"Paris Trip Report" a Paris Travel Page by Albernfrau

My loved Paris! Check out tons of my Paris photos at http://public.fotki.com/StephanieBlumensaat

We stayed in the 2** Libertel Austerlitz through www.gotoday.com; incredibly affordable air/hotel packages. Regular price for a double in the hotel is 109E. Hotel simple and decent. We were given two hard twin beds instead of a double but it was a clean, average place to stay. The daily breakfast was good - croissants, rolls, yoghurt, fruit salad, apple sauce, cereal, etc. It was located in 5E but not near the heart of the "Latin Quarter". It was across the road from the Gare d'Austerlitz; not the greatest view. Next time I would try and find a 2* closer to downtown.

As for best experiences in order of preference:

1) Sacre Coeur
2) Montmartre Area in general
3) Eiffel Tower - if you go in the winter you must go ice skating on the 1st level! Unfortunately it opened the day we returned home.
4) Arc de Triomphe (the view from the top at night was beautiful especially with the Christmas lights on the trees along the Champs Elysees)
4) The Opera Garnier - the most beautiful building we saw.
5) Cafe Des 2 Moulins - Cafe where the movie "Amelie" was filmed. It was neat to go and visit even though the interior is different than in the movie.
6) The Abbey Bookstore - a Canadian bookstore inthe Latin Quarter near Shakespeare and Company. He has a fabulous selection of books although the store is crowded and piled to the ceiling with books. We bought 3 GREAT books about "Parisians" the night before we left that I wish we would have read while we were there. They were fascinating:

1) Xenophobes French
2) Culture Shock France
3) Almost French - biography of expat in Paris

Overrated:
1) Versaille - the palace had little furniture in it. Most rooms looked the same. Gardens were beautiful
2) Louvre - too much, too large, too many people. Again the gardens and statues in the gardens were beautiful

Other:
1) Boat Cruise - we did this after we had been in Paris for a few days. I think it would be more suited to a first day to orient oneself.
2) Sewer Tour - interesting but not a highlight.

Shopping:
Tati - Discount clothing store recommended by Lonely Planet. I went and got great bargains on sweaters. There are a few stores located around Paris.

Restaurants etc:
1) Angelina's Salon de The (near the Louvre)- highly recommended by Frommers and it definitely lived up to it's reputation. 226 Rue de Rivoli.
2) Chez Clement - this is a chain of course not the kind we are use to in North America. It was reasonably priced for what you receive service and food wise, EXCELLENT food and great ambience. They are located throughout Paris.

Places we want to visit next time:
1) Pompidou
2) Chartres
3) Luxembourg Gardens
4) More Markets
5) Catacombs
6) Cemetaries
7) More neighbourhoods, ie. Marais.

Suggestions/Observations:
1) We didn't hear much French music playing anywhere we went. It tended to be American.
2) You must have EXCELLENT, attractive walking shoes - my feet were sore as we took the metro and walked everywhere.
3) Knowing a few phrases in French made a huge difference. We were treated with respect everywhere as long as we tried to always speak French first.
4) Our first day we were disappointed and thought we made a mistake going to Paris. It looked unattractive on the ride to our hotel; it was freezing cold the first day; we got lost; we were intimidated and scared to talk to anyone. However that all changed soon enough.

**Please don't comment or email me about how I am sooo wrong about not liking the Louvre and Versaille - I've heard enough already.** Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I have given mine. If you loved those places then that is great for you.

My suggestions:
Prioritize what you want to see. Unless you have endless time in Paris you will never see it all. We went non-stop and didn't get to see near all we wanted to but we ensured we did the main sights. I wish anyone who goes to Paris the best! It is the most amazing city in the world!!!!!!! Please feel free to email me with any questions.