Places to go, things to do in Paris... in January
Discussion
So, i've decided to book a short break in Paris. Always been meaning to go for a weekend, but never have. Recommendations for places to go/see and places to eat would be great. I'd like to fit in a couple of the usual touristy things, but alongside some stuff that is a bit more off the beaten tourist track.
Cheers!
Cheers!
A few tips after a recent trip
If you want to go to the Louvre or Musee d'orsee, be prepared to queue. I gave up trying to get in the queues were enourmous. This was around 1pm so I suspect if you get there first thing you should be ok.
To get around, try the Bateux Bus. Its a boat the does a circular route up and down the river stopping at all the main attractions. You pay one fee and you can get on and off as many times as you want during the day. Its not the fastest way to get up and down but its relaxing and you see some nice sights along the way.
Going up the Arche is worth a go at night, up there you get a really decent view. There are quite a few steps on the way up though!!
Also, the champs elysees is well worth walking down at night. There are endless restaurants in all price ranges but... there are also some really nice car dealerships and they are all open till 9pm. Some of them have WRC cars and concepts etc in there to have a poke around. If you get the mrs a nice dinner you will get away with looking at a few ;D
If you want to go to the Louvre or Musee d'orsee, be prepared to queue. I gave up trying to get in the queues were enourmous. This was around 1pm so I suspect if you get there first thing you should be ok.
To get around, try the Bateux Bus. Its a boat the does a circular route up and down the river stopping at all the main attractions. You pay one fee and you can get on and off as many times as you want during the day. Its not the fastest way to get up and down but its relaxing and you see some nice sights along the way.
Going up the Arche is worth a go at night, up there you get a really decent view. There are quite a few steps on the way up though!!
Also, the champs elysees is well worth walking down at night. There are endless restaurants in all price ranges but... there are also some really nice car dealerships and they are all open till 9pm. Some of them have WRC cars and concepts etc in there to have a poke around. If you get the mrs a nice dinner you will get away with looking at a few ;D
When me & the Mrs went in 2006 we were wondering down the Champs Elysees and we stumbled upon the Renault Museum, which is well worth spending an hour or so having a nose round.
They have (or at least had)Formula One cars there - possibly Damon Hill's old car? Numerous F1 engines from past to present and the current Renault Sport production line up.
Best part was that it was free!
They have (or at least had)Formula One cars there - possibly Damon Hill's old car? Numerous F1 engines from past to present and the current Renault Sport production line up.
Best part was that it was free!
I would thoroughly recommend a visit to Pere-Lachaise cemetary in north west Paris- you can get there easily on the Metro.
It's the burial place of the following: Victor Hugo, Moliere, Sarah Bernhardt, Isadora Duncan, Proust, Delacroix, Gericault, Chopin, Balzac, Edith Piaf, Modigliani and of course, Oscar Wilde.
When I was there with an ex we watched a huge Norwegian biker pour a full bottle of champagne over (what was then) the earth topped grave of the site's most famous resident- The Doors' Jim Morrison.
It's the burial place of the following: Victor Hugo, Moliere, Sarah Bernhardt, Isadora Duncan, Proust, Delacroix, Gericault, Chopin, Balzac, Edith Piaf, Modigliani and of course, Oscar Wilde.
When I was there with an ex we watched a huge Norwegian biker pour a full bottle of champagne over (what was then) the earth topped grave of the site's most famous resident- The Doors' Jim Morrison.
We spent a weekend in Paris for my wife's 40th in 2010.
Food:
http://www.auxlyonnais.com/index2.html
Lunch/cruise:
http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/index.cfm/home/LID...
Food:
http://www.auxlyonnais.com/index2.html
Lunch/cruise:
http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/index.cfm/home/LID...
I f you get into the louvre early enough it can kill a full day no problem and is a must tbh if you're a first time visitor.
a walk from the arc d'triomphe (also a must climb) to the louvre will take 90 mins easily with a stop for a crepe along the way, that will take in place de la concorde and the gardens etc... keep walking on the left of the river up to notre dame have a ponder there and then wlak back down the other side of the seine past all the art sellers and book stalls this will bring you aout at the art museum.
wrap up warm and enjoy it. remember to look up up though, like rome alot of the architecture is 1..2 storeys up!
enjoy..
PS watch out for the beggars and the phoney sellers, it has got worse over the last few years imho...
a walk from the arc d'triomphe (also a must climb) to the louvre will take 90 mins easily with a stop for a crepe along the way, that will take in place de la concorde and the gardens etc... keep walking on the left of the river up to notre dame have a ponder there and then wlak back down the other side of the seine past all the art sellers and book stalls this will bring you aout at the art museum.
wrap up warm and enjoy it. remember to look up up though, like rome alot of the architecture is 1..2 storeys up!
enjoy..
PS watch out for the beggars and the phoney sellers, it has got worse over the last few years imho...
RedWhiteMonkey said:
The Catacombs
Do not miss!! Also chill afterwards on the roof cafe/bar at Printemps, great view of the city. Tour Montparnasse is also pretty neat (both afford great views of Eiffel).To eat, you really ought to go here - http://www.le-train-bleu.com/uk/
Le Train Bleu at Gare de Lyon is awesome and the station itself is just fantastic
We avoided the queues at the Louvre by buying tickets at the Virgin Records shop within the louvre complex. We bought them in the evening, for the next day. Then you go to a different entrance and avoid the queues.
We also enjoyed our trip up to the top of the Montparnasse Tower - it has the fastest lift in Europe apparently, and a little cafe at the top and an open air viewing platform on the very top.
We also did a 2CV tour - can't remember the name of the company, but we picked up a leaflet from the offices of one of the tour bus companies.
Have a great time,
Regards,
Shentodj
We also enjoyed our trip up to the top of the Montparnasse Tower - it has the fastest lift in Europe apparently, and a little cafe at the top and an open air viewing platform on the very top.
We also did a 2CV tour - can't remember the name of the company, but we picked up a leaflet from the offices of one of the tour bus companies.
Have a great time,
Regards,
Shentodj
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