What to do on our last day in Paris?
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2003
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What to do on our last day in Paris?
Monday will be our last of 6 days in Paris, after having been in Italy and France all month, and I 'm looking for suggestions of things to do. We left one unstructured day in our itinerary as a rain day and now have the luxury of choosing how to use it. We will have done the biggies, Notre Dame, Ste Chapelle, Louvre, d'Orsay, L'Orangerie, Champs Elysee, Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Montmartre and the Latin Quarter. The museum pass has expired and we are pretty much museumed out, although we would certainly consider touring something special that we have missed. We are a couple in our sixties and seventies, are good to walk for most of a day. I think we would enjoy exploring outdoors more than doing big sites at this point. We are staying in the Marais, one block north of Hotel de Ville.
Any ideas for area walks or less crowded sites would be appreciated.
Any ideas for area walks or less crowded sites would be appreciated.
#2

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,596
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Have you ever done any of the Paris Walks? We did one our last day, and our only regret was that we hadn't done earlier walks as it was fascinating! This is Monday's schedule:
EVERY MONDAY
Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame 10.30am Read the stories in the medieval sculptures, and hear how the cathedral was built. We explore the history and architecture of the Island, the old streets, the flower market, quiet gardens, secret courtyards and the poignant memorial to the deported. Meet at metro Cité
The Medieval Latin Quarter 2.30pm A walk through this atmospheric district, to see highlights and hidden details. Roman remains, charming old streets, the story of medieval scholars and the famous Sorbonne University. Meet at metro Maubert-Mutualité, by café 'Le Métro' (exit 1)
http://www.paris-walks.com/download-pdf.html
I know you've done Notre Dame. We had "done" the area of our walk, "Hemmingway's Paris" any number of times, but saw so much we had missed, (such as simple but unnoticed bricked in windows of the Pantheon, and why and when that happened) and learned so much we had no idea of. Our guide was low key, very knowledgeable, and with a terrific sense of humor. As I said, our only regret was in not having done more of the walks! Money and time very very well spent!
EVERY MONDAY
Ile de la Cité and Notre Dame 10.30am Read the stories in the medieval sculptures, and hear how the cathedral was built. We explore the history and architecture of the Island, the old streets, the flower market, quiet gardens, secret courtyards and the poignant memorial to the deported. Meet at metro Cité
The Medieval Latin Quarter 2.30pm A walk through this atmospheric district, to see highlights and hidden details. Roman remains, charming old streets, the story of medieval scholars and the famous Sorbonne University. Meet at metro Maubert-Mutualité, by café 'Le Métro' (exit 1)
http://www.paris-walks.com/download-pdf.html
I know you've done Notre Dame. We had "done" the area of our walk, "Hemmingway's Paris" any number of times, but saw so much we had missed, (such as simple but unnoticed bricked in windows of the Pantheon, and why and when that happened) and learned so much we had no idea of. Our guide was low key, very knowledgeable, and with a terrific sense of humor. As I said, our only regret was in not having done more of the walks! Money and time very very well spent!
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Pere Lachaise Cemetery
Luxembourg Gardens (or other parks)
Passages & Palais Royal
Place des Vosges
Seine boat ride
Mosque and mint tea in the garden behind the mosque
Jardin des Plantes
Rodin Museum garden only
Canal Martin boat ride
Promenade Plantee
My choice would be:
Cross the river and head toward the Sorbonne. Stop in to see St-Etienne-du-Mont church with the beautiful rood screen. Grab some pasteries across from the shop across from the entrance to the Luxembourg Gardens (can't remember the name of the shop but they have the best lemon tarts). Walk to the southern end, see the statue of liberty and the plaque to 9/11 then the observatory.
Over to the mosque and after enjoy mint tea in the garden. Then take the metro or taxi to Pere Lachaise. Pickup a map and look for the tombs of your favorite famous people.
Luxembourg Gardens (or other parks)
Passages & Palais Royal
Place des Vosges
Seine boat ride
Mosque and mint tea in the garden behind the mosque
Jardin des Plantes
Rodin Museum garden only
Canal Martin boat ride
Promenade Plantee
My choice would be:
Cross the river and head toward the Sorbonne. Stop in to see St-Etienne-du-Mont church with the beautiful rood screen. Grab some pasteries across from the shop across from the entrance to the Luxembourg Gardens (can't remember the name of the shop but they have the best lemon tarts). Walk to the southern end, see the statue of liberty and the plaque to 9/11 then the observatory.
Over to the mosque and after enjoy mint tea in the garden. Then take the metro or taxi to Pere Lachaise. Pickup a map and look for the tombs of your favorite famous people.
#4
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,574
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You could go over to the Canal St. Martin area and walk along the canal. It's very pretty & peaceful & less touristy. You could also have a guided tour of the Opera Garnier, of Phantom of the Opera fame. It's a gorgeous building, & a very interesting tour. Have you spent time in the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens and/or in the St. Germain (6th) neighborhood?
Are you a fan of Woody Allen's movie MIdnight in Paris? If so, you could go to St. Etienne du Mont in the Latin Quarter, behind the Pantheon. This is the church where Gil sits on the steps at midnight & is picked up by the 1920's rolls royce & whisked away to meet Heminway, etc.
There is also the Plantee Promenande (I think it's in the Bastile area).
Are you a fan of Woody Allen's movie MIdnight in Paris? If so, you could go to St. Etienne du Mont in the Latin Quarter, behind the Pantheon. This is the church where Gil sits on the steps at midnight & is picked up by the 1920's rolls royce & whisked away to meet Heminway, etc.
There is also the Plantee Promenande (I think it's in the Bastile area).
#5
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 239
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Have you already done the catacombs? St Sulpice? Maybe you could create a foodie tour of your choice of items that you want to try? Cheese/wine/meringue,etc. Have you eaten at Le Souffle? Could you catch a mass or an organist practicing at one of the many major cathedrals? What about going to an outlying metro stop on any line? Chatillon? Have you been to La Defense area? If you haven't already been, perhaps take a train out to Rouen? Or a day tour to Giverny? The Pere lachaise (sp?)cemetery (Chopin, among others) HAve you visited the dept stores or maybe specialty shops that interest you? (cooking store D'hellerins is well worth a special trip)
Enjoy your last day! Wish I was there right now!
Enjoy your last day! Wish I was there right now!
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#9

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
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What adrienne and HowardR said, or just walk around and enjoy! I was in Paris last week and couldn't walk (was on crutches) and just totally enjoyed hanging out in "our neighborhood." There's no need to constantly see sights. The sights of Paris are all around you, every day, changing every moment. Just relax and enjoy the moment.
#11

Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,654
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Promendae Plantee....it starts just around the corner from the Opera Bastille. It's an elevated walkway that is pllanted with roses and other flowers. Different than a park but a great way to stroll and enjoy the outdoors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promenade_plantée
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promenade_plantée
#12
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
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I agree the sights of Paris are all around you. My last time in Paris I had just finished 3 weeks of sightseeing elsewhere and the weather had turned quite hot. I was done with sightseeing and chose a different area of Paris each day to just walk and look. I saw things I had never seen before, discovered lots of beautiful architectural embellishments on the buildings, small squares to rest, and wonderful shop fronts. It was delightful to walk slowly and really look at things.




