A Must and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

From the 1st level toward the Ecole

Militaire

We were not about to spend three hours of our day queueing for the elevator to the top. Instead, we waited ten minutes, paid 3.50 EURO and walked the stairs to the 1st level. There is a post office that will give your postcards a special Tour Eiffel ink stamp, but buy your postcards elsewhere. They are VERY expensive here. You will be bombarded by vendors and massive crowds. We were happy to admire the view and get out of here!

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Address: Trocadero
Directions: You can't miss it!!!

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Musée d'Orsay: Smaller alternative to the Louvre

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Written by CoAir13

on Apr 24, 2004

Musee d'Orsay

Opened in 1900 as a train station and hotel, opened as a world class museum in 1986! There are 80 galleries and a permanent collection of 4,000 pieces of art. Impressionism is very well represented here.
Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat 10-6
Thurs 10- 9:45
Sun 9-6
Adults 7 EURO
Under 18 - FREE

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Address: 1, rue de Bellechasse
Directions: Metro (12) Solferino
Website: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/

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Musée Rodin: A Personal Collection of Masterpieces

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Written by CoAir13

on Apr 24, 2004

Musee Rodin

Rodin rented a floor here at the Hotel Biron from the Government beginning in 1908. His wish was to turn it into a museum devoted to his works. With help from friends, he was able to do this and in 1916 gave the Government all of his collections. This included sculptures, drawings, personal archives, and possessions. Among them, paintings by Renoir, Monet, and Van Gogh. Although it is quite large and there is a lot to see (check out the garden, too!), it doesn't take long to go through here.
Adults 5 EURO
Under 18 - FREE
Garden only 1 EURO
9:30 - 5:45
Closed Monday
(there are summer hours and winter hours)

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Address: 77 rue de Varenne
Directions: Metro (13) Varenne
RER (C) Invalides

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Cemeteries: Cimetiere du Montparnasse

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Written by CoAir13

on Apr 24, 2004

Garden of the Dead

For me, no trip is complete without a visit to the local cemetery. Although this is the third largest in Paris (next to Pere Lachaise and Montmarte), it is still impressive. It was established in 1824, covers 1800 acres, and is the resting place of Charles Baudelaire, Samuel Becket, Jean-Paul Sartre, Man Ray, and many other notable figures.

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Address: 3 boulevard Edgar Quinet
Directions: Metro (6) Edgar Quinet
Metro (13) Gaite

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Park: Jardins du Luxembourg: Beautiful Retreat

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Written by CoAir13

on Apr 26, 2004

le Jardin

We stayed a short walk from this park and spent some time relaxing here. It was a gorgeous day and they were LOTS of people relaxing here! This is home to the Palais du Luxembourg, which has been the seat of the French Senate since 1799 and 59 acres of manicured lawns and trees, fountains, walkways, and and a number of statues throughout. This is a great place to take small children. There is a separate playground, pony rides, puppet shows, and a merry go round.

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Address: Palais - rue de Vaugirard - 6 arrondissement
Directions: Metro (4) Odeon or Saint- Sulpice
RER (B) Luxembourg

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Saint-Sulpice: Place Saint- Sulpice

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Written by CoAir13

on Apr 26, 2004

Place Saint-Sulpice

I remember Hemingways description of this square in A Moveable Feast. I recently read The Da Vinci Code in which the church played a significant role. The fountain with the four Bishops on it is stunning and the church is quite charming with its mismatched towers on the front. The streets surrounding Saint-Sulpice are full of nice shops.

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Address: Metro Line 4 : Saint-Sulpice

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Arc de Triomphe: Symbol of French Patriotism

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Written by CoAir13

on Apr 28, 2004

Champs-Elysees

Begun in 1806 under Napoleon I and completed in 1836, the Arc is a focal point for patriotism in France. It is the site for important national commemorations. The Unknown Soldier was buried in 1921 as a symbol to all those who fell during WWI. When you ascend the stairs to the top, you will pass through the Museum which gives the full history and photographs of this HUGE monument. The winding staircase to the top (284 steps) is not that bad and your reward is well worth it. Fantastic views of the Place de l'Etoile!!!

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Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile
Directions: Metro Line 1, 2, RER A : Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile

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Latin Quarter: Look Beyond the Commercialism

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Written by CoAir13

on May 4, 2004

rue de la Huchette at Night

We stayed in this area so, it became very familiar to us! We discovered this area on foot by day AND night! The fast food places and clothing chains along Blvd. St.- Michel can be distracting. Look beyond and you will find the Pantheon, Sorbonne, Musee de Cluny, Square Viviani, Arenes de Lutece, and the Mosquee de Paris all lie in this historic area. The open -air market on rue Mouffetard was a lot of fun for the both of us as was the cafe lined Place de la Contrescarpe. By night , the area around St. Severin becomes loud and obnoxious with restauranteurs trying to lure patrons in with their antics (ie. plate smashing on the street outside Greek restaurants)and music from the many clubs. We both enjoyed ALL of the activities around the Latin Quarter!

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Montmartre / Sacré Coeur: Sacre Coeur

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Updated by CoAir13

on Sep 11, 2005

Sacre Coeur

This fairly new basilica (started in 1875 and completed in 1914) is absolutely beautiful. It is the highlight of Montmartre and must be visited if you are in this area! The dome offers panoramic views of up to 30 km. Inside is the worlds largest mosaic depicting Christ with outstretched arms. Be sure to stop next door and see St.-Pierre de Montmarte, one of the oldest churches in Paris. The walk can be tiring as you not only have to walk up the hill, but MANY stairs. If this isn't for you (or your child) - take the funicular!

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Directions: Metro Anvers (line 2)
Chateau Rouge (line 4)
Abbesses (line 12)

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La Seine and Its Bridges: Pont Alexandre III

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Written by CoAir13

on May 18, 2004

Pont Alexandre III