Paris: LAST MINUTE advice?
 

My wife and I are leaving for Paris in 2 days for a 4 night stay. Is there ANYTHING we should/must do prior to going? Any reservations or advance ticket purchases, etc that are a MUST? Any other last minute advice?

Hopefully you have your hotel reservations??

Yes...we are staying at the Relais Bosquet in the 7th.

I've only been to Paris once and went with no preparations other than hotel reservations.

Get a good city map when you arrive (our best one came free from the hotel lobby). Pick up a weekly entertainment guide at a newstand. Just choose a few sights you want to see and start walking! Or since you will be in the 7th, you might want to Metro or taxi down to say the Latin Quarter, Notre Dame, Luxembourg Gardens and then head walking back along the Champs Elysee, Tuilleries Arc de Triomphe, to Eiffel Tower (excuse my terrible spelling). Stop for lunch in a sidewalk cafe or buy food for a picnic in a park.

Because I am not a museum buff or show-goer, there was nothing I considered a MUST see or needed ticket for. If you do have these requests, and at this late date, I'd start by asking the person at your hotel front desk for help after you arrive.

Watch for the pickpockets in the metro, especially if you are going to Montmartre,also
dont stand near the metro door, the thiefs like to be there because is easy to run away after they get your billford..

If you go to the Louvre , Do Not take a picture of the Mona Lisa, signs are posted everywhere, but unfortunately many people dont care if doing so , it could cause grave damage to the painting..
Most of all enjoy yourself and discover this beautiful city by foot..is the best way to know Paris..
Bon Voyage..

You may want to get a streetwise map. It is very handy and light. You can get them at Barnes.

Have a good map - before leaving CDG airport if you are taking the metro into the city - otherwise your hotel might give you a free one.

When you land, pick up a Pariscope and/or Officiel des Spectacles. Comes out weekly (Thursday?), French but with an enlgih section, events, restaurants,etc.. I like Michelin Blue as my street map. Have a few euros just in case, but you will find ATM at airport (do you have 4 digit PIN?)... Check the weather?...photocopy guidebooks so don't have to lug around...Fodor notes assembled?
Otherwise, enjoy!

You have made a good hotel choice. The street you are on runs into the rue Cler market street one block if you take a right out of the hotel. To your left almost next door at the corner of Bosquet is one of the areas outstanding artisanal boulangeries. Take a left on Bosquet and you are only about 100 yards to the Palce Ecole Militaire. Catch the #87 bus there and it will take you on a great tour of St. Germain, the N. edge of the Latin Quarter and across the bridge at the S. end of the Ile St. Louis, with stops along the way at Le Bon Marché, Bonaparte/St. Germain, Seine/Buci,Odeon, Cluny,etc., all for one bus/metro ticket.Another wonderful tour for only one ticket can be had by turning right on Bosquet and going 2 blocks to St. Dominique and catching the #69 bus which will take you right through the Esplanade of Les Invalides, Musée D'Orsay, across the Pont Royale, along the Seine by the Louvre, Notre Dame, Hotel de Ville, and the Place Bastille. So far you have made 2 great tours for the cost of about €1 each, plus another € to get back. Don't miss the Thurs./Sat. morning farmers market at Saxe-Breteuil. If you would like some restaurant reccs. in the area just let me know your price range.

Michel__Paris, apparently Pariscope has discontinued its English language section. It was supplied by Time Out Paris which ceased publication about a month ago.

It's still a very useful guide to what's happening in Paris and the listings can be interpreted by most people with a working knowledge of days of the week in French.

I am with Jay: Definitely Streetwise map! They are clear and also provide an excellent metro map. I would steer clear of any hotel maps- I found them to be confusing and too general to help. Get a carnet of 10 metro tickets. Don't be preoccuppied with doing too much. Maybe pick one or 2 things a day- that way you have a plan, but can still go where your whim takes you if you just feel like strolling.

Hi by,

>Any reservations or advance ticket purchases, etc that are a MUST?<

I assume that you have your passports and airplane tickets.

Enjoy your trip

If you would like my Paris chart I will email to you.

Please send to [email protected] and put "paris chart" in the subject so I won't delete it out.

You might want to email your hotel for a dinner reservation or two. Paris hotels are very good about this, I find. Fontaine du Mars is a good choice near where you are staying.

The only really bad meal I've ever had in Paris was a Rick Steves recommendation near your hotel. I would not eat at any Steves recommended places again.

Also near you is Michel Chaudon chocolatier. If you are a chocolate lover, be sure to stop by for his pavees. Yummy.

Fish La Boinsonnerie is a fun seafood restaurant in the 6th. You may want to do just a little research on eating if you are a bit of a foodie.

Have a great time.

Eat every lemon tart you possibly can. They are fabulous! Gérard Mulot does a particularly fine version.