Le Grand Palais and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

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

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Address: 33, Quai d'Orsay 75007 Paris
Directions: Metro: Place de la Concorde

I consider a climb up to Notre Dame's tower to be an essential thing to do each visit if only to see the fantastic gargoyles & chimera at the top, each with distinct personalities. The gargoyles are the animals jutting off the side of the cathedral acting as waterspouts while the chimera are the animal figures at the top. The views from up to are incredible - you can see as far as the Eiffel Tower & Sacre Coeur while the view overlooking the Latin Quarter is cool and shows the tangle of medieval streets.

There are close to 400 steps to the top. You'll get a breather once you reach the area of the chimera & then more steps to the bell tower where you climb the wooden steps, with the wooden hand railing smoothed by many centuries of hands running along it, to see the great Quasimodo bell. The attendant will be happy to take a photo of you with the bell.

Although entrance to the cathedral is free the climb up the towers is not. Click on the website below for more details. Just click on the Notre Dame picture and it'll take you to the official website.

Price: 5.50 euro

Photos: March 2001

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Address: Place du Parvis du Notre Dame - Ile de la Cite
Directions: Île de la Cite
Website: http://www.monum.fr

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

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Address: Ile de la Cité
Directions: Place du Parvis Notre Dame
Website: http://www.monum.org

Behind the cathedral of Notre Dame, on the eastern end of the Ile de la Cite is the Memorial de la Deportation, a memorial to the 200,000 French Jews deported from Paris to the Nazi concentration camps during WWII. Inside you'll find a long hallway with 200,000 lights representing each person that was taken away. It's a very somber feeling to visit this concrete walled place and the message is that this should never happen again: Forgive but never forget.

Open from 10am 'til dark (5-7pm depending upon the time of year).

Photo: March 2001

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Address: Square de l'Ile de France
Directions: behind Notre Dame Cathedral

I was intrigued by this square the first 2 trips to Paris. Somehow it was always closed when I walked past it. But my 3rd trip I was able to walk through it. Many people were camped out in the garden enjoying their lunch on this warm, sunny day in April.

Located in the square is an Acacia Robinia, supposedly the oldest tree in Paris planted around the time of Benjamin Franklin's visit to France in the late 18th-century. Behind the square is reputedly one of the oldest churches in Paris, St-Julien-le-Pauvre. Alongside is the rue St-Julien-le-Pauvre, the street that opens up the outdoor travels of Celine & Jesse in Before Sunset.

Photos: April 2003

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Address: Rue St-Julien-le-Pauvre & Quai de Montebello
Directions: Across from Notre Dame on the Left Bank

The Place de la Contrescarpe is a square where the students from the Universite de Paris have hung out, eaten & drunk for centuries! There are plenty of bars & restaurants to choose from in this area; one that I ate at is just off the square called La Couscoussiere, a Morrocan joint which serves wonderful & cheap couscous.

Nearby is the rue Mouffetard, a great market street in the Latin which has a great wine store (I saw great wine for as low as 2€), some crepes stands and a food market during the day. Just off rue Mouffetard are cobblestoned passages such as vine-laden Passage des Postes, Passage des Patriarches and Square Vermenouze.

In the middle of the square is a wonderful old burbling fountain that people enjoy day or night, picnic or no, cold or hot - even in winter it was filled with people!

Photos: Feb 2006 & Nov 2007

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Address: Place de la Contrescarpe
Directions: Top of rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter
Website: http://www.paristriptips.com/what-to-see/parks-gardens-and-squares/place-de-la-contrescarpe/

One of the most elegant hotels in the world and possessing one of the best restaurants in Paris, Les Ambassadeurs, the Hotel Crillon has become headquarters of international diplomats where many press conferences have been held.

Built in 1758 by architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel, it was originally owned by the Duc d'Aumont then acquired by the Comte de Crillon then it was turned into a hotel in 1909 by the Taittinger family who now owns it, so its very upscale indeed.

Friends of mine recently ate brunch here. Although an expensive brunch at 60 euros, it's an elegant experience and well worth the money, they said, adding that they waddled back to their hotel to take a nap! Brunch is held Sundays from noon to 3pm.

Photos: April 2003 & Feb 2006

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Address: Place de la Concorde
Directions: Northwestern side of the Place de la Concorde
Website: http://www.crillon.com/

Surely, one of the most famous streets in the world, this avenue provides a vista from the Arc du Carousel at the Louvre past the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe, one of Paris' most famous landmarks. The vista continues to the west along the Avenue de la Grande Armee and Avenue Charles de Gaulle to the Grande Arche de la Defense to complete one of the best stretches through Paris.

This is also one of the most expensive streets in Paris with many expensive shops, restaurants & automobile stores along the avenue. When people tell me they've visited Paris and that it was so expensive, I ask them where did you shop & dine. Why, along the Champs Elysees, of course. Of course. That's why your trip was so expensive!

Naturally, you have to visit the Champs Elysees as it's emblematic of Paris and the vibe on the avenue is very bustling, a lot of lively energy here. However, it's very touristy and not entirely representative of Paris, which can be an excellent city to visit on a modest budget. Just don't shop on the Champs.

Click on the photo to see the full shot including the Arc de Triomphe. Look at some of these photos that I took from an island in the middle of the street. I had more than a few cars honking at me & I'm sure I heard a "crazy Americain" thrown at me.

Photos: April 2003 & Feb 2006

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Address: Champs Elysees, Paris 75008
Directions: Champs Elysees
Website: http://www.champselysees.org/