What's the best way to tour Paris?
 

Hi, I'll be spending a few days in Paris with my husband and kids next week and I'd like to know if any of you guys knows of a fun way other than tour buses to sightsee the city?
Thanks in advance !

Get a guide book with a map and just walk around the different districts, stopping off at the occasional cafe to watch the world go by. The simplest and still the best way to explore Paris.

To learn how to get around Paris by métro/bus/RER use www.ratp.fr. Here is a link to a route planner:

http://www.ratp.fr/itineraires/en/ra...herche-avancee

Here is an interactive map of the system:

http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/carteidf.php?lang=uk

Since parts of this website are only in French you can also use www.transilien.com or www.vianavigo.com. Via Navigo probably has the most complete English website. A good website to learn how to use public transport in Paris is www.parisbytrain.com.

Buy a good detailed map of Paris of around the scale 1:12,000 and it will show all streets and street names, museums, monuments, gardens, parks, sites, attractions and the location of all RER and métro stops. A handy booklet to buy is called ''Plan de Paris par Arrondissement, L'Indispensable''. It is available in the Relay bookstores you'll find in the main line train stations and RER stations. It can be bought in many other places as well.

You can figure out walking times and distances between sites by using a mapping website like www.mappy.com or a similar website.

I prefer to walk an area or neighbohood.I tend to do my own thing but I believe that Rick Steves has walking tours on his site. Since it is inter and gets dark early, maybe a Seine river boat at night to me the monuments all lit up.

The city buses are an easy way to et around and allow you to see alot as you go. I believe the 69 bus route is famous for being quite scenic.

Pick up a Michelin Green Guide... full of info and walking tour itineraries.

If your kids are over 12 book a Segway tour... great fun!
http://paris.citysegwaytours.com

The funnest way for kids may be to take the sightseeing boats on the Seine - several companies all doing about the same thing - up and down the river passing so many famous sights - Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Louvre, etc.

One fun way of sightseeing in Paris. Night cruises I especially like as the bridges and monuments are all wonderfully floodlit.

The very best way to explore the "City of Light" is riding the Metro and walking. You need just a guidebook (which includes a Metro map).

How old are the kids?

Fat Tire Bike Tours is an option if they can ride.

Along with the boats on the Seine, we did several walking tours that were very good and low costs.

http://www.discoverwalks.com/paris-walking-tours/

http://cityfreetour.com/paris/

http://www.parisgreeters.fr/?lang=en

http://www.paris-walks.com/

I think a boat cruise could be fun, and a Segway tour if they still do those. Otherwise, I'd just suggest walking around. I did that open air tour bus once, and it wasn't terrible. It just takes up more time than taking the metro on your own, due to traffic and sometimes you may wait at a stop, that's all. Kids might like it.

I would NOT do it in winter, however.

Best way to tour Paris? On your feet with a Metro card. Do your own research to decide where and what you wish to see most. Plan your day around one area and explore it. The next day pick another area, etc. It's really easy. Tours not necessary in Paris unless you have mobility problems. Get a Plan de Paris, where the 16 Arrondisements are clearly mapped with each and every 'rue' and take it from there on your own schedule. We've done it as youngsters and as oldsters; get a car if you're spending time out of the city for a period of time (2+ days). Of course, a nighttime Seine cruise is lovely and gives a fresh perspective to the sights.

It's a great walking city, and a great walker (and bike rider) posts here as Kerouac. Look up his photo tours in the archives.