Best of Paris in 1.5 days?

Question

I have a business meeting in Paris on 26th March and have booked to arrive lunchtime on 24th. I have been before for work but never got to see anything, this time I want to make amends.

I would like ideas on any/all of the following: -

The 3 must do activities (do not have to be mainstream)

The best places for lunch Saturday evening and lunch and dinner on Sunday (I am happy to pay up to 50 Euros if it is good for dinner - less for lunch though. Recommendations, ideally with a web address and/or phone to book a table (if it is needed).

Recommendations for a good Hotel. I am working close to the Madeleine metro stop. However, I will stay elsewhere in the city if accessable to there if the value for money is good.

Again contact details helpful here including any web page.

Any recommended city walking tours, particularly for Saturday evening. Is there one that tours some bars?

Any good bar recommendations.

Any rugby on?

Any other ideas you have.

Many thanks

Answer 1

1.5 days?  In Paris?  Not much can be done in that short a time but there are plenty of city tours that show you the major sites if that's what you're into.  I've been there 4 times and spent the equivalent of one month seeing the sites.  If this is your first trip to Paris and you have so Little time I recommend you spend the entire time walking.  It's the only real way to see Paris along with the Metro.  Don't plan much.  Take it in as it comes at you.  The Metro whisks you from place to place and any street you walk down is a treat.  Start at the Eiffel tower but don't waste time going on the thing, although the views are nice we've all seen pictures of Paris from there and once you're on it you can't see it.  And don't waste time in the Louvre trying to run in to see Mona.  You don't have the time.  The Michelin guide has easy to follow walking routes.

Answer 2

You might like the Hotel left Bank St. Germain at 9, rue de l'Ancienne Comédie (6th arr). Its small and well located, in a lively area filled with restaurants and cafes, close to many tourist destinations.

You can read about it and reserve here: http://www.hotel-left-bank-paris.federal...

If you stay there then you will be just around the corner from the Restaurant Allard, a classic French Bistro that has been going strong since the 1940's at 1, rue l’Eperon. Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] (reservations a must). Walk north on rue de l'Ancienne Comédie to the rue St. Andre des Artes, turn right and walk down the street a few blocks.

You might also consider the Cafe Procope which is a few dorrs down frome the Hotel. Its the oldest Cafe in Paris and has been in continuous operation in the same location since it opened in 1689. their website is here: http://www.blanc.net/procope/en/index.ht...

However, if you want a really unique experience then I suggest you have dinner on sunday night with Jim Haynes, an icon of the 1960's and one of the grand old men of the expatriate community in Paris. He throws a dinner party every sunday night at his atelier. The food is good, there's an open bar and everyone kicks in 20 euros to cover expenses. More information on this can be found here: http://www.jim-haynes.com/index.htm

You might like my favorite bar in Paris which is Aux Trois Mailletz at 56 rue Galand (5th arr.). This is where I hang out almost every night I'm in Paris. The crowd is a mixed bag of regulars, locals, expats, and tourists. Its friendly, there's a piano player and various singers (including me when I'm in Paris).

You can really see a lot of tourist sights in a day as Paris is really a very compact city. If you're interested I can describe a walking tour that will cover the great majority of major sights in a day of vigorous leg work.  

Certainly you can see the Eiffel tower, the Champs Elysee, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the Tuilleries Gardens, the Louvre,   the Centre Pompidu, and the Musee D'orsay in a day. Of course you won't have time to actually spend time in all three of the latter named museums but you can at least check out one of them.