Since Paris is ALWAYS good idea :)
 

I want to plan a week-long trip to Paris...sometime probably within the next two years. (Don't know when) BUT besides the usual "sights" that I know are there...what else should i do?

These can be recommendations anywhere from Amazing shops to restaurants, bars, and even off-the-beaten-path activities that will make me fall in love with the city :)

There is a weekly cultural guide (Pariscope, I believe) that is available for €.50 that will list all shows, movies, exhibits, etc.

One thing I did last time was apply to Paris Greeters for a free walking tour by one of their volunteers. A lovely gentleman showed me around the Latin Quarter. We walked around the colleges and university courtyards and went to a small local market. It was just so nice to meet and talk to a local Parisian who loved their city and was keen on sharing it with a visitor.

This tripr eport might interest you:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-de-france.cfm

DW and I have always been happy with Paris Walks. (http://www.paris-walks.com/) When we go back in March we WILL take the chocolate tour and promise a trip report.

Have you been to Paris before? You should make a comprehensive list of the things you know you want to see so people have some context to make suggestions.

We recently returned from a two-week stay in Paris (my 9th visit)and didn't have time to do all of the things on our list. Some of the things we return to time after time are the Louvre, the Musee D'Orsay, the Orangerie, Ste. Chapelle, a Seine River cruise, the Tuilleries, Luxembourg Gardens. It helps to know if you like museums, parks, gardens, markets, churches, etc. The Picasso Museum just reopened after a 5-year renovation and is well worth a visit. A week may seem like a long time but it will fly by so get a good guidebook and we will help you fill your time with things that appeal.

Happy Planning.

I truly wonder how many threads there are about Paris--really. And how many of those ask for "out of the way things to do". And we reinvent them every time for anyone who doesn't want to look for even one thread apparently.
Grinchy, yes. Real, yes.

Some of the old posts are just that - old. In my experience with the search function here, it is not worth it to do a search broad enough to have more than one hit and then spend 30 minutes perusing an old thread that doesn't remotely answer the questions I'm seeking answers or advice upon. I've found myself doing the searches, finding very dated information and seeking an update. I also see several regulars here who roundly criticize newbies who bring up a post from three or four years ago by asking a question or updating information on the post.

So really, you'll get it from one end or the other - you didn't search and you're wasting my time, or you brought up an old post - just post one yourself and you're wasting my time. Might I suggest that you simply, when confronted with a post or thread that aggravates one of your own personal pet peeves, that you just ignore it and move on? I suspect there are hundreds of posters here that have a personal pet peeve of not liking people posting about their pet peeves, especially to newbies; but since it is their pet peeve, they don't bring it up.

I don't suffer from such niceties.

As to the OP, I can't give you information on specifics that might make YOU fall in love with Paris. I can give you insights into what my DW and I have fallen in love with on our trips to Paris.

Markets. Daily ones. Weekend ones. Food ones. Book ones. They are all over. Try any of these threads:
http://www.fodors.com/search/results...=Paris+Markets

Walking. Coming from a mid sized city in middle America, walking around town here is not remotely as interesting as it is in Paris (or any other Large World Capital for that matter) and just seeing the differences in everyday life. From parking along streets willy-nilly to all the little poles along the curb lines and on corners, the local customs - like actually saying hello to the shop owner or clerk when you walk in to a store; the dichotomy of the greeting custom compared with the personal privacy one.

As a community planner, I love the relative efficiency and pleasantness of public transportation in Paris. I love in some of the older stations there used to be route planners that allowed you to push a button of where you were and where you wanted to go and the map would show you the most efficient route - and none of it computerized!

Lastly, I recommend that you plan on staying in an Apartment (legal one of course) and not in a hotel. With this plan, you'll have to learn a little of the language to communicate and during this language study, you'll likely find other interesting customs that you haven't seen before.

Remember, we can tell you what you'll love, only you can do that, and likely only be actually planning and executing the trip. And planning the trip is almost as exciting and interesting as actually taking the trip.

<I>I love in some of the older stations there used to be route planners that allowed you to push a button of where you were and where you wanted to go and the map would show you the most efficient route - and none of it computerized!</I>

A lot of stations still have those electric maps although they are disconnected at the moment -- and I have even seen them in modern stations that have been renovated. They have made a point of leaving those maps in place. I am hoping that it is because they have plans for the future. While it would be a bit ridiculous to connect the buttons for the 302 stations the way it used to be done, it shouldn't be too hard to install a new touchscreen at the bottom that would still have all of those wonderful little lights illuminate the big map.

bookmarking

Decide your likes, Architecture? Great Restaurants, Fashion ? Historical sights ? Museums? Buy a book or google to see what you will enjoy But do experience the open air markets nothing like the picayune we have here in Boston

P.S. Did you know that " Paris is always a good idea "
is a quote of Audrey Hepburn. I bought a sweatshirt
online with the quote

plan it, then check cityvox.fr for listings. there's always so much going on that it really is worthwhile to check out shortly before you go.

Actually, I think the quote is Sabrina Fairchild's. Audrey Hepburn should get the credit for portraying her in the movie of the same name. Julia Ormond reprised the role in the mid-90's with Harrison Ford playing Humprhey Bogart's character Linus Larrabee.

DW and I watch the movie before each trip to Paris to get us in the mood for Paris!

If you're at all interested in seeing the outskirts of Paris, check out Fat Tire Bike Tours. I've traveled with them loads and have never been disappointed. You can go to Versailles, Giverny, etc...the Paris by Night tour is so much fun and an incredible way to see the city! In my opinion, it doesn't take much to fall in love with the city...my first trip was at age 16 and I was totally hooked. Now every time I'm overseas I figure out a way to stay for at least a couple of days even if it's out of the way.

Totally agree with apersuader65 about the apartment. Use VRBO or airbnb or something similar to find one that fits you. Much cheaper and generally you'll get a much better feel for true Paris. Hotels are great for what they are - free breakfast and fresh linens and a shuttle if you're lucky, but if you want to get to know the city, that's a great way to start!

Good luck to you! The planning is half the fun!!

apersuader recommended a (legal) apartment, which seems to preclude airbnb and maybe VRBO too.

Menachem...Noted!! I guess I take for granted that my rentals are required to be permitted or I face hefty hefty fines. I've always rented through VRBO and airbnb and have loved my stays, and list my rentals through them as well, but never had second thoughts! Very good point!!

To be more specific my interests include Designer shopping, vintage stores, and clothing stores at lower costs. ALSO HAT SHOPS!!
I also love bookstores and book shopping.
Recommendations on restaraunts would be nice, as well as the best food tours.

Anybody know anything on cooking classes?