How can i spend a vacation in paris?

Question

I am traveling to Paris for 1st time for 6 days

Answer 1

Day one - Getting Oriented - The origins

Go to the Parc de Vert Galant on the westernmost tip of Ile de la Cite and take a boat ride up and down the Seine. The river, Notre Dame and the Eiffel tower will be your points of reference in the next week. The river divides the city into Left(south) and Right (north) Banks. The Tower is in the west of the city and Notre Dame is in the center.

After your boat ride explore the Ile de la Cite. This little island in the river is where Paris began.

On it you will find Notre Dame and in front of the church the zero mile marker from which all distances in France are measured. The Conciergerie, a medieval castle was turned ito a prison during the revoultion and you can see where Marie Antoinette was held prisoner before her execution. Sainte Chapelle was built by King Louis IX in the 13th century to house the Crown of Thorns and other relics. The Pont Neuf (the "new" bridge) is actually the oldest bridge in Paris.

Day Two - The Latin Quarter. Wander thru the maze of little streets that were characteristic of the earliest days of Paris when this area got its name from the presence of so many students at the new University. Latin was language of the church and of scholars. See the Sorbonne, the Pantheon, the Cluny Museum, and the Luxembourg Gardens build for Marie de Medici.

Day Three - Paris Triumphant Start at the Arc de Triomphe built to celebrate the victories of the Emperor Napoleon I. Take the elevator to the top for the best view of the transformation of Paris done by Baron Hausman, city planner for Napoleon III. he created the Grand Boulevards, many of which radiate from this point. Walk to the Palais de Chaillot in the Trocadero across the river from the Eiffel Tower then cross, on foot to see it. Afterwards, walk to the Invalides, where Napoleon I and his son, the King of Rome are entombed.

Day Four The Louvre needs no explanation It is one of great museums of art. It deserves at least a day. If "great art" becomes a bit tiring, find your way to the Museum of Decorative Arts (in the same complex) and view the hisotry of fashion and its magnificent collect of designer originals.

Day Five Montmartre After seeing great art head to the north end of the city to see Sacre Coeur, the white confection of a cathedral built at the turn of the century. Wander thru the streets where Picasso used to hang out. In the Place de teatre you'll see his (considerably less talented) successors selling the worst art ever seen to gullible tourists. Wander down the hill to the Place Pigalle and to the Moulon Rouge, its the same place Toulouse Lautrec painted (but not the same quality of show that he saw..don't waste your money on the evening shows there).

Day Six  More great art. See the Musee D'Orsay in a converted train station and its fabulous collection of impressionaists. Head to the Right bank to see the Centre Pompidu whioch houses the museum of modern art.

Answer 2

Rillifane, Very nice job.

I'd add a couple of things.... Take a boat ride on the Seine one night.  It's beautiful.  You'll see all the momuments lit up.  

Considering many of the things Rillifane suggested wouldn't take full days... I'd do the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay and the Musee de l'Orangerie in one day.  

I'd also consider getting a two day pass on the GoYellow tour buses... which you CAN pick up in front of Notre Dam... well on the other side of the little square from it.  It's four connecting bus lines that take you to all the points of interest with on/off privileges.  It's 27E for the two days.  

If you're going shopping... head for the Gran Magasin (Prin Temp & Galleries Lafayette)

Mont Martre is wonderful.  Do go there.  But I'd advise against being there too late.  When you leave the touristy area and come down from the hill, the area it's in Pigale is not one of the better ones.  

Eat a lot, drink good wine.  Have a blast.

I love Paris.  I just got back 3 weeks ago and already I can't wait to go back.

Answer 3

I'd add some of the off beat ideas

visit il st louis island and berthillon ice cream - best in Paris

neighborhood of butte aux calles - like a village, unspoiled

place des vosges - nice park and shops around

Answer 4

Try something not everyone knows about. St. Denis church, said to be the first Gothic building, is the final resting place of many of the French royals. There are stunning, even eerie, statuary above their bones. Their is also a crypt you can go down in. It can be reached by the Metro (subway).