Me & the bf have booked our annual trip to Paris & we're added an extra couple of days so I was after people's input for what to do & see.
It's tradition for us to go to the Eiffel Tower, but apart from that we normally see a few sights & chill out with Desperados. I'm more after Paris' hidden gems this time round.
We're not huge culture vultures so spending all our time in museums wouldn't be our sort of thing. Also my French is somewhat limited so it can't be something which requires you to be fluent in the language!
Also, we can't decide whether to go to the Moulin Rouge. Is it worth it for the money?
Comments
Not really a hidden gem, but a trip to Versaille is a must in my book - fabulous palace, wonderful gardens and usually some exhibitions - last time I was there they had a collection of gold and jewels that was stunning. There's a little restaurant at the top of the Grand Canal - La Petite Venise - which is pricey (as you would expect) but lovely.
I've always fancied the Catacombs, but every time I've been have run out of time.
A wander around the Ile de la Cite is nice, with Notre Dame well worth a visit.
I love taking the Metro up to Montmartre and wandering around the streets and cafes there - the Sacre Coeur is stunning if you are into buildings.
I've never been to the Moulin Rouge, but I've never heard anyone who has saying they regretted spending the money.
Have fun!
Actually, it seems not to be there any more. Sorry!
The Catacombs is a brilliant idea, definitely our sort of thing. But I just googled it & they might be closed because they got vandelised in 2009.
Am going to look into the other suggestions though.
You can join for a few days and its really very cheap. You just have to get used to checking your bike before you cycle away as there are often small maintenance issues.
I did actually look into taking our bikes with us. We've cycled around London several times & think it's a great way to get around a city.
I went about a year ago, and my friend went about 2 months ago. I'd ignore the website.
Another one for the Pompidou Centre
Have you visited any of the cemeteries - they are well worth a visit - a bit of a trek out though.
Monmartre
Montparnasse
Pere Lachaise
Passy
Rue de la Fontaine - has lots of art nouveau buildings if you're into that sort of thing.
I stayed in Monmartre last year, I wasn't really there for sigtseeing but the one thing I did do was go to the cemetary... so I'd highly recommend that.
See if you can find the original Statue of Liberty.
I never realised that there was still a Statue of Liberty in Paris so it'll be great to go & track that down, although it turns out there are two!
All your suggestions are brilliant, lots of stuff I would never have though of.
Get on the train and go to Disneyland
Oh yes, definitely! (We went there for hubby's 40th, and would have gone for mine, but I was pregnant)
Another good way to see stuff you might not otherwise is to play Metro Roulette. Pick a station that sounds nice, and just get off and have a wander around. Great if you get the Paris Visite ticket that covers the Metro, buses and trains. If you get the Zone 1-6 version, it covers all the way out to Versaille and Eurodisney.
I did put the Disneyland across, but it wasn't well received
If you fancy something different the Arab Insitute is worth a look. Really bizarre building (one wall is built from light-reactive panels, like camera lenses) it's free to go in, and there's a cool cafe on the roof with panoramic views and mint tea.