and you had already been there a few times, seen the must-sees, and just want to BE in Paris, what would you do? I'm open for any suggestions, secret spots, or intersting things to see/do. I leave in 2 weeks. Thanks!
Teach to Travel; Travel to Teach
Posts: 177 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 25 August 2006
I don't know what "must-sees" you've seen. We spent 7 days there in May and enjoyed:
Jardin des Plantes where you can wander, sit, jog, or go into the different gardens and exhibits.
If you like to take photographs, challenge yourself with a particular subject or technique. For example, several evenings at sunset, I attempted to capture the light and the details of Notre Dame. The flower market is nearby and that's fun, too. I also enjoyed photographing different scenes in Paris , including bridges, sunsets and dogs.
On our one rainy day, we enjoyed strolling along Rue de Rivoli where the sidewalks are covered. We stopped in to share a pot of hot chocolate at Angelinas, then window shopped. We also went to the Orangerie on that rainy day to see Monet's Waterlilies panels.
Speaking of Monet, if you've not been to Giverny it is an easy trip. The Impressionism Museum at Giverny has many of Monet's works on display right now. We had lunch there, too.
If you like to take photographs, challenge yourself with a particular subject or technique. For example, several evenings at sunset, I attempted to capture the light and the details of Notre Dame. The flower market is nearby and that's fun, too. I also enjoyed photographing different scenes in Paris , including bridges, sunsets and dogs.
Cameron hit on one of my techniques to see new things on return visits - I create a "treasure hunt" or two of special items to seek out. In Venice, a good hunt is for lions in all their forms, Florence might be fleur-de-lis, etc.
When in Paris for my birthday in 2007, I focused on photographing sculptural details, specifically hands and feet of statues. Click the link for my Slow Photo album: "Digit-al Paris"
We also searched out macarons wherever we went.
Posts: 16049 | Location: The Beautiful San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: 06 August 2001
Wow! Great suggestions so far. Keep 'em coming! We love the Jardins du Luxembourg. We're definitely planning to meander there. I'll have to check out Jo and Den's trip report--we love cruises. The idea of capturing specific details sounds lovely. It reminds me of something my traveling companion did a few years ago while in London. She would look for specific details in the city that spelled out LONDON, whether they were from buildings, gardens, clothes, people, you name it. It was a really fun experience. I think I may try that out in Paris. I think I already have the "A" if I can get a nice shot of the Eiffel.
Teach to Travel; Travel to Teach
Posts: 177 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 25 August 2006
Have you been to the Musee Jaquemart-Andre? It's a mansion with a good audio guide tour. Plus you can have lunch or tea in the original dining room or terrace. It's a very pleasant excursion.
My sister and I also had fun walking the passages. As we exited one we stumbled upon an old-fashioned candy store. It's "A la Mere de Famille." They have several locations, but this one was really charming - I think it's the one on 35, rue du Faubourg Montmartre.
- rent a row boat and have a picnic in the Bois de Boulogne - walk in the 16th arrondissement to see the various art nouveau facades and details - take a walk on the 'promenade plantée'and continue to the Bois de Vincenne - walk along the Canal St Martin - have a picnic in the Belleville park - discover the covered passages (panorama, vivienne, colbert, grand cerf etc...) - go to the terrace of the Printemps to have a (free) view over the city and have a look a the stained glass cupola at the same time. Then have a look a the Gallery Lafayette cupola next door as well. Cross the street and enter the Société Générale Bank to discover another stained glass cupola and see the amazing 1900's architectural details. - go to the top of the Tour Montparnasse at night to enjoy the illuminated monuments
* A walking tour of Hector Guimmard's apartment buildings, as well as some other wonderful ones in the 16th. Several guidebooks have walking tours, we used the Cadogan Paris.
* St Denis--the Basilica and the town's museum.
* The Batignolles neighborhood in the 17th--a pretty residential area with some nice restaurants, markets, and charming parks.
* Musee Nissim Camondo, another beautiful old home.
* the Chateau de Vincennes and the Park Floral behind it is a lovely place for a Sunday.
* The workshop tour at Les Gobelins. It's only given in French, but a fantastic experience if you have an interest in fine workmanship.
It may be too late to get reservations, but check out Meet the Parisians at Work and Paris Greeters I wrote about both those experiences (both wonderful!) in December 2007.
I wrote about it here, but if you search the forum on those terms you'll find a few reports from others who had similarly great experiences.
It's expensive, but a dinner cruise on the Seine is lovely and the food is good, too. For quiet charm and romance, pay extra for a table in the bow.
Excellent photo opportunities up and down the river, dancing to a live band after dinner, photographer portraits if you like and circling the mini-Statue of Liberty on a small island in the middle of the river, while the band played America the Beautiful was great stuff.
Posts: 738 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: 12 September 2006
Oh! I'd also go for a few great dinners. Make that the highlight. Perhaps Spring (as the rumor is you can get in right now - even per David Lebovitz), Le J'Go www.lejgo.com, and others here have great suggestions.
Visit an arrondisement you haven't been to before, or a museum (Musee Marmottan??) you haven't visited before.....
Enjoy and report back! Laura
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Posts: 915 | Location: Edmonds, WA | Registered: 01 April 2006
These responses were just what we were looking for. We're definitely keen on making meals, picnics, etc. a highlight. We also love the idea of cruises and parks, so thanks!
Teach to Travel; Travel to Teach
Posts: 177 | Location: Kentucky | Registered: 25 August 2006
I go into a hibernation mode in Paris so I'm really impressed if not envious that everyone else is doing all these activities!
When I have one weeks or so in Paris, I normally make about 3 lunch or dinner reservations and on those days, we do try to do one thing such as a day trip, an exhibition, or musical event. On other days, I spend almost all day food shopping to prepare dinner - not that we get to our cafe to start the day anytime before 10:00 am. I'm blissfully happy just lying around in our apartment or hanging out in our neighborhood that I need a motivational speech not to back out of dinner reservation ("Remember, you wanted to try the Soufflé au Grand Marnie at La Régalade, so get dressed!).
We also get into a particular food item/group kick. In February, we went everywhere looking for a good baguette. April was macarons and butter. We'll be back in Paris in July and I'm thinking wine and cocktails.
- Among the must-sees that you have done, have you had lunch at the musée Jacquemart-André? After all, how often does one lunch under a Tiepolo? Here is a description. Book a couple of days in advance in order to 158, bd Haussmann, tel 01 4562 1159 - If you are around on a weekend, check out a street fair (brocantes). You can check the Paris street fair (brocantes) calender here. - If you are here for July13th/14th, go to a fireman's ball. - If you are in Paris around the time of Paris-Plage, go check out all the fun along the Seine.
But Jeff, I beg to differ re the Seine dinner cruises. I was obliged to attend quite a few of those. The food ranged from bad to very bad. Finally I wised up and ate before going to those dinners.
