Paris Must-Do's

[MinnieGarden]

My husband and I will be on the Knights and Lights trip with SayHello, however we are staying three days at the end of our adventure in Paris. I've read tons of Paris guide books and received lots of ideas, but need a lot of help narrowing things down.

Included on our adventure is lunch at the Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Louvre, Notre Dame, and dinner at Laduree. We are also going to spend a couple of days in Disneyland Paris on our adventure.

We will be staying in the 7th addr. near Rue Cler and will be in Paris on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, leaving Tuesday morning. The only thing - other than shopping! - I've decided I really want to do is take a day trip to the Champagne region.

Any thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated!

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

We went Paris last year (on our own). I enjoyed a cruise we took on the Sienne. We stayed in the Sacre Coure area- that is a lovely church. Of course, there is always the Moulin Rouge show (but they are topless ).

We also went to Disneyland Paris. Have a great trip!

 

[kristilew]

What we loved in Paris:

Arc de Triumph
Musee de l'orangerie
walking around Monmatre
the Cluny
St. Chappelle
Opera Garnier
Musee d'Orsay
Victor Hugo's apartment tour

And mostly just walking around the various neighborhoods, talking to people (or trying to!), and stopping for fabulous food whenever we felt like it. Definitely give yourself time to have some relaxed sidewalk dining, lingering, people watching, and letting your waiter bring you whatever he thinks you should try.

We got the Paris Museum pass, and it was a huge money and time saver, plus we went in some things we never would have if they hadn't been on the pass.

Have fun! Of all the cities I've visited, it's Paris that I can't wait to return to!

 

[MinnieGarden]

Thanks so much for the suggestions so far! Please keep them coming!

 

[RSM]

We added 5 days in Paris after our Alpine Magic ABD last summer. In addition to the ideas Kristilew mentioned, I would add the following:

-Rodin museum: Alot of well known/recognizable sculptures such as The Thinker, The Kiss, Gates of Hell,... It is included as part of the Paris museum pass.
-Invalides: Napoleon's tomb
-Sacre Couer: Visit it while in Montmartre
-at Notre Dame: Get there early if you want to climb the spires and see the gargoyles close up. It can get pretty crowded on the roof (although we were there in late June/early July--may be less crowded if you won't be there during the summer).

Definitely use the Paris Metro and RER. It is very easy to figure out and navigate your way around, as well as being relatively inexpensive. We initially tried a hop-on, hop-off bus and spent about 2.5 hours stuck in traffic one afternoon (90+ degrees). After that we pretty much used public transportation the rest of the days.

If I think of other things not mentioned I'll post.

 

[JAB59]

Collect picnic dinner on Rue Cler - walk to the Eiffel Tower. Picnic on the grass surronding the tower once the grass police leave. When we were there it seemed all of Paris joined us for dinner.

Sainte-Chapelle is a small chapel completely enclosed in stained glass - within blocks of Notre Dame

 

[Yvet]

Hire me and Emiel as your private tour guides is a must do for Paris!!!!

 

[sayhello]

Hire me and Emiel as your private tour guides is a must do for Paris!!!!

Are you expensive? This sounds like it could be a good idea for our "time on your own".

Sayhello

 

[MinnieGarden]

Hire me and Emiel as your private tour guides is a must do for Paris!!!!

Sounds fabulous Yvette! Will we get to see you and Emiel sometime on our adventure?

 

[Yvet]

Are you expensive? This sounds like it could be a good idea for our "time on your own".

Sayhello

We guide for free but we charge our stay....

Sounds fabulous Yvette! Will we get to see you and Emiel sometime on our adventure?

We are still thinking of coming over to either London or Paris but the costs for coming over and our hotel stay are a bit to steep right now so we just have to wait and see if it all comes together at the right place and time...

 

[Claireybear]

We love Paris - one of our favourite things to do is the Bateaux Parisienne dinner cruise on the Seine - it was such a good 'once in a lifetime' treat we've done it 3 times!
Claire

 

[AmongMadPeople]

I second...

St Chapelle - you can't go wrong here!

Musée Rodin - grab an ice cream, relax in the gardens, and "think"

Montmatre/Sacré Coeur - you used to be able to access a basement/crypt around the side of the building, it's nothing fancy but you can take pictures and almost no one else was down there when we went.

One of my favorite museums was small, a little bit off from everything else, but not far from a metro stop - Musée Marmottan. Here is the English website. I'm not a real museum fan, but this one blew me away.

Not sure what is/isn't part of Knights and Lights already, these are just personal favorites.

 

[MinnieGarden]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Please keep them coming. DH and I will be in Paris for three days after Knights and Lights, so I am enjoying reading everyone's Paris favorites.

 

[BriarRosie]

Hire me and Emiel as your private tour guides is a must do for Paris!!!!

In a heartbeat, Yvette!

We guide for free but we charge our stay....


We are still thinking of coming over to either London or Paris but the costs for coming over and our hotel stay are a bit to steep right now so we just have to wait and see if it all comes together at the right place and time...

Wishing you luck that the prices reduce a bit!

 

[peteg87]

The Seine River cruise in the evening is a must do. Seine River runs alongside many of the famous buildings of Paris which offer beautiful views at night.