular single ticket price.

Not a museum person either, but 1 week in Paris flew by...

I suggest walking, walking, walking. From the OUTside I saw the Louve, Notre Dame, Eiffle Tower, Arc de Triomphe, etc. St. Chappelle is amazing. If the weather is good my favorite thing is to sit in the parks (the Tuilleries and Luxembourg Gardens are great and used by Parisians daily) or at a sidewalk cafe to have a glass of wine. The open air street markets, flea markets in various neighborhoods, walking along the Seine, are classic. And of course there's always shopping and eating!

You could buy a "Top Ten" guidebook for Paris, or just go to the library and copy an itinerary from Rick Steves or such..they usually have "Paris if you have one day", "Paris if you have two days", etc.

If the weather is good, hit a couple of 'high spots', ie. Tour Eiffel and Notre Dame, wander around in the 4th, 5th, 6th, take time for Jardin de Luxembourg and cafés... take a Seine cruise, espec at sunset...

The metro system is excellent... you can use the buses as well, perhaps a bit more 'work' to learn the system...Taxis are usually not 'hailed' in the street à la New York, but can be found at taxi ranks or have a hotel concierge call one up for you.

the metro is great, learn how to use it.

I believe the yellow green buses in Paris are part of the Paris Le Open Tours, run by cityrama and RATP together. I think there is a separate website with a pdf downloadable document which has this really fantastic map with the major atractions marked out. If the bus stops near your hotel, then you're in luck!

On one of the afternoons, spend your time on Ile de la Cite and Ile St. Louis. Just strolling, seeing Notre Dame, the charming architecture, etc. The main street on Ile St. Louis is great for shopping...window or otherwise. Berthillon Ice Cream is also on that street.

Check out the menu boards on the sidewalk in front of the restaurants and pick one for that night. As evening approaches, take one of the sunset cruises that leave from the Iles. Then return to the restaurant you chose earlier. Lastly, a late walk back to your hotel past Paris' softly-lit monuments and bridges.

Sigh....

DiY bus tour with maps and directions and everything (obviously you can alter the route to suit youself):

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568214

I don't know where you're staying so I'll just start at one place.

Start at the Old Opera Building. Walk down rue de la Paix and into Place Vendome. Pop in to the Ritz.

Wander out of Place Vendome at the other end and over to the Tuileries.

Turn right and walk over to Place de la Concorde. Wander the square and over to the bridge where you get a great view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.

Backtrack to the middle of Place de la Concrde and turn up the Champs Elysees. Walk up, periodically jumping into the street to see if the Arc de Triomphe appears to be getting closer.

When you reach the Arc, go up if the line isn't too long. Great views of the Eiffel Tower to the right and Sacre Coeur to the left off in the distance.

From the Arc walk down to the right over to the Seine and cross at the Alma Bridge (of Diana fame). From there wend your way to the Eiffel Tower. Spend some time there and then cross the bridge to Chaillot Palace and more great views of the Tower.

The above walk should take close to 3 hours if wandering at a leisurly pace.

Any more?