8 Days in Paris - What Can't I Miss?

Blazinghand

United States25558 Posts

June 30 2011 20:07 GMT

In about 5 hours I'm leaving forParis. I speak French fluently (but with an accent, and a limited vocabulary for specialized words) and have been to Paris once before, as a child. When I last went, I saw the Louvre, The Eiffel Tower, The Ach of Triumph, and several other tourist-ey landmarks, but I remember very little of any of it. Now I'm old enough to party and also old enough to probably appreciate the places I didn't as a kid.

I already have some plans laid out, like visiting a friend and going to the Louvre. So I guess the question I have for you better-traveled folk here on TL is, if you were going to Paris for the first time as an adult, what would you go see? What can't I miss during my 8 days?

Also, I might have enough time to take a train to another city or Belgium or something, if there's something really awesome to see there. Any suggestions are fine

Lysenko

Iceland2128 Posts

June 30 2011 20:12 GMT

Musée d'Orsay. If you see nothing else, go there. It's more intimate than the Louvre and the collection is world-class. It's also right next door.

I'm also a big fan of Rue Mouffetard. A great place to hang out for a few hours.

corumjhaelen

France6884 Posts

June 30 2011 20:39 GMT

Go to Versailles, go to Notre-Dame,have some walks in the street everywhere, especially near the Seine, in the quartier latin etc
I'll try to post more if I think of something.

Spekulatius

Germany2413 Posts

June 30 2011 20:40 GMT

Been livin' in Paris for 1 year now. Your question is something I had to ask myself every time one of my friends came to visit. And it's still hard to answer.

IMO Paris shines most where most tourists don't go. In those places it's crowded, actual Parisiens don't go there (for obvious reasons), and black people are trying to sell you Eiffel Towers for your pocket or some ridiculous scarfs and bags and watches. It's so damn annoying...

If you wanna get to know Paris, just talk a walk along the Seine (whatever direction, doesn't matter), go to Saint-Germain des Près and avoid the big streets, pick a random Café and drink coffee there and eat a Quiche Lorraine... It's one of the easiest things to do (just walking around), but guides always tell you to see the 5-10 sights that everyone goes to - not an optimal advice imo.

Also, the flanks of Montmartre are really beautiful (not the front aka south and not the back aka north - either tourists everywhere or nothing spectacular). You can walk around there and when the sun goes down (about 10:30 PM this time of year) you can sit on the stairs in front of Sacré Coeur (ugly church but the view is really nice) and watch the city.

And yes, le Musée d'Orsay is extremely beautiful. It's been a train station once and is still, apart from its awesome expositions a building that is worth seeing itself. But standing in line for 90 minutes is not uncommon - be warned.

edit for moar:

If it gets too warm in the upcoming week, go to the Bois de Boulogne (and go see Neuilly on the way there, so worth it) - a huge forest with some lakes and a lot of small parks (Pré Catelan - there's like 15 people there normally, if you want calm, go there; Jardin de Bagatelles - has the hugest rose garden I've ever seen, each one assigned with a name and beautifully organized. There are also concerts in the evenings, this week is Chopin. Also cats and peacocks roaming the park.)

Versailles is cool too, not too much waiting in line, the garden is ENORMOUS and the chateau is slightly over the top for my taste, but worth seeing definitely.

If you wanna go shopping - go to the Boulevard Haussmann and visit Printemps (where employees do catwalks with the recent collection which you can watch for free) or the Galerie Lafayette.

And yea, there are always nice bars in the Quartier Latin (mainly 5th). Partying can be done everywhere, depending on the kind of "society" you belong to, you go here or there.

And yea, if you need anything, I'll be in Paris. PM me if you want.

Navane

Netherlands2751 Posts

June 30 2011 20:44 GMT

On July 01 2011 05:40 Spekulatius wrote:
[...]and black people are trying to sell you Eiffel Towers for your pocket or some ridiculous scarfs and bags and watches. It's so damn annoying[...]

Lol this is so true! If you want to see the touristic sightings, just go towards the higher density of blackpeople-trying-to-sell-you-eiffeltowers, hahaha!

Kukaracha

France1954 Posts

June 30 2011 20:54 GMT

Go to Barbès or Belleville, you'lle love it. Very folkloric.

: D

Or else you could try my spots, the area around the Luxembourg parc, then near the Odéon, then near the Panthéon, then in Saint-Michel. It's a place full of rich people and actual upper-class/middle-class parisians, no dudes selling Eiffel-towers. Nice to take a walk, eat at a good restaurant, watch a movie, hang out, meet people. Near the Panthéon there is a street called la rue Mouffetard full of cool bars if you like to go out...

POiNTx

Belgium309 Posts

June 30 2011 21:14 GMT

Visit the Sacré-Cœur. I was really impressed with it, it is one of those buildings that is not very well-known, but when you stand in front of those stairs, it is really impressive.

Blazinghand

United States25558 Posts

June 30 2011 21:15 GMT

Thanks for all the advice so far, guys! I'm going to leave for the airport, but i'll probably be able to check back in from there with the wi-fi. It sounds like a lot of the real Paris experience isn't to be found at the main attractions... I've written this stuff down though! thanks for the help

AnxiousHippo

Australia1451 Posts

June 30 2011 22:00 GMT

On July 01 2011 05:40 Spekulatius wrote:
IMO Paris shines most where most tourists don't go. In those places it's crowded, actual Parisiens don't go there (for obvious reasons), and black people are trying to sell you Eiffel Towers for your pocket or some ridiculous scarfs and bags and watches. It's so damn annoying...

Lol, I remember that. And then when the cops come past they all flee!

I went to Paris last year, it was amazing. Some of the smaller things you may want to try out are things like the boulangerie, they've got the amazingest cakes. Go to the Castle of Versailles too
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.
The view of the garden is absolutely stunning. But do not go inside. It's got a bunch of anime style stuff and it's really weird. It's just not right :/

Spekulatius

Germany2413 Posts

June 30 2011 22:09 GMT

#10

Oh yea, about the cakes and stuff - you should go have some french chocolate pastries. The best chocolate in Paris can be found in the Rue Caulaincourt at Arnault Larher's place.

And yea, I visited the mosque yesterday (5th). So frickin amazing!

BouBou.865

Netherlands814 Posts

June 30 2011 22:37 GMT

#11

The ugly women. Seriously, I was so disappointed. I expected the real parisienne girl to be elegant, feminine and flirty but instead they turned out to be barrels with way, way too much hair on them. Just saying. The really obvious tourist spots are actually fantastic, and so is Versailles.

Spekulatius

Germany2413 Posts

June 30 2011 22:53 GMT

#12

On July 01 2011 07:37 BouBou.865 wrote:
The ugly women. Seriously, I was so disappointed. I expected the real parisienne girl to be elegant, feminine and flirty but instead they turned out to be barrels with way, way too much hair on them. Just saying. The really obvious tourist spots are actually fantastic, and so is Versailles.

Until you said "Versailles" I couldn't believe we were talking about the same city. I wholeheartedly disagree. But maybe you just got the wrong impression, that happens.

Kukaracha

France1954 Posts

June 30 2011 23:21 GMT

#13

Oh, and by the way, since we're on TL... if you like strategy, history, and the history of war, there is the museum of the Invalides (huge military museum) that holds right now a collection of prince armours... you know, those shiny plates you see in videogames, but for real.

Don't hesitate to ask any further advice by PM, I live 10 minutes away from Paris.

But really, around le Luxembourg is one of the most beautiful areas of Paris.

neSix

United States1772 Posts

June 30 2011 23:50 GMT

#14

On July 01 2011 05:39 corumjhaelen wrote:
Go to Versailles, go to Notre-Dame,have some walks in the street everywhere, especially near the Seine, in the quartier latin etc
I'll try to post more if I think of something.

I have to echo this statement. Versailles was my favorite place when I was in Paris, and I've heard LOTS of good things about Notre-Dame. This is a good time of year to see things outside, so you can't go wrong with anywhere near the Seine, and the gardens at Versailles are really nice on a sunny day!

Ahahaha yeah I have to agree with everyone else that this statement is hilarious because it is so true. They are very insistent so my advice is to be clear, concise, but polite when you tell them you aren't interested. They will leave you alone... eventually.

iminh

France17 Posts

June 30 2011 23:57 GMT

#15

If you like scary stuff, i'll suggest catacombs of Paris, just bones, human bones in the tunnel network (the catacombs hold about 6 millions people, i think).
Give it a try, from my experience, the line is even longer than the one at Eiffel Tower.

Lysenko

Iceland2128 Posts

July 01 2011 01:40 GMT

#16

I have also heard that the Paris sewer museum (no joke!!) is a very interesting sight. Might be worth checking it out.

Blazinghand

United States25558 Posts

July 02 2011 13:13 GMT

#17

So, my flight was delayed for six hours, which was basicalky the worst. I got to my hotel and spent the morning walking along the champs elysees, then along the seine. Since its Saturday
I want to check out the night life in the latin quarter which is near to where iam staying. Any suggestions? Such as when its a good time to go and when the bars close? Also, any ideas re: particukar bars, or drinks to have, are welcome. Sorry for the poor typing as I am on an ipad.

edc

United States666 Posts

July 02 2011 13:25 GMT

#18

My week-long trip in Paris ended a few days ago. I highy recommend seeing the Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles, Arch of Triumph, the military museum, and Napikeon's Tomb. Also, when I was there it was really hot, almost as hot as Rome :p.

Blazinghand

United States25558 Posts

July 02 2011 13:32 GMT

#19

I saw the arc de triomph this morning. Its huuuuuuuuuuuuuuge. Its actually not that hot , a little chilly as it weree. Also i read all of "the fellowship of the ring " during my plane ride and associjated delays. I'll read the two towers on on the way back i suppose.

Kukaracha

France1954 Posts

July 02 2011 18:31 GMT

#20

Don't know much about specific bars in particular, but I know there are a couple of very special bars in Paris, like one made out of ice, or one where you play board games and drink liquor out of baby feeding bottles. More classical bars are the latin corner for example, the only particularity being that if a girl gives them a bra, she gets a free drink.

If you want just a place full of bars, well the rue Mouffetard as I said is very nice, or else you can go to the small streets in Saint Michel, full of restaurants and bars who party until late in the night. Be be wary of metro closing (around 2 AM I think). If you want to party until 4 AM, you can take a Noctilien (night bus) to go home, or wait until the metros open (around 5-6 AM).

It's not as hot now, but we just went through a wave of heat. Now the temperatures are back to normal.

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