Idk that this is a hidden gem, but when I was in college - I liked visiting Château de Chambord

Two of my favorite smaller museums in Paris:

L’Orangerie
Musee de Cluny

I really liked the Picasso museum as well, even though I’m not a big fan of Picasso.

I’d call the catacombs and the cluny museum hidden gems since no one mentioned them. Place de voges is lovely. The idea to go drive around Arles and the little hill towns in Provence is a good one. Or go west to the chateaux in the Loire valley for a couple days. I also loved driving through Normandy.

Anonymous wrote:Seconded for Sainte Chapelle. If you hit it on a sunny day, it’s breath-takingly beautiful. It’s nighttime events can also be extraordinary. Really my favorite place. Buy tix on the app and avoid the long line.

Agreed, Sainte Chapelle was shockingly beautiful, beyond what I expected. When I was there it was mid-September and there was no line.

In the same area, if you are a history buff, the archaeological museum of ancient Paris that's across from Notre Dame was really interesting. Like London, it has Roman roots and a ton of (literally) buried history.

Mont Saint-Michel for sure. One of those places where I couldn’t believe it was real life. Amazing.

Seconded for Sainte Chapelle. If you hit it on a sunny day, it’s breath-takingly beautiful. It’s nighttime events can also be extraordinary. Really my favorite place. Buy tix on the app and avoid the long line.

Not really hidden gems, but my favorites in Paris:

Picasso museum
Sainte-Chapelle
Rodin museum

Near Paris:
The cathedral at Chartres. Must see!
Monet's garden (although maybe not in March)

On an 8-day trip, I wouldn't venture far from Paris. You'll probably want to do Versailles, that's a day trip on its own. But if you want to spend a few days elsewhere, I'd go to Blois in the Loire Valley, stay overnight and see a couple of the nearby castles.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you planning on only staying in Paris and the area, or do you have time to go further?

we are going for 8 days total and I'm building out the agenda now so would happily take any guidance/thoughts!

Hmm that's a tough amount of time, if it was 10 days I would definitely say to go somewhere for 4 days and Paris and the Ile-de-France area for 6 days. At 8 days I guess you could do 3 elsewhere and 5 in Paris. I might go south for some warmer weather. Avignon and the Luberon are very nice, and Avignon TGV station is a 2:40 nonstop train ride from Gare de Lyon in Paris. You could easily rent a car there and see some of the area for a few days- Avignon, the Luberon hill towns, Pont du Gard, Aix-en-Provence, Roman ruins in Nimes. All within an hour drive.

Mont Saint Michel

I had the best meal I have ever eaten in Saint-Malo. The fruits de mer and the lamb were both absolutely fantastic.

Anonymous wrote:Are you planning on only staying in Paris and the area, or do you have time to go further?

we are going for 8 days total and I'm building out the agenda now so would happily take any guidance/thoughts!

Verdun. I’ve toured so many battle fields but that one has stuck with me for decades. The scarred land and the buried bayonets

Are you planning on only staying in Paris and the area, or do you have time to go further?

Loved loved loved Vaux-le-Vicomte as a chateau alternative to Versailles. A bit harder to get to, but it's wonderfully scaled, incredible gardens, and so much less busy. Wonderful experience all around. The gardens in particular, both their beauty and the intricacy of the design, are really special.

The Promenade Plantee (also called Coulee Verte) is what the High Line in New York was modeled on. It's much less crowded and very green, just a great unique experience to walk along it. Was a filming location for "Before Sunset".

If.you get some warm weather on a weekend, the people watching along the Canal-St. Martin is great.

When you’re at Versailles, see the Petit Trianon.

Going to France with DD (15) for her Spring break in March. Would love recommendations of things to do that are off the beaten path/hidden gems. We are flying in to Paris and have the usual big items planned.