cinnamon_07

I know that this question has been asked before, but I notice that each time it is asked, people get VERY different answers. I am going to Paris for a week in June, and I was wondering what it is that I should see that I would regret later not seeing?

The friend I am going with isn't a museum person, and I over-dosed on museums and churches when I was in Spain and Italy. I am hoping for things outside of the normal tourist traps like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, maybe even things like the best authentic restaurant, or gardens. If this helps give a sense of what I enjoy, when I was in Italy I visited the overgrown gardens and fountains at the Villa d'Este in Tivoli, and this was by far one of my favorite things the whole trip.

In advance, thank you for any recommendations!!

denisea

Luxembourg Gardens is a great way to spend some time, take a picnic.

I missed Bertillon on my first trip and regretted it. It is worth standing in line for, but is the best ice cream you will ever have (I am partial to the salted butter caramel).

I love the food hall at Le Bon Marche just to see the expanse and how truly beautiful the food is!

You will get lots of advice and arguments over all this, especially the restaurants! Authentic is hard to define. We love Le Comptoir in the 6th at the Relais St Germain.

Versailles is magnificent-better to go during the week.

Maybe the catacombs for a non-museum outing!

Enjoy your trip.

Waldo

Paris is such a place that you can just sit on a park bench for two weeks and you will have enjoyed Paris. There ain't no place like it!

namaka

The second the Luxembourg gardens.

And if you don't make it to Berthillon, there are plenty of Amorino's around. The last time I was in Paris, Berthillon was closed so I went ot Amorino's. When I got my two scoops, they had shaped the ice cream into the shape of a rose- so cool!

As far as museums go, if you really aren't into them or are getting burned out on them, I would at least suggest the Musee Rodin. It was pretty small but one of my more enjoyable ones.

I also will second Versailles but I would suggest going when the fountains are on. I had more fun on the grounds than I did in the touring the castle/home. We rented bikes and just rode to the different areas like Marie Antoinette's hamlet.

adrienne

Most of the things I would have regretted not seeing fall into the church/museum category:

Concerts at St-Sulpice
Mosque
Ste-Chappelle
Sewers
Gobelin Tapestries
Jacquemart-Andre
Cluny
Museum of Romantic Life
Lock & Key Museum
Doll Museum
Deportation Memorial
Maillol Museum

Since you want to avoid churches and museums you could see gardens and cemeteries, some of the more interesting metro stations (Abbesses, Bastille, etc.), street markets, fountains, walking tours, passages.

BTW - I wouldn't consider the Louvre to be a "tourist trap."

ellen75005

Another vote for the Luxembourg Gardens. It's a very large area with plenty of benches; a wonderful way to spend part of a day. Although it falls into the church category,I wouldn't miss St.Chapelle. Google it; the stained glass windows create a mystical atmosphere on a sunny afternoon.

It's fun to climb up the towers of Notre Dame to be face-to-face with the gargoyles. It also affords a nice view of the city.

Yes, it's touristy, but take a cruise on the Seine; another relaxing and beautiful way to see the city.

Walk, walk, walk. Paris is the most walkable city in the world (in my opinion). I prefer the left bank, especially the 5th & 6th.

Whatever you end up doing, you'll fall in love with Paris. Have fun!

bachslunch

Will go along with everyone else here and back the idea of a Luxembourg Gardens visit. I've also liked other parks in Paris, including the Tuileries, Parc des Buttes Chaumont, Parc Monceau, and Bois de Boulogne.

Was very much fond of the Pere Lachaise cemetery when I went there. Lots of famous folks buried there, and loads of great memorials.

And I don't consider either the Louvre or Eiffel Tower to be tourist traps. I'd save that notion for any Paris equivalents you may find for Madame Tussaud's or Ripley's Believe it or Not Museums, should they exist.

mamcalice

The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower are not tourist traps. You can see the tower from all over Paris - it's not necessary to stand in line and climb to the top. The Musee Rodin has a lovely rose and sculpture garden and the Tuilleries is a great place for a walk and picnic. What about a day trip to Giverny? The gardens should be beautiful in June. Don't miss Ste. Chapelle, the Orangerie and here's another vote for Luxembourg Gardens.

emerald125

I loved the view from the The Arc de Triomphe over the view from the Eiffel Tower. Go at sunset - the traffic jams, the the sun setting on Sacre-Coeur and the Eiffel in the dusk are beautiful.

My photos are here if you want to see what I mean. http://www.squidoo.com/paris-holiday

CarolJean

If you are there on a Friday night, sit at a sidewalk cafe and watch the roller skaters. I have never seen anything like it, it takes at least 20 minutes for them to go by. They start at Montparnasse station and go a slightly different route each week. The route is posted on the web on Thursday.
I also recommend the Mouffetard market on Sunday, especially to see the singing and dancing at the lower end. Have a great time! CJ

Sherrala

The market at Richard Lenoir (Bastille) on Sunday (and one other day I can't remember), walking along the Canal St. Martin, Notre Dame on Sunday for the concert, Ste. Chapelle (beautiful during the day and magnificent to go to a concert there at night). If you've had gelato in Italy, Amorino isn't anything special, but the ice cream from Berthillon is. I wouldn't miss Pere Lachaise, it's one of my favorite spots, or do a walk through Montmartre up to Sacre Coeur and continue past it..it's a beautiful neighborhood. Any market, any park (they're all beautiful)..and Luxembourg Gardens is easy and central to get to. And please, please, the Louvre is not a tourist trap..it's the most magnificent museum in the world. The Musee d'Orsay is worth going to just for the beautiful building itself. And the Marmottan for the Monets...sorry, but these are things worth seeing even if you're not a big museum person.

TPAYT

We've been to Paris 7 times----mere novices, according to this forum.

When people ask me what we like about Paris so much, I have to respond that I love just being there. It makes me feel good---I love Luxemborg Gardens, Place Vosges,the Rodin Gardens, walking along the Seine(especially at night), the food, the people (yes, they are very nice and not rude at all), sitting in an ouside cafe people watching, a boat ride on The Seine, the small museums, having an apartment and going to the markets, etc.

MDH says that Paris is like a Faberge Egg. The first time, all you see is the beautiful outside. As you return, you discover the jeweled interior. I have to agree with him as each trip unveils a new layer of Paris. It keeps calling you back.

IMO, get some good shoes and walk. You will find out of the way places that enchant.

We'll be watching for your trip report when you return.

MelJ

For a different (and magnificant) look at Parisian life at the turn of the century, visit the Nissan de Camondo musee, which is a private home. The house is fabulous and the story is tragic. It sits at the edge of the parc monceau, so you can add that lovely walk. It's a favorite stop for me.

So is the Rodin. You don't have to love museums to enjoy the Rodin. Between his house and the garden, it's a wonderful and relatively small place. Then, to see the wonderful work of a student of his, go to the Bourdelle.

Finally, walk through the Marais. Just wander the stony, narrow streets and window shop at the small boutiques.

babylon

Sainte-Chapelle and the boat ride on the Seine at night. Both are beautiful.

Uma

Agree with Sainte-Chapelle(we loved going to a concert here),
Luxembourg Gardens(our favorite spot in Paris), Tuileries,
Place des Vosges and the Marais, L'Orangerie. (But we loved
Musee d'Orsay and the Louvre, as well). Eat macarons at Laduree or Gerard Mulot. Walk along the Seine; take a Vedettes du Pont Neuf river cruise; see the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe; stroll around Ile Sainte-Louis (have an ice cream at Berthillon, as others have mentioned, or a gelato at Amorino). Buy some wonderful perfumes and soaps at Fragonard. Go to a market. Sit at an outdoor cafe and people watch. See the Eiffel Tower - and the rest of Paris - sparkling at night. Have a wonderful time.

kat12

Sainte-Chapelle is not to be missed--- I agree. And I,too, loved the Rodin Museum. The grounds and the building are memorable. Loved Musee d"Orsay, l'Orangerie, but especially the Marmottan. Lovely neighborhood with a non-touristy feel to it, and the museum is not your typical museum. It's a lovely house or estate that is now a museum.

Loved Giverny also. It's a short train ride from Paris, and the gardens are beautiful--- especially in June.

The markets are fun, shopping, and just walking and getting a feel for the city and the people!

Piccolina

bookmarking

Maudie

Me too!

jelopez33

I agree with everything said in this post,and will add a visit to La Defense,really good to me.Enjoy!!!

TPAYT

http://s708.photobucket.com/albums/w...view=slideshow

Here's a photo of those marvelous ice cream cones at Amorino. Every cone a work of art.