I almost forgot. For a little bit of SEA in Paris: http://www.guimet.fr/fr/

I tried the new Musee Branly - http://www.quaibranly.fr/en/ - but it was dark and crowded and short on English, I much preferred the Guimet.

Thursdays, have you been to the Albert Kahn Museum and Gardens? How would you compare the museum with the Guimet? And thanks for the house museums suggestions.

I probably have a month's worth of stuff on my list right now! But there will be more trips to Paris - especially after I retire this summer.

Christina, I missed your post from this morning. One (of many) reasons to get the museum pass is that we can stop in at places like the Louvre a number of times. I could probably spend a week in the Louvre - but I won't. I'll stop in for a few hours now and again, and will likely do so with other places as well.

Kathie - sorry, no.

This is from my TR on the Guimet visit:
"Among the extensive Cambodian collection I was surprised to see an intact pediment from exquisite Banteay Srei. The Chinese collection started with Neolithic pots and jade and included two arresting Han horse heads and several items from the Mogoa caves at Dunhuang. I also spent time with three remarkable pieces from Burma, the Moghul drawings in the library rotunda and the Gandhara section (Afghan/Pakistan area)."

Congratulations on your retirement!

Thanks, Thursdays, the Guimet sounds great!

I really enjoy sitting in the courtyard garden at the Musee Carnavalet -- love the museum too, which is free.

I, too, will be in Paris in May, so I have been following this thread and others. Thanks to all who have taken the time to post such wonderful suggestions.

A quick question (sorry, Kathie, don't mean to hijack your thread). Since we arrive on a Friday, the Pass Navigo doesn't work for us. Does that leave us buying carnets, or is there another transport option?

Thanks!

No problem, Kathy, hijack away!

My favorite chocolatiers:
Jacques Genin
Jean Paul Hevin
Michel Chaudun

My favorite patisseries:
Cafe Pouchkine
La Patisserie des Reves
Un Dimanche a Paris

The American Church has concerts on Sunday evenings. We really enjoyed the one we went to a few trips ago.

http://www.acparis.org/atelier-concerts

Have a wonderful trip!

Love this post! I'm leaving in 5 days, staying 2 weeks. Even though I've been to Paris lots of times, planning what to do each trip is so much fun - and consumes way too much of my time. I' m trying to figure out the museum pass logistics for my 2 weeks. I do know that having the pass is great, as then you can just pop in and out of various museums on a whim - without the planning ahead. The last trip I went to the Louvre 3 times. I also loved the Navigo pass, as it's so easy to use for buses and Metro, but I arrive also on Wed. AM, so guess not for the first week. But I'll miss having it. At this point in my life, too much walking might cause real problems with my back (and feet!).

On my first few trips to Paris I never used a bus - but they are a good alternative once you figure them out (which I haven't completely done yet!). I think I'll pick that Bus Guide Ron was talking about. The Metro is so easy and quick, but some do require a lot of walking, which is more fun to do above ground.

Kathie, have a great trip, and maybe I'll see you and your friend somewhere along the way.

Kathie, didn't read every reply but are you planning on going to Versailles, very easy day trip from Paris and it will be lovely in May.

I suggest taking the train to St Germain en Lay. Have lunch at the outdoor cafe in front of the fancy hotel, walk about the village and train it back to Paris.

Just in case no one has mentioned my favorite cook shop, its E. Dehillerin, 18=20 rue Coquilliere, Two floors of amazing knives, quiche dishes,sauce pans, on and on. Then stop for a very local lunch around the corner at Au Pied du Cuchon, all in the 4th. DH and I will be there May 24-27, have time for a glass of wine?
Robbie

Thanks for the recommendations.

Robbie, I am SO sorry we will miss you. We leave Paris on the 18th. Our best to you and Fred.

we too like St Germain en Laye, and spent a night there once when there was a transport strike in Paris. A nice place for a wander and chance to get away from the madding crowd.

Re: bus vs Metro

Depends on where you are and where you're going. Your hotel is close to metro 1 which is a handy line for some sights but not for others. Often trips of 1-3 metro stops can be faster by bus (depending on traffic and day of the week). As your trip lengthens, metro becomes the better option.

NOTE: There are a number of good iPhone and Android apps that have maps and real-time info for bus...though they may not work where you have neither phone nor wifi access.

SS

another amazing list of recommendations!

We are just back last night. I will write trip report soon.

Love all the recommendations and really looking forward to your trip report!

I'm looking forward to your report too as I think we will do Paris beginning Sept. 2015. I was only planning for a week but maybe I need more time? Never been to Paris before and only things I know I want to do/see for sure are the Louvre and Giverny as Monet is my favorite artist.

Congrats on the upcoming retirement!

chris - if you are a Monet fan, you should also try to fit in seeing the large canvases at the Orangerie, and the Marmottan museum in the 16th. The Musee D'Orsay [you can get a joint entrance ticket with the Orangerie] is the main museum for the Impressionists in general but the Marmottan has a specialist Monet collection.

if you make Giverny your main day trip out of Paris, you should have enough time to see most of the major sights and to follow your interest in Monet too.