day in Paris, suggestions anyone?

[willowstar]

Hello

I am going to have this Saturday in Paris by myself. I have only ever been there once, a long time ago, and spent a couple of hours at the Rodin museum. So, I just wondered if any of you know the city and have any recommendations how I can amuse myself for the day? weather supposed to be boiling hot so not sure I want to spend too long out in the sun (can't control the tan lines when I am in public!!!). there are so many things I could do that some personal recommendations would be much appreciated

[piskieinboots]

suggestion:
stay off the Champs-Élysées
read this lot

[Seahorse]

The Louvre is fantastic, as is the Orangerie.

My all time favourite place in Paris though is the Pere La Chaise cemetery:

Père Lachaise Cemetery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I spent more than a little time at the grave of Jim Morrison in my younger years and there are many, many famous people buried there. Even if a 'pilgrimage' isn't your thing though, it's fascinating from a historical and architectural perspective. And it's full of the most gorgeous cats!

[willowstar]

oh please don't tempt me, I could so easily see myself hopping from bar to bar in my cute little sundress sipping cafes and cocktails and imagining myself as an elegant Parisien only I have very little tolerance to alcohol and would prob fall asleep and embarrass myself. might check out 'the fumoire' though since its by the louvre and I'm tempted to go there for a bit of culture... mind you I have a low culture threshold too but I see there are guided tours that last 90 mins which would do me. as for the cemetery...well I like to see how other cultures honour the dead and I like the peace you often get in cemeteries so that could be a good option too.

[Sunbeam]

Paris has some amazing chocolatieres (if that is the correct word/spelling!) Personally, I could spent a whole day in one chosing what (or more likely what not) to buy - and I would not consider it a waste of a day!Pere la Chiase Cemetary is an amazing place - I have some quite 'dark' photo's of some of the memorials - esp those dedicated to the victims of the holocaust but don't expect peace and quiet - it is a very busy place!. There is a flea market somewhere quite nearby too, but can't remember the name of it - that is rather good.

The Musee dOrsay is worth a visit as is the Pompidou centre - there is so much to do there and if you take a wander through the back streets you come across little markets selling lots of fresh food - wonderful - if I wasn't busy, I'd suggest I came with you!!

What ever you do - enjoy!!!!

[Farmer_Gyles]

i'd love to go paris - dont fancy it on my own tho - have been learning french at evening classes and can find my way around, read opening times of museums, order food, get drunk, and ask for a solicitor that speaks english ...
one day i'll meet the future Mrs Gyles and take her to paris for a romantic weekend away and propose to her at the top of the eiffel tower and threaten to jump if she says no ....
until then i'll just dream my life away ....

[kiwirach]

oooo...lucky you!!!. i went to Paris for the day on my 40th birthday last november.

we had lunch at one of the resturants in the Eiffel Tower....the food was devine( a set menu). then we jumped on the boat and went to Notre Dame....such a beautiful place and the journey there was gorgeous....seeing a side of Paris you may otherwise miss. then we got back on the boat and went round to the Lourve, altho, by then we were running out of time so we didnt go in. altho the boat ate up time is was fab!!.

[willowstar]

I am going to be on my own because my other half is at a fencing competition all day...I am banned because apparently I am too distracting! I said that I really want to go up the Eiffel tower and he is refusing...'just a tourist trap, waste of money etc...' not a great romantic! I like spending time by myself in strange places. I was in Rio last year for 3 days by myself. its a bit odd in the evenings but the rest of the time I like it.

I love the idea of wandering around flea markets and back streets and sampling chocolates. thanks for your suggestions everyone :-)

[janeyo]

If you want to get some excersize the Sacre Coeur has lots of steps but worth it.
I love the pompidou centre esp the outside bit where the street entertainers are.
Or you could while away a few hours on a boat (bateau mouche) and see lots of the whole city.

janeyo

[shirlthegirl43]

My lasting memory of Paris (other than the doggie doo everywhere) is French Onion soup eaten in a restaurant in the Eiffel Tower.

[SimplyPotty]

The Eiffel tower is fantastic! The views are superb esp at night, I could have stayed there forever. But the restaurant was a bit for the tourists and over priced.

[Alice]

Paris, I haven't been there since 1959 ! I was 14 and was transfixed by everything ! Whatever you do, enjoy it. And take plenty of money !

[TonyF]

Paris has become very expensive recently and the Tower has gone up in price by around 40% over last year - price increase and euro/pound thing.

I'd go to the Musee d'Orsay, old railway station converted to an art Museum, it's my favourite tourist place in Paris, I prefer it to the Louvre which I think has become far too touristy and expensive.

Travelling on the Metro is fine, just don't flash money around and keep your bag secure.

Have a great time - I've just booked a week there for later in the year, going to Monparnesse to look round the haunts of the 'lost generation' of early 20th century writers, Shakespeare and Company, that sort of thing. Don't go to the Dome or Rotunda cafes in Montparnesse, they are incredibly expensive.

[Two_Sheds]

Pere LaChaisse cemetary is absolutely superb - so beautiful, and fascinating, not at all macabre. It is WAY out of town though.
If I only had one day then I would just mooch around the streets absorbing the atmosphere - picnic lunch by the Seine at Notre Dame cathedral (the local shopkeeper gave us free plastic glasses for our vin rouge); and/or wander around the Louvre and the Tuilleries gardens next door.

Things to avoid: the crowds at the Sacre Coeur (and the steep climb); the African hawkers at the Eiffel Tower.

[jackie j]

Went to Paris on honeymoon 13 yrs ago never walked so much in my life saw it all. I fell asleep on river cruise !!! OH fell over and fractured his thumb I had to get us back to hotel didnt speak french but we survived !!! Would like to go again.