The last time I was in Paris I took my girlfriend up the Eiffel Tower. She was a bit nervous to begin with but in the end she loved it. We would definitely do it again and highly recommend it. ^

In the Opera district of Paris, there is an excellent restaurant called Pramil. I believe it is also on Trip Advisor.
Ran me about €120 for 2 the last time I was there. Fairly inexpensive, simple, and delicious. Also a very small place.
Both times I have been there they had fluent English speaking wait staff.

From CDG to Paris, the RER is the best.
Let me warn you, do not try the city buses, the are a mess.

I'm zoning in onn the eating reccommendations as I'm off this Friday for a Parisian night with Mrs Philco before trying out the Openskies bizbed to New York for a long weekend. In my experience it is very hard to go far wrong in Paris as it is so hhard to eat badly there unless you are very foolish. What I'd like to find is Chirac's favourite restaurant - apparently he lives to eat.

I'll take that literally, as intended. ;)

I suffer from vertigo [big-time] and hate tall buildings, although aircraft don't bother me at all. My first [and last] Eiffel Tower encounter involved me crawling on hands and knees to the railings at the top, and then slowly getting myself vertical. There were no safety nets in the 1950s ... just a waist-height wooden railing :eek:

No it isn't (sorry). Just take the Air France coach direct from your terminal to the Etoile (Arc de Triomphe). Don't get off at the intermediate stop at Porte Maillot. Much more relaxing. You may have a 200m walk down (i.e. downhill) the Champs-Elysees if you're staying the other end, but it's a 200m walk many people pay thousands to cross the world to see...

Just ask PUCCI, she'll understand ;)

If you can get her out of Galleries Lafayette that is! ;)

You're staying on avenue Marceau (one of the avenues that go up to the Arc de Triomphe). Walk down avenue Marceau (i.e. away from the Arc) and you'll get to the river. Several really good places down there, for around your price bracket. My favourite among them is Le Bistrot de Marius at the bottom of Avenue George V. Good, simple, classy, unpretentious French fish and seafood as it should be. Been there for ages so they must be doing something right. ^

Don't go for the well-known/famous/hard-to-book places. For 24 hours it just isn't worth the hassle.

Otherwise, there are half a dozen places next door, all at the junction by the river (Alma-Marceau) if you fancy something else.

One of my favourite restaurants in Paris is Pomze (which is a pun on the French word for apple). The restaurant is connected with an apple growers' cooperative and every dish they serve incorporates apples in some way - not in a gimmicky way - but in modern and subtle way. The price is also right: a 3 course prix fixe is about 35 euros per person, and you can order a flight of ciders (each matched to your courses) for about 12 euros more. When we have gone there in the past, we have often ordered one prix fixe, plus an appetizer and main course off the carte, which has given us more flexibility. The restaurant is located fairly close to the Grands Magasins, in the 8th arrondissement, and is in a converted Haussmanian apartment. Check out pomze.com.

It's surprisingly (and annoyingly) easy to eat badly here, at least in comparison to the places where you can eat well at a reasonable price. It's worth spending a little time seeking out the good places.

Chirac's favourite according to legend was Le Père Claude but I suspect his "real" favourites were more private ;)

I agree with BAAZ - take the AF coach from outside the terminal at CDG, and get off at the Etoile. Beware only that there are several AF coach services, and make sure you take the right one - the buses are all signed pretty clearly, though. Much easier than faffing about with the RER and Metro when you've got bags! And it's pretty quick too.

I'd also agree with the general opinion that the big heavyweight restaurants are less interesting than real local places. There are many relatively-unknown restaurants where there's real care, skill and love going into the food, instead of simply being the vehicles for the egos of well-known chefs. Near the Etoile (rue de l'Arc de Triomphe, in the 17th) there's a lovely art-deco place called Grain d'Orge, where the (Belgian) chef - who used to be at the Michelin-starred Au Trou Gascon - serves lovely food with a distinct Flemish twist, and the wine list is joined by a fantastic beer list - and not stuff you drink by the pint! Or you could go Epicure 108 (108 rue Cardinet, again in the 17th), where Tetsu Goya cooks and his wife runs the dining room - Goya learnt his trade at the famous then-3-starred Crocodile in Strasbourg, and brings a slight Japanese flavour to his elegant and classic French cooking, but without breaking into full-on trendy 'fusion'. Pomze, also mentioned, is good too. And all these places are very reasonably priced, and you shouldn't have to book weeks in advance - although I wouldn't just turn up on a Saturday night either.

Since you will be by the Etoile, I'd recommend the Air France buses (take the one to the Etoile). They are next the RATP buses. You will have a wonderful ride through Paris and it will drop you off right by the Champs. A short walk down. I think it costs around 14 Euros one was/person. You should NEVER start your visit to Paris underground. You miss on lots of beauty.

As for restaurants for that price you should be able to find lots of good ones. I have to say, food here is a bit of a miss. Very heavy on the creams and butter. If you'd like recommendations and a way in to some, you can PM me and I can recommend places and get you in.

Paris in December is just gorgeous and the Champs will be lit. Go and look at the window decorations in the big department stores, not too far from where you will be staying (around 20 minute beautiful walk) Take the Bateaux Mouches ride at NIGHT... real real beautiful (you can do a dinner tour) food ahhhh but view to die for...

La Table is closing, he is going to open something else.

Why not get a taxi from CDG? It's a lot cheaper than you think (Paris isn't that big). And straight to your door, no bus or public transport. The RER can get extremely crowded and uncomfortable at peak times.

Restaurants recommendations: Les Ombres - with Eiffel Tower view. Had one of the best meals of my life there. The puddings are heavenly. Pricey but not over your budget I think.www.lesombres-restaurant.com

For a completely different atmosphere (a lot more laid back and cheaper, but still extraordinary food) go to Le Hide: www.lehide.fr

Whatever you do, have a great time!

Yes Les Ombres has the most beautiful view, but the worst attitude. And that spoils the occasion.

Willi's Wine Bar or the Maceo restaurant next door.