Paris

[ginnyinWI]

Have been there twice and seen most of the main sights (daughter lives there). Looking for ideas on what out of the way things we might have missed. We like things like art museums and gardens. Already planning another day at the Louvre, another stop at the Eiffel Tower, plus the Jardin du Luxembourg which we haven't yet seen. Appreciate any suggestions.

[liberal N proud]

1. Muse de Orsey

& St Chappell

[ginnyinWI]

2. been there, done both! :-)

Ste Chapelle was very beautiful. And the Orsay was probably my favorite art museum because I like the Impressionists.

[HereSince1628]

3. Go local, put together a picnic and do something no one does...birdwatch

while visiting any of the following

Bois de Boulogne
Parc de l’Ile St Germain
Ile de Seguin
Bois de Vincennes
Parc du Beaumonts
Jardin des Plantes
Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise

[ginnyinWI]

6. will make a note of these

I don't think we have been to the first six of them.

[CurtEastPoint]

4. Agree on those two

Musee d'Orsay and la Sainte Chappelle.

ALSO, if you want to see where Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde and Chopin are buried, Pere LaChaise cemetery is fascinating.

I adored the Opera Garnier. Stunning place ( posting a photo below ) and just to look around the Galeries Lafayette store...amazing and beautiful.

[ginnyinWI]

5. looks nice!

We have already been to Pere Lachaise.

[No Vested Interest]

7. Have you been to Giverny?

A wonderful day trip - unforgettable.

[CurtEastPoint]

8. Also, Versailles is just down the road OR... Fontainebleau... also lovely and close by.

[northoftheborder]

9. Versailles...

I've been there once - we rode out on the train - and did NOT have time to see even half of it. If you could plan it, spend a night in the area in order to have a second day. It is truly a world landmark, and the gardens - lovely and enormous. The problems in seeing it all in one day: you have to join a tour in your language to see just one part; then another tour for another part, etc; perhaps each part is only two or three times a day. Also, Marie Antoinette's farm and house are fascinating, but, again, you have to ride a little bus to get there. You can just look around parts of it, such as the grounds, but the enormous palace is best seen with a guide.

I think we saw ALL the art museums in Paris. Some famous artists have their own museums. I loved going to the concerts in the churches there - wonderful classical selections. Two days at the Louvre. Notre Dame has organ concerts, besides their services.

I went to France twice, and toured Fountanbleu, and each tour was completely different. It didn't compare to Versailles in may opinion. The street in Paris with all the famous fashion designers on it is interesting - I was just window shopping! The large department stores are beautiful inside to see (can't remember the names) but worthwhile. I need to go look up my Paris stuff - name data not working today in my brain.

[CurtEastPoint]

10. The stores: Galeries Lafayette and Printemps and Bon Marche. Amazing!

Galeries:

[ginnyinWI]

11. We did see Versailles last time

We took a train which took about 20 min. as I recall. Did see almost all of it, I think. We did not have a guide but used a Rick Steves book.

There was a department store right on the Seine, started with an "S" but that's all I remember (five years ago). It was interesting.

The touristy areas of Paris are pretty nice and clean, but some of the other areas--whew. Our daughter took us to one area that had a big antiques flea market, and the streets were full of litter and ragged people. Nobody cleans up after their dog so you have to walk looking at the sidewalk, and it was not fun.

In general, the farther out you go from city center, the worse it gets. The opposite of most American cities.

[ginnyinWI]

12. It's on the list!

It was one thing we meant to see last time but ran out of time. Monet's house and gardens! I am a big fan of Impressionists.