Paris Recommendations

Any suggestions on places to eat? Want one really nice, romantic place...

any recommendations on must see's - other than:
eiffel tower
versailles
notre dame
pantheon
lovre

Re: Paris Recommendations

Don't miss the Sainte Chapelle across the way from Notre Dame, has some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in the world!

Also I loved the Basilica of the Sacre' Coer in Montmarte.

I was pretty obsessed with churches when I backpacked, and i'm a Jew

Adding: the Paris Opera house.

There are quite a few tours available at Versailles so allow time if you want a tour, well worth it. Don't miss the gardens of Versailles.

Also allow time for the Louve; I was unprepared for how big it is. You can fit like 4 Metropolitans in it!!

Re: Paris Recommendations

I used to live in London and Paris was only a train ride away so I've been several times. Never with a husband/boyfriend, though. I'm so jealous of you!

The Louvre is of course magnificent. Both times I went, the line for tickets was about an hour long, but the line to buy tix yourself at the credit card kiosk was empty! Just like at the movies.

My favorite museum is actually the Musee d'Orsay. It's generally considered the #2 museum in Paris, and I LOVE it. It only houses Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art - Renoir, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Cezanne... and it's in a converted train station that is just gorgeous. Look:



I also fell in love with Picasso at the Picasso Museum - I'd never cared either way for his stuff before, but an hour that museum and it was like, wow.

When you've had your fill of the Masters, take the metro up to Montmartre - it's all hilly and twisty and funky, and a great, fun place to wander around and get dinner and drinks.

Paris is just so gorgeous, you'll have a fun, romantic time just wandering around, soaking it in, sipping coffee at sidewalk cafes... Forget the cliches, Paris really is as magical and gorgeous as it looks in the movies.

Re: Paris Recommendations

I wish I remembered the name of this restaurant but maybe you can find it through google? We went to a modern restaurant with framed photos of cows on the walls and it was the best food we ate. They are obsessed with cattle and beef and locally grown ingredients and it was spectacular.

If I find the name I will let you know but it wasnt even that $$$$ and it was on par with the best new american restaurants in NYC

Re: Paris Recommendations

Great ideas - thanks! We are trying to figure out our itinerary, probably going in April.

First visiting a friend in Berlin for 3-4 days, considering Prague for 2 - 3 days and then Paris for 4 - 5 days. First trying to see what we want to do in each place and then decide on the timing.

Re: Paris Recommendations

Re: Paris Recommendations

Don't forget Montmartre area on the North side with the Sacre Coeur. AMAZING views of all Paris when yo ugo to the very top.

You can do a boat dinner. Very romantic! It's called "les bateaux mouches".

There is also a boat by the bridge near the Eiffel Tower. It does the tour of on the river. They speak in 5 different languages and explain to you which building are what. It's fun!!!! And great to take pics of Notre Dame in a different angle.

Le Louvre museum is GIGANTIC. So unless you have tons of time it might not be possible. Thinks Mets Museum on steroids.

I suggest you go to the Arc de Triumph as you starting point. Walk on the Champs Elysees all the way to Le Louvre at the bottom. It goes downhill that way.

There is Versailles but that outside Paris and it's about 30 minute train ride.

Your best view on the Eiffel Towel is either from the Trocadero. You will see the water grounds from there. Go there before it gets dark. You will see the lights of the Eiffel Tower being turned on. And another "unknown" view of the Eiffel Towel is from the Champs de Mars (the grass fiedl behind the Tower. So you would need to be in front of L'ecole Militaire (that the beautiful beautiful right at the end of the grass). But that would some good walking to go back to the Tower. The grass field is bigger than it looks.

Another great view of Paris is from the Department stores roof view. Several to choose from. Printemps, Galleries Lafayette, etc...

Other possible site to see if you have time. The "old" opera house. It's gorgeous inside. Just beware. There are 2 opera houses in Paris now. The older one if the one to see.

Re: Paris Recommendations

I believe if you buy the museum pass you don't have to wait in line and buy tickets for Versailles which is a huge time saver there.

Re: Paris Recommendations

Not for the faint of heart but Les Catacombs is really amazing. It's crazy that people lived down there during the war.

Re: Paris Recommendations

Re: Paris Recommendations

Re: Paris Recommendations

Posted by mommy2Alex

Next time I go I want to go here too. I have only been 3x and have yet to make it there