Originally Posted by SeAAttle

Thanks for the explanation of the name - very creative. A colleague recommended it as simply "Fish" and "Fish restaurant Paris" is not a useful Google search term! Later he gave the full name and I left off Fish.

Originally Posted by Helena Handbaskets

Here's a "secret" spot that would fit in your "Death tour." Cimetiere de Picpus, at 35 rue de Picpus, open 2-6 pm Mon.-Sun. if I recall correctly. If you're an American or a lover of the idea of freedom, read a bit about the biography of the Marquis de Lafayette, who is buried here. An American flag flies over his grave, and is reportedly the only spot where an American flag flew inside the borders of the Nazi occupation. It actually flies over U.S. soil, because after the U.S became a nation, Lafayette made a tour of each state and returned with a sufficient quantity of soil from Virginia, in which to be buried.

If you know about Lafayette (not just his American exploits, which are enough), it's worth visiting the cemetery just for that. And to imagine the scene when, shortly after the liberation of Paris, one of Patton's commanders visited the grave to say, "Lafayette, nous ici," i.e., returning the favor. (My French is not great, but I wonder why it wouldn't be "nous sommes ici"... at any rate, that's the phrase I've read was spoken.)

But when you're done with Lafayette's grave, turn around and consider the fact that before you is a mass grave for some 1500 headless corpses. This is the only known mass burial site for victims of the guillotine during the reign of terror. There were others, but their locations are (as far as I know) unknown. Lafayette had two relatives (a mother-in-law and a sister-in-law, if I recall correctly) who were guillotined and buried here, so that's why his family bought the plot and why he is buried next to the mass grave.

Originally Posted by Helena Handbaskets

Here's a "secret" spot that would fit in your "Death tour." Cimetiere de Picpus, at 35 rue de Picpus, open 2-6 pm Mon.-Sun. if I recall correctly. If you're an American or a lover of the idea of freedom, read a bit about the biography of the Marquis de Lafayette, who is buried here. An American flag flies over his grave, and is reportedly the only spot where an American flag flew inside the borders of the Nazi occupation. It actually flies over U.S. soil, because after the U.S became a nation, Lafayette made a tour of each state and returned with a sufficient quantity of soil from Virginia, in which to be buried.

If you know about Lafayette (not just his American exploits, which are enough), it's worth visiting the cemetery just for that. And to imagine the scene when, shortly after the liberation of Paris, one of Patton's commanders visited the grave to say, "Lafayette, nous ici," i.e., returning the favor. (My French is not great, but I wonder why it wouldn't be "nous sommes ici"... at any rate, that's the phrase I've read was spoken.)

But when you're done with Lafayette's grave, turn around and consider the fact that before you is a mass grave for some 1500 headless corpses. This is the only known mass burial site for victims of the guillotine during the reign of terror. There were others, but their locations are (as far as I know) unknown. Lafayette had two relatives (a mother-in-law and a sister-in-law, if I recall correctly) who were guillotined and buried here, so that's why his family bought the plot and why he is buried next to the mass grave.

Originally Posted by Helena Handbaskets

If you know about Lafayette (not just his American exploits, which are enough), it's worth visiting the cemetery just for that. And to imagine the scene when, shortly after the liberation of Paris, one of Patton's commanders visited the grave to say, "Lafayette, nous ici," i.e., returning the favor. (My French is not great, but I wonder why it wouldn't be "nous sommes ici"... at any rate, that's the phrase I've read was spoken.)

Originally Posted by davidvcd

If you have kids, bring them to la cite des sciences. I loved it as a kid and still go there from time to time.

Originally Posted by Helena Handbaskets

... "Lafayette, nous ici," i.e., returning the favor. (My French is not great, but I wonder why it wouldn't be "nous sommes ici"... at any rate, that's the phrase I've read was spoken.)

Originally Posted by davidvcd

If you have kids, bring them to la cite des sciences. I loved it as a kid and still go there from time to time.

Originally Posted by Mike Jacoubowsky

Is that the place with the submarine out front? Visible from the canal?

Originally Posted by ILuvParis

Speaking of children, I think one of the great "secret" things in Paris for kids (or me!) is the Natural History Museum's Great Hall of Evolution, right in the Jardin des Plantes. Just amazing.

http://www.parisdigest.com/withchildren/museum.htm

Originally Posted by MJLogan

Every May, there's an open artists' studios weekend in Belleville. It's lots of fun. The art ranges from awful to fantastic, but the crowd is interesting and it's fun to peek into the homes and workspaces of a boho neighborhood with a very diverse population. Some of the artists show in little cafés, so there are many opportunities to stop for a drink.

Originally Posted by maltasr

You must have the hot chocolate at "Angelina's" on the Rue Rivoli (across from the Jardin de Tuileries). They serve a small pitcher of pure melted chocolate and a small bowl of whipped cream; you create your own cup of hot chocolate using these ingredients. It is, by far, the richest and most delicious hot chocolate I have ever had. The physical address is 226 Rue de Rivoli (42.60.82.00). The Food Lover's Guide to Paris describes it as "lethally rich." You can also purchase sandwiches, salads and pastries.

Originally Posted by beta1607

Absolutely agree with this!