4 Days in Paris...what to do and where to eat?
Discussion
Hi all,
My girlfriend and I are catching the Eurostar tomorrow lunchtime to spend four days (three nights) in Paris. Normally I would research the hell out of trips like this; however, I've been ill the past two weeks (since we booked it) and so I haven't had a chance to work out what to do and where to go. So I ask for your advice and recommendations.
Neither of us have been been to Paris before, so we would like to do some of the usual touristy stuff - Eiffel Tower, Louvre, bus tour of all the sights, etc. However I would like to know if there is a better 'order' to do these trips in, or whether there are any package deals that work out well cost-wise?
Eating...neither of us have particularly fancy tastes as far as food is concerned - the most we want most of the time is a decent burger or a nice steak. We're also not particularly into French food. That said, we would like one half-decent dining experience whilst we are there; perhaps fifty or sixty quid a head excluding drinks (she's pregnant and I'm on antibiotics, so no alcohol for us this trip). Any recommendations?
Finally, any general top tips for a couple like us? Best places to visit at the best times of day? Tips for using the subway system or taxis? Anything at all that might be useful for Paris newbies such as ourselves?
All tips and advice most welcome. Many thanks in advance.
Regards,
EYW
My girlfriend and I are catching the Eurostar tomorrow lunchtime to spend four days (three nights) in Paris. Normally I would research the hell out of trips like this; however, I've been ill the past two weeks (since we booked it) and so I haven't had a chance to work out what to do and where to go. So I ask for your advice and recommendations.
Neither of us have been been to Paris before, so we would like to do some of the usual touristy stuff - Eiffel Tower, Louvre, bus tour of all the sights, etc. However I would like to know if there is a better 'order' to do these trips in, or whether there are any package deals that work out well cost-wise?
Eating...neither of us have particularly fancy tastes as far as food is concerned - the most we want most of the time is a decent burger or a nice steak. We're also not particularly into French food. That said, we would like one half-decent dining experience whilst we are there; perhaps fifty or sixty quid a head excluding drinks (she's pregnant and I'm on antibiotics, so no alcohol for us this trip). Any recommendations?
Finally, any general top tips for a couple like us? Best places to visit at the best times of day? Tips for using the subway system or taxis? Anything at all that might be useful for Paris newbies such as ourselves?
All tips and advice most welcome. Many thanks in advance.
Regards,
EYW
t.For any good restaurant you really should book in advance. Highly recommended by me is:
http://www.chezpaul.com/index.htm
For the Eiffel Tower you should book on line now so you avoid the queue for tickets when you get there.
The segway tour is absolutely stonking. Expensive but, in my opinion, good value:
http://citysegwaytours.com/paris
If breakfast is not included in your rate don't bother. Just go to the nearest patisserie and get croissants and choc-au-pain from there.
http://www.chezpaul.com/index.htm
For the Eiffel Tower you should book on line now so you avoid the queue for tickets when you get there.
The segway tour is absolutely stonking. Expensive but, in my opinion, good value:
http://citysegwaytours.com/paris
If breakfast is not included in your rate don't bother. Just go to the nearest patisserie and get croissants and choc-au-pain from there.
Tripadvisor is a good site for info on the best places to stay & things to do!
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
I've always used the site to find places before I travel & I've never been disappointed
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/
I've always used the site to find places before I travel & I've never been disappointed
Went with the gf last year. I really enjoyed it, my second favourite European city after Rome.
Things to do:
- Eiffel Tower - overhyped but essential.
- Musee d'Orsay - stunning, both in terms of the building itself and the art it houses.
- Louvre - Everyone rushes to the Mona Lisa, but don't miss the other gems it has.
- Go to Montmartre - on the hill, area of bohemian artists and red light district by night. While you're up on the hill, check out the Sacre Coeur. You can also visit the 'Cafe des 2 moulins' where Amelie was filmed. The Moulin Rouge is worth while seeing at night (from the outside!) for the long exposure photo potential.
- Notre Dame - essential but I'd advice going early to beat the queues.
- Pompidou Centre - Great collection of modern art. Worth the trip.
Restaurants on the whole in Paris are very good. Even the 'average' ones are decent compared to 'average' UK standards imo. A few that we went to that were of note:
- Brasserie Lipp - classic French cuisine
- Refuge des Fondue - set price, meat or cheese fondue, wine drunk from baby bottles. Seriously good.
(Use the Rough Guide, I typically find its recommendations are very good indeed).
Subway is excellent (but can appear very confusing on the map), you will not require a taxi imo.
Enjoy, hopefully the weather will be kind and you can wander the streets enjoying the architecture and ambience. That in itself is something to be savoured.
Things to do:
- Eiffel Tower - overhyped but essential.
- Musee d'Orsay - stunning, both in terms of the building itself and the art it houses.
- Louvre - Everyone rushes to the Mona Lisa, but don't miss the other gems it has.
- Go to Montmartre - on the hill, area of bohemian artists and red light district by night. While you're up on the hill, check out the Sacre Coeur. You can also visit the 'Cafe des 2 moulins' where Amelie was filmed. The Moulin Rouge is worth while seeing at night (from the outside!) for the long exposure photo potential.
- Notre Dame - essential but I'd advice going early to beat the queues.
- Pompidou Centre - Great collection of modern art. Worth the trip.
Restaurants on the whole in Paris are very good. Even the 'average' ones are decent compared to 'average' UK standards imo. A few that we went to that were of note:
- Brasserie Lipp - classic French cuisine
- Refuge des Fondue - set price, meat or cheese fondue, wine drunk from baby bottles. Seriously good.
(Use the Rough Guide, I typically find its recommendations are very good indeed).
Subway is excellent (but can appear very confusing on the map), you will not require a taxi imo.
Enjoy, hopefully the weather will be kind and you can wander the streets enjoying the architecture and ambience. That in itself is something to be savoured.
Edited by g3org3y on Tuesday 8th March 18:32
Get yourself a visit Paris ticket,covers the metro,trams and buses around 27 euro for 5 day pass,Paris transport system is excellent and very easy to follow once you pick up a map.
Me and the missus ate in the restaurant where ameile was filmed 2 burgers and chips with 2 cokes 38 euros.
look for the places off the beaten track and you wont get ripped off,the other halfs a veggie so was a wee bit harder to find stuff for her.
Did the louvre,eiffel tower,montmarch(stunning and went to the dali exhibition),arc de triomphe,seine boat trip... etc
lovely city...we were there in january and weather was great.
enjoy
Me and the missus ate in the restaurant where ameile was filmed 2 burgers and chips with 2 cokes 38 euros.
look for the places off the beaten track and you wont get ripped off,the other halfs a veggie so was a wee bit harder to find stuff for her.
Did the louvre,eiffel tower,montmarch(stunning and went to the dali exhibition),arc de triomphe,seine boat trip... etc
lovely city...we were there in january and weather was great.
enjoy
As the other guys said;
I personally have really enjoyed the Arc de Triomphe [sp?] each time I've been; plenty of Napoleonic & wartime memorabilia to see.
The Sacre Coeur is a nice place, just avoid all the black guys who try to stick something round your wrist.
Montmatre, or the Latin Quarter/Uni district around Rue Saint Germain (near Notre Dame) is a nice place to be as well.
I personally have really enjoyed the Arc de Triomphe [sp?] each time I've been; plenty of Napoleonic & wartime memorabilia to see.
The Sacre Coeur is a nice place, just avoid all the black guys who try to stick something round your wrist.
Montmatre, or the Latin Quarter/Uni district around Rue Saint Germain (near Notre Dame) is a nice place to be as well.
[quote=PaulHogan]For any good restaurant you really should book in advance. Highly recommended by me is:
http://www.chezpaul.com/index.htm
quote]
Agree with this Resturant me and the other half loved this place.
http://www.chezpaul.com/index.htm
quote]
Agree with this Resturant me and the other half loved this place.
R6dug]aulHogan said:
For any good restaurant you really should book in advance. Highly recommended by me is:
http://www.chezpaul.com/index.htm
quote]
Agree with this Resturant me and the other half loved this place.
Used to go here a lot when working in Paris. Proper France! Bit smokey though! Wife just looked over my shoulder and asked when I'll take her there as I mentioned it every time I went! http://www.chezpaul.com/index.htm
quote]
Agree with this Resturant me and the other half loved this place.
tobeee said:
Used to go here a lot when working in Paris. Proper France! Bit smokey though! Wife just looked over my shoulder and asked when I'll take her there as I mentioned it every time I went!
They have banned smoking in French restaurants these days, so it should be OK. I once sat in a small bistro for a 2 hour meal where the chap at the next table 20cm away smoked 30 cigarettes in that time!Steven Quas
Hamburg
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