Degas

RE:jsmith

You wrote: "We are all entitled to opinions but I think it interesting how vehemently negative some of the denizens of this board are to the Picasso and Pompidou."

Don't take it personal - you are not to blame for that gross pile of rusting tin. What a tragic mistake. Let's hope the french have the good sense to get rid of this bad joke in the near future.

A handful of okay pictures don't need to be wrapped in such a large and a very gaudy package.

KathrynT

Sorry, but to me Notre Dame is a "must see". I think it is just beautiful and I am able to tune out the noise of other tourists. The climb to the top is worth it, but try to avoid it in the heat.

Biscuit

La Defense. Complete waste of time. Interesting looking buildings, but that's it.

As far as pickpockets go, I encountered that first hand as a couple of guys tried to get into my bag. Just make sure everything is secure and you'll be fine.

Didn't see much poop though. I think that's more urban legend than reality.

Intrepid

When the Eiffel Tower was first erected the Parisians absolutely HATED it and wanted it torn down as soon as possible. Obviously so-called better sense prevailed. The point being that if you are really going to rely on the opinions stated above you might as well either plan to see everything or don't go at all and not see anything. Perhaps the screen name of the original poster, "Abbynoxious" says it all anyway.

RonZ

I've heard it said that the reason to go to the top of La Defense is that you can't see it from there.

maitaitom

McDonalds.

abbynoxious

Intrepid??? Did I say something to offend you? Why are you getting personal? I hope it's just a bad day for you and not a permanent condition. Lighten up! I'm fairly certain that none of these posts were planned to offend you personally.

I think that all of this advice is very helpful, you never know, I may just love overdone and tacky, and hate old historic and beautiful.

maitaitom

"Did I say something to offend you?

I believe sometimes Intrepid (and some others) gets a little too wound up on the board. They mean well, but it can come off as a little rude on occasion. I am offering mai tai therapy to those in need of a calming, Polynesian libation experience (umbrella optional).

cigalechanta

Good line Ron!!!!
Sorry you were offended. Pay no heed to those who make you feel offended.

abbynoxious

AHH! Tom the voice of reason.
MaiTais are always a good idea. The last one I had though(at the TIKI Bar on Solomon's Island), I spilled on my shoe. Very messy and sticky.

Budman

I've been to that Tiki Bar, but I didn't have one of those foo-foo drinks.

abbynoxious

HMMMMMMM...Let me see if I can guess what you had...

maitaitom

I've been to that Tiki Bar, but I didn't have one of those foo-foo drinks."

With the ample amount of rum I put in my mai tais, I've taken the foo out of foo-foo.

wren

and added the "l"? I am only kidding Tom, but you set yourself up, and I jumped at it!

I totally understand, as I sip my vin! Remove that darn olive!

Back to the OP...I wouldn't go by anyone else's suggestion to skip something..everyone is so different, you might love/hate just what another hates/loves.

QuikTrips

Do not buy one of the paintings sold by "artists" parked on the sidewalk on rue de Rivoli across from the Louvre. Buy a paint-by-number set and do it yourself, that's all those "artists" are doing.

Don't wait in line to get into the Louvre Pyramid that has 100 or more people standing in the courtyard. Instead, enter from the underground metro station and waltz right in.

Fashion shows at Galeries Lafayette are over rated.

Don't bother trying to go to La Defense for a view of Paris.

The barge tour on Canal St Martin is a bore.

Bastille is today marked by a column and there is nothing much to see.

If someone stops you and says, "American?", say, "Nyet" and keep walking. Use Russian, Pig Latin, Martian or gibberish if the person persists in guessing your native language. Undoubtedly it is a restaurant barker or con trying to flatter you or somehow get to your wallet.

rohani

I'd have to say Victor Hugo's mansion. It took us forever to find it and didn't think that there was much to see when we did. We even asked a couple of people in the vicinity for directions and everyone's response was that we know it's here close by but don't exactly no where.

RonZ

Any more opinions on the Canal St Martin cruise? I was thinking of trying it. Seemed awfully long.

jor

I agree about the Louvre Pyramid. That goofy I.M.Pai architect has put his goofy 1970's style glass pyramids all over the world thinking one size fits all.

sharandana

Not sure what all this dog poop is about. We were in Paris for 10 days April 2002. Maybe my eyes were on all the magnificent architecture and the people enjoying the advent of Spring in sidewalk cafes and parks and not on the pavement. Yes, there were dogs everywhere, the metro, cafes, le Bon Marche etc. They were fun! I came upon a "pile" off the beaten path in an small alleyway in Montmartre. This pile was gracefully situated on some ancient cobblestones. I took a photo. This snapshot record of Parisian dog poop was shown upon my return to all those who said to watch out for the poop and not slip. "Its EVERYWHERE" they said. When I wistfully look over my photos, I still see the cobblestones and not the poop. I find the photo almost lyrical. I am sure most will not agree but Versailles was a disappointment. Not the palace and art but the French need to work on crowd management. Much of it (rest rooms, le petit tran, brochures, head sets) was inefficient. We were frustrated and irritated by the time we left and I am pretty laid back about such things. I am hopelessly in love with Paris. Have a fabulous time. You can't miss with Paris.

suze

The only dog poop I've seen is when people complain on this board, didn't notice it in Paris.

I'm not a museum person, so my time was spent more in the parks like Luxembourg Gardens, the Tuileries & numerious sidewalk cafes drinking wine & people-watching.

I liked the Eiffle Tower from the park in front of it, on a self-guided walking tour of the 5/6/7 arrondisements. Same with Notre-Dame, St. Chapelle, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre - seen from the outside only.

So in short, I skip most of the "must-dos" and take time in any of the lovely neighborhoods wandering about.