I will be going to Paris next May and staying for a month. I am going alone and having been there 3X before (with a companion), have some idea of what I'd like to do. But, in planning my time there, I am rather overwhelmed with the idea of entertaining myself for an entire month. The museums and galleries are a given and my main reason for going, but I'd like to hear suggestions from other seasoned Paris visitors who know of not to be missed neighbourhoods or things to do. Thanks, Kay

I don't think I've ever taken that much time off and gone some place without taking a class of some kind. An entire month is kind of beyond what I consider a vacation (probably because I don't get that much vacation time on my job) and regardless of how much I like a place, I would get bored myself with no routine or plan if I were staying in one location. <BR><BR>The last two times I spent that amount of time in Paris, I took piano master classes at a music conservatory; before that, twice I studied French at two different universities. I am thinking of going again next year for 3-4 weeks, as it's been a couple years since I've done that, and again going back to studying French (maybe literature or architecture, as well as the language). <BR><BR>I am often taking classes in my regular life, though, I just like to do that. Also, it gives you a routine and helps you meet others (not only other foreign students, but the teachers who are Parisian residents--I had a teacher at L'Institut Catholique de Paris whom I adored and who was so gracious and helpful, she gave everyone her home address and phone number, and I met many Europeans from other countries to go to dinner with and do other things. <BR><BR>Classes also help structure your day and appreciate your time better and not waste it. I typically tried to schedule classes in the mornings and then I'd have the afternoons free for doing other things, such as museums, shopping, day trips, etc. <BR><BR>There are many kinds of classes in Paris--French is the most common, of course, but there are others, such as music, art, cooking, dance, photography, fashion, film production, etc. After languages, cooking is the easiest to find out about, I think. Of course, if you aren't interested in learning French (or are already fluent or bilingual), taking French wouldn't work. <BR><BR>

I'd plan some day trips to: Auvers sur Oise; Barbizon; Nancy and Annecy; perhaps a weekend in Provence; Brittany, Normandy. Take advantage of the constantly expanding TGV network.

Now you've got me thinking...short-term cooking class (Ritz or Cordon Bleu); a fabulous day-long spa treatment....

Look up the WICE organization (english speaking organization for women) to see if they have any art appreciation classes. I took a couple one evening classes that met at the Musee D'Orsay and walked around looking at whatever topic was on that night. 19th centur nudes one night, portraits another. It was awesome. Also, take the time to rent the headset at the Orsay and spend 2-3 hours really looking at the art. It was really a learning experience.<BR><BR>A neighborhood not to be missed is St. Germain. Rue Buci has a great market and my favorite bakery (all croissants are not the same): Conrad's I believe is what it is called.<BR><BR>The Marais is fun to explore as well -- it has a Jewish area with great food.<BR><BR>Have fun!!!

if I were stuck in Peris for a month<BR>1 walk around aimlessly <BR>2 go in a subway and pop out where ever. <BR>make your stay an adventure.. and do everything really SLLLLLOOWWWWWW..

Kay - You lucky thing! I just got back from a week - it was my 4th trip and I have barely scratched the surface of my to-do list! First of all, I would stay in an apt. for sure. Then I would buy Pariscope for daily events after having checked out the expected exhibits on the Paris Tourist Office website. If you have ever gone on any of the Paris Walks tours, that would be something - they have out-of-town day trips as well. I went to Vaux-le-Vicomte with them. Giverny is open in May. Plus there are many one day trips such as Lyon or Rouen you can do by train. To me, the time would be easy to fill - it is more a matter of $$ to do everything! A class is a great idea! You can also check out the websites of bonjour paris and metropole paris which are for English speaking tourists and have a lot of info and event listings.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I had not thought of taking a class but am going to look into it because it would be a great way to be with people who have the same focus. I have never travelled alone before and have to admit that I am apprehensive about getting (dare I say) homesick ; I think its possible, even in Paris. So I'm trying to find some structure for my time ; not big obligations on my time, but just good use of it. Kay

Some good web sites for finding classes abroad are:<BR>www.shawguides.com<BR>www.worldwide.edu<BR >www.iiepassport.org<BR><BR>As far as cooking, I know those have been asked about several times on this forum -- Ritz and Cordon Bleu are well-known, also<BR>www.cuisineMB.com www.inti.fr/fmeunier/index.html

In May 2000 I spent a month in Paris (rented an apt). Two out the 4 weeks I had a visitor which certainly helped in the &quot;lonely&quot; area. However, I would not hesitate to go alone again even for the whole time (I found renting an apt was so much cheaper and more &quot;homey&quot. Next time I would take more day trips outside of Paris and see more of the parks (there's something so peacefully about wandering thru a park). I particular liked the smaller museums that you don't have a chance to see while on shorter visits. I have a trip report of my month there if you're interest. If so, please e-mail me directly.

Nancy- I'm not Kay but I'd love to hear about your month in Paris. Hopefully you don't mind that I've emailed you to inquire about your 4 weeks there.

Kay,<BR><BR>There's a website called Bonjourparis.com which is a newsletter from Paris and has also lots of pieces for Americans living in Paris. I'll bet it's a great site to find places where Americans in Paris gather. A good thing to keep in mind if you find you're just dying to speak American and hand out for a while.