Just got back Sunday from Paris...and it was everything I hoped it would be and more! Our flight from Detroit to Paris last Tuesday evening was fairly smooth...until we got to CDG. That has to be one of the most confusing airports I've seen! But no matter...we got our bags and headed outside to catch the Paris Shuttle to our hotel. After a 45 minute wait while the driver found the others going into town with us (including a couple with an 8 month old baby and 10 suitcases...) we made our way into the city. Our hotel was in the 4th, about two blocks from Hotel DeVille. Hotel Andrea Rivioli, (a lovely little place) and within two blocks in either direction of a metro station. Thank you to the person who recommended it to me weeks ago! Once we got our bags stored, we were off! Notre Dame was within a few blocks, so we walked there first and around the Latin Quarter. We had purchased a 3 day museum pass which would allow us access to places along the way, but elected to wait until Wednesday to activate it to maximize the time we could use it! Walked back over to the 4th and tried to find someplace to eat...and was amazed to find row after row of Italian restaurants! And if they weren't Italian, they were Irish pubs! We were cold and hungry, and dedided to go to a pub and have fish and chips. We got all settled in and ready to order when we realized they didn't serve food! Just snacks...so we had our first Croq sandwich. Very tasty. After that we walked along the Seine, got our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, and walked around the Pyramid at the Louvre. I think we were back in our hotel and alseep by 9:30! Can't wait to see the rest of the city tomorrow!

And I can't wait to hear what you do next! Keep it coming heymo!

nice report.
it will be easier to read if you break it up in paragraphs.

Nice start - anxious to hear the rest! Can you review your hotel here a little more in-depth? The 4th is my favorite and I'm always looking for a nice, reasonably priced hotel there.

Hi. What street were all of the Italian restaurants and Irish pubs on??? Might want to check that out next month.

Good idea to break it into paragraphs...I got going and couldn't stop!

Our hotel was on Rue St. Bon, 2 blocks from the Hotel De Ville. We had room 603, which judging by the floor plan on the wall by the elevator was one of the biggest rooms in the hotel. (Which isn't saying much...) Given that, it was quite comfortable, and had two tall windows which each opened up to a little balcony big enough for one! $106 Euros per night. There may be hotels less expensive, but if we went back we'd definitely stay there again!

We got up around 9 the next morning, and after the requsite breakfast of croissants and chocolate pastries, we were off! Notre Dame was first, only 4 or 5 blocks from the hotel. I have to say, after seeing the duomos in Milan and Florence, I was a little underwhelmed by the size of the cathedral. But it is really beautiful in it's own way, and the view from the towers is quite nice. The gargoyles are amazing!
Next was Ste. Chappelle, and I have to say I was more impressed than with Notre Dame. The stained glass windows are breathtaking! We had planned to go to the Concegerie next, but had trouble finding it. (I found out later I was off by a whole street!) We instead walked to the Pantheon, stopping beforehand at a small Italian restaurant for some much needed lunch! I am still amazed at how many Italian restaurants there are in Paris!

After the Pantheon, we boarded the Metro to find the catacombes. We came up from the metro, and must have walked around the block 4 times looking for it! Finally we stumbled across the entrance and went inside. We traveled down into the bowels of the city, and just when I told my husband how disappointed I was not to see any bones, we arrived at the beginning of the actual catacombs. What a sobering experience that was! I don't know how many people are down there, but it must be in the hundreds of thousands. Quite an experience...

More to come...

Thank you for posting! You are doing a great job as a "first attempt"

This is quite enjoyable..continue

heymo...great trip report so far. I'm going to Paris in 44 days and reading reports makes me even more eager for my trip. Thanks!

Great report heymo. We, also are going in less than a month. I'm interested in seeing how you spent your days, since I am in the process of getting together somewhat of an itinerary. We're staying at Hotel Chomel in the 7th arrondissement. Anyone heard of it? Great reviews on Venere.com.

Please finish your Paris report. We are leaving in about 10 days from Det also and on a Tuesday and I'm so eager to learn more from you. Can't wait!

<font color="blue"> Nice report keep going !</font>

I'm off to Paris in 4 days! How was the weather? It's my biggest concern I'm enjoying your report, keep it coming!