PICNIC ON THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, PONT des ARTES and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

There are several pedestrian bridges in Paris. The one that seems to be the most poplular crosses the river at Quai Mitterand which is right at the center of the Louvre. It crosses directly to a beautiful building with a dome called Institue de France in the 6th Arrondisement.

On warm Sunday afternoons you will often find it packed with groups of people who have set up their blankets to sit on and brought along their bread, cheese, and wine. Sometimes there are buskers and dancers there. It is also a great place to take pictures.

I have heard that in the summer the Americans meet there in the late afternoon for a big party. I haven't been, so can't verify it, but if you are looking for something to do you could pass by there around 5 or 6 p.m.

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Address: Quai Mitterand and Rue Mazarin
Directions: Connects from Quai Mitterand at the Louvre with the Institue de France at Rue Mazarin. You can't miss it. Just look up and follow the dome.

Les Jardins du Luxemboug is one of my favorite places to go when I am tired of doing everything else. It is so beautiful in the spring, with all the flower beds well maintained and in full bloom. You can take a nice stroll around the park and you will see so many beautiful scenes. If you aren't a already watercolorist, this will certainly inspire you to become one.

Entrance to the park is free. It closes just before sundown. It is very conveniently located and you can just dash over there from the Pantheon, Blvd Saint Germaine de Pre, Blvd Saint Michelle, Montaparnasse, and many other places on the Rive Gauche. It is so well located.

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Address: boulevard Saint-Michel
Directions: Metro : Odéon
RER : Luxembourg
Website: http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Luxembourg/

On Sunday afternoon le Marais is absolutely mobbed with people. There are lots of kosher markets, boulangeries, bookstores, and restaurants and it is also an area where the young trendy designers have set up shop. You will also find lots of nonkosher bars and restaurants as well as museums and theatres.

I took my Parisian landlady there and she was amazed. Even though her brother-in-law lives in le Marais, she had no idea that on Sundays it was the liveliest place in Paris.

Check out the website below. It will tell you everything you want to know about le Marais.

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Address: 4th Arrondissement
Directions: Metro St. Paul
Website: http://www.parislemarais.com/en/home.php

The most amazing thing about the Arc de Triomphe is how those people manage to drive around it and exit without crashing into each other. I even saw a few people on bicycles entering into the circle.

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Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile
Directions: Take Metro Line 1, 2, RER A and get off at Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile

Their is a lot of criticism about the Eiffel Tower, but, frankly, I love it and couldn't get enough pictures.

The lights twinkle on the hour once they are turned on. Some French people with whom I spoke complained about the lights being turned on because it costs the taxpayers tons of money to light up the Eiffel Tower. I have a feeling that the number of tourists who pay to go up in the tower are offsetting this cost by quite a bit, but I am not sure.

A good and romantic place to watch this display while having dinner, coffee, or a glass of wine is at one of the cafes on the circle at Trocadero in the 16th Arrondissement.

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

This is very lovely especially in the spring when the trees are in full leaf. There are steel bridges which cross the canal and places to sit along side it. You can find some cute shops and restaurants on the streets that run along side the canal.

Scenes from a famous French movie, Hotel du Nord, were shot in the Hotel du Nord, which is located at 102 quai de Jemmapes.

CORRECTION 4/21/07 from Beatchic@vt.com: "Hôtel du Nord was not filmed at the actual hotel, it was all studio. :( I'm writing a book about film sites in Paris and came across that tidbit myself. However, you have to admit they did a great job of making it look like the original!" Thanks for that info, Mary.---Forestqueennyc

Website for the hotel is http://www.hoteldunord.org/.

It's a very cute website, even if you don't want to stay there.

For barge trip and informations about the movie see the weblinks.

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Address: Quai de Jemmapes and the rue Louis Blanc
Directions: Metro Jacques Bonsergent and Metro Republique

10th Arrondisement
Website: http://www.canauxrama.com/
Other Contact: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030

Ile de Saint-Louis is a lovely little island in the Seine with luxurious 17th century townhouses and charming shops and restaurants which cater to the tourist. Unfortunately it is exactly those people who probably make this tiny island a bit less attractive, at least for those who desire privacy and quiet, and possibly not the most desirable place to live today. But at one time it was the home to the artists Camille Claudel, Honoré Daumier and Cézanne, the writer philosopher, Voltaire, and poet, Beaudelaire. Marie Curie also lived here, as did Georges Pompidou and the Baron de Rothschild. I have heard, but, am not sure if it's true, that my favorite French actor, Daniel Auteuil, lives here now.

Anyway, since we are tourists, I encourage you to take an hour or two to walk it and have a cafe creme or lunch at a cafe. You can do it as you walk from Notre Dame to le Marais.

If you pass Berthillon, you must have an ice cream. The Parisians say it is the best, but personally I like another that can be found in le Marais, Gelati d'Alberti, but then perhaps I have been spoiled by living in Italy which I believe is world famous for their ice cream.

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Directions: Cross the bridge behind Notre Dame

Passages are wonderful little hallways or streets that can be found mostly on la Rive Droite. Some of them are very beautiful, some ugly and dirty. Some are fun for shopping and others are loaded with ethnic restaurants. Some have an intriguing history. You can do a google search on passages of Paris to find more information. Check out wikiipedia for a list of them and their location and some photos. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passages_couverts_de_Paris.

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You can also picnic along the banks of the Seine. I often saw people their with their blankets and baskets of food--Isle de St. Louis, Isle de la Cite, or on either side of the Seine.

The pedestrian bridge, le Pont des Arts, is another place that people like to picnic. http://www.pariswater.com/ponts/p_arts.htm

I have seen wine at both places.

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Address: Pont des Arts, Isle de la Cite, Isle st. Louis

You can also picnic along the banks of the Seine. I often saw people their with their blankets and baskets of food--Isle de St. Louis, Isle de la Cite, or on either side of the Seine.

The pedestrian bridge, le Pont des Arts, is another place that people like to picnic. http://www.pariswater.com/ponts/p_arts.htm

I have seen wine at both places.

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Address: Pont des Arts, Isle de la Cite, Isle st. Louis