Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the sewer tour is really cool:
https://musee-egouts.paris.fr/en/

and of course, the catacombs.

Agree with both of these.

These are all probably on the beaten path but definitely do Musee d'Orsay. A couple smaller museums to check out - Cluny museum is neat with the tapestries, and the Rodin museum. Also Les Invalides.

L'As de Falafel is great for lunch, and it's in the Marais not far from the Places de Vosges.

Last time I went to L’As du Felaffel it was like a 30+ min wait at 3 pm.

I do like the Cluny museum, and I’d like to check out the Marie Curie lab next time. The Picasso museum is a nice option in the Marais too.

Anonymous wrote:We had a really wonderful time in Paris, and one of the best parts of it was that you can just wander around, and happen upon a cool little church, or a nice market, or a park. Pick a neighborhood whose flavor seems appealing to you, and spend a day just getting to know it; you won't regret that choice.

The Louvre has late hours on Fridays, and the Orsay has them on Thursdays (please double check), and those are much nicer times of day to go than during the day when everything is packed.

We did a late Louvre tour (a couple hours before closing) and it was still a zoo. And outside the pyramids was PACKED with influencers, people walking around, skateboarders, performers at all hours of the day and night. There is also a restaurant on the grounds, facing the pyramids. Our guide as great, guiding us through the high points of the Louvre but even he was annoyed. He said he is starting to stop those tours due to the crowds. He also said that the Musee D'Orsay is starting to become more popular with the tourists b/c of the crowds at the Louvre. We tried to get tickets every day to Orsay (last minute so not well planned on our part) and none were available.

FWIW.

Anonymous wrote:I think the sewer tour is really cool:
https://musee-egouts.paris.fr/en/

and of course, the catacombs.

Agree with both of these.

These are all probably on the beaten path but definitely do Musee d'Orsay. A couple smaller museums to check out - Cluny museum is neat with the tapestries, and the Rodin museum. Also Les Invalides.

L'As de Falafel is great for lunch, and it's in the Marais not far from the Places de Vosges.

We had a really wonderful time in Paris, and one of the best parts of it was that you can just wander around, and happen upon a cool little church, or a nice market, or a park. Pick a neighborhood whose flavor seems appealing to you, and spend a day just getting to know it; you won't regret that choice.

The Louvre has late hours on Fridays, and the Orsay has them on Thursdays (please double check), and those are much nicer times of day to go than during the day when everything is packed.

Anonymous wrote:We did a food tour of St Germain with authentic Paris. It was awesome! Teens loved it!

We did this too, when we couldn't get on in Montmarte and it was great.

Catacombs was the best tour we did. Get the private and tickets in advance. These tix sell out fast.

Everything else was fine and def checked the boxes but was INSANELY overcrowded (and we were in the off season). It really detracted from the experience but it is what it is. Whatever you choose, get tickets in advance and spring for skip the lines, private access. Otherwise, it's miserable having to wait in the lines and be crammed together with people (which you will be anyway).

Wasn't my fave city in Europe, I will say. And the airport is a disaster.

We did a food tour of St Germain with authentic Paris. It was awesome! Teens loved it!

Place des Vosges

Canal Saint-Martin

Easy to do both in a morning

Anonymous wrote:This might be a "typical touristy thing" but I'll mention it anyway - the Bateaux Mouches. Especially on your first day to get your bearings. You can hop on/hop off but if you're jet lagged, it's nice to just go for a ride.

Me again - also the Paris by Mouth food tours are amazing.

This might be a "typical touristy thing" but I'll mention it anyway - the Bateaux Mouches. Especially on your first day to get your bearings. You can hop on/hop off but if you're jet lagged, it's nice to just go for a ride.

I think the sewer tour is really cool:
https://musee-egouts.paris.fr/en/

and of course, the catacombs.

St. Chapelle and the Concergerie are absolutely wonderful.

Check out the saint Ouen flea market, particularly antiques part with the permanent stalls. It's very fun!

My kids and I thought the Musée des Arts et Métiers was really cool. Also the Jardin des Plantes and the cool little zoo inside.

Some great suggestions in this recent thread:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1104637.page#24094808

I am traveling to Paris this summer with my two teens and would love some absolute must-does. We are doing all the typical touristy things but please share some hidden gems, markets, restaurants, activities that may not be on all of the lists but that you wouldn't miss.