Paris Nightlife

[emilymamu]

My wonderful boyfriend is taking me to Paris this weekend and we would like something interesting to do in Paris apart from the usual fare. Does anyone know any cool bars, clubs, or unusual outings? Thanks

[vehelpfulguy]

Paris is my favorite city. It is a great city to walk around.

Take a boat trip up and down the Seine river. They are called Bateaux Mouches, see here

http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/

Try to do it at night. At night they light up many of the buildings with spotlights that look great from the river.

It is very romantic, and the Eifel Tower looks great in floodlights.

[vehelpfulguy]

Or go to Montmartre. See here:

http://www.parisdigest.com/promenade/montmartre.htm

This is slightly outside the city centre and is on a hill. It is where the beautiful Sacre Cour church is, and also where the Moulin Rogue is (surely you have seen the film).

It is a bit touristy, and can be a bit tacky in places, but it gives wonderful views over the whole city, and there are lots of little alley ways to discover.

A lot of famous painters lived there and it still has a bohemian feel.

Go to the Place du Tertre (the second picture down on the web site)     

[vehelpfulguy]

Or Walk up the Eiffel Tower.

I know the Eiffel Tower is the height of touristy, and there are lifts in 3 of the legs.

But one of the legs are steps, and you can walk up. We walked up to the second stage which was not to bad. My wife has ashtma, but she managed it.

Again the view is amazing.  

Try getting the metro to the station on the other side of the river from the Eiffel tower (Passy I think) and see the view across the river to the tower, amazing. 

Then walk down through the gardens to the river (on Sunday morning they have loads of people skateboarding).

Cross the river and walk up the tower. Great way to spend Sunday morning. 

[vehelpfulguy]

By the way, this looks a great site

http://www.parisdigest.com/

[vehelpfulguy]

If you are young and like something modern go to the The Pompidou Center, and the area around it.

The Pompidou Center is a modern art museum, but the aera around it is full of shops, andstreet entertainers.

It is a bit like Covent Garden in London if you have been there. See here  

http://www.parisdigest.com/monument/centrepompidou.htm

[vehelpfulguy]

The Louvre museum is also very touristy, and you could spend a week in there, but do try to see the modern glass pyramid they built as the new entrance.

You can go inside the pyramid for nothing, and it is huge. There are shops in there and you can spend a while in there without going in the museum.

See here

http://www.parisdigest.com/museums/museedulouvre.htm

   

[vehelpfulguy]

The city island, which contains the Notre Dame cathedral, has a market on a Sunday (better check) which sells all sorts of things.

See here

http://www.parisdigest.com/promenade/citeisland.htm

[vehelpfulguy]

Here is one suggested itinery for 3 days in Paris

http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/three/2002/paris.htm

[vehelpfulguy]

One final suggestion, and then I will shut up.

If you only have the weekend in Paris, do not try to do too much.

Study the maps and guides and then pick one or two areas to concentrate on, don't try to see all the sites.

For example, if you decide on Montmartre, then plan for the day there. See the Sacre Cour, the views, stroll around, have lunch or dinner there,  see the painters, then find a bar or club in the evening.

Paris is a city for strolling round slowly, hand in hand, it is not a city for rushing around seeing the sites.

If you like what you see in those two days, then plan for a longer trip another time. Then you can see the sites you missed the first time.

Enjoy ! 

   

[hannahjo]

For nightlife you could try the Latin Quarter which is made up of lots of narrow streets and is full of lively bars, cafes & restaurants. I think its in the Saint Germain area. Have a great time, Paris is wonderful!

[rhysrocket]

beat up some frogs, make the world a better, safer place

[emk1981]

That's a disgusting comment, how dare you? What have the french done to annoy you?

[Empyrean]

Go to the Vatican, it's awesome. Leave france well alone. Too many frogs. Bunch of cheese eating surrender monkeys.

[Sunwapta]

I wholeheartedly agree. What sayest thou, o great sage?

[Jonnyvodka]

Ask the Pope

[emilymamu]

Thankyou for all your brilliant suggestions vehelpfulguy - you seem to be very knowledgeable about Paris. I agree that Paris is a city for strolling around and languishing in its beauty and romance. We only have 3 days but we will try to fit a few things in - the boat trip and Montmartre.

[KebabMeister]

Montmatre a definite (my favourite place on Earth!!!).

Latin Quarter is fantastic too for the entire atmosphere.

[banddrad]

Depends  where you  are  staying but  do try  to  get  to know  your  immediate  surroundings. Use  the  same  cafe/bar   a  few  times  and  the  staff  will  get  to  know you. Stroll   through  the  gardens  on  the  right  hand side  of  the  Champs  Elysees,  going  up  to  the  Arc dr  Teiomphe.

Get a  two  day  ticket  on the  RED  double deckers............  the    others  are  bigger  but  less  friendly!