Barb

If you had four days in Paris - what would you see and what would you not waste your time on?

clairobscur

What are you interested in?

alexx

hi,
I spend a great 4 days in Paris last year.
See the Musee D'Orsay, and if you like Monet, the Musee Marmottan. Take an evening (sunset if you can) boat tour on the seine, climb the Eiffel Tower, eat at the patisseries--cheap lunch spots and yummy desserts...eat pain du chocolat at the boulangerie, visit one of the grocery stores to see how the French shop, take the Metro it is so easy...walk, walk, walk. Notre Dame's stained glass windows are awesome...This is just a start, hope it helps

elaine

Barb
I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it, email me.
Most general guidebooks for Paris include suggestions and priorities
for itineraries for short stays.
People on this forum can make better suggestions if they know your interests and even your approx age
I think the must-see museums are
the Louvre, even if briefly; the Orsay,
the Marmottan, and the Rodin. I think the must-see churches and monuments are
Notre Dame, Ste Chapelle, and the Eiffel Tower even if you don't go inside.
One of the boat trips is especially nice at night, but don't go for dinner, just the ride. Food is expensive and mediocre.
Take a walk around the left bank so you can see the charming streets and cafes, and also take a walk around the Marais and Ile St Louis for more charm and great icecream. Eat pastries and bread and realize like everyone else that the French have perfected the art of dining, no matter how little you want to spend.
There is absolutely no reason to ever have a bad meal there.

chaz

see the Musee d'orsay.... this is much more of a must than Le Louvre. Eiffel tower, la Bastille by night.
Try a little restaurant called La Gare up in the 21st arrondisement (I think)- it's awesome

elvira

Here's what *I* would do with 4 days in Paris:
Spend a whole day in the Louvre. Get there when it opens, have lunch there, leave when the place closes.
Spend a half day at the d'Orsay from opening until 1, quick lunch, spend the afternoon at the Picasso Museum (if it were Thursday, I would switch the order, spend more time at the Picasso and at the d'Orsay which is open late Thursday nights).
On a weekend, I'd go to the Vanves flea market from opening until 1, lunch, drop off my treasures, spend the afternoon at Pere Lachaise.
One morning wandering thru the 13eme, and if it's a Wednesday, visit the Gobelins Factory, then the afternoon at what ever special exhibit is at Jeu de Paume or Petit/Grand Palais.
One evening at a concert in a church or cathedral; one evening at a jazz club; one evening at a ballet or opera; one evening with my feet up, a bottle of wine, and French TV (you haven't lived 'til you've watched X-Files dubbed in French "eh, Scoolee?")

The alternative would be 4 classes at the Ritz Escoffier, shopping at the department stores after, evenings as above.

Daniel

Dear Barb, I agree with others that Musee D'Orsay is a magnificent art museum, but going there and to the Louve or the Rodan museum and others are for those who like art. I like art but I am not a true art fan. I was not prepared for the quantity of art in Paris in genreal or the D'Orsay in particular. I had to stop about half way through one of the galleries in D'Orsay because the concentration of beauty brought tears to my eyes. You also asked about what to skip. Les Egoutes (sp?) or sewers are included in the Museum Card, but there are better things to do on a rainy day. If you like stained glass you can get much closer to the windows at Ste Chapelle than Notre Dame. If you get a sunny day, try to get there around noon for the best light. The view from the dome of Sacre Couer is very nice, but not for those with vertigo and the stairs to and from the dome are not for those with claustraphobia. Monmarte at Sacre Couer has an outdoor artists market. If you want a high view of Paris but can't deal with Sacre Couer or the Eiffel Tower there is the free observation deck on the Samaritan deaprtmetn store. The Latin Quarter is worth a visit for dinner and quite vibrant in the evenings. I also agree with the idea of taking one of the river cruises after dark, but not for dinner. If you like archeology there is a display beneath the plaza in front of Notre Dame. While you're in the plaza you might want to find the stone that marks the offial center of Paris and point of origin for its district system. The prison and cell from which Marie Antoinette went to her execution in adjacent to Ste Chapelle, but both of these are within the central police headquarters or some military location so your belongings will be searched before you can enter. If you are there in spring or summer and like gardens there are the Tulleries (tulips) and the Luxombourg Gardens (on the weekend there are lots of families and there is a vendor at the large fountain rents little sail boats that children sail in the fountain). L'Arc de Trimuph is most dramatic at night, but day or night find the pedestrain underpass! If you like history Napoleon's tomb is good. Also one of the churches (now called Pantheon I think) was converted to a "temple of reason" or words to that effect and you can visit the tombs of Voltaire, Madame Currie, and more famous French persons than I can remember, As I recall Focalt first demonstrated his pendullum here, and one is still operating there being suspended from the dome of the church. You didn't mention if you have traveled in France or Europe before. You have probably read the other postings but: Learn and remember to say "good day sir/madame, please, thank you, and goodby madame/sir" in French. Money will often be placed on the counter rather than actually from hand to hand. Public toilets may be common to men and women. Baseball caps are worn by Americans and berettes by rural farmers.

Harriett

One thing I don't think anyone else mentioned is to try to catch one of the incredible street markets that spring up in various neighborhoods on different mornings. Even if you're not enraptured by food, these markets are fascinating, and more evidence of why food is such an event in France.

Personally, I wouldn't miss the Rodin (and possibly lunch in the cafe in the gardens, if it's lunchtime) and Pere Lachaisse . . . and, on a Sunday, the bird market near Notre Dame, especially if it's close to Easter!