I read lots of suggestions on the internet of what to do in Paris if a person is only going to be there 3 days. So for what my opinion is worth, here are my ideas. First of all, I would truly avoid the Eiffel Tower. You'll see it from everywhere in Paris but there isn't any reason to stand in line for 3 hours to go up the tower. Half the day is gone doing that. If you only have 3 days in Paris don't spend the days standing in lines. It's better to spend the day sitting in parks and soaking in the sites.
One evening in Paris I would suggest taking a Bateaux Mouche boat ride along the Seine. It's a good way to orient yourself to where the major monuments in the city are located. and seeing them lit up at night is breathtaking.
Day 1 Morning:
You are bound to stand in some lines so if you want a view of Paris from above I would suggest standing in line to walk up the towers of Notre Dame. You will be right in the center of Paris and still have a beautiful birds-eye view and be right next to the magnificant gargoyles. I hope you have read Hugo's "Hunchback of Notre Dame". After the towers you can grab a crepe across the street before you go into the magnificant cathedral, or visit the underground crypt of Notre Dame or the nearby Conciergerie.
You are bound to stand in some lines so if you want a view of Paris from above I would suggest standing in line to walk up the towers of Notre Dame. You will be right in the center of Paris and still have a beautiful birds-eye view and be right next to the magnificant gargoyles. I hope you have read Hugo's "Hunchback of Notre Dame". After the towers you can grab a crepe across the street before you go into the magnificant cathedral, or visit the underground crypt of Notre Dame or the nearby Conciergerie.
Don't forget to rest in beautiful Place Dauphine on Ile de la Cite and enjoy the park behind Notre Dame as well as prowl around the smaller Ile St. Louis
Day 1 Afternoon:
Stroll the Bouquinistes along the Seine
Stroll the Bouquinistes along the Seine
I would also visit the Cluny museum, which is about a 5 minute walk from Notre Dame. The museum houses the medieval history of Paris and the spectecular Lady and the Unicorn tapestries.
Day 2 Morning:
I would never miss a visit to Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Pack a sandwich and a bottle of wine for lunch and enjoy dining with Colette, Moliere, Gertrude and Alice, Proust, and countless others
I would never miss a visit to Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Pack a sandwich and a bottle of wine for lunch and enjoy dining with Colette, Moliere, Gertrude and Alice, Proust, and countless others
Day 2 Afternoon:
My favorite museum is The Carnavalet Museum, located in the Marais not far from Notre Dame. This free museum houses the history of Paris as well as being located in one of the most charming and historic areas of Paris.
My favorite museum is The Carnavalet Museum, located in the Marais not far from Notre Dame. This free museum houses the history of Paris as well as being located in one of the most charming and historic areas of Paris.
Day 3 - Morning:
Take the metro to stop Abbesses (an iconic Art Nouveau station entrance) and walk up the hills towards Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. This is quite touristy but the views are breathtaking and if you leave the area surrounding the basicila and Place de Tertre you can wander through some wonderfully historic streets. I do love this area of Paris.
Take the metro to stop Abbesses (an iconic Art Nouveau station entrance) and walk up the hills towards Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. This is quite touristy but the views are breathtaking and if you leave the area surrounding the basicila and Place de Tertre you can wander through some wonderfully historic streets. I do love this area of Paris.
Day 3 - Afternoon:
I may be the only person in the world who would suggest skipping the Louvre, but then I've also spent countless hours there. Besides, the line to get in will waste half your day unless you have a museum pass. Go see the Louvre but stay outside and enjoy the surroundings.
I may be the only person in the world who would suggest skipping the Louvre, but then I've also spent countless hours there. Besides, the line to get in will waste half your day unless you have a museum pass. Go see the Louvre but stay outside and enjoy the surroundings.
Walk through the Tuileries Gardens and enjoy the beautiful scenery and head towards the fabulous Musee D'Orsay. This is the impressionist museum now housed in the old D'Orsay train station. It will be crowded, but less so than the Louvre and quite a bit more manageable.
Afterwards, walk across the most beautiful bridge in Paris, Pont Alexander III, and enjoy the sunset behind the Eiffel Tower. Now wouldn't you rather enjoy the Eiffel Tower like this than be inside of it?
Do you have another day for a Day-Trip?
That's a quick 3 days in Paris and you haven't even begun to scratch the many layers of this beautiful city or it's surrounding countryside. If you are going to take a day trip out of Paris I would suggest Veaux Le Vicomte rather than the overcrowded Versailles.
That's a quick 3 days in Paris and you haven't even begun to scratch the many layers of this beautiful city or it's surrounding countryside. If you are going to take a day trip out of Paris I would suggest Veaux Le Vicomte rather than the overcrowded Versailles.
As for what and where to eat in Paris...look for small authentic restaurants. Review the menus posted outside and check out the kind of people who are inside. Most of all, try something you don't eat at home. I've never had a bad meal in Paris doing this.
Shop in the neighborhood markets and buy a baguette and hunk of cheese and a bottle of wine. Enjoy it in a park or by the river. And don't forget to eat many many crepes.
In the evenings get to know a neighborhood. Have dinner in one restaurant, drinks in a cafe, listen to jazz in an underground cave, frequent the same bar and get to know the patrons. You will make friends if you visit the same bar or boulangerie every day.
And then GO BACK to Paris. Go back MANY TIMES. You will fall in love with the city. Bon Voyage!
Please let me know if you would like me to blog about other things to do in Paris.
Please let me know if you would like me to blog about other things to do in Paris.
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