Paris

[YachtClubWoman]

I am finally going to Paris in February- a business trip but still at least I will be in Paris. Any suggestions on what to see with a half day to tour? I was not planning on the Louvre. I listed to Podcast of the London/Paris trip and was still not sure where I should concentrate my limited time. I am planning on staying at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe.

Thanks for any tips or advice.

 

[sayhello]

I am finally going to Paris in February- a business trip but still at least I will be in Paris. Any suggestions on what to see with a half day to tour? I was not planning on the Louvre. I listed to Podcast of the London/Paris trip and was still not sure where I should concentrate my limited time. I am planning on staying at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe.

Thanks for any tips or advice.

What are you interested in? What mode of transportation do you intend to use?

The Hilton Arc de Triomphe is a very nice hotel! (Don't let the outside fool you. It's beautiful inside!) It's within walking distance of the Arc de Triomphe (surprise! ) and the Champs-Elysees.

I can make better suggestions if I have some idea of what kinds of things you like to do and see.

Sayhello

 

[k5jm]

I am finally going to Paris in February- a business trip but still at least I will be in Paris. Any suggestions on what to see with a half day to tour? I was not planning on the Louvre. I listed to Podcast of the London/Paris trip and was still not sure where I should concentrate my limited time. I am planning on staying at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe.

Thanks for any tips or advice.

You will be in walking range of the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées.

But walking and exploring are by far the most amazing experience we had. The Eiffel Tower was amazing, but the beauty and charm of the city are amazing. Walking in the area of Notre Dame can not be missed. I think my DW (and others) loaded up on goodies in that area. And let's not forget the "Coca-Cola with Flare!"

There was also Shakespeare and Company. This is an English Language Bookstore (That Kevin and my DW loved).

Take time to sit in a cafe and eat a meal and people watch. (Why am I typing in this OUTRAGEOUS accent?) So much to do in so little time while you are there.

Oh Oh! I am sure Kevin will second this. You must go to Fauchon. http://www.fauchon.com

Hope that helps!

 

[YachtClubWoman]

I am more of the type to walk around and see what I find. I am not a big shopper. Is the Eiffel Tower worth going on my own? What is in the Notre Dame area? The food store I remember hearing on the Podcast - I will definately check that out.

I will either walk or take cabs from place to place.

Thanks for the help.

 

[sayhello]

I am more of the type to walk around and see what I find. I am not a big shopper. Is the Eiffel Tower worth going on my own? What is in the Notre Dame area? The food store I remember hearing on the Podcast - I will definately check that out.

I will either walk or take cabs from place to place.

Thanks for the help.

With the amount of time you have, I would say actually going up in the Eiffel Tower is not worth it. While it's an amazing thing to do, I found the real charm of the Eiffel Tower was in seeing it, standing out against the backdrop of Paris. The funny thing some of us noticed is -- when you're up in the Eiffel Tower, you can't *SEE* the Eiffel Tower! And unless you get in with a tour group, you could potentially spend a *lot* of time in line waiting to get in. I'd suggest going to the area *near* the Eiffel Tower so that you can admire it, but don't bother going inside.

I climbed Notre Dame, so I didn't spend any time in the area around Notre Dame. But I know those who did spend time there enjoyed it a lot. But I think a lot of that was shopping.

I took the Metro to the Sacre Coeur, which is a Basillica up on a high hill overlooking Paris. It's a beautiful walk up the hill, with fabulous views of Paris from the top. If you enjoy churches, the Sacre Coeur is lovely.

An easy thing to do would be walking from the Hotel to the Arc de Triomphe, checking out the Arc de Triomphe (which you can climb to the top of), and then strolling down the Champs-Elysees to window shop, people watch and sip a drink or two at a sidewalk cafe.

I know Pete & Matt walked from the Champs-Elysees to a cafe within view of the Eiffel Tower, so it is walkable, although I'm not sure how far it is.

Sayhello

 

[MinnieGarden]

For half a day, I would definately hire Kevin's car and driver he spoke about. While it may be expensive, it would definately be worth it.

While the Metro is easy, it definately isn't London and can require several transfers to get where you are going. As for walking, February will most likely be chilly. If you're used to that, great, if not..... And then there are taxis. From personal experience on the recent ABD adventure, they are feast or famine. My first taxi alone was from the Eiffel Tower to E. Dehellerain (the famous copper pot store near the Louvre). My driver was not impressed that I didn't speak French, fortunately I had written down the name and address of the store I wanted to go to. On the return to the hotel, I went to 2 taxi stands trying to catch a taxi back to the hotel. The first had taxis, but no drivers. And the second had no taxis. So I started walking in the direction of the hotel and eventually flagged one down. Be sure to pick up a business card at the hotel with their address. It comes in very handy!

What ever you decide to do, be sure you check their hours. There were several places that I wanted to go, but opted not to because they closed for a couple of hours mid-day on some or all days of the week. E. Dehellerain was one example. They close for 2 hours mid-day on Mondays, but are open all day Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Good luck and have fun on your French adventure!

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

I would recommend just wandering around and soaking in the city. One afternoon, we walked from the Eiffel Tower to the Latin Quarter and just explored tons of little shops along the way. I wish we'd spent more time doing that.

Laurie

 

[apurplebrat]

My mom & I loved our day just wondering around and exploring shops and cafes. Paris is such an easy city to walk.

I highly recommend the PURPLE bar at the hotel!!!! I was in PURPLE heaven

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'd recommend getting a macaroon at Fauchon.

I'd recommend getting a croissant at Poilane.

I'd recommend lunch at a sidewalk cafe.

I'd recommend Montmarte.

I'd recommend the open street market on Rue Cler.

I'd recommend seeing the view from the Trocadero.

Any combination of any of the above would be an awesome afternoon, in my opinion.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I just went to the Fauchon website Mike posted.

I may have to go lie down.

It's like a jewelry store that sells food.

I can't wait to go back.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

Thank you everyone for all of the suggestions. I knew you all would steer me in the right direction. I will be going back in the Fall so I hope to have more time then to explore.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

I love the metro system in Paris, it is so easy to use and the maps are easy to follow. Look for where you want to go and then look at the end stop. That will be the train to get on. Transfers are usually just going up and down to the next metro train. It is fast, cheap and super easy.

http://parisbytrain.com/paris-metro-rer-map/

I always stay on Ile de Citi and love the location. Do study the statues on the front of Notre Dam and the flying Buttresses. But is you want a church of the people, go see St. Gervais just walking distance away. This is the Church of the people and is moving.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St-Gervais-et-St-Protais_Church

I am daring, I rent the Velib and ride around town. The traffic is scary but I love it. I get a bottle of wine and sit by the Seine watching people go by.

If you want to use up the entire afternoon take the RER to Versailles and tour the palace or just walk the gardens.

Enjoy your trip. I love Paris and feel that in a previous life I must have been a beautiful thin French woman.