I have been to Paris a few times in my life, about three times in the last 5 years. I'm going back with a ladyfriend in may for three days. Since we bouth have been there a few times already, we have done most of the classic sights. So I'm looking for a few good tips on what to do and also where to eat well (can be luxuruous). What have I seen/done already? Most tourist highlights, some only outside: Arc De Triomphe, Eiffel, Grand Arche, Obelisk, Hôtel de Ville, Tour Montparnasse, Place du Tertre, Sacre-Coeur (so far my favorite spot in the evening), Musée d'orsay, Louvre (will go again though, to big!), Gare Montparnasse, Gare du Nord, Notre-Dame, Les invalides, Pont Neuf, Obelisk, Champs Élysées, Les Halles, Viaduc des arts, Moulin Rouge, Catacombes, Centre Pompidou. So I'm looking for some cool or unusual things to visit/do while in Paris. All tips welcome. I don't mind if they they are packed with tourists, as long as they are worth it. For food/drinks I really want to avoid all tourist traps though. Before it was usually sandwiches or fastfood, this time I really want a few good quality meals. So really looking for some good recommendations for: - Sushi Restaurant - Fancy Restaurant (can even be a 1 star) - Cool bar/pub to go for a relaxing drink after a long day being a tourist Thanks for any tips!
Haha, I totally forgot about the british-french love affair before posting here. Yeah, it's one downside of france. Luckily there are a lot of tourists as well.
Just incase you haven't already done so. I've been a few times but last time I found you can go on the roof of the arc de triomph at night. The views are stunning, I'd 100% do it again. Have a google for restaurants, I just wander down little alleyways and find places that look nice. The first couple of times I had a terrible time, but I rather enjoy going now.
I just stick to back streets and eat where the locals are, tends to provide the best offerings. If you don't mind travelling fontainebleau is nice, get to see napoleons old digs with its 1500 odd rooms. If you go there, there is a fantastic restaurant on the Rue Denecourt right outside the Chateau, can't remember the damned name and on google maps it is blocked by a carousel. Had the best burger/salad I ever had there (called the winston burger funnily). If you haven't done it, Disney for a day is quite good for anyone, and easy to get to. Can't think of anything else off the top of my head right now...
I've only been once, but one of the things that stood out for me was a chocolate shop that we found quite by accident while taking a walk around the area southwest of Notre Dame. After touring around Google Maps, and consulting with my wife whose memory is far and above better than mine, I believe this is the place. Google Maps location here. The reason it stood out - apart from the awesome chocolate and other candies - is all of the cool chocolate sculptures around the chop. The working clock was cool. Edit: the Google Maps location may not be entirely accurate, but it should be in the general vicinity.
It shouldnt be too cold at this time of the year, I guess you could go on a terasse or something. Last time I was there I went to a nice restaurant near the George-Pompidou museum, The Creperie Beaubourg, I don't know if the place is still there but food was excellent and the view was nice. PS: Still dating your models ? You smooth basterd.
I'd highly rate this place for one evening meal - I'm a big fan of steak and loved it: http://www.relaisdevenise.com/index.htm The first one was in Paris (and now there are three(!) in London), but it's great. Don't be fooled by the imitations in St Germain and the like...!
You wrote Obelisk twice I just been with my ladyfriend a few weeks ago during Easter, horrible time to go, was cold and loads of people. I've stayed for 1 extra day after a conference while she's never been. So we went to the usual tourist destinations. Palace of Versailles is worth looking into, with the warmer weather, the gardens is very nice, free and no queues as long as you don't visit the inside. Don't rent a bike though as we soon found out, the large rock (larger than cobbles) road are not suitable for cycling.
Went there with my wife but didn't realize it was a National Holiday and they closed it. CLOSED A NATIONAL MONUMENT FFS! Complete waste of a day. They literally had thousands of people turning up wondering WTF was going on and only a single sign at the entrance telling people it wasn't open.
We went to the Palace of Versailles during our trip. It was bitter cold, the gardens were a field of empty pots and dormant plants, and all of the fountains were drained and turned off. Personally, I think it was a bit of a fitting image for what the palace stood for, and how people view aristocracy today. That said, it was a nice visit, and it was interesting to see first hand the sheer opulence of the place.
I thought Versailles was a bit dull. Napoleons quarters in the Louvre are just as opulent and are a better size for a visit. Versailles is just done to an enormous scale and I found it quite tedious after a while as it all looks the same and one old master of a biblical scene looks the same as every other. When we visited, apart from the guides, we were the only non Japanese people there so it felt more like being in Japan. The plus side is they are short so you can see over their heads.
