Paris for a long weekend... what to do?
Discussion
Me and OH are going to Paris on Thursday for an extra long weekend.
Is there any must sees that we should do?
Also does anyone have any hidden gems that they would like to divulge, stuff that isn't the normal tourist hang outs, maybe a cafe or a bar hidden away, etc?
We have a rough idea of what we are doing but as this is my first time staying in Paris, I want to make sure we get to see some unusual stuff.
Also any advice we should be aware of when hanging out in Paris?
Is there any must sees that we should do?
Also does anyone have any hidden gems that they would like to divulge, stuff that isn't the normal tourist hang outs, maybe a cafe or a bar hidden away, etc?
We have a rough idea of what we are doing but as this is my first time staying in Paris, I want to make sure we get to see some unusual stuff.
Also any advice we should be aware of when hanging out in Paris?
Try the Rodin Museum. The building is being renevated but the garden is still open and has some great works including the Thinker. Only €2. It's next to Les Invalides, the military museum and Napoleans tomb.
Don't bother with the Sacre Couer or Montemartre as they are a tourist hell.
The Louvre is great but very big and busy. Musee D'Orsay is smaller and filled with impressionists works.
The Eiffel tower is also very touristy and a long queue. Not worth it in my opinion.
Les Jardins de tuilleries aer worth a wander through. There is a small gallery in it near Place de Concorde which houses some massive pieces by Monet.
Versaille is about half an hour by RER train and well worth a visit.
Don't bother with the Sacre Couer or Montemartre as they are a tourist hell.
The Louvre is great but very big and busy. Musee D'Orsay is smaller and filled with impressionists works.
The Eiffel tower is also very touristy and a long queue. Not worth it in my opinion.
Les Jardins de tuilleries aer worth a wander through. There is a small gallery in it near Place de Concorde which houses some massive pieces by Monet.
Versaille is about half an hour by RER train and well worth a visit.
I think that one of the nice things about Paris is that it is comparatively compact and so easy to walk around. So meandering and discovering YOUR Paris is great. Eat in places you fancy and just take your time.
The weather should be OK http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-meteo-france... so a stroll along the Seine could be a nother nice freeby.
The weather should be OK http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-meteo-france... so a stroll along the Seine could be a nother nice freeby.
Try an afternoon wandering around the antiques/flea markets in St Ouen:
http://www.marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com/4.aspx
For dinner there's Queyrelou, about 200m from Place de la Nation:
http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g18714...
http://www.marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com/4.aspx
For dinner there's Queyrelou, about 200m from Place de la Nation:
http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g18714...
Some great ideas here.
Top tip (as I know that you are fit enough!) is, as said, walk everywhere.
Sod the Metro, unless you want to go out of the main town it is dead easy to walk about and see lots.
Do walk down the Champs-Élysées, I would say in the evening/at night. There was a big wheel (mini London Eye) near the Louvre when we went - do it if you can.
Tourist places are very touristy - that's a big surprise for you I am sure. If you want to go to one then I would say make sure that you get there good and early in the day and only plan one per day. Forget about going into the Louvre - unless you are a big arty type or 'have to see the Moaner Lisa [sic]'. You will spend too much of your time.
What we love to do is to walk around places like Paris, Prague, Talin, Kracow, etc and look around us - we rarely fail to stumble upon some out of the way locals street market or other little gem off the usual radar. Best of all is without being rigid on things we can stop and have a drink or bite to eat when we want somewhere that take our fancies. Only last week we were talking about the night we stopped off at an old zinc topped bar for a hot drink and a night cap - watching some bloke pick up his very Parisian lady in a yellow 914 and trying to explain to her why she'd have to have her hard case suitcase on her lap
Top tip (as I know that you are fit enough!) is, as said, walk everywhere.
Sod the Metro, unless you want to go out of the main town it is dead easy to walk about and see lots.
Do walk down the Champs-Élysées, I would say in the evening/at night. There was a big wheel (mini London Eye) near the Louvre when we went - do it if you can.
Tourist places are very touristy - that's a big surprise for you I am sure. If you want to go to one then I would say make sure that you get there good and early in the day and only plan one per day. Forget about going into the Louvre - unless you are a big arty type or 'have to see the Moaner Lisa [sic]'. You will spend too much of your time.
What we love to do is to walk around places like Paris, Prague, Talin, Kracow, etc and look around us - we rarely fail to stumble upon some out of the way locals street market or other little gem off the usual radar. Best of all is without being rigid on things we can stop and have a drink or bite to eat when we want somewhere that take our fancies. Only last week we were talking about the night we stopped off at an old zinc topped bar for a hot drink and a night cap - watching some bloke pick up his very Parisian lady in a yellow 914 and trying to explain to her why she'd have to have her hard case suitcase on her lap
Gingerbread Man said:
Mind out for your wallet if you ever have a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in your sights.
To be fair, whilst sound advice, it is the same in any busy place with lots of tourists paying little attention to basic personal security.Usual rules apply - keep it safe and out of sight, preferably with a barrier such as button or zip that has to be undone. If you think you are being watched move it to an even safer location. Hand bags shut and purses in an inner pocket incase the bottom gets slit with a knife.
Look like a tourist who isn't paying attention and you will become pray. Look like you know what you are doing, where you are going and be vigilant and you will be very unlucky to be a victim.
This is not to blame the victims of such crimes in the slightest, just some very basics that help you avoid being one in the first place.
Rude-boy said:
Gingerbread Man said:
Mind out for your wallet if you ever have a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in your sights.
To be fair, whilst sound advice, it is the same in any busy place with lots of tourists paying little attention to basic personal security.Usual rules apply - keep it safe and out of sight, preferably with a barrier such as button or zip that has to be undone. If you think you are being watched move it to an even safer location. Hand bags shut and purses in an inner pocket incase the bottom gets slit with a knife.
Look like a tourist who isn't paying attention and you will become pray. Look like you know what you are doing, where you are going and be vigilant and you will be very unlucky to be a victim.
This is not to blame the victims of such crimes in the slightest, just some very basics that help you avoid being one in the first place.
Le TVR said:
Try an afternoon wandering around the antiques/flea markets in St Ouen:
http://www.marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com/4.aspx
For dinner there's Queyrelou, about 200m from Place de la Nation:
http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g18714...
The market is on the list as OH is under the impression that taking a suitcase for 4 days means that she can fill suitcase with crap to take home... as if the property was not full enough already.http://www.marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com/4.aspx
For dinner there's Queyrelou, about 200m from Place de la Nation:
http://www.tripadvisor.fr/Restaurant_Review-g18714...
Have a coffee/beer & pastry on the rooftop cafe at Printemps shop (avoid the shopping!) - Good views.
Better than the "Eiffel Trifle" is la Tour Montparnasse which not only gives you the same views of Paris but they all have the Eiffel Tower in them!! There is a bar/restaurant on the 57th (I think) floor for refreshment if required.
Better than the "Eiffel Trifle" is la Tour Montparnasse which not only gives you the same views of Paris but they all have the Eiffel Tower in them!! There is a bar/restaurant on the 57th (I think) floor for refreshment if required.
One of the best things me and my OH did is a bike tour of paris, there are a few companies that do them. Can't exactly rememeber the name but the bikes were green. Saw a few sights and is a good way to get familiar with how to bike around, which then gave us confidence to use their version of the boris bike which we then spent hours and hours on just riding around exploring, dropping them off where we want. That's probably one of the best things we did TBH.
Really wish my memory wasn't so bad as we ate in some amazing places .... There was a kind of tapas place which you just turn up and each day the menu changes so you have to pick from what is available. Wish I could remember the name but my description may jog somebody elses mind.
Really wish my memory wasn't so bad as we ate in some amazing places .... There was a kind of tapas place which you just turn up and each day the menu changes so you have to pick from what is available. Wish I could remember the name but my description may jog somebody elses mind.
The Latin Quarter is nice for a wander around and is great for people watching while sat in a Cafe - it's just across the river from Notre Dame and not at all far from the Louvre if you're heading over that way.
That said, I like to wander the streets adjacent to the main touristy bits - as said, you often find the best stuff there.
Paris is a great city - it's the perfect size for wandering about.
That said, I like to wander the streets adjacent to the main touristy bits - as said, you often find the best stuff there.
Paris is a great city - it's the perfect size for wandering about.
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