Paris "MUST DO" ACTIVITIES
 

Other than the museums, what are some must do activities that are really fun and exciting.

example: I was told by a friend to go on a guided group bicycle tour that takes you to many of the key sites in one day.

can anyone tell me of some of your great experiences. Thanks to all.

Not that I've done it, but I've seen lots of people having a great fun time on the Segway tours, rather than bicycles. I think Mike's Bikes run those too

Hi d,

Mike's Bikes is now Fat Tire
http://www.fattirebiketoursparis.com/

Go to the bottom for the Segway tours.

You might want to watch or join the Roller Bladers

http://www.pari-roller.com/

The Batobus is a good way to get an orientation to the city.

www.batobus.com

((I))

My idea of "must do's" are not quite so active:
1. buy crepe from sidewalk vendor and try not to let it drip down your shirt
2. sit on park bench with wine and nod as police walk by, totally ignoring you
3. find a good (amusing) busker (street entertainer), watch and laugh, and throw some coins in the hat
4. watch sunset over the Seine bridges
5. successfully buy something from the RATP official (especially exciting if they decide to assemble your Carte Orange for you) :)

I agree with travelnut, I Watched the sunset as we looked down the seine from a bridge (I believed it was Rue du bac)
holding my wife's hand and thinking I am in Heaven. Now thats fun!

Lots of "fun & exciting" things that we have done when in Paris. Of course, it is very subjective but we would include in our list: 1) top of Eifel Tower at night when you can view all of the city lit up below. 2) a river cruise (day or night). 3)walking around the Markets 4) Riding the Metro- and making the correct connections!
4) Sitting at a sidewalk cafe and watching the world go by. 5) Just taking a deep breathe and realize that, yes, you are in Paris!

Go to a market and learn French by reading the signs on the stuff. Great way to learn that the funny word following "veau" on a menu means brains.

A sampling tour of patisseries is always fun :) Who makes the best pain au chocolat, who makes the best macarons,etc..
In order to offset the pleasant damage from the above, do a lot of walking. Central Paris is best seen on foot. Walk from the Arc de Triomphe down past the Louvre, walk along the Seine and on Ile St Louis, walk from the Seine to the Musee Orsay via Rue St Germain,etc...A boat cruise (there are several options) at sunset or nightime is visually satisfying, perhaps a tour of the catacombs? Go up the funicular to Sacre Coeur...Jazz clubs, trendy nightclubs, fashion, its all there too!

Part of the eternal charm of Paris is not only things that are fun and exciting, but also the lifestyle and culture that you will see there. That's one reason to put time aside to "do nothing"

Mike

After traveling to Paris 7 times, I enjoyed reading "100 great things to do in Paris" on this forum. We came up with a fairly long and fun list of new things to do on our trip this fall. Then there are the things to do every time - concert at Ste. Chapelle; boatride on the Seine; stop at the Pont des Arts to see the performance artists; sit in a chair in the sun in Luxembourg Gardens or the Tuilleries and watch the people; visit the Musee D'Orsay and see the bear (and of course, the Impressionists!); visit at least one patisserie each day; sit in the Cafe Bonaparte and watch the children go to school while eating breakfast; walk and walk and walk - there is always something wonderful to see, like the Sonya Rykeil windows at the corner of Blvd St Germain and Rue des Saints-Peres. To me Paris is eternally fun and exciting.

I did the evening Segway tour this past spring - a lot of fun and definitely one of the highlights during our time in Paris.

Simply stop each late afternoon and have a glass of champagne. Or two! It refreshes from a strenuous day, and gets you ready for the evening hours. We've enjoyed countless such occasions during our annual visits to this great city.

HI
I'm going to suggest the Paris superthread as another source of info

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236

For me sitting in a park, reading a book and watching the people is what I enjoy the most. The Rodin Garden for 1E is great value and you can have an expresso while you sit(more than 1E). Also Luxumberg Gardens, watching the kids(and adults) sail their boats. Parc Monceau is also beautiful and not often referred to by tourists and certainly worth sitting on a sunny bench and sharing a glass of wine and cheese with someone.

I have to agree that leaving time to watch Paris unfold before your eyes is sound advice.

We spent about an hour one afternoon at Place des Voges watching parenting styles.

The park has a play ground for children and a water fountain in the center that attracts young children like a magnet. We gave the first prize to the young lady who let her son, about 2, play and splash to his heart's content while she stood about a yard away ready to grab him if he fell in. Then she dried him off with a cloth she had in her bag, slipped a dry shirt on him, and he was ready to run off happily to do something else. By contrast, the ones who hauled their children away kicking and screaming bloody murder got the booby prize. There is a better way to do it.

There was one little guy, about 4 who had a soccer ball but could find no one to kick it back to him. I speak no French and he spoke no English, but that was not a factor. I cannot kick much, but enough to exchange a few boots with this little guy. For his size, he got a lot of ooomph on the ball and his passes were accurate. But he needed to play with someone who could run.

The other funny incident occurred along the walkway by Champs des Mars. There was a minor collision between a young hotshot on a skateboard and a middle aged woman.

She let loose with a withering blast at the young marauder. At the height of her tirade she kicked his skateboard down the steps. Had she had a little more leg power, and a hard toe, she might have put his board in the Seine.
(Good thing Michelle Akers or Brianna Scurry was not the kicker. That guy would have been diving in the creek for his board.)

I could not understand a word she said, but I knew exactly what she meant.

This is a related question.
Is there a city in Europe that is more interesting in which to stroll than Paris?

I don't find London fun for a stroll.
The steets are too loud and narrow.

And Vienna while interesting ranks a little below Paris.

And Rome, let's not get into that one.

A river cruise at night was a highlight of my visit in 2001.

Last year, we attended the Edith Piaf exhibit, as my husband is a hugh fan. He totally enjoyed it and I enjoyed watching him enjoy it!

Also, we loved the Monoprix grocery stores. Their selections are wonderful and you really need to check one out if you are foodies.

bob, I think Paris and Venice are about equal as cities to stroll in (perhaps not in the height of summer season), with Venice having a slight edge as it is quieter without the autos

Going to see a movie without the "cheat sheet"!

Going to a rock concert at the L'Olympia or any other small venue.

Riding Bus 68.

I tend to agree with elaine about the Venice vs. Paris strolling issue. Although, I suppose there is a subtle shade of difference in meaning between "strolling" and "wandering".

What's bus 68?

While my husband and I were in Paris in November, we rode in a tethered helium balloon in the Parc Andre Citroen. Although my husband has a fear of heights, the 500 meters was a piece of cake!

Well worth it.

Carmen

"Bus 68" means the public bus line #68...Montrouge/ave Gen Leclerc/Raspail/St Germain/Opera/Clichy

#69 is a good one: Champ de Mars/Invalides/Louvre/Hotel de Ville/Bastille/Pere Lachaise