What would you do if you won 3 free days in Paris?
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2005
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What would you do if you won 3 free days in Paris?
True story: The other night at a fundraiser, my wife bought a raffle ticket for 2 roundtrip bus. class tickets on Air France (Philadelphia - Paris) and 3 nights at the Intercontinental Hotel. Well, she won.
I'm assuming she's taking me with her, so my question is: What sites would you see in Paris. We visited the city about 25 years ago and did the usual tourist stuff: Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre. Anything else you'd recommend?
Also would like restaurant recommendation -- any price range and type. We're pretty adventuresome when it comes to food, and would also like to do fine dining at least one time.
We are going to stay in Europe longer and incorporate some side trips, but for now we're just planning the 3 days in Paris, which we'll probably do in early fall (Sep - Oct). Thanks.
I'm assuming she's taking me with her, so my question is: What sites would you see in Paris. We visited the city about 25 years ago and did the usual tourist stuff: Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre. Anything else you'd recommend?
Also would like restaurant recommendation -- any price range and type. We're pretty adventuresome when it comes to food, and would also like to do fine dining at least one time.
We are going to stay in Europe longer and incorporate some side trips, but for now we're just planning the 3 days in Paris, which we'll probably do in early fall (Sep - Oct). Thanks.
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
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#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
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Hi J,
Lucky you.
Start with "Paris" under "Destinations", then go to Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236
100 Great Things to Do in Paris
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...mp;tid=1277898
Degas’s Paris Walks
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34712768
Jacquemart-Andre’ Museum http://tinyurl.com/p9pol
Enjoy your visit.
Lucky you.
Start with "Paris" under "Destinations", then go to Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236
100 Great Things to Do in Paris
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...mp;tid=1277898
Degas’s Paris Walks
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34712768
Jacquemart-Andre’ Museum http://tinyurl.com/p9pol
Enjoy your visit.
#5
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
You may not believe this, but exactly the same thing happened to us about 20 years ago. We saved the trip until the end of the year (by which it had to be used) and had one of the best New Years Eves ever. Consider New Year’s in Paris.
#6
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,523
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You might also want to read the Fodor's guide to the city, which gives some planned itineraries.
You might want to give some idea of $$ for the restaurant meal, fine dining can mean different things to different people. I'd do a search here for names, there are a ton of recommendations. I've also used Chowhound, Michelin Red Guide, and Time Out to cross reference...some restos appear in multiple guides.
Any art interests..that would help plan some museum choices. St Chapelle would be one I'd add no matter what.
With 3 days, I might say no out of Paris trips (works OK since you've seen Versailles). If any museums interest you, I might limit it to 1 a day. Walking, that's what I'd recommend. Marais, Left Bank, Islands, etc..
Throw in a Seine Cruise for one night.
I'd also consider a walking tour, Paris Walks is one group that offers them. Nice to see stuff that is outside of the main guide books.
Place des Vosges, Luxembourg Gardens, Palais Royale, walks along the Seine, all very good ideas.
And plenty of time at outdoor cafes. I'd plan on at least one a day, to sit, watch the world go by, and keep repeating how lucky you are!
You might want to give some idea of $$ for the restaurant meal, fine dining can mean different things to different people. I'd do a search here for names, there are a ton of recommendations. I've also used Chowhound, Michelin Red Guide, and Time Out to cross reference...some restos appear in multiple guides.
Any art interests..that would help plan some museum choices. St Chapelle would be one I'd add no matter what.
With 3 days, I might say no out of Paris trips (works OK since you've seen Versailles). If any museums interest you, I might limit it to 1 a day. Walking, that's what I'd recommend. Marais, Left Bank, Islands, etc..
Throw in a Seine Cruise for one night.
I'd also consider a walking tour, Paris Walks is one group that offers them. Nice to see stuff that is outside of the main guide books.
Place des Vosges, Luxembourg Gardens, Palais Royale, walks along the Seine, all very good ideas.
And plenty of time at outdoor cafes. I'd plan on at least one a day, to sit, watch the world go by, and keep repeating how lucky you are!
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#8
Original Poster
Joined: Apr 2005
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Thanks, all, so far.
Michel: I had heard about the Seine nighttime cruise but didn't know if it was worthwhile. Sounds like a possibility I hadn't considered. Do you have details about it? Is it just a boat trip up and down the river, or is dinner served, etc.?
Michel: I had heard about the Seine nighttime cruise but didn't know if it was worthwhile. Sounds like a possibility I hadn't considered. Do you have details about it? Is it just a boat trip up and down the river, or is dinner served, etc.?
#9
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 987
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What would I do? I would dance around my house singing "La Vie en Rose". I would kiss my husband three times in rapid succession. I would buy something fabulous to wear in Paris. Then I'd come and research it on Fodor's.
#10

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 35,174
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I would just recommend you get a few good guidebooks, start reading and seeing what appeals to you. I'm not really a fan of that "super thread" and don't think it's very user-friendly or as good as a good guidebook or even online info (www.fodors.com or www.frommers.com or www.timeout.com)
#11
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,228
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I like the DK Eyewitness Guide for Paris. Very user friendly with easily digestible information.
Good maps in the back of the book of each section of the city (not entire arrondisements- much smaller areas coverd on each page).
Good maps in the back of the book of each section of the city (not entire arrondisements- much smaller areas coverd on each page).




