One day (and night) in Paris... (REDUX!)

[Charade]

Still looking at our options for getting the most out of the short time we'll be there (part of one day and night then the next morning). Got some good ideas from my last post but was looking at some other things to do. We came across a combo of a dinner (at the Eiffel Tower) , Seine river cruise and show. Most reviews are good but does anyone have experience with the Moulin Rouge show? Is it good or an overrated tourist "trap"?

[Briarmom]

Tourist trap.

Walk around Paris. It is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been in. I've spent weeks and weeks there and still love just walking around.

Go to the Louvre.

Notre Dame.

I have to take the kids to school right now, but I'll think on this and get back to you.

I think Rick Steves has a book JUST on Paris. It may help if there are ways to bypass lines for museum tickets. He's helped me in many a European city.

[mickeyboat]

The metro is very easy to navigate.

I would plan to see the Eiffel Tower, Arc D' Triumphe, a Seine River Cruise, and just a little bit of the Louvre (we spent an entire day there and didn't see it all). We did a night-time double decker bus tour whch was a great way to hit lots of other sights, too.

I would not do the show or dinner at the Eiffel tower.

[emiliezola]

No, that show is nothing but an expensive, tourist trap. Also, dinner on the Eiffel Tower is expensive and not a good, quality French meal.

[EMom]

I'd avoid Moulin Rouge like the plague. As for dinner at the ET, well......it supposedly has improved in recent years, but it still has a reputation for being overpriced and not that great. Aside from an outdoor cafe under the gorgeous chestnut trees at the Tuileries Garden, we never eat at the tourist places in Paris. We go back 1-3 blocks from the main streets and hit the local restaurants. Doing that, I'd have to say the worst food I've ever eaten in Paris was still wonderful. BTW, the simple salads, sandwiches and wine at the outdoor cafe I mentioned were delicious, plus we had the most lovely view.....so it gets a

The river cruise is nice enough and does give you a different perspective on Paris. And I'd never miss the Eiffel Tower. If it's too crowded to go to the top, try coming back at night. We did that and went right up. They kicked us off at midnight. For some reason, I seem to remember the north elevator was fastest, but I do not know if that is still the case.

[sandramaac]

If the lines are too long to go up the Eiffel tower I would not wait. You can can two very good views of the city from on top of the Arc de Triomphe and Sacré Coeur, a church located at the highest point in Paris located in Montmartre. A few things I would not miss would include

a beautiful church called Sainte-Chapelle just breath taking it is a quick walk from Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Chapelle

Notre Dame of course

a very quick and very early morning walk through the Louvre

a walk down Ave. Montaigne and Fabourg-St-Honoré where most of the Haute-Couture shops are located

a walk in the evening down the Champs- Élysées

ice cream at Berthillon omg the chocolate ice cream is like nothing you have EVER had raspberry is wonderful too

if food is your thing, then stop for a dinner however, if the sights are your thing wait to dine very late at night

ask a taxi driver to ride you around the city at night and drive by many of the sights Paris is beautiful at night

[PatsMom]

If the line isn't too outrageous, climb the bell tower of Notre Dame. Great view. Montmarte is also great. If you are conserving your energy you can take the funicular to the top of the hill - I can't remember the cost but it wasn't that much.

Definitely the Louvre.

I've had some of the best meals in my life in Paris and I've also had some of the worst meals of my life in Paris. The pastries are almost always great though. Any Euro coins and designated as pastry money!