Top 5 sights in Paris
 

My husband and I (27) will be in Paris from Dec. 30- Jan 2. I've been before, but this is his first time. What would you say are the must-dos in Paris? Example: sights, restaurants, areas, etc.

My top five for a first-timer would be Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, the Eiffel Tower and a boatride on the Seine. Have you read about Paris under "Destinations"?

Since you been already, what would <b>you</b> suggest?

As a Parisian, if I were asked to show just five sights to someone, I would choose:
1. Eiffel Tower
2. Louvre
3. Montmartre
4. Notre Dame
5. open to improvization based on the reaction to the first four.

If your going to Notre Dame, you could also add St Chappelle just around the corner

- Sacre Coure (sp?) climb the dome. This will give you a fantastic view of Paris.
- St.Chapelle
- Mont Marte
- Eiffel Tower
- Arc de Triumphe

Sorry about any spelling mistakes, cant seem to get the spellcheck to work in French! :-)

Eiffel Tower
Notre Dame
Louvre
Musee D'Orsay

#5 - depends on what interest are - options&quot;

Champs Elysees/Arc de Triomphe
Sacre Couer/Place de Monmartre
Explore L'isle de la Cite
Musee de Cluny

For a first timer, top sites:

1- Eiffel Tower
2- Notre-Dame de Paris
3- Arc de Triomphe (view from the top!)
4- Sacre-Coeur/Montmartre
5- Louvre

If you have time at night, do a boatride on the Seine for sure. I can just imagine how romantic that would be on New Year's Eve!

DO NOT go to Ste. Chappelle on a cloudy day. It will be a waste of time. You can't appreciate the stained glass unless it is fully illuminated.

If you go to the Orsay, you should have lunch in the restaurant. The room is filled with light. They also have foie gras on the menu!!! After having several glasses of Veuve Clicquot, sit in the hall of statues and daydream.

The bookstore of the Design Museum, which is attached to the Louve complex, is really fabulous. Do check it out.

You should go to Hediard, near the Madeleine, and buy some coffee.

The food halls at Galleries Lafayette are magnificent. You can find all sorts of goodies here, including Michael Cluizel chocolate bars, Maille mustard, and coconut yogurt.

I really LOVED LOVED LOVED the Musee de Rodin. Oh, what a pleasure to stroll through the gardens and ponder the Gates of Hell and the Burghers of Callais! There is just so much emotion here.

Don't forget to go to Laduree for some macaroons.

Go to Place Vendome at night and see the beautiful Christmas trees made of lights, then saunter over to see the windows of Chopard or Van Cleef and Arpels.

My favourite area of Paris is the area around Jardin du Luxembourg and St. Sulpice. You should stop into Gerard Mulot for a decadent pastry if you are here.

Bon Voyage,
Thin

Top 5 must do's IMHO for a 1st time visitor
1. Eiffel Tower
2. Mona Lisa and the other 2(Louvre)but Mona for sure
3. Notre Dame (day and night)
4. Arc De Triumphe (go to the top)
5. Sitting outside at a Paris Cafe

And one more
6. Night boat ride on the Seine with a bottle of wine ( especially for a young married couple)

I want to second the restaurant at the Orsay. Good food at a good price in a wonderful setting.

Why five?

Many suggest the hop-on/hop-off bus tour. I suggest this: tinyurl.com/5zdysu

Be sure to check New Year's Eve early closings and New Year's Day closings.

There will be things to do on those days but that way you can plan your days around known closings.

Two things to remember about the Eiffel Tower:

-- open 365 days a year
-- best on a clear day, obviously