Paris must do's

[Slowped]

Hi

Planning on going to Paris end of next week. I have been a few times before, but this time I will be with the missus. What are the less obvious top must do/see things. I know the Louvre/ Notre Damme/ Eiffel are all worth seeing with her but I was hoping for some top insider tips.

What have you guys got to say?

Thanks!
Nick

[NormalWisdom]

On the roof of Printemps (department store) there is a cafe/bar. Nice place to watch the sunset at the end of the day with superp views of Tour Montparnasse, Eiffel and Sacre Couer.

Also, try going to the top of Tour Montparnasse for an unrivalled view of Eiffel (there is also a decent restaurant on the 57th (I think?) floor 'Ciel de Paris' which is not cheap!).

If you are into antiques/Flea markets then the area around Clignancourt just inside the Peripherique is great fun

<Edit>How could I forget - My favourite restaurant is Le Train Bleu in the Gare de Lyon railway station. Must reserve but it is well worth it

[henrycrun]

On R4 last week they mentioned a new pedestrianized area along the Seine between the Louvre and the Tower.

[Justin Cyder]

Pere la Chaise is interesting, as are the catacombs, although they're not open all the time. Bit morbid perhaps, but I really enjoyed wandering around PLC.

[anonymous-user]

NormalWisdom said:

My favourite restaurant is Le Train Bleu in the Gare de Lyon railway station. Must reserve but it is well worth it

Seconded. Was there two weeks ago.
Must admit though, having coats and jackets hanging on the backs of the chairs at each table lowered the tone a bit.

As for the Eiffel Tower, I'd say don't rush to get there. Took us two hours to reach the top and that was with pre-booked tickets (which just let you in quicker.....you still have to queue for the lifts like everyone else). It's one of those things that's better to look at rather than look from.
The aerial view of Paris is pretty uninspiring as the architecture is all very samey.
L'arc de Triomphe is more like it, with better, less detached views along the Champs Élysées and other avenues.

Slowped said:

......but this time I will be with the missus. What are the less obvious top must do/see things

Do some prep and get yourself a small (cheap) padlock, engraved with your names and anniversary date or the date you're there or some other guff. Then, when you accidentally end up strolling across the Pont de l'Archevêché beside the Louvre you can reach in to your pocket and retrieve said padlock. Many brownie point will be had.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 4th November 12:00

[benters]

been a couple of times and it has some magic to it, but i always feel its an expensive place to go, so stating the obvious but take plenty of Euros with you, nothing will be cheap !

[944fan]

Fouquetts on the Champs Elysee.

Steak and chips comes with an entire BOWL full of Bearnaise sauce. Lovely.

Quite famous place. Fans of the Ian Flemming Bond novels will know all about it.

[TEKNOPUG]

Point to Le Scaffold and inquire as to when it will be finished.

[jackal]

Forget the louvre ... do the impressionists exhibition instead. Mindblowing.

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I know you want interesting alternatives to Eiffel - but as most people go up during the day, I recommend a visit to the top when it's dark. Brings a whole new dimension to the view

[Gizmoish]

Ray Luxury-Yacht said:

I know you want interesting alternatives to Eiffel - but as most people go up during the day, I recommend a visit to the top when it's dark. Brings a whole new dimension to the view

I tend to time it so I get up there about half an hour before sunset (bearing in mind that sunset is a few minutes later when you're 300m in the air, because you can see further over the horizon). Mooch about a bit, watch the sun go down, go and find dinner.

This will come in useful for such tricks: http://www.suncalc.net/#/48.8582,2.2944,12/2013.11...

(This is also a neat trick, but you've missed it for this year - sun setting straight down the Champs - it will shine straight through the hole in the middle. http://www.suncalc.net/#/48.8737,2.2953,13/2013.08... )

[nammynake]

The Catacombs!

http://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en/homepage-catacom...

Really interesting and unique experience.

[YankeePorker]

nammynake said:

The Catacombs!

http://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en/homepage-catacom...

Really interesting and unique experience.

Seconded - unique experience, albeit not for young kids.

Other than that, Paris is beautiful and smelly in equal measures. If only they could get over their addiction to diesel cars.

[Slowped]

Crossflow Kid said:

Do some prep and get yourself a small (cheap) padlock, engraved with your names and anniversary date or the date you're there or some other guff. Then, when you accidentally end up strolling across the Pont de l'Archevêché beside the Louvre you can reach in to your pocket and retrieve said padlock. Many brownie point will be had.

Edited by Crossflow Kid on Monday 4th November 12:00

Excellent tip Xflowkid. She would love that. (que funky bass)

Gentlemen, thank you for the ideas so far- I have noted them all.

I have just booked the hotel (Hotel Britannique) which was a little more than I thought it would be at £480 for 3 nights, but the location is top notch. Looking forward to getting there.

Edited by Slowped on Monday 4th November 22:10

[thebigm]

I lived and worked in Paris for 3 years, so can gave you a few recommendations:

1) A boat trip along the Seine is definitely worth it
2) The most romantic bridge on the river Seine is the "pont des arts" go there at sunset (or at any time) for the best views of the river. Walk across it to the "Latin Quarter" where there a lots of bars and restaurants.
3)If you want somewhere a bit quirky to eat go the all-night bar/restaurant le tambour they even have an all night.
4)Les jardins de luxembourg is a really nice park. From there you can walk up to the Pantheon where there is a fantastic English pub (Samuel Smiths) with great views.
5) For great views of the eifel tower go the trocadero.

Hope this helps!

[YankeePorker]

Pissing down and miserable in Paris today - I hope you are luckier later in the week! Bring your umbrella.....

[marcosgt]

Couple of things I don't think have been mentioned.

Versailles - The palace is a short (30 minutes?) ride out of Paris and absolutely amazing.

Arc De Triomphe - Great views over the city without the horrendous queues for the Eiffel Tour.

The Musée de l'Orangerie - Contains some massive Water Lilly paintings by Monet lit by a translucent roof. Really great way to display these paintings (along with some smaller works by other artists).

M.

[Black can man]

Been a long time since we were in Paris, but we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to palace de Versailles,

[richwig83]

Sacre coeur (sp) go down to the crypt and the up on the roof. Great view of Paris.

Don't get robbed. Don't speak to ANYONE at the train stations, even if they seem to want to "help" you.

[Mr Kitten]

Take your OH to Laduree for tea... it's rather charming!