I need some advice. I am going on a biz trip to Paris (my first time there). I will arriving at 9:25am Sunday morning (June 10) at the Charles de Gaule airport and staying at the SOFITEL Paris Forum Rive Gauche. Even though I will be there five days, I'm returning on Friday (June 15), I have only two days to go on my own. Our gracious host has all our evengings planned except for Thursday. So if you had only two days free in Paris (Sunday and Thurday evening) what would you do? Thanks for your help.

I would do museums on Sunday (Louvre, Orsay, Picasso, Rodin, etc.) because most of them are half price.

One can not do the Louvre in a day!!! AND savor all it has to offer. Plan on at least 45 min in line to get entrance tickets, if you do not have a "La Carte" museum pass. It is good for 1,3,or 5 days and can be purchased at main Metro stations or the Paris Tourism office. the Metro is the only way to get around Paris and the environs. I use the "Carte Orange" pass that is good for Monday through Sunday (about $48). It needs a small photo. Get zones 1-5. You can go from Charles de Gaulle airport to Versailles on it. Good for Metro and RER. Versailles gardens are free and would take a full day to see. Well worth the trip on a sunny day.
write me if you need more info. I just got back from Paris last April and an going again in Sep. Top of the Eiffer Tower in the evening is great, but expect a line for tickets and lift to the top.

------------------


[This message has been edited by Raven 1 (edited 06-06-2001).]

If you do go to the Louvre, buy the museum pass at a subway station. Even if it doesn't make financial sense (free day or not going to many museums), you can still use the group entrance and bypass the 45 minute (or longer) queue to get in the door.

I would also suggest that you show up to the Louvre at about a quarter till 9:00 (they open at 9:00 when most of the rest of the museums open at 10:00). Getting in the door near the front is about the only way to avoid the crush of people wanting to see the Mona Lisa.

By the way, the museum pass will also let you avoid the lines at many of the other museums (d'Orsay and George Pompidou for example). Look at the booklet that comes with the pass to see where the secret passholder's entrance is (usually the group entrance).

The best way to make efficient use of your time if you want to see the museums is to get the museum pass and also get a metro pass. Of course there's other things to do in Paris besides museums.

If time is very limited I would recommend the d'orsay ove rthe louvre. It's less crowded (or was when we were there), and it has an incredible collection.

If the weather is good a river boat ride is an excellent thing to do to relax after a busy day.

If you want ot get out of the city, Versailles (spelling not good this morning) is a day trip that is quite nice, though in June the lines may be very long.

You can avoid the long lines at the Eiffel Tower and still see a bird's eye view of Paris by climbing to the dome of Sacre Coeur; however, I seem to recall it was only open during daylight hours. There in the Montmartre neighborhood you'll also see the artists displaying their wares for the tourists in the nearby square, and the original Moulin Rouge windmill is a short walk away.

We love Paris and visit frequently (going in July). I agree that if you like art, and want to do a museum that Musee D'Orsey is absolutely the best. The location is good, the collection is wonderful and the building itself is spectacular. Ask if there's a tour with an English docent (usually at about 11:30AM - they make the museum come alive) When you leave there the entire Left Bank is at your feet, to walk, people watch, visit galleries, (though I'm not sure they're open on Sunday)or sit in cafe's. The Rodin museum is small and also wonderful. If you don't like art, then I'd walk the Left Bank (from St. Germain de Pres to the river - do all the side streets). Montmartre is also a great area. A Sunday stroll down the Champs Elyse is very nice (from the Arc de Triumph to the Louvre - or vice-versa) but don't eat "brunch" at any of the sidwalk cafes - they entice you with a low "prix-fix" breakfast, then upgrade you to "fresh OJ" and double the price. If nothing else, just walk, it's a fabulous city. Enjoy.

Go to the Musee Marmottan, and see the incredible collection of paintings by Monet. If you only have a little time, do a small museum like the Marmottan rather than doing a half-baked job at the Louvre. Believe me, the Marmottan will make you want to come back to Paris again and again. (We are going in Nov.) Visit Notre Dame and Ste. Chappelle, within steps of each other. Eat out at a great restaurant (I would recommend Androuet, the great French cheese restaurant), and have some ice cream from Berthillon on Ile. St. Louis. Enjoy Paris. BTW--I would certainly try to change my flight plans to stay over that weekend, rather than flying back home on Friday, unless you have other reasons for needing to be home.

Djlawman

Spend at least one hour sitting in a sidewalk cafe sipping wine, eating cheese and watching the world go by!

Simple. Eat, walk, then eat again! Get sugar crepes at street vendors, try a cheese-tasting lunch (in addition to Androuet, we like Ferme St. Hubert in the 8th district at 21 rue Vignon, metro stop Madeline, closed Sunday), wander through street food markets - rue Mouffetard by metro Monge, enjoy draft Belgian abbey beers at most any cafe (Leffe is one good brand), have dinner at the classic Brasserie Balzar in the 5th, 49 rue des Ecoles - think mussels and leg-o-lamb. (And my next Paris food fix is not till November *sob*) Did I mention you should have the hot upside-down apple tart http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif ?

Generally plan for your arrival day to be a little zombied, so don't be too ambitious. Djlawman is absolutely right on the Marmottan. Another small gem is the Musee Cluny in the 5th, by metro stop Cluny-Sorbonne, only 20FF on Sunday. Amazing collection of medieval art (Lady and Unicorn tapestries) and excavated Roman thermal baths. Another low-impact activity is a boat ride on the Seine, especially dramatic at night - recommend the Vedettes du Pont Neuf, right on the western tip of the Ile du Cite (Notre Dame island).

Other things to do:

Visit Jim at the Cemetery Pere Lachaise

Free rooftop views from the Samaritaine department store, store#2, 9th floor, right bank of the Seine, metro Pont Neuf.

Go to the Arc de Triomphe (via underground passage) and marvel at the visual line-up of the Defense building, the Arc, the big ol' obelisk, and the arc of the Carousel down at the Louvre, eight miles separate. And that new eyesore of a giant ferris wheel, too.

Enjoy!

There is not a suggestion here that I could disagree with (although I'd save Versailles for a trip when you have more time - there is NO reason to leave Paris). However, if you like ice cream at all, go to Bertillion as suggested above. You will wonder why all the fuss about Ben and Jerry's and Haagen Daaz. Caramel is my favorite (there) as the flavor will EXPLODE in your mouth.

If you like to walk outdoors, visit the Luxembourg Gardens and/or Tuilleries, walking from the Louvre up the Champs-Elysees all the way to the Arc de Triomphe. Wander through the Marais, making a stop at Place des Vosges. Stroll along the Seine.

For fabulous views of Paris that you DON'T see on the postcards, ride that ferris wheel or visit roof of the Institut du Monde Arab or the rooftop of the Samaritaine Dept. store.

Nothing you do in Paris will be wasted time.

Lucky guy:

Don't miss the boul. Raspail marche biologique on Sunday Mornings. Great organic calvados and crepes and comestibles. The calvados and cider make great presents. Good snack foods and fun to see parisiens shop. Afterwards, have a nice cup of tea or an espresso at Brasserie Lutetia and be amazed that you are in paris.

I agree- the cluny is great, especially the new gardens. I would also ditto the institut du monde arabe and add the musee de l'arte moderne de la ville de Paris on av.president wilson. Musee Marmottan is great and not very crowded. The Passy and Parc Monceau neighborhoods are not often visited by tourists, its very flossy and interestingly Parisien.

I would also hit Poilane on rue de cherche-midi if its open and pick up a pastry and a pain d'epices and mail the pain d'epices to me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. Its an amazing bakery.

Other than that, walk, smell, look up, window shop, lust and enjoy Paris.


Thursday- I would hit samarataine and look at paris from the roof and if I had time, I would go to Bazaar Hotel de Ville (BHV) on rue de rivoli (they have late hours on Thursday), the department store and wander around buying odds and bobs. I bought my cat a very cute french collar there, she is skeptical, but wears it on holidays.

Over-publicized, but good on a hot day would be place des vosges. Nice arcades and sort of hidden.

Berthillion is over rated, I would rather have a hot choc. or eclair at la maison du chocolat (sevres-babylone) any day!

lala

I grew up in Paris, just a hop and a skip from the hotel you mentioned!

Versailles is always a fun relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Strolling the grounds, watching French culture mull about... even get a tour of a magnificent chateau! It's a direct shot on the SNCF from the Grande Arche de La Defense metro station.

Or grab a traditional Croque Monsieur at a French cafe with some rocket fuel coffee... And de Louvre is always great if you want to overload your appreciation of art!

And here's something you might want to look into. On most Sunday spring evenings, around 5-6PM Notre Dame hosts free concerts (organ or chorale usually). If you're in the area, drop by and see if anything is playing while that evening. It's quite amazing to hear!

Hope that helps. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I want to say thanks to all of you for these great suggestions. These great suggestions, which I can only complete a few because of my short stay, means one thing. I gotta go back!! Once again, THANKS.

EWRFlyer

EWRFlyer:

You're right, all of the suggestions above are great. I epsecially agree with checking out the organic farmers' market on the Bd. Raspail Sunday AM to feel like a local and see true French appreciation of food.

The Marais on Sunday is quite animated because many of the stores are open, unlike in other quarters in Paris.

My favorite museum in Paris (besides the Louvre) is the Picasso Museum in the Marais. Small and intimate and worth the visit.

If you feel overwhelmed by the Louvre, at least have a drink on the terrace of the Cafe Marly, a stylish cafe that overlooks I.M. Pei's pyramid.

Don't miss a stroll through the Palais Royal Gardens which are directly behind the Louvre.

A nice place to eat a sandwhich is in the gardens of the Musee Rodin in the 7th district (rue de Varenne).

Finally, all of the big department stores are open late Thursday nights if you have any last minute shopping you need to do.

Enjoy!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by JohnnyP:
...And here's something you might want to look into. On most Sunday spring evenings, around 5-6PM Notre Dame hosts free concerts (organ or chorale usually). If you're in the area, drop by and see if anything is playing while that evening. It's quite amazing to hear!... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

Yes, it is amazing to hear but Notre-Dame Cathedral is not the only church offering free concerts on Sunday afternoons. You can hear great music at a host of other Parisian churches where you will not have to contend with the throngs of tourists snapping flash photos and talking throughout the concert. All of the concerts are listed in the weekly magazine, "Pariscope", which you can also access online at:

http://www.pariscope.fr

Scanning the list of classical concerts for this Sunday, June 10, turned up several possibilities:

Organ and choral concert at 16.00 at Saint-Sulpice (Métro: Saint-Sulpice)
Organ concert at 16.00 at Eglise de la Madeleine (Métro: Madeleine)
Organ concert at 16.45 at Saint-Augustin (Métro: Saint-Augustin)
Organ concert at 17.30 at Saint Eustache (Métro: Les Halles)

There are many, many more options for free concerts - jazz, vocal, choral, chamber, etc. The list goes on and on in Paris! Hope you have a marvelous time.

Bill

To enter the Louvre - you can always avoid the lines by going through the stairs entrance at the side (on the other side of the road). I've done this many a time (with no museum pass) and never had to line up.