Paris Recommendations

Mr. Rogers's Avatar
I am visiting Paris very soon and would like anyone that has been to make any recommendations for food, sight seeing, etc...

I am specifically curious about "off the beaten path" recommendations for a first time visitor. Not hobby related activities, unfortunately.

Thank you in advance.
Last time I was there I stayed at the Saint James Paris Relais and Chateaux - GORGEOUS!

Favorite restaurant is Ferdi you will diiiieeeee its so good, comfort food!
Recommend doing the bigredbus tour. It's a hop on hop off tour allows you to see the sights on your own pace. Also recommend doing a city lights tour at night, that takes you past all the lit up monuments and attractions, especially the eiffel tower at night.
pyramider's Avatar
sgtpepper1968's Avatar
Suggestions:
(1) visit the catacombs on the east side of the city.
(2) skip the Louvre and visit the Musee de Orsay instead
(3) as for restaurants, I always ask cabbies where the locals eat.
(4) if time permits, take a train to Normandy for WW2 history or visit one of the towns outside of Paris.

Hope these help. Enjoy the trip.
Saturn's Avatar
Go see Notre Dame and Sacre Coure - Both great Cathedrals. If you go to the Eiffel Tower - there is often a wait to get to the top.
Mr. Rogers's Avatar
Great suggestions so far, keep them coming. Is the trip to Normandy worth it? I am a WW2 history buff but there is so much to see in Paris, I don't want to waste a full day and be disappointed.

Thanks again for those who have shared their feedback.
HarleyRider96's Avatar
Dinner cruise on the Seine is a must for a first time visitor.
HarleyRider96's Avatar
And I like staying at the Hyatt Madeleine. Good location and nice rooms.
Luke Skywalker's Avatar
Visit the arene de lutece in the quartier latin . a roman times mini coliseum
Eat at la coupolle blvd de montparnasse 102. Restaurant where hemingway used to hang out.
Visit 140 rue du bac, the church of the miraculous medal. This church has the body of St Catherine lying in state still not decomposed. She died on the 1800's.
I know it can sound macabre, but have you considered one of the cemeteries? Pere Lachaise is beautiful and filled with the graves of a good variety of famous people. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Père_Lachaise_Cemetery

Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Chopin.
Made the mistake of visiting world famous restaurant Tour d'Argent. Not worth it. I enjoyed tour of the Paris sewers. Not for everyone but very historic. Has a cool, hard to find unique entrance. Read the guide books. http://next.paris.fr/english/english...854_port_19237
Enjoy the trip, it is a great city, and I have always been treated well when visiting.
There are also a number of Bike tours that allows easy access and you don't have to be a world class biker as they have bikes for all skill levels.
daty/o's Avatar
I know it can sound macabre, but have you considered one of the cemeteries? Pere Lachaise is beautiful and filled with the graves of a good variety of famous people. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Père_Lachaise_Cemetery

Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Chopin. Originally Posted by Hogsby
This is actually pretty cool, but it's huge and an absolute zoo. Plan on several hours if it strikes your interest. Morrison's grave is somewhat anticlimactic though.

Give yourself enough time to enjoy it. Paris is my favorite city in the world and a couple of days isn't nearly enough. You can spend a whole day just girl watching on the Champs de Lise.

Best advice? If you speak any French at all, use it. If not, learn some.
Charlie Brown's Avatar
Check out Rick Steves' book on travelling in France. It gives you many educated suggestions on EVERYTHING to see and do, places to stay, restaurants, etc.

Study the links below and save yourself some time and cash.

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france

As for The Louvre and The Orsay - both great museums and pretty close to each other but don't think doing them in one day. Orsay, yeah, Louvre, no.

The impressionist paintings at The Orsay is quiet impressive.
http://www.viator.com/Paris-attracti...-a577?pref=204

The Louvre - well, for my taste, go live there. It would take you maybe two weeks to see just the most important history there. If you're not already aware, you'll be shocked at the size of the Mona Lisa. When walking around, just look up.

To me, it was clear ole Napoleon was one great conqueror but he was also quiet a plunderer and thief of many great treasures.
http://www.viator.com/Paris-attracti...9-a73?pref=204