Paris for a day?
Posted by bumblingbill on June 29, 2009
What are people's top 'must sees' - would appreciate some less touristy ideas too!
Reply by phileasfogg on June 30, 2009
Even though they are pretty touristy, I'd suggest a cruise down the Seine on the Bateau Mouche, and a visit to the Musee D'Orsay - personally, I liked it better than the Louvre. And yes, a ramble through Montmartre (whether or not you walk up to Sacre Coeur): it's a delightful area and some of the cafes are top notch.
-Madhulika
Reply by faurec on June 30, 2009
I, like many others, love Paris. At my age, I may have developed a liking for things more touristy, but then, on my list I include the catacombs which is perhaps the least touristy of all tourist destinations. My children enjoy a day along the Rue Oberkampf more than a visit to the Louvre.
My list appear here: http://www.fotodigi.co.za/travel/paris/
Enjoy and let me know what your impressions were.
Reply by midtownmjd on June 30, 2009
I suppose my recommendations for one day in Paris would differ depending on whether it's your first time there or your tenth. But if I had to choose a general one-day itinerary, I agree with Madhulika about seeing the Musee d'Orsay and Montmartre. I'd also spend some time at Notre Dame and Sainte-Chappelle on the Ile de la Cite, and from there walk to (and through) Saint Germain on the Left Bank. The Musee Rodin and Musee Picasso are two more of my absolute favorite places.
Wow, all of those are pretty touristy...and would probably take three days. But I stand by my picks!
Michelle
Reply by Wildcat Dianne on July 01, 2009
I haven't been to Paris in 24 years, but the memories are fresh, and I am hoping to return there in the near future. Paris is a beautiful city but touristy, but I highly recommend a trip up the Arc de Triomphe along with walking along the Champs Elysee to check out shops and other trips. Place de la Concorde is awesome along with the Louvre and a trip on the Bateaux Mouches at night.
However, if you tire of Paris and the city, a day trip to Versailles is great. I highly recommend you go into the Loire Valley to see Chateaux Chenonceau, Chambourd, and Amboise. Normandy is another place to see and pay your respects at Omaha Beach.
Have fun!
Dianne
Reply by barbara on July 02, 2009
I had just one day in Paris once, and I did some of the things these other guides have suggested to give myself a "taste." The Musee D'Orsay is a much more manageable museum than the Louvre, so it's good for a couple of hours. I agree with Dianne on climbing the Arc de Triomphe. I did that, too. The line here seems to move very quickly---if you have to wait at all---so you won't have to invest the time you would standing in line at Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower. The view from the top is worthwhile as well. You can see the road stretch from the historic section to the Modern Arch where business reigns supreme on the other side. That said, one thing you could do that is "non-touristy" is go over to the area with Victor Hugo's old house. It's not in the Bastille neighbourhood but near it. This is outside of what I'd consider the main "tourist" drag so just a pleasant place to walk, sit in a cafe, pop into museums you might cross along the way.... A word of advice on "off the beaten path" when you don't have a lot of time. The thing is, Paris has a lot of "tourist" highlights that are really worthwhile. They are not tourist "traps." I mean, if you go visit Napoleon's tomb, I suppose that is a touristy thing to do, but it's also gonna strike you as pretty darn impressive. The main thing I'd do is take a map and create a walking tour for myself. Just strolling along the Seine gives you a nice feel for the city.
Reply by HiLow on July 02, 2009
My best suggestion is to rent a bike from the many Velib stations throughout the city and ride around. It ended up costing about $70 per person for the entire day but well worth it. You can totally hit up most of the sites: Eiffel Tower, Champs Elyse, Notre Dame, over the many Seine bridges. We stopped and had a picnic in Lafayette Park w/ a bottle of wine, some delicious cheese and fruit and a baguette. It really felt like the quintessential Parisian experience. And Paris is pretty flat and bike friendly so it's easy even for people not used to riding in an urban setting.
Here's a link to the bike rental co:
http://www.en.velib.paris.fr/comment_ca_marche
Reply by barbara on July 02, 2009
That's a GREAT suggestion, HiLow. Makes me want to go back to Paris just to do THAT. ;)
Reply by Parisienne-in-ny on February 13, 2010
This thread is old but I wanna add my two cents....make sure you take the bateaux mouches around end of the day...in the summer a good time to get on the boats is about 8 even though its popular at that time...why? because at 8pm in summer it is still quite sunny out..sun sets around 9:45pm...so you get the beautiful paris skyline from the boats with all the buildings along the Seine colored lightly in apricot from the orange setting sun...stunning to see at that time of day...the prettiest time to see the river...then as you turn around to return the other half of the cruise it is dark...so your return ride on the seine is at night with all the lights and the sparkling twinkles of the city give its true meaning the city of lights....its a good value...to see the city from the boat at dusk and again in the dark...always time it to see it so half your trip is still light out and the other half it is nighttime....you can't imagine the difference and it is sooo worth the ride at both daylight and dark....so timing it so you get more bang for your buck makes sense.
Secondly if you only have one day go for the TOUR MONTPARNASSE...its a very ugly sky scraper (the only one in the city as one can't count the Eiffel tower as a 'skyscraper'...but the view is amazing...you have the Eiffel Tower at your feet!! and...there are NEVER ANY LINES so you get up and down waaaay faster than if you were to do the EIFFEL tower...I lived in Paris for 20 years and let me tell you...this is a killer view and thing to do when someone has a limited time in the city....plus at the TOUR MONTPARNASSE you are on the ROOF of the building so there is sky above and no real anything blocking your view from anywhere...and not very crowded as no one seems to think this is a place to be....I ADORE it and have done the Eiffel Tower (3 hours out of a day no matter when you go what time of year you go what kind of weather you go...) vs. 45 minutes at Montparnasse and your photos INCLUDE the Eiffel Tower!!
Reply by jackhudson on May 22, 2010
One Day in Paris:
You Can see as much place as you can!!
1. Musée du Louvre
2. The Quays of the Seine
3. Pont Neuf
4. Square du Vert Galant
5. Place Dauphine
6. Quai des Orfèvres
7. Sainte-Chapelle
8. Place St-Michel
9. Cathédrale de Notre-Dame
10. Place de la Concorde
This are the top ten place i hope you can see all places in one day!
Best Luck for trip!
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