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Paris
I'm spending 3 days in Paris with my wife soon, has anyone got any suggestions of places that must be seen things to do etc. Any recommended places to eat (UK food) that aren't too expensive?
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Lots of "must do" things in Paris but if I had to pick one it would be an evening trip on a boat along the Seine.
These boats are called Bateaux Mouche and at night all the buildings are lit up and it looks absolutely stunning.
Here is a pictuee to give you a taste
http://i.pbase.com/o6/86/669186/1/60755509.Tmn Km11Z._MG_0961ebc.jpg
More here
http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/bienvenue//lang- pref/en/
These boats are called Bateaux Mouche and at night all the buildings are lit up and it looks absolutely stunning.
Here is a pictuee to give you a taste
http://i.pbase.com/o6/86/669186/1/60755509.Tmn Km11Z._MG_0961ebc.jpg
More here
http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/bienvenue//lang- pref/en/
I would also go to the Montmatre area and see the church of Sacre Cour on top of the hill and the great views over Paris.
This used to be a village on the edge of Paris but has now been swallowed up into the city, but still has a village feel. They stll have grape vines and a windmill in the village.
The famous Moulin Rouge is also in the area.
Here is a picture of the Sacre Cour
http://sigappfr.acm.org/cstst08/img/paris/mont martre.jpg
This is part of the view you get from the top.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/ c/c4/Butte_Montmartre_1.jpg
Here is the windmill if you dont believe me !
http://i.pbase.com/o4/62/332962/1/65269249.bHF c7K9Y.9194montmartrewindmill.jpg
This used to be a village on the edge of Paris but has now been swallowed up into the city, but still has a village feel. They stll have grape vines and a windmill in the village.
The famous Moulin Rouge is also in the area.
Here is a picture of the Sacre Cour
http://sigappfr.acm.org/cstst08/img/paris/mont martre.jpg
This is part of the view you get from the top.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/ c/c4/Butte_Montmartre_1.jpg
Here is the windmill if you dont believe me !
http://i.pbase.com/o4/62/332962/1/65269249.bHF c7K9Y.9194montmartrewindmill.jpg
(2-part post):
The Latin Quarter is packed with great restaurants that will serve you a good 3 course lunch for as little as �10. (However, for a bit more quality and choice, I'd recommend selecting a place charging around �15). Further, it's also packed with Indian restaurants, pizza houses, burger bars (all of which are equally cheap), so there ought to be something you'd like on offer. (Like Bednobs, I can't understand why anyone would want to travel to one of the world's gastronomic capitals and eat British food!).
To find all of those eating places, take an RER train to St-Michel Notre Dame. (It's on lines B and C). Then explore the maze of streets that are just to the east of the station (on the south side of the Seine).
As the name of the station suggests, that's also the stop to explore Notre Dame cathedral. Even better, it's at the eastern end of the route served by the Batobus. This is a hop-on, hop-off riverbus service which runs from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower, with stops along the way at several principal tourist attractions. (It's also a great way to see Paris). The stop is just across the bridge from Notre Dame:
http://www.batobus.com/english/8escale.htm
For the rest of your travels around Paris, you can either use a Paris Visite ticket or Mobilis ticket.
The Latin Quarter is packed with great restaurants that will serve you a good 3 course lunch for as little as �10. (However, for a bit more quality and choice, I'd recommend selecting a place charging around �15). Further, it's also packed with Indian restaurants, pizza houses, burger bars (all of which are equally cheap), so there ought to be something you'd like on offer. (Like Bednobs, I can't understand why anyone would want to travel to one of the world's gastronomic capitals and eat British food!).
To find all of those eating places, take an RER train to St-Michel Notre Dame. (It's on lines B and C). Then explore the maze of streets that are just to the east of the station (on the south side of the Seine).
As the name of the station suggests, that's also the stop to explore Notre Dame cathedral. Even better, it's at the eastern end of the route served by the Batobus. This is a hop-on, hop-off riverbus service which runs from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower, with stops along the way at several principal tourist attractions. (It's also a great way to see Paris). The stop is just across the bridge from Notre Dame:
http://www.batobus.com/english/8escale.htm
For the rest of your travels around Paris, you can either use a Paris Visite ticket or Mobilis ticket.
A Paris Visite ticket covers the central 3 zones of the Paris transport system. (There's also a 6-zone version but, unless you're including travel to or from an airport, it's unlikely that you'd need it). It costs �8.80 for one day, �14.40 for 2 days or �19.60 for 3 days and comes with some discount vouchers for certain attractions. If you're travelling on Eurostar, you can buy Paris Visite tickets at St Pancras, Ebbsfleet or Ashford.
You may well find that you only need to travel with Zones 1 and 2. In which case get a Mobilis ticket (which is what the locals use). They give a day's unlimited travel for just �5.80. (If you require 3 zones, but don't need the discount vouchers you get with a Paris Visite, buy a 3-zone Mobilis for �7.70. There are also 4, 5 and 6-zone versions available).
When travelling around, always use the RER trains (in preference to the Metro) where possible. They're much quicker and tend to be less crowded at peak times.
As to what must be seen, the Eiffel Tower probably tops everyone's list. (Also view the Palais de Chaillot, directly across the river, while you're there). The Louvre is also popular but, with 18 miles of corridors, somewhat exhausting. The star museum is the Mus�e d'Orsay
http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html
Chris
You may well find that you only need to travel with Zones 1 and 2. In which case get a Mobilis ticket (which is what the locals use). They give a day's unlimited travel for just �5.80. (If you require 3 zones, but don't need the discount vouchers you get with a Paris Visite, buy a 3-zone Mobilis for �7.70. There are also 4, 5 and 6-zone versions available).
When travelling around, always use the RER trains (in preference to the Metro) where possible. They're much quicker and tend to be less crowded at peak times.
As to what must be seen, the Eiffel Tower probably tops everyone's list. (Also view the Palais de Chaillot, directly across the river, while you're there). The Louvre is also popular but, with 18 miles of corridors, somewhat exhausting. The star museum is the Mus�e d'Orsay
http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html
Chris
the latin quarter is great to eat, keep off the main streets- they are the most expensive- go where the locals go and use the MENU DE JOUR- menu of the day its usually very reasonable, Beware the bars- they have 3 prices, one for buying at the bar, one for being served inside, one for being served outside. Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre all worth a visit- beware also PICK POCKETS ARE RIFE- ESPECIALLY ON THE METRO. Enjoy your trip.
I know it is very touristy, but I would go up the Eiffel Tower.
Maybe walk up to the 2nd level (I have done it and it does not take that long).
The views over Paris from that level are stunning.
Here are some:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/ 0/0e/Champ_de_Mars_from_the_Eiffel_Tower_-_Jul y_2006_edit.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_G3RYFLsfkNQ/RtRnoOB8ZnI/ AAAAAAAABQA/NArIdgV6ptA/DSCN2810.JPG
Here is a large picture from the tower which shows the Sacre Couer in the background.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_FeBprK347TA/RYNujx5Tv9I/ AAAAAAAACks/52mSdMFrXcs/G:%5Ceurope%5C365_Pari s-Eiffel_Sacre_Coeur.jpg
Maybe walk up to the 2nd level (I have done it and it does not take that long).
The views over Paris from that level are stunning.
Here are some:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/ 0/0e/Champ_de_Mars_from_the_Eiffel_Tower_-_Jul y_2006_edit.jpg
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_G3RYFLsfkNQ/RtRnoOB8ZnI/ AAAAAAAABQA/NArIdgV6ptA/DSCN2810.JPG
Here is a large picture from the tower which shows the Sacre Couer in the background.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_FeBprK347TA/RYNujx5Tv9I/ AAAAAAAACks/52mSdMFrXcs/G:%5Ceurope%5C365_Pari s-Eiffel_Sacre_Coeur.jpg
I would also go and visit the Lourve pyramid.
Even if you dont want to go in the Lourve (where you could spend 3 days just in there) at least go into the Pyramid (which is free).
Once inside there are shops and it is facinating to see what they did. Here is a picture of it.
http://www.pyramidperu.com/images/Design/Louvr ePyramid.jpg
Not sure if you know the background but the Lourve was a huge palace with doors everywhere and it when it opened as a museum they had to guard every door which became very difficult.
So they decided to build a modern entrance without ruining the facade of the building (though some people hate the pyramid I think it is wonderful).
You now enter via the pyramid and enter the Lourve underground. When building it they found all sorts of historic things under the foundations.
And of course if you have seen the Da Vinci Code the pyramid has a special significance
Even if you dont want to go in the Lourve (where you could spend 3 days just in there) at least go into the Pyramid (which is free).
Once inside there are shops and it is facinating to see what they did. Here is a picture of it.
http://www.pyramidperu.com/images/Design/Louvr ePyramid.jpg
Not sure if you know the background but the Lourve was a huge palace with doors everywhere and it when it opened as a museum they had to guard every door which became very difficult.
So they decided to build a modern entrance without ruining the facade of the building (though some people hate the pyramid I think it is wonderful).
You now enter via the pyramid and enter the Lourve underground. When building it they found all sorts of historic things under the foundations.
And of course if you have seen the Da Vinci Code the pyramid has a special significance
Try to see the Hotel De Ville (town hall) which hardly ever gets a mention but is a STUNNING building.
They light it up a night and it looks wonderful.
It is right in the centre of the city, near the Notre Dame.
Here is a picture of it at night
http://www.tunliweb.no/Bilder_SM/_album_Paris/ g01_1024pixel.jpg
They light it up a night and it looks wonderful.
It is right in the centre of the city, near the Notre Dame.
Here is a picture of it at night
http://www.tunliweb.no/Bilder_SM/_album_Paris/ g01_1024pixel.jpg
Not sure how romantic you are, but here is a lovely romantic place to sit and maybe have lunch or just a rest.
It is near one of the bridges, Pont Neuf, and is called the Pont Neuf park.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rNacL4LjwR0/R98TTHr_oDI/ AAAAAAAAAww/TTfe53A_0UA/100_2718.JPG
As you can see it is right in the middle of the Seine and there are a few benches there.
It is a lovely place just to sit quietly for half an hour and work out what you are going to do next.
Here is a picture of it taken from a boat
http://web.mac.com/kentwien/tripreport/Trip_Re port/Entries/2007/7/12_Paris_3_day_files/IMG_5 120.jpg
It is near one of the bridges, Pont Neuf, and is called the Pont Neuf park.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_rNacL4LjwR0/R98TTHr_oDI/ AAAAAAAAAww/TTfe53A_0UA/100_2718.JPG
As you can see it is right in the middle of the Seine and there are a few benches there.
It is a lovely place just to sit quietly for half an hour and work out what you are going to do next.
Here is a picture of it taken from a boat
http://web.mac.com/kentwien/tripreport/Trip_Re port/Entries/2007/7/12_Paris_3_day_files/IMG_5 120.jpg
Well I have put 6 answers and I think that is enough for now.
As you have gathered I love Paris.
Can I just say it is a great WALKING city. It is a great city just to stroll round and take in the sights.
Just choose 3 "areas" and spend the day in those areas, mabe one day in Montmatre, another round the Eiffel Tower and Arc di Triomphe, and maybe another round Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter.
It is a large city with many tourist attractions and you will not see them all so dont wear yourself out trying.
DONT try and see everything in Paris, save some for when you go back next time.
As you have gathered I love Paris.
Can I just say it is a great WALKING city. It is a great city just to stroll round and take in the sights.
Just choose 3 "areas" and spend the day in those areas, mabe one day in Montmatre, another round the Eiffel Tower and Arc di Triomphe, and maybe another round Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter.
It is a large city with many tourist attractions and you will not see them all so dont wear yourself out trying.
DONT try and see everything in Paris, save some for when you go back next time.
One more append
Here is a map of Paris to give you an idea of where things are:
http://www.paris-vacation-rental.com/maplarge. jpg
The Eiffel Tower is on the left, with the Arc Di Triomphe above it in the very top left.
The Notre Dame is near the bottom right (just to left of that big red arrow) in the middle of the river, with the Hotel de Ville just above it.
The Latin Quarter is just to the south of Notre Dame.
The Lourve is that HUGE yellow building almost in the centre, with the pyramid between the two "arms" of the builidng.
It is not far to walk from the Lourve to the Notre Dame (and you pass the Pont Neuf and the lovely park is you do so)
The Montmatre and Sacre Couer area is just off the map, and it is in the top right.
Have a nice time.
Here is a map of Paris to give you an idea of where things are:
http://www.paris-vacation-rental.com/maplarge. jpg
The Eiffel Tower is on the left, with the Arc Di Triomphe above it in the very top left.
The Notre Dame is near the bottom right (just to left of that big red arrow) in the middle of the river, with the Hotel de Ville just above it.
The Latin Quarter is just to the south of Notre Dame.
The Lourve is that HUGE yellow building almost in the centre, with the pyramid between the two "arms" of the builidng.
It is not far to walk from the Lourve to the Notre Dame (and you pass the Pont Neuf and the lovely park is you do so)
The Montmatre and Sacre Couer area is just off the map, and it is in the top right.
Have a nice time.
Go up the Tour Monteparnasse at night on the hour to view a dazzling display of lights from the Eiffel Tower across the city. A ticket up the Tour Monteparnasse lasts all day and into evening so it is a cheaper option to see the sights of Paris from on high and can be used again at night . Monteparnasse has many residents - hence the restaurants are excellent.
