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Want to do something different my 1 day in Paris

Want to do something different my 1 day in Paris

Old Apr 6th, 2004, 06:43 PM
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Want to do something different my 1 day in Paris

With just 3 weeks until I leave, I am starting to think of how I will spend my one full day in Paris before I head to Tours for my language course. I've been to Paris several times before, so I've done the major tourist attractions. I have not, however, been to the Rodin museum nor the museum de moyenne age. Any comments on those? One problem might be the date - a holiday - May 1st. Will museums be closed? And I am not set on a museum. Like I say, I'd like to do something new and different.

Also, I'd like to have a sumptuous lunch. I don't like dining alone at night so I figure I will do my big meal during the day. Anyone have a recommendation good for a single traveler?
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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 06:55 PM
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Paris? Pffftt!

Come on down and join me in Lyon on Saturday May 1st for a REAL meal.

OK, all kidding aside. Crepes I'm glad you'll be starting an unbelievable experience so soon.

By the way, thanks for the tips on Mississippi. I'll be in Jackson Thursday and thanks to you I have all the important meals planned out.
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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 06:57 PM
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crepes,
if you want to do something different take a day trip to Chartres or Rouen,or visit Saint Denis Cathedral in Paris..not too many tourists or Tour buses go there..With the metro, it will take at least 30 minutes to go there..
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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 07:01 PM
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I was going to say to go to the Cluny (Musée du Moyen Age), but it's closed May 1.

The Rodin might be open, though. At least the website doen't say that it's closed.

We're going to be in Madrid on May 1 and I'm running into the same problem -- so many things are going to be closed.
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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 07:18 PM
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Hi Marcy_!

In Spain go to the park next to the Prado. It's a holiday for the Spanish and the people watching has to be fabulous.

Same for you Crepes. Go to the Buttes Chaumont in Paris and see how the French spend a holiday.

Or in Paris show up for a Paris Walks tour. I did one a few years ago on the May 8th holiday through the Pere Lachaise cemetery. It was well worth the effort.
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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 07:21 PM
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Indy - I almost emailed you today to see if you were still on schedule for Jackson. I've done the Dresden. Wanted to do the Paris Moderne exhibit next door but didn't have time.

Wish like crazy I could join you in Lyon. How long will you be there? Going anywhere else that trip?

Kismet - already been to Chartres. One of my favorite places. Don't want to travel out of Paris as I will only be there one full day, travelling the next day to Tours.

Marcy - somehow this May 1st holiday escaped me. I never knew about it. Wonder if many regular businesses will be closed? I had thought of trying to book a spa day that day or find a good salon to get a Paris haircut!
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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 07:28 PM
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Well considering I have a deeply, deeply receding hairline I won't be helping on the Paris hair cut front!

I'll be in Lyon three nights: April 30, May 1 & 2. After that is Beaune for 2 nights & Dijon for 4.

Did you like the Dresden? It looks fabulous. I'm going to try to make the Paris Moderne too. What the heck, you're only in Jackson, MS once right?
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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 07:36 PM
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Honey, you've got to find something to pass your time in Jackson MS other than eat! I don't want to elaborate on the Dresden until you see it. Then I want us to discuss it. I have mixed feelings about it. Not bad feelings, just mixed. Now, my son LOVED it.

On the spa day thing, have you ever seen the French movie "Venus Institut de Beauté"? Obviously facials are an everyday activity there, so I am hoping not as terribly expensive as here. It would be fun to treat myself at any rate. But I'd need a recommendation from someone who's been as I wouldn't even know where to start researching the topic.
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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 07:38 PM
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Go to the zoo . . . in the Bois de Vincennes. It's a holiday!

Whatever you do, have a great time.
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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 07:41 PM
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Is it a good zoo Sal? Have you been? That's a good idea. Never been to the zoo without my kids - LOL!
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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 07:42 PM
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There's something to do other than eat? Oh gosh, you're right there's drink too. I'm thinking happy hour at the Walthall hotel on Friday. Do you think they have Lenten appetizers?

I've not seen the "Venus" film either so along with the haircut I'm useless with the spa thing. One of the few times I've been in a spa there wasn't a terry cloth robe in my locker. I think they were playing a trick on me...

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Old Apr 6th, 2004, 07:56 PM
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I don't know if the May 1 holiday will affect either of these recommendations, but if you haven't already been to the Musée Jacquemart-André on blvd. Haussmann, you have missed a wonderful experience. for a very nice lunch there's a lovely café in the museum. If "sumptuous" means you'd prefer a Michelin-starred lunch, the tiny but charming Hiramatsu at 7 quai Bourbon on the Ile St-Louis would take care of you wonderfully and feed you fabulously. Although the chef is Japanese, the food is French--and the combination is great.
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Old Apr 7th, 2004, 06:22 AM
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Hi crepes,

The Jacquemart-Andre is open Sat, May 1.

See http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.co...rmations_1.htm

After lunch and a tour of the museum, take a walk through the Parc Monceau.
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Old Apr 7th, 2004, 08:22 AM
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I second the Jacquesmart-Andre suggestion. Hire the audio instrument for a full explanation of this beautiful mansion and art work therein. The cafe in museum is excellent. Also, Laduree is not too far away on the Champs Elysee for lunch, pastries.
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Old Apr 7th, 2004, 08:28 AM
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If the Jacquemart Andre is open, I think that's a great idea because I imagine it is going to be very hard to find any museum open that day, or anything major, actually, except perhaps the Eiffel Tower. I would think beauty salons would be closed, also, but don't really know that as a fact. If you are at loose ends, since you want to just relax, if you do find one open you could just get a wash and blow dry, maybe facial, so you wouldn't have to worry about how they'd cut your hair.

Both the Rodin and Cluny museums are wonderful, of course, I just think they'd be closed (espec Cluny as it's not private, as far as I know).
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Old Apr 7th, 2004, 09:22 AM
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Go for a walk on the elevated Promenade Plantee along the Ave. Daumesnil in the 12th. Have lunch at Le Biche au Bois, really excellent bistro food with tables filled with "regulars" 45 Ave. Ledru Rollin (call for reservation 01 43 43 34 38 Check out either the Ledru Rollin and/or the Aligre markets --not sure if they are effected by a holiday, check with your hotel.
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Old Apr 7th, 2004, 09:23 AM
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This is great information - I'm leaving in two weeks for my first (short, unfortunately) trip to Paris, and want to be sure that not all my time is spent on the typical things.

Quote: "By the way, thanks for the tips on Mississippi. I'll be in Jackson Thursday and thanks to you I have all the important meals planned out."

Does this mean there's another Mississippian here?

Indytravel, I hope you enjoy the exhibit and whatever meals you have. I haven't made it to "Dresden" yet, but the others in the series have all been excellent.
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Old Apr 7th, 2004, 09:47 AM
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We loved the Rodin museum. It's small enough where it won't take but a couple of hours to take it all in. What about a concert..amybe outside? The only one I've been to was in St. Chappelle which was wonderful.. Have a great trip.
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Old Apr 7th, 2004, 11:08 AM
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Yep, lizzypayne, I'm a Mississippi gal. Everybody's got to be from somewhere, right? LOL Not real exciting here, but a nice, slow, safe place to raise children, huh? And since I'm just a little over an hour from New Orleans by way of I-55, I can get metropolitan and international any ol' time I feel like it! Love that!
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Old Apr 7th, 2004, 11:12 AM
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Thanks everybody for the suggestions on the Jacquesmart-André. I am not too familiar with it, so if it is open, that would be a good thing to see. And thanks for mentioning Ladurée. I've always wanted to stop in there but never made it. It looked divine when featured on Jacques Torres' show on Food Network several years ago.

I'll have a few meals to eat alone over a couple of days. Anybody else with suggestions for a single traveler?
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