Introduction to my to-do tips and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

Having been to Paris over ten times as well as having lived here for some time I consider myself a semi-expert on the city. Not like the natives, but better than the accidental first time tourist. Writing to do-tips about PAris is like asking to be unoriginal. What can I possibly recommend that hasn't been recommended before? Probably nothing ... Can I give another angle to some tips? Hopefully.
Anyway, here ismy to do-list of Paris. I take the position of a first-time visitor ,and will present my tips in descending order, starting with an obvious tower you may know ...

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See the Eiffel tower either from Trocadéro (metro Trocadero) or up close from Champs de Mars (metro Ecole militaire). You can glimpse the tower now and again from all over the central city, but these are the best spots for a view of the entire tower.

Going up the tower is not necessry unless you feel you have to do it, just because it needs to be done. Otherwise, no, don't bother, the lines are too long! If you decide to ascend the tower, the entrance fees are around 4 euros for elevator to first floor, 7 euros to the second floor and 10 euros to top. You buy your tickets at the foot of the tower. Accodring to the statistics the tower has some 6 million visitors every year!

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Address: Tour Eiffel Champ de Mars, 7 arrondisement, Paris.

This is the broad avenue running from Place de la Concorde up the Arc de Triomphe. It's some 2 kilometres long all in all. Along the avenue are restaurants ,stores and cafés etc. I, personally don't feel that this is such a must see, but if you are visiting ´Paris for the first time, of course you should see it. Either walk the whole lenth of get off the Metro at Georges V and walk up to the Arc from there. If you decide on a coffee it will be very costly here ...
If you want to shop, there are both cheap and expensive options. From Etam to Vuitton, you have lots of shops in the Champs Elysees area. There is also a Disney store, a 24 hour open supermarket Monoprix and a Séphora for example.

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Address: Champs Elysees.

A megacity but not too big. Some of your Paris sightseeing can easily be done by foot. Also, try taking the Métro to an unknown station and get out and walk a few blocks. A great way to see the hidden beauties of this wonderful city.

Walking the streets of Paris with or without map is THE way to get to know the city.
One walk I can totally recommend:
Walk from the Louvre to the Arc de Triomphe on place Charles de Gaulle.
Take rue de Rivoli from Louvre, you will pass Palais Royal on your right hand, then go left into the Tuileries park and walk here for a while. Depending on your preferences you can either walk through the park all the way to Place de la Concorde, or go out on the Rivoli again and check out the stores and antiques dealers in the vaulted road. After stopping at Concorde, maybe taking a detour to check out the Madeleine church on your right, continue up along the Champs-Elysées.
This first part of Chemps-Elysées isn't that interesting I think. But on your left are the Grand and Petit Palais with the impressive glass and iron roofs. Have a crèpe from a street vendor to regain some enrgy and keep walking.
Soon enough you pass the rond-point with its flower plantations and after this is where the Champs-Elysées of the photos start. Stroll up all the way to the Arc de Triomphe. Criss cross over the avenue to checck out both sides. Some way up on your right is the Lido club, maybe not something I would visit but still a famous Paris location.

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Directions: Righ side of Seine.

The cathedral of Notre Dame is located on Ile de la cité in the heart of Paris. TRy to walk around to see the cathedral from all angles, its appearance changes. And also see it both day and night! Devote some time to this visit there is also a lot to see indoors of the cathedral, just make sure you don't come at a service time.

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Address: Ile de la Cité
Directions: Metro: Cité.

The white basilica of Sacre coeur located on the hill of Montmartre is very beautiful. The high location also offers great views of the city. The church isn't that old, it was build in the 19th century. While you are in the area, check out the Montmartre quarters including place du Tertre. If you want to you can buy fake paintings by real and fake artists here, but I wouldn't recommend it. Makes you feel too much like a tourist I guess ...

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Address: Montmartre.
Directions: Metro station Abesses (12).
Website: http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/

Sainte Chapelle by Notre Dame with its magnificent windows!

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Could this be the most famous museum in the world? At least it ranks top ten. It hosts ouvres such as Mona Lisa, Venus of Milo and Nike of Samothrake. The Louvre is huge. It's absolutely enormous. It takes up the area of a smaller Swedish town, I would estimate. Unless you are really into art museums, don't even think of going through all of it. You'll probably do as the rest of us, rushing from one famous object to the next, passing innumerable painted half naked rennaisance ladies on your way :-)

Make sure to read up before visiting the Louvre, so you know what you want to see.

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Directions: Metro: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre

Roof of Samaritaine.
So this used to count as off the beaten path, but I really think you should pay a visit.
The Samaritaine Department Store is just by Pont Neuf on the righ side of Seine. Go up as far as you can get by escalator, then ask the staff where the roof exit is (it's really hard to find) and get out there for a magnificent view over Paris. It's not too high so you still feel a part of the city and you can spot most of the famous landmarks from here. This is a place I revisit almost every time I come to Paris.
There is a coffe/beer serving as well and some snacks, the coffee isn't that cheap anymor, like all Paris, but to sip a cup while drinking in the view is priceless.
Don't miss out. Onyly problem is you will want to go in every direction afterwards since every direction looks so beautiful from the air.

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Phone: 01 40 41 20 20
Address: 19 rue de la Monnaie
Directions: Between Seine and Rue de Rivoli by Pont Neuf.
Metro/RER: Chatelet les Halles.

NB: Closed on sundays.
Website: www.samaritaine.com

Musée Rodin or in English the Rodin Museum is located close to the Invalides on the left river bank. The musum is set in a beautiful villa, previous Hotel Biron, with an equally charming garden, and as you may guess from the name is dedicated to the works of sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917). To be honest, you don't need to know much about either him or the art of sculpure to enjoy this beautiful place. His works are amazing, some of the sculptures are carved in stone or marble, but so skilfully, the surface looks smooth, almost soft like fabric.
One piece by Rodin that most people would recognize is the Thinker, the man who rests his head on one knuckle, sitting in a forward leaning position. It is located on a pillar in a corner of the garden surrounding the museum.
There are also drawings by Rodin.

Really, I love this museum, don't miss it if you have some hours to spare. I know it might not be one of the most famous places in Paris, but I don't think you will regret your visit!

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Phone: 01 44 18 61 10
Address: 77 Rue de Varenne
Directions: Metro: Varenne, Invalides or Saint-François-Xavier
(Metro line 13)

NB: Closed on mondays.
Open until 5.45 in summer, 4.45 in winter.
Admission: between 1 and 5 euros. Unde 18 years old - free.
Time needed: around 2 hours.
Website: http://www.musee-rodin.fr