Paris Things to Do Tips by BeatChick Top 5 Page for this destination

Musée de l'Orangerie - Nymphéas (Water Lilies) Orangerie Review

From Place de la Concorde we wheeled about and strutted to the Musée de l'Orangerie which has one of the finest collections of Monet's Nymphéas. The walls are curved and Monet painted directly onto the walls.

I'd never seen this group during my first 5 trips to Paris. Either the museum was shut down or Paris' transit system was on strike and I couldn't get to them. So this was a must-see for this trip (thankfully, Ian agreed).

I took a bunch of photos inside the museum but have culled only the best for your viewing pleasure. :)

The first is one of my favorites. I love how the young ladies' attire reflects the colors in the painting.

The second shows the crowds musing over the Monets. I think the energy of the visitors is felt in this shot.

The 3rd through the 5th photos highlights details of the Nymphéas.

Please peruse my travelogues to see more fabulous photos of Monet's divine work:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/b9019/#TL
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/b901a/#TL

Photos: April 2010

Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris

Directions: End of Tuileries gardens, adjacent to Seine end of Place de la Concorde.

Phone: 01 44 77 80 07

Website: http://www.musee-orangerie.fr

A Lovely Stroll through History Jardin des Tuileries Review

The Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Gardens) is a lovely sojourn to get to the Place de la Concorde or Rue de Rivoli. Rather than brave the crowds and traffic, take a shortcut through here instead.

My first photo highlights my early evening stroll on Valentine's Day in 2006 as I made my way from the Left Bank to the Ritz to join friends for drinks in the famed Hemingway Bar. Note the lovely jeunesse carrying her Valentine's Day bouquet of red roses.

Photos # 2-4 show the bright, clear day my son & I enjoyed last spring as we meandered from Café Marly at the Louvre on our way to Place de la Concorde. At the western end of the gardens are are two lovely museums, the Musée de Jeu de Paume on the northwestern end, and the Musée de l'Orangerie to the south.

The 5th photo was taken of the Paris Marathon from the Musée de l'Orangerie. Our friend, Daniel Colon, was running in it that year and we hoped to catch a glimpse of him!

After you've enjoyed your time in the gardens, why not pop over to Angélina's salon de thé? You'll find it about midway through the garden to the north. Cross rue de Rivoli and you're there!

Or if you care to picnic in the park, a very Parisian thing to do, go to the western end to Place de la Concorde, turn right and head to Place de la Madeleine to pick up lunch supplies at Hédiard, Fouchon, or Ladurée (for macarons, droool). By the large circular fountain is a nice spot for a pique-nique. It's a nice spot for people watching, especially to see children playing with their boats.

Photos: April 2010 & February 2006

Address: Place du Louvre

Directions: Metro: Tuileries,Concorde

Website: http://www.louvre.fr

Le Grand Palais Grand Palais Review

Le Grand Palais was built for the 1900 Universal Exposition. It was intended to be torn down like the Eiffel Tower; thankfully, both were spared. It's Beaux Arts (beautiful arts) architecture is named for the École des Beaux-Arts, located in the 6th arrondissement (St-Germain-des-Prés).

My son, Ian, was blown away by the fact that he could stand in one spot (Jardin des Tuileries) and see several famed monuments: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Obelisque at Place de la Concorde, and the Grand Palais!

Photos: April 2010 & February 2006

Address: 3, Avenue du Général-Eisenhower, 75008, Paris

Website: http://www.grandpalais.fr/visite/en/

Place de la Concorde Place de la Concorde Review

As we were leaving Café Marly during my son's & my stopover in Paris last year on our way to Dublin, Ian mentioned how cool it would be to see the obelisk so he could tell his friend, Chris, about it. I told him it was just at the end of the gardens! The one from Egypt, he queried? The very same. So we meandered over to the Place de la Concorde.

In photos #2 & 3, the pictorial tells the story of how Napoleon's men brought the obelisk from Egypt to Paris, France.

All the pics of the Obelisk are Ian's handiwork.

Once known as the Place de la Revolution, the Place de la Concorde with its beautiful fountain & obelisque is now known for the gory events that took place during the Reign of Terror of the Revolution. Thousands of folks died here at the chopping block, in the area where the obelisque now stands. Royalty (Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI), nobility & the famous (Robespierre & Danton who were responsible for the Reign of Terror) all lost their heads here.

Robespierre, who was in cahoots with Danton, eventually had a falling out over politics with Danton and accused him of treason. Thankfully, many people grew tired of so many deaths and in turn called for the death of Robespierre who was almost one of the last to die here.

Ian was blown away by the fact that he could stand in one spot and see several monuments: Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Obelisque at Place de la Concorde, and the Grand Palais!

Photos: April 2003 & Feb 2006

Address: Place de la Concorde

Directions: Metro 1, 13 : Concorde

Quasimodo - The Bellringer of Paris Notre Dame de Paris Review

This is another activity that is a must-do for me every trip! Isn't this bell just huge? I'd hate to be in the same room when the bell is tolling. Combined with a trip up the towers of Notre Dame this is one of the best things to do in Paris.

Besides just doing the long climb it's fun to notice the old architecture while climbing the steps; you can feel the worn down nature of the ancient limestone steps and see how old the leaded mullioned windows are with their wavering view.

And that guy in the photo? He'll be happy to take yours if you'd like.

Photos: March 2001 & April 2003

Address: Ile de la Cité

Directions: Place du Parvis Notre Dame

Maison de Victor Hugo Place des Vosges Review

If you're a fan of old manses or of Hugo's work (Les Miserables or Nôtre-Dame de Paris otherwise known in the US as the Hunchback of Notre Dame, thanks Disney!) then this would be a cool spot for you.

This is a very maneuverable museum with a lovely old, creaking, sideways-slanted wooden staircase. Inside are the accoutrements of the writer showing his house as when he lived there. One interesting thing I learned here was that Hugo's son, Charles, was an artist and his works show in the Musée d’Orsay. This is an easy 1-hour tour.

Métro : Chemin-Vert, Saint-Paul, Bastille.
Bus : 20, 29, 65, 69 et 96.

Open every day except Monday from 10am-5:40pm
E-mail: maisonsvictorhugo@mairie-paris.fr

Carte Musées et Monuments accepted here.

Nearby is the lovely Café/Salon de Thé, Nectarine which serves inexpensive sweet & savory crêpes on a terrasse.

Photos: April 2003 & Feb 2006

Address: 6 Place des Vosges, Paris, France 75004

Directions: 5 minutes west of the Place Bastille in the 4th arrondissement (Marais district) along rue St-Antoine. Turn right on rue Birague for a magical entrance through the Renaissance-era archway ~ located in the southeast corner of the Place des Vosges.

Other Contact: 01 42 72 06 64 Fx#

Phone: 01 42 72 10 16

Pre-French-Revolutionary Paris Musée Carnavalet Review

Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris

These Grand-Siècle-style hôtels particuliers are stunning with their beautiful pre-French-Revolutionary period rooms you walk thru to view arts decoratif. You'll even see a model of the Île de la Cité circa 1500s as well as vieux Lutèce and items from the Merovingian era.

The musée is actually 2 adjoining mansions (Hôtel Carnavalet - Paris beginnings-1789; Hôtel Peletier St-Fargeau - 1789-present), done up in the Mansart style, once owned by Madame de Sevigné, famed for her literary salons (hello Natalie Barney!) and hundreds of letters penned to her beloved daughter chronicling the era.

Because it is very easy to get lost in I recommend using Rick Steves' Paris guide walk. BTW, Rick Steves is crazy if he thinks you can do this tour in 90 minutes; I spent a couple of hours here & could easily have spent a few hours more. I know I didn't see even half the place.

Explanations are French only but this will not detract from your visit.

This musée is extremely close to my fave Marais hôtel, Grand Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc (south on rue de Sevigné turn left on rue Jarente). For some great area restaurants turn south on rue Caron from the hotel to picturesque Place du Marché Ste-Catherine.

Hours: Open Tuesday - Sunday 10am-6pm
Price: Free for the Permanent Collection
Bus: 29, 69, 76, 96

This photo I snapped from a window of the gardens.
Photos: April 2003 & Feb 2006

Address: 23 rue Sévigné, Paris 75003 (Marais)

Directions: Metros St-Paul & Chemin-Vert
From St-Paul go north on rue Malher, right on rue des Francs-Bourgeois.
From Chemin-Vert go west on rue St Gilles and south on rue de Sevigné.

Other Contact: 01 44 59 58 10 Fx#

Phone: 01 44 59 58 58

Prototype for lovely planned Squares of the World Place des Vosges Review

This is a beautiful planned square of a former royal residence in the Marais in Paris. The royal quarters were divided between the King (Pavillon de la Roi) and the Queen (Pavillon de la Reine). The latter is now exemplified by a deluxe hôtel of the same name on this square.

Before I reached my hotel last trip, I sauntered through the Place des Vosges to see what it looked like. As I walked down rue Birague I took a pic of the archway entrance to the Place des Vosges then turned to take one of the cute Hôtel de la Place des Vosges located at 12 rue Birague.

While I meandered around the Place with my rolling suitcase behind me, I noticed a chic, young maman coaxing bébé to slide down a 2-foot 30º angle slide. Next was watching a little 3- or 4-year old expertly kicking around a soccer ball.

The very famous bistro, Ma Bourgogne, is located on this square but for simpler fare with simpler prices you might wish to try Nectarine (Restaurant - Salon de Thé, 16 Place des Vosges ~ ph# 01 42 77 23 78) for sitting on the terrasse and sampling sweet & savory crêpes.

Also nearby for you Les Miserables and Hunchback of Notre Dame fans is the Maison de Victor Hugo.
6 Place des Vosges

Photo: April 2003 & Feb 2006

Address: Marais - entrance rue Birague - Paris, France

Directions:

5 minutes west of the Place Bastille in the 4th arrondissement (Marais district) along rue St-Antoine. Turn right on rue Birague for a magical entrance through the Renaissance-era archway.

La Maison Fournaise - Renoir Painting Site

I can't leave Chatou, because my painting is not finished yet. It would be nice of you to come down here and have lunch with me. You won't regret the trip, I assure you. There isn't a lovelier place in all Paris surroundings
~Pierre-Auguste Renoir~

We took the RER-A to Ile des Impressionnistes (island of Impressionists near Chatou, a suburb 15 mins W of Paris from Charles de Gaulle-Etoile station) to see a famous spot associated with the impressionists. La Maison Fournaise is where Renoir painted Luncheon of the Boating Party featured in Amélie. Monsieur Alphonse Fournaise, owner of the Maison, is seen in white t-shirt, hat & beard to the left while another Impressionist, Caillebotte, is shown in the lower right-hand corner in white t-shirt & boater.

Arriving at the station RER Chatou-Croissy we meandered 20 mins to the resto carrying on our animated conversation. A better exit is the Rueil-Malmaison stop. It was a hot, crisp, clear day – perfect for our outing.

On the terrasse overlooking the river, we lingered over seafood ravioli & lamb, rabbit terrine & roast pork, with a light, white Cheverny wine, 2001, from Les Borderies vineyard (21€), ending with un café. Neither of us drinks espresso in the US as it tastes bitter but the French create it hot & strong with no bitterness. It requires not too much sugar & no cream. Perfection.

Average à la Carte (starter, main course, dessert): 39€
Set menu (2 starters, 2 main courses, 2 dessert): 24.25€

Attached is Le Musée Fournaise where you can buy postcards & whatnot of Renoir's famous painting.

E-mail: musee.fournaise@wanadoo.fr

Photo: April 2003

Address: 3 r du Bac, Île des Impressionnistes, Chatou 78400

Directions: RER-A from Charles de Gaulle-Etoile station on the Champs Elysées. Rueil Malmaison stop, cross the bridge, entrance to the island in the middle of the bridge - signs will point the way for you.

Other Contact: 01 39 52 84 82 fx#

Phone: 01 30 71 41 91

Bookin' it to the Bouquinistes Shopping Review

Bouquinistes stalls along the quai

The bouquinistes in Paris is where to find a bargain on posters, post cards, old advertisements, rare books, old magazines ~ a veritable treasure trove.

It was at the bouquinistes along the Quai de la Mégisserie (Right Bank) that I found a cool 1920s-era yellow Josephine-Baker-in-her-banana-outfit poster for a friend. I was thrilled! And my friend loves the poster.

Photo: March 2001

Address: Quai de la Mégisserie or Quai de Montebello

Directions: Along the Seine on the Right or Left Bank. Right Bank stalls may be reached via the Châtelet or Pont Neuf Métro stops. The Left Bank may be reached by RER St-Michel-Notre-Dame.