First time in Paris-- any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

My husband generously offered to stay with the kids while my mom and I visit Paris. First time for both of us! I will stay a week, my mom two weeks longer. for the time I am there we will stay in an apartment in the 11th arroundisement close to St. Ambroise church. I know this means we aren't downtown, but I wanted to live in a more residential, less touristy place. I figure we will use Metro to get to the touristy stuff.

We both speak only high school French-- any language apps, etc. that you recommend to help us converse with the locals?

Any sites we can't miss or should avoid? I do want to go up the Eiffel Tower, but I'm ambivilant about the Louvre. Feel free to tell me I've got it all wrong!

And this will be early April, so I'm thinking wool coat, not puffy down, and good weatherproof boots, not sandals!
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/paris/

- make an attempt to at least greet people in French and ask if they speak English. The Parisian's can be rude.
- dress a bit more formal than here
-see the Musee D'Orsay if you don't want to devote a day to the Louvre.
-Versailles is pretty amazing and a nice day trip on the metro.

Have fun!

[Anonymous]

You can get to Versailles on the train and it is amazing. Eiffel Tower is the most beautiful sight I've seen anywhere in the world (ok -- the pyramids are really great too!).

Get a city map online and scope out some cool places -- eg. Cathedral of Notre Dame is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Sacre Coeur
Musee de l'Orangerie
Musee Rodin

[Anonymous]

-yes, learn some French basics.
-get tickets for the Eiffel Tower online in advance.
-in restaurants, you have to ask for water, request a carafe d'eau or they will bring you expensive bottled water.
-take advantage of the seemingly unlimited heated patios. DH and I had the best time hanging out, drinking beer, and people watching.
-if you don't want to devote an entire day to the Louvre, check out D'Orsay instead (we did and don't regret it).
-walk instead of taking the train when possible. it's a great way to discover new neighborhoods, get a feel for the city, and burn some calories to make up for the indulgences!
-check out the Basilique du Sacre Couer, but ignore all the bums who aggressively try to sell you things. After you make the climb and take in the view, find the artsy little nearby neighborhoods. If you are like me, decide to walk downtown and accidentally stumble upon Moulin Rouge.

[Anonymous]

God, I'm jealous. Paris is amazing.
Musee D'Orsay is a MUST SEE. Absoutely exquisite.
Versailles
Musee Rodin or Picasso are also great
Place des Vosges
Any and all outdoor cafes
Notre Dame
I'd also say you should do the Louvre. I mean, when else are you going to be there???
Be prepared that the metro stinks like urine in many tunnels and corners, but it's still a great way to get around
Centre Pompidou
Street crepe stands...Nutella or apricot are my favorites

Someone told me when I first went to France that the french appreciate it if, instead of just saying "Merci" in a shop, you say "Merci madame" or "Merci monsieur". It's more polite, apparently. Can't hurt, right?

[Anonymous]

I went for a week a couple years ago. Get a museum pass and you can get in many places without waiting. My favorite places were the the Rodin, Louvre (I did it really quick and it was neat just to be there - got in free with the museum pass), the L'Orangerie for the Monet rooms, a walking tour of Montmartre and the Sacre Cour, the Eiffle tower show at night, walking around Notre Dame and the Memorial to the Deportation.

[Anonymous]

Google maps has walking directions for Paris. We walked most places and it was wonderful. We passed by random cafes, chocolate shops and boutiques that we wouldn't have ever seen, not to mention great architecture.

great foodie restaurant - frenchie
the best falafel I've ever had - l'as du falafel.

[Anonymous]

A whole week and you won't go to the louvre?
Wow

Go have lunch at Fauchon and buy all their delicious stuff

[Anonymous]

Besides the others that people have mentioned:

Rue de Clere is fun just to walk around and eat yummy food.

We realized that we really aren't 'art' people and enjoy the historical sites better. We really liked Musee de l'Armee (War Museum).

I actually found people to be very friendly. Dunno if that's because we did try to use our halting high school French, but everyone was very nice and helpful.

[Anonymous]

but I'm ambivilant about the Louvre

you should be. it's a huge time suck and while there are pieces there that are grand, the rest is just crowds and exhausting.

Go to Musée d'Orsay! My favorite museum on earth.

Skip Versailles and go to Monet's house instead. The garden should have some bloom in April, I think.

[Anonymous]

Boat ride on the Seine.

[Anonymous]

I love the DK city guides.

http://traveldk.com/paris

[Anonymous]

I also find small tours worthwhile.

This group hires folks with advanced degrees:
http://www.contexttravel.com/city/paris

Here's a list:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g187147-Activities-c25-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

(Can you tell, I'm pining for Paris myself!)

[Anonymous]

Read up on tipping. We overpaid for all our meals. It's not like here. Service is included and it is a significant amount already. Just a couple of euros is fine, for cheaper places round up to the next euro.