Must-Do's in Paris

[mickeyboat]

My mother and I are going to Paris for a week in October. I am so excited to be fortunate enough to spend this time with her. How lucky am I?

We have the plane and hotel reservations made, but I have spent so much time DIS'ing that I haven't been planning what we will do while we are there. We are planning on hitting the highlights and buying a museum pass, but does anyone have any suggestions on what we shouldn't miss in Paris? Are there any shows we should see? Any other tips we should know?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Denae

 

[becker1123]

For me, the best part of Paris is just walking the streets and taking it all in ... the people, the architecture, the whole attitude. Make sure you eat crepes and sandwiches from street vendors ... there is nothing like it here. We loved the fresh baguettes with tomato and cheese inside. The Eiffel Tower seems almost trite, but it is one of the COOLEST things I've ever seen. Go up right before dusk, and stay for awhile then you can see Paris before and after the sun goes down. The two views are vastly different and breathtaking.

I love Paris! You are so lucky to go. Walk the bridges over the Seine, check out the people and eat the food ... especially from the bakeries. Oh, be sure to drink the wine too. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[RadioFanatic]

I would recommend going to the community boards at www.fodors.com which has a Europe board and you'll get a lot of info there.

I have been there several times and would recommend the following:

starting the day at the louvre - spend several hours there and walk up the Champs Elysee, stop at a cafe for a drink and continue to the Arc de Triomphe.

Spend at least 1/2 a day at the Musee D'Orsay - my fave artists - Impressionists like Monet, Degas, Manet, are all there

you MUST go to the top of the Eiffel Tower - I would recommend the night viewing.

Spend a 1/2 day at Sacre Couer and the surrounding area.

Skip the Moulin Rouge - it's a waste of good money.

go to the Notre Dame and explore the latin quartre.

Have a blast - it's my favorite place in the world!

 

[Beth76]

All things mentioned are great! I would also add going to the new part of town. That's where the new "arc d'triumph" is. It follows the same line as the Louvre, Champs Elysee and real Arc D'triumph. There are a lot of modern buldings and art over there.

 

[Beckysc]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Disneyland Paris.

We had a great time there.

 

[Briarmom]

I agree that the architecture is one of the best things about Paris. Notre Dame is a must see (going down all the spiral stairs I got sooo dizzy ) as is the Louvre. Are you going to Disneyland Paris? I thought it was cute and Space Mountain is the best.

I also loved sitting outside little cafes and having coffee, watching the people. I would love to be eating a fresh croissent (I can't spell today, so sorry if that's wrong) right now!

Have fun. Be prepared to do more walking than you would do in WDW. I love Paris.

 

[kelleigh1]

I was in Paris this past April and am so envious! I would love to go back. We only spent one day in the city and one day at Disneyland Paris (which is actually outside the city).

For our one day, we got passes for L'Open Tour. It was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to see the city. It's an open top bus with various routes around the city and you can get on and off all day. It stops at the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and many, many other places around the city. And they provide headphones that you can plug in at your seat to listen to info along the way. If I remember correctly, it was about $25 U.S. for the all day pass.

 

[Deb in IA]

And the tour of the SEWERS is actually quite interesting . . .

 

[mickeyboat]

Thank you for all of your responses. Initally we were going to go on a tour, but decided we would enjoy the trip more on our own. Now I am a little nervous about making sure we get the most out of our experience.

Becker1123 - I am trying to learn some basic French phrases, and "please bring me some wine" is high on the list. Even with all the walking, I fully anticipate bringing a few more pounds back than I left with (and I don't mean in my luggage).

RadioFanatic - Thanks for your review of the Moulin Rouge, my mom had mentioned it as a possibility.

Beth76 - That is really interesting about the new, modern architecture near the historical architecture. You don't really think of that when you think of Paris. We will be sure to take a look.

Beckysc - I have thought about DLP but I am not sure what my mom would think. Could we have a good experience if we only go for a day or half a day? I was thinking it would be neat to get some pins there and send them to DIS'ers.

Briarmom - My mom said this morning she was at the gym yesterday and decided to spend some time on the treadmill to get in shape for all the walking. She has terrible shin splints today. We need to get moving!

Thanks again for your help. I always heard that it is very nice to just sit outside and watch all the people, but I was afraid that I would be missing something important by taking time to do that. You have shown me the perspective that is just might be the best part of the experience.

Denae

 

[mickeyboat]

For our one day, we got passes for L'Open Tour. It was fantastic and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to see the city. It's an open top bus with various routes around the city and you can get on and off all day. It stops at the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and many, many other places around the city. And they provide headphones that you can plug in at your seat to listen to info along the way. If I remember correctly, it was about $25 U.S. for the all day pass.

Did you feel like you were able to see and do all you wanted on the tour, or did it feel rushed?

Denae

 

[mickeyboat]

And the tour of the SEWERS is actually quite interesting . . .

Hmmm. I'll definitely check into that.

Denae

 

[Briarmom]

Going to DLP for a day would be fine I think (that's what I did), but when I was there, the other Park was being built, so I don't know if that would take a lot of touring time. You just get on the Metro and it takes you right to it!

 

[kelleigh1]

Did you feel like you were able to see and do all you wanted on the tour, or did it feel rushed?

Denae

We never felt rushed. It was very leisurely. We didn't do all four routes, but I think we did the main route 3 times and then one other route. We were only in the city from about 9am to 6pm and my husband and I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower...which took at least 2 hours out of the day. The line to get on the elevator from the 2nd level to the very top was extremely long, so we spent most of our time waiting for that.

But the tour itself was great. I think we could have just ridden all day. If we'd had a week in Paris, I think we would have definitely spent one whole day riding the bus and seeing the city and then another day actually visiting individual sites. I've heard that a lot of people talk about taking the subway to get around, but you're underground and don't see anything. With the bus, you can ride up top and just see so much.

And basically you get to do your own thing. You don't have a tour guide leading you from place to place, and since the buses run all day, you can do it at your own pace.

 

[kelleigh1]

If you can read French, here is their website.

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

 

[HayGan]

I agree with all these plus I would suggest going to the Palace at Versailles!!! My favorites in Paris are definately Sacre Couer and the Latin Quartre

Oh yeah, and eat lots of French pastries - YUMMY!

I Paris

I would recommend going to the community boards at www.fodors.com which has a Europe board and you'll get a lot of info there.

I have been there several times and would recommend the following:

starting the day at the louvre - spend several hours there and walk up the Champs Elysee, stop at a cafe for a drink and continue to the Arc de Triomphe.

Spend at least 1/2 a day at the Musee D'Orsay - my fave artists - Impressionists like Monet, Degas, Manet, are all there

you MUST go to the top of the Eiffel Tower - I would recommend the night viewing.

Spend a 1/2 day at Sacre Couer and the surrounding area.

Skip the Moulin Rouge - it's a waste of good money.

go to the Notre Dame and explore the latin quartre.

Have a blast - it's my favorite place in the world!

 

[RadioFanatic]

some phrases you might want to use:

Je voudrais (I would like) - don't pronounce the s - it's a long A

merci - thank you

bonjour/bonsoir - good day/good night

puis je avoir - may I have

j'ai besoin - I need

parlez vous anglais - do you speak english

if there are other phrases you want - let us know!

 

[caitycaity]

take the train to versailles

take one of the bateaux mouches (boat ride on the river seine) at night

go to angelina's on rue rivoli for pastries and awesome hot chocolate

i also second everyone who said, just walk around and explore - that is the best part.

 

[disneyangel7488]

I went to Paris back in March, but only got to spend 1 and 1/2 days there. Just walking around the city and taking in all the sights is amazing. The Louvre is great, especially if you're into art. and Notre Dame is worth seeing, it's so magnificent. Someone else already suggested going to the Eiffel Tower at dusk to see it in both daylight and night - I'd agree. The Eiffel Tower is so pretty when it's all lit up at night.

 

[CarolA]

Evening boat tour on The Seine. Just beautiful.
I have done DLP. The pins aren't that great... It's a beautiful park, but I would save it for another trip... it's not dramtically different from WDW's Magic Kingdom.

Since you have the museum pass I would go to the Rodin. The statues in the gardens are great.

Have you read any guidebooks? I think Rick Steves does a good one for folks who aren't use to traveling to Europe a lot... He has some good suggested tours also.