My husband and I are about to join our daughter Katie in Paris. How wonderful does that sound? Wonderful, exciting, springtime in Paris; I can't believe it's about to happen!
Thirty years ago I spent the spring semester of my junior year in college studying in Switzerland and traveling around to as many places as my rail pass and backpack could take me. I had my "Europe on $10 a Day" book, my journal and some wonderful girlfriends. We made some memories for a lifetime. This past January almost 30 years to the day, my daughter left for her spring semester in Europe; she chose Rome. She went to a city she has come to love, with a close girlfriend from BC. Katie is a business major, but this semester she has been learning Italian, taking drawing classes and studying the architecture and artists of Italy. She has been living in an apartment right in the center of Rome with a balcony overlooking a busy street lined with palm trees. She walks through old piazzas on the way to class. When not in Rome she has been visiting friends who are spending the semester in Europe and she is taking in the sites of some wonderful cities.
My husband and I hoped to visit Rome while Katie was there, but we kept dragging our feet about making plans. This wasn't because we didn't want to go, but rather the semester was costing more than we thought it would. We wanted Katie to experience the variety of cultures that traveling brings, as well as learn self reliance by arranging her travels and getting around on her own. On top of that, we have just finished paying for year 7 out of 8 years of college for our 2 kids, and we are feeling a bit spent in the pocket book these days.
What made it possible for us to book this trip was a gracious offer from good friends of ours. These friends have lived in the US for 20 some years, but are from France and have an apartment in Paris. They have offered us the use of their apartment for a week. So, we will not make it to Rome, but we will make it to Europe and we'll live like Parisians! How could we possibly let this opportunity pass us by? We found flights that were reasonably priced. We have an apartment a few blocks from the Arc de Triumph. Our apartment is a 1 bedroom with a living room and kitchen. There is a pull out bed in the living room so we'll fit just fine. There will even be floor space just in case a friend of Katie's needs sleeping space. Everything fell into place.
My question to you is what do you recommend we see in Paris? Is there a great restaurant you have been to? How about your favorite museum? Would you recommend a trip outside the city for a day, and if so, to where? Is there a treasure you found in Paris that you can share with us? Is there something you did that just made your visit complete? Five days from today we'll be in Paris. S'il vous plaît... share with me what you liked best about Paris.
Merci beaucoup!
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Comments: 47
In my travels, I found that the out of the way places were as delectable as the "in the know" spots but you must find a place that specializes in souflee and order a Grand Marnier Souflee. It was incredible in France...not at all like it's served here.
I can't remember any restaurants I dined in in Paris, besides an out of the way Vietnamese one that was memorable mostly for its Turkish toilet but there are a few (admittedly touristy) things I wouldn't want to miss:
The Eiffel Tower, at dusk/night. Go all the way up.
Notre Dame. I walked all the way up once; don't know if I'd do it again. It's a great view, and there was a guide up there who claimed to be Quasimodo.
I think the Louvre is overrated (do the Musee d'Orsay instead) but the nearby Carrousel and Tuileries Gardens are lovely.
The Metro. How could you not?
Cafes.
Patisseries. As many as possible.
Père-Lachaise Cemetery.
The Palace of Versailles is cool and it's an easy day trip.
Have a great time!
What a wonderful opportunity. Free lodging, your daughter and a return after 30 years. What a difference you will see!
Some time back we went on the Seine River Cruise which included champagne, dinner and the Lido show. This was recommended to us and we are so glad we included it. Six hours of great entertainment, beginning at 7pm admiring the illuminated sights which included the Louvre, Notre Dame and so many others.
The show with it's actors/actresses, costumes and music was fantastic. Hope you can see it.
Have a wonderful trip!
I am so happy for you!! I was there last fall, but I joined a tour:) It was fun.
Eiffel Tower is a must, I am sure you'll go there, at night especially! Went to Sacre Coeur (beautiful Church on top of a hill), Notre Dame too (of course:)) And Louvre Museum- a must see. Go check out Mona Lisa:) Arc de Triomphe is neat. I didn't go to Moulin Rouge though, just went past it:)
Can't remember the restaurants:) I rather go see stuff than eat lol. Have fun and enjoy Paris:)
Bon Voyage:-)
Croque Messiers... I lived on them 30 years ago. Along with chocolates, yogart and beer.
I have found this to be true, also.
I am glad that Melinda mentioned the Latin Quarter, the oldest surviving part of Paris.
The Pantheon contains the tombs of Hugo, Rousseau, Voltaire, Zola, among other worrthies.
The amazing church of unique architectural style, St. Etienne Du Mont, stands near the Pantheon, and it contains what little could be salvaged (after the French Revolution) of the incredible shrine to Ste. Genevieve, Patron of Paris.
Pascal is also entombed there.
Paris is full of monumental churches, many of them posessing incredible architectural significance.
Several of them are also renowned for splendid musical treasures.
Both Notre Dame and the serene and elegant, Saint Sulpice, posess world-class organs -there are concerts at regular intervals.
If you are fascinated by French history, take a short metro ride to the suburban stop of St. Denis. The great Abbey (in which the Gothic style and the theology that supported the High Middel Ages were invented) has been ruined, but the Church there is the ancient burial place of French monarchs.
Despite the "fullness" and the crowds, the Louvre cannot be missed for anyone interested in the full range of western civilization.
Stop in early every morning for an hour, and look at a different collection of treasures each day. Even the greatest aesthete gets fatigue after a couple hours of close examination of art.
There are small shops purveying all manner of treasures and antiquites throughout the Left Bank. If your tastes run to books, prints, jewelry, china, ...whatever, there is something wonderful and wxquisite to be found.
Browse the stalls of the booksellers along the Seine.
With all the great tips on this thread, I am bookmarking this page just in case we end up there, too. I told my husband I want to see Europe and we might have that destination on the next trip... probably next fall or the following spring.
Bon Voyage, MaryAnne!
I loved the presence of art in the city. It's like NYC, in that there are amazing art galleries to pop into if you like to see contemporary art. The Musee D'Orsay (butchering the spelling and accents here) was a great place. The collection is focused and impressive, but the museum itself is an old train station. I personally got exhausted in the Louvre and overwhelmed. I loved the Pompidou for its architecture and collection of modern and contemporary art:
http://www.centrepompidou.fr/Pompidou/Accueil.nsf/tunnel?OpenForm
I was young and broke, so I don't have any memorable dining experiences other than croissants for breakfast, cheese sandwich picnics, and sitting at cafe's looking out onto the street.
I loved the architecture of Paris and the blend of historical building and modern buildings. There was a more modern part of town we went to that was really unique and amazing (at night). I can't remember the name of the area, wish I could... it was great to see that other side of Paris.
Best of luck - it sounds like a great trip!
Probably the Catacombs.
"I was young and broke, so I don't have any memorable dining experiences other than croissants for breakfast, cheese sandwich picnics, and sitting at cafe's looking out onto the street."
I also did Paris on the cheap the first time I went, staying in a youth hostel. I'll never forget the 1/2 baguette with butter and bowl of hot "chocolat" I had for breakfast there every morning. Simple but delicious. I also did a lot of picnicking.
My tip: Spend at least one evening strolling down the Champs Ellysees and seeing the Arc de Triomphe. Stand on one of the bridges or riverbanks along the way and kiss - hey, it's Paris in Springtime:)
I like the Rodin Museum and Gardens and the Centre de Pompidou. For a one day excursion I would recommend a trip to see the Chartre Cathedral.
Paris has endless possibilities. Next time maybe I'm there long enough to see the fleamarket and a show at the Moulin Rouge.
Bon Voyage, MaryAnne - I'm sure no matter which tour, cathedral or museum you decide on - it will be phantastique, Madame.
bonne chance!
Mostly, I like to just walk Paris and find surprises, it is all such a human-scale place.
Have a great time.
I highly recommend purchasing the Museum and Monuments Pass. We bought a 2 day pass for 30 eurors and saved about 10. You can buy the pass at the airport.
have a great time!
The museum and monuments pass sounds like a great idea and it's great to know we should pick that up at the airport.
Parisgreeters.com - I'll definitely contact them and drop your name Jessie. Paris.org - another site I have to check out.
The Pompidou - I might have to check this out just because of the name!
I'll take lots of pics and post them when I get back.
Go have fun and don't look back.
Take lot's of photos to share with us.
Have fun and have a safe trip.
Have a ball. Enjoy it all, and we look forward to your return. Tell Vladik Zinger that Nalita says hello! (heh heh heh heh), and tell him that Americans ARE superior to Frenchmen. No, no! Do NOT, repeat do NOT tell him that!
Enjoy Paris!