I am planning my first excursion to Paris this December (by myself!!). I am a single American female and very excited but a little nervous about my trip. I have purchased Rick Steve's guide book, which has been very informative. I am staying in the Rive Gauche area near St. Germain Des Pres. Does anyone have any sage advice, words of wisdom or suggestions of "must see" places (in addition to the standard tourist attractions, i.e. -Louvre, Palace of Versailles, Champs de Elysee). Thanks to all who respond!!

Xrcizfanatic:
You'll love Paris - one of the most wonderful cities in the world to visit. Be sure to visit the Musee D'Orsay, with it's wonderful collection of impressionistic works. The building itself is gorgeous, an old train station, right on the Seine. It's touristy, but treat yourself to a trip on a Bateau Mouche, on the Seine. Night-time is the best, with the spotlights shining on the sights on the river's edge. Be sure to walk thru the narrow streets of the Left Bank, especially at dinner-time, up/down the rows of streets, full of Greek and French restaurants. If you've got time, visit St. Chappel (spelling?) - this was the King's private chapel. The 'walls' are made of stained glass, with just small ribs of stone to hold it all in place. Beautiful, especially on a sunny day. If the weather is nice, start a walk near the Louvre, through the Gardens of the Tuilleries, down to the Champs Ellyses. Be sure to partake in a crepe, almost anywhere in the city. My favorite - dark chocolate (not Nutella) and banana. Enjoy !!!!!

If I can give you one piece of advice for a first timer it would be to avoid the tourist trap restaurants in rue de la Harpe, rue de la Huchette, and all the little streets in that area of the Latin Quarter. The food is terrible.

Do have a drink at Les Deux Magots and
Cafe de Flore but I don't think you will get a good meal except for maybe a snack croque or suchlike.
I don't know what your budget is but there are some wonderful eating alternatives that need not be at all expensive.

I went to Paris for two weeks on my own last year and had a wonderful time even meeting up with other solo Fodorites who happened to be in Paris at the same time. It's a good idea to advertise your travel dates on Fodors suggesting a GTG for anyone interested.

Sorry to contradict what another poster just said, but this forum is what opinions are for - and my opinion is that the advice tod gave is not great. The food in the restaurants in the rue de Harpe area (just off Place St Michelle) is not terrible. It's touristy, it's cheap, but it's not awful and if you find yourself in that area and wanting an inexpensive dinner it's perfectly fine to go there. Your hotel is not that far from that area. On the other hand, the advice to have a drink at Les Deux Magots and Cafe Flore - I think that's tourist rip off number one in Paris. They are great old cafes, with rich history, but they are in all the guide books and so are totally filled with tourists and extremely over priced. There are a hundred better places to have a relaxing cup of coffee or a drink.

Posting your dates to see if you can meet up with other Fodorites is a good idea though.

Rick Steves book, as well as Frommers, and several others have "walks". In fact, you can buy whole books of Paris Walks and I think these are a great way to explore areas in a focused way. Paris is so much more than the big attractions. Make sure you balance your time and don't just run from one major site to another.

The first three responses to this question prove that there are many ways to enjoy Paris. Don't be confused by contradictory advice. One person's must-see is another person's must-not.

Depending on how much time you have, my own must-see list varies from the sites you mention. I would not go to Versailles on a first short visit, but some people think it's essential.

If you are going to only one big museum, you might want to choose between the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. The Louvre has art from ancient times through the nineteenth century, and the Musee d'Orsay takes up where the Louvre leaves off, with a stunning and comprehensive collection of Impressionist work, all housed in a wonderful building converted from a train station. For myself, if I had time to see both, I would, but if I had to choose only one I would choose the Musee d'Orsay.

Sainte Chapelle would definitely be on my list.

Start your trip with a Fat Tire Bike Tour (day or night tour) which is a great way to get a "lay of the land" and have fun with other travelers. I took one on the last day of my prior trip but will go on the first day this time around.

You might want to check out "Paris Walks" a company that specializes in 2 hr tours of various areas of Paris. They have two different walks each day, they only cost 10 euros, and you just show up, no reservation needed.

Great time to go. I did my first solo 2 years ago .. .single American woman too. If your time is tight, what is of interest on The Champs de Elysee? Its a nice walk and all...but ... its just "not" much. That's my opinion.
I have yet to see the D'Orsay and I've been to Paris 5 times so far! Nor the Eiffel Tower, or Versailles (that's the next time and hopefully, in the Spring when the gardens are abloom) - that said, I enjoy history, so the Carnavalet was high on my list (and its free), St. Chappelle on the sunniest day your time gives you; the Roman Paris beneath Notre Dame; walk, walk, walk and then walk some more. And when your feet get tired, there are cafes! VERY historical! (hahaha...)
I disagree with Tod too. About that area, yesindeedy, there are lots of tourists there. We're tourists. Its OK! I happen to like gyros...and fondue. There is a cafe on St. Michel Blvd. Called Lutece that was pretty good and if you don't want to wait to eat until 8ish, the food was certainly OK and didn't break the bank. Because maybe you'll stroll along the Seine and want to buy old books...and posters...
Bon Voyage.

xrcizfanatic:

If you’re an “exercise fanatic,” you probably have the stamina for the walks referred to by the other Fodorites.

Other suggestions? Yes, Saint Chappelle during the day and a concert there at night, or a concert or two in other churches, Saint Sulpice, for instance. Fliers are everywhere advertising such music; Some of the smaller museums: Musee Rodin, Musee Picasso, Musee Marmottan (Monet-intensive), for example; A walk through one of the prominent cemetaries: Pere Lachaise or in Monparnasse — fascinating not ghoulish, not just the famous tombstones but the ouching graves of family members; And, of course, the food — you’ll get plenty of advice here, and you’ll have a great time discovering your terrific restaurants on your own.

Have a great trip!

I love "strolling" down the streets of Paris even BEFORE I get there via www.pagesjaunes.fr Click the little British flag for English then go to the right side of the screen where you can choose a city to see pictures of then click on the map (or type in an address)and start walking.

Practically every single address in Paris has been photographed for the site and you can click on arrows to see buildings beside/across from them as well. I like walking down rue du Bac looking at boutiques and restaurants!

As long as we are voting, I agree with Tod. I think that food in that area is execrable, not to mention the whole theme-park touristy ambience (yes, I know it's not a theme park, but that's the feeling I get when I'm on that street -- it's for tourists who don't want to see a real city).

But, as for must-sees, I would say for a first-timer, they are indeed all the standard places you would read about in a good guidebook, tailored to your own personal interests, of course. My only advice is not too spend too many hours upon hours in museums, unless that is really important to you. It's easy to overdo that, which I think is exhausting, and not as important in visiting a place as the city itself.

While I am not a fan of Les Deux Magots or Cafe de Flore, there's nothing wrong with little salute to literary Paris by having an expresso at either establishment.

And just in case you doubt Tod and Christina's words about rue de la Huchette, you might want to Google the term "Bacteria Alley."

My suggestion is that if you see a chocolate, pastry or bread shop (and you will see lots and lots) that looks interesting to you to stop in and try something.

If you are interested I have a spreadsheet that I have compiled that lists restaurants, pastry and chocolate shops, and crepe stands as recommended by people on this board. The crepe stand list was prepared by another member of this board and unfortunately I can't remember her name.

Email me if you are interested - [email protected]

My best tip: carry the business card of your hotel & enough cash for taxi fare back there. That way if you get tired or lost you can always get back "home" quickly.

I loved Paris but was more horribly turned-around one afternoon in the Latin Quarter than ever in my life... dead lost only a few blocks from (turns out) my hotel!!

Hi

Paris is wonderful My wife and I have been there on vacation twice and it is beautiful city. Have you seen the Google map that I have made of Paris: http://gardkarlsen.com/paris_france_map.htm . This shows the location of attractions and also restaurants that we have been to. I hope that you can find some useful info there The trip report with pictures and links can be found on http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . Get in touch if you have any questions.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Don't feel pressured that you need to eat in restaurants all the time. Especially traveling solo sometimes I'm just not in the mood to bother. Some of the bakeries have excellent already made up sandwiches (a memorable chicken salad on whole wheat bread comes to mind), the crepe stands, stuffed bagettes (sandwiches), and little shops with 'deli' prepared foods you can get to-go.

If you enjoy wine, buy a corkscrew, a glass, and keep a bottle in your hotel room. Get the paper and read it in French (even if you don't know french, it's fun). Go to a movie in your neighborhood on a rainy day. There are loads of different ways to enjoy the city, along with all the "usual suspects" tourist attractions and sights.

"If your time is tight, what is of interest on The Champs de Elysee? Its a nice walk and all...but ... its just "not" much".

The Christmas lights are now up, so an evening stroll is pretty spectacular.

Another vote for the rue de la Harpe. I had a few meals in one of those restaurants and maybe way to describe would be "Cheap and Cheerful". My wife and I wanted close from our hotel and it was a cheap menu. I've taken others to that restaurant and they loved the place-big platters of pomme frites.

Merguez sandwiches were real hits for my belly, especially late in the night. I've had a few meals in the Greek places and this wasn't stupendous.

I've eaten at a few times at a restaurant "Roger le Grenouille". One time it was okay but expensive. Then next time it wasn't so good and it was still expensive.

Don't look for high cooking around that area but it's fun and late snacks are great.

Blackduff

I plan to visit Paris myself in May to meet up with friends (and then with my husband likely again later in the year) - I have no problems going myself.

The D'Orsay is my favorite museum, but there are a lot of wonderful museums (like the Rodin). I also recommend Fat Tires for a bike tour or two, if they are even open in December. They may not be. I'll be going back to the Hotel de la Porte Doree when I go back, they have very inexpensive rooms and a lively neighborhood (but it feels very safe, and it's not touristy).

Personally, one of my favorite things in Paris is just to walk. You can see so much more by hoofing it then by always using the metro. You'll want to take a seine boat cruise, have ice cream at Berthillon, watch the street performers if they are out in that area. The Latin Quarter has lots of decent restaurants, better value then in the museums.

I had some friends from the US come to Paris and I met them there after arranging to rent an apartment on the rue Xavier Privas. Great apartment (except for the noise factor) but Tod and Christina are right. The food in that area is bad. One time my husband got hairs (not one, multiple) in his food when we stopped for a quick bite and asked the waiter if there would be an extra charge for the hairs and was not even responded to at all! No apologies, no free dessert or wine, nothing.