Paris - Need help on what to vist.
 

I will be visiting Paris for 3 days. Any suggestions on the best places to see. I will definitley visit the Louve and the Eiffel Tower.

HI
go elsewhere here on fodors.com to Destinations (see top of screen) and you will get basic info on Paris sights, even suggestions for short stays.
I recommend your buying a basic guidebook (Fodor's Paris is good, or Frommers) and a map.

I also recommend the Time Out city guide to Paris. I believe it is on timeout.com. Sacre Coeur at dawn or dusk is lovely.

Without knowing your interests, the question is hard to answer. Let me suggest that you NOT visit the Louvre unless you have definite objectives.
People who just wander in out of curiosity usually leave wondering about the place. It is huge, and after about 4 hours even the most experienced museum goers lose interest unless they have a specific agenda.

Don't get me wrong; the Louvre is a great art museum, but the size can be overwhelming. So if you go, know why you are going!!

I completely agree about the Louvre. It is overwhelming. Decide what you are going to see there before you go and try not to get lost. My favorite was the Musee D'Orsay. It is close to the Louvre and was much more to my liking.

Look here for a thread called "100 things to do in Paris" or something like that. You can choose a short list of things from that list, especially if reading about them in a guidebook to understand why they might be of interest.

someone has kindly brought that topic up to nearer the top--just scroll down on the left
I'll top it again myself

Hi Guys,

Rather than topping an old post (it just sinks again) why not post the link?

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...mp;tid=1277898

open the old post, right click on the title, left click on copy shortcut, paste in new post (CTRL V)

ira,

Fully agree with you.
I would have, if I could have. :((

So, I just added my impressions about the recently visited exhibit.

Although I often find Rick Steves to be superficial, and that when he lists a hotel that I like, I also cringe, he does have a good plan for a casual visit to the Louvre. If you are bound and determined to go there so you can cross it off the list, he has about 12 objects to view listed in his guide to Paris.

I understand that Mona has moved her audience chamber, which is good. She should have total privacy for three reasons: one she can be guarded better and, two, there were other Leonardo paintings in the room but nobody knew it because the mob admiring Mona was so thick, and three, the Mona throng can be isolated from the rest. (The last time I was there the admiring throng was so large I said to heck with it; I have seen the eyebrowless wonder before. My wife rooted and ruded her way for a closer view only to be hit in the eye by some joker trying to hold his camera up high so he could flash a picture over people's heads.) There are other paintings in the world, but it seems like 80% of the visitors to the Louvre don't know or care much about them. View Mona, Winged Victory, Liberty Leading the People, and Venus, call it a visit, cross the Louvre off the "must see" list, add it to the boasting list, send the obligatory postcard, and then get out.

Speaking of Mr. Steves, everytime he lists a hotel or pension, I cringe because I figure I just lost a good place to stay.
As Yogi Berra is reported to have said,
"That place is so crowded, nobody goes there anymore." And to make a slight variation on the insurance theme, the establishment listed starts charging more, so it wants more cash which is just as good as money. (credit card bills do come due even if interest rates are lower)

I second Musee D'Orsay, though you'll want to check which days of the week they're open. My first Paris trip they were closed the two days I had free.

Of course as "must sees", Notre Dame and Arc de Triomphe. And if you're there in the summer, I just read about La Plage, a beach that's been constructed along the Seine for a few months. Would probably be a fun novelty to catch.

Why does everyone say you need an agenda for the Louvre???? Part of the charm of the Louvre is the abundance of great art! If you go just for the typical sights, you will miss many of the more unknown, but fabulous pieces. For instance, some of the Dutch paintings are amazing and you can have almost a private viewing while everyone is crowded around the Mona Lisa and elbowing each other in the eye!
Incidentally, save a day for just strolling around, enjoying the small shops, cafes, etc, perhaps on the Ilse St. Louis or Marais area!

I think a visit to the Louvre website is very helpful before you go.
It gives you a virtual tour, helps you plan your time there, otherwise though you may stumble upon something wonderful, it is also possible just to wander aimlessly through the immense place without getting to see the things that possibly interest you. If for example I got lost in the Egyptian section (which interests me not at all) and really wanted French paintings 17th century, I'd waste a lot of time and energy.

I do agree with the posting that rick steves has a good Louve walking tour. His Paris guidebook also has a great walking tour of the highlights of the Musee D'Orsay and other neighborhoods. I don't like his hotel recommendations however unless you want to stay with all other Rick Steve fans.

Here's a website for 3-hour tour of the Louvre. My wife & I did it. It was great and hit the highlights. We got turned around a little bit when one of the exhibits was blocked off for whatever, but got right bakc on track. It took us a couple of minutes in the beginning to get our bearings.

http://www.gettingaway.com/directory...ris/louvre.htm ((b))

Arm yourself with a good map and just walk. Through the streets and alleyways, through the parks, along the Seine...just walk. And wonder at all the beautiful treasures of Paris that will unfold before your eyes.

Dont forget to visit Saint Denis Cathedral. The metro number 13 goes there, is off the tourists path, also is the burial's ground of many kings and queens of France.

Please please take a sunset boat tour on the Vendettes at Pont Neuf. We did it on our first night there and it was the highlight of my trip and possibly of all my travels. We got a half bottle of wine and a delicious quiche and sat in the park before. Then took the rest of our wine on the cruise which was at a word..breathtaking. My husband who had initially balked at the idea, took over an hour of video and agreed with me that it was the best 9 euros ever spent.
As for the Louvre, we tried following Rick Steves and it was fine, but then we grabbed a map and just picked some things we wanted to see. We were done in 3.5 hours and had a delightful time. We didn't even attempt to see everything but are excited to do another few sights in the museum on our next trip. Anyone who brags about 'skipping' the louvre is just annoying.
One thing which no one ever posts about was Napolean's apartments in the Louvre. They were UNBELIEVEABLE, talk about luxury and a nice preview of what we were to see at Versailles. We really enjoyed that part of the louvre and were shocked that no one was in the apartments.
Have dinner at Le Flormiond, you'll find alot of posts about it here and I highly recommend it. Its a short walk to the base of the Eiffel tower after your meal.

Definitely do the Vendettes at Pont Neuf Cruise. Be sure to bring your own wine, cheese, fruit. Great fun. It's a BYOB cruise. ((b))

If the weather's nice, have a picnic in Luxembourg Gardens or the Tuileries. Visit a bakery or sandwich shop first and get lunch to go. Sit at a sidewalk cafe & drink wine in the Latin Quarter. Watch a mime or street performers.