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Going to Paris: What must I do?
- Thread starter amateurmacfreak
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If you like contemporary art you should definately visit 'Palais de Tokyo'; it's pretty close to the Champs Elysees. You could walk from the Eifeltower to palais de tokyo (across the Seine) as well. It also has a nice restaurant / pub with it with fancy lighting and nice menu's so you can go there for dinner as well 
It's a museum that many tourists somehow forget to visit; they all go to Musee d'Orsay, Louvre, Eifeltower, Mont Martre, des Invalides, centre Pompidou, Les halles, etc instead
The pub / restaurant in Palais de Tokyo
If you want to visit the grave of Jim Morrisson (and other famous French like Edith Piaf), visit Pere Lachaise.
Pere Lachaise
If you have some spare time; you could take the train and visit Versailles; the huge palace of Louis the 14th with it's massive beautiful gardens... It's a little trainride outside of Paris. If you do, go see Soffia Coppola's movie 'Marie Antoinette' (which was shot on location at Versailles) at home afterwards
Versailles' hall of mirrors
If you like flea markets you can visit Europe's largest flea market: Antiquaires du Marché aux Puces de Paris-Saint-Ouen. It's a metro ride out of the center (in the Mont Martre direction) and is indeed huge.
It's a museum that many tourists somehow forget to visit; they all go to Musee d'Orsay, Louvre, Eifeltower, Mont Martre, des Invalides, centre Pompidou, Les halles, etc instead
The pub / restaurant in Palais de Tokyo
If you want to visit the grave of Jim Morrisson (and other famous French like Edith Piaf), visit Pere Lachaise.
Pere Lachaise
If you have some spare time; you could take the train and visit Versailles; the huge palace of Louis the 14th with it's massive beautiful gardens... It's a little trainride outside of Paris. If you do, go see Soffia Coppola's movie 'Marie Antoinette' (which was shot on location at Versailles) at home afterwards
Versailles' hall of mirrors
If you like flea markets you can visit Europe's largest flea market: Antiquaires du Marché aux Puces de Paris-Saint-Ouen. It's a metro ride out of the center (in the Mont Martre direction) and is indeed huge.
The cemetary is a great place to visit - Oscar Wilde is also buried there and has a great tomb.4np said:If you want to visit the grave of Jim Morrisson (and other famous French like Edith Piaf), visit Pere Lachaise
For getting around the centre of Paris the Bateaux Bus is a great alternative to the metro. You can get an all day ticket and it stops at many of the places you will want to see. Much better to see Paris from the river than underground!
Whatever you do, get a travelcard so you can ride around on the Metro all day. The coolest and best-value way to get around. As well as the usual places, pick somewhere with an odd name on the Metro map - Paris is so characterful that even random places are bound to be interesting
Make sure you sit outside a nice cafe and watch the world go by for a while. And I DO NOT mean a starbucks For a light lunch, stop off in a cafe and have a croque monsieur (unless you are veggie) or a warm baguette... anything bread related will be amazing (unless you are in a crappy tourist cafe)
As with just about any tourist area in the world, the best places to eat and drink are never where the tourists are - with a guaranteed clientele they never have to make an effort. Go to one of the random metro stops I mentioned and choose a smoke-filled place full of locals
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Make sure you sit outside a nice cafe and watch the world go by for a while. And I DO NOT mean a starbucks
For a light lunch, stop off in a cafe and have a croque monsieur (unless you are veggie) or a warm baguette... anything bread related will be amazing (unless you are in a crappy tourist cafe)As with just about any tourist area in the world, the best places to eat and drink are never where the tourists are - with a guaranteed clientele they never have to make an effort. Go to one of the random metro stops I mentioned and choose a smoke-filled place full of locals
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Thanks a lot for all the advice guys. I love MR!
So, leaving tomorrow, I'll keep all these suggestions in mind definitely.
So, leaving tomorrow, I'll keep all these suggestions in mind definitely.
Mr Skills said:
This is the advice always given to people going to Paris, and I really don't understand it. If you're in ANY big city, this is a worthwhile thing to do. Do it in Paris, but do it at home too. You'll really love it.
Abstract said:
True, but there is an entirely different atmosphere about French cafes. It is perfectly acceptable to nurse one drink for a whole afternoon as you read a book or watch the world go by. It's hard to explain, it's just... natural. Yes, it's nice anywhere... but it's special in France
People only think that because Paris has an image of being "sophisticated", so all these tourists go there, go to the "Frenchest" cafe they can find, and just sit and pretend to be "that person" for an hour, quietly.
You can sit and watch the world go by near the beach I live close to. Different environment to Paris --- no fancy buildings, and definitely not sophisticated --- but I've been to Paris 3 times (once with friends), and I went to 2 cafes and sat there with them, chatting a bit, drinking wine while being silent, had bread with something on top that didn't taste good, and i'm sure it made them feel really good somehow. It just made me feel like a tw*t.
When I go to the beach and sit and have a drink, or lie down in the sun, watching people surf, swim, or run around, or even taking photos near one of the beaches or near the lighthouse, I don't feel like such a phoney. I'm there because I want to be --- because going there and doing these things is just a part of my routine. If I go to France and I schedule in "3:00 pm: Sit down and watch the world go by", I just feel like a total poseur. Do that sort of thing when/if you want to. If you're only doing it while in Paris because you're in Paris, it probably bothers the people who are there because they have to put up with 1 or 2 Americans who just sit there and pretend to be doing what they're doing.
I don't want to be a Holden Caulfield, but sometimes, that's how I see the world and some of what we "have" to do just because we're in a place like Paris.
You can sit and watch the world go by near the beach I live close to. Different environment to Paris --- no fancy buildings, and definitely not sophisticated --- but I've been to Paris 3 times (once with friends), and I went to 2 cafes and sat there with them, chatting a bit, drinking wine while being silent, had bread with something on top that didn't taste good, and i'm sure it made them feel really good somehow. It just made me feel like a tw*t.
When I go to the beach and sit and have a drink, or lie down in the sun, watching people surf, swim, or run around, or even taking photos near one of the beaches or near the lighthouse, I don't feel like such a phoney. I'm there because I want to be --- because going there and doing these things is just a part of my routine. If I go to France and I schedule in "3:00 pm: Sit down and watch the world go by", I just feel like a total poseur. Do that sort of thing when/if you want to. If you're only doing it while in Paris because you're in Paris, it probably bothers the people who are there because they have to put up with 1 or 2 Americans who just sit there and pretend to be doing what they're doing.
I don't want to be a Holden Caulfield, but sometimes, that's how I see the world and some of what we "have" to do just because we're in a place like Paris.
Graeme A said:
We ran into this a few years ago. I don't know where it starts now but back then it started at Les Invalides and I don't know where it went from there. We walked a bit from the start line and saw thousands of people on rollerblades going by - easily one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
And I'll put in another vote for Musée d'Orsay.
FORGET ABOUT THE LOUVRE. (and this is coming from an art student whos been to Paris a million of times) ITS A WASTE OF TIME. Ha. Seriously if you want to exprince something awesome go to the pomideu.
also, I dont know the name of the area but I know its near novotel (a hotel) which is next to the pomideu, there is this square where all these goth kids round up and hang out. I always go to that square whenever i'm in paris, even though I dont fit in AT ALL. lol but its cool to watch them.
also, there is this place next to the court house,a 'big' alley way where they're are cool cafes and its just really peaceful
IF you're into fashion then there is a Dolce and Gabanna store kinda sorta next to the lourve. just head towards the champ-elyees, and it should be on your right. Also, I think its St. Honere street where there is this high fashion department store called "Collete".
OK OK I know my direction of places is POOR but maybe you'll find the names of places helpful
God your so lucky your going to PARIS. I've been going there every year since the 3rd grade (also part of my dad's job). I love this city. LOVE IT. I just feel this awesome feeling when I'm there.
have fun
also, I dont know the name of the area but I know its near novotel (a hotel) which is next to the pomideu, there is this square where all these goth kids round up and hang out. I always go to that square whenever i'm in paris, even though I dont fit in AT ALL. lol but its cool to watch them.
also, there is this place next to the court house,a 'big' alley way where they're are cool cafes and its just really peaceful
IF you're into fashion then there is a Dolce and Gabanna store kinda sorta next to the lourve. just head towards the champ-elyees, and it should be on your right. Also, I think its St. Honere street where there is this high fashion department store called "Collete".
OK OK I know my direction of places is POOR but maybe you'll find the names of places helpful
God your so lucky your going to PARIS. I've been going there every year since the 3rd grade (also part of my dad's job). I love this city. LOVE IT. I just feel this awesome feeling when I'm there.
have fun
Just had a great first night in Paris!
The Musee D'Orsay sounds like a must, and I'll try to check out one or two modern art museums.
Tired, Jet-lagged, and Happy,
Emma
The Musee D'Orsay sounds like a must, and I'll try to check out one or two modern art museums.
Tired, Jet-lagged, and Happy,
Emma
Wherever you go, go early, because everything closes early by North American standards.
And how come no one's mentionned Moulin Rouge?
And how come no one's mentionned Moulin Rouge?