Paris in a day- What to see and do?

Question

I will be traveling to Paris for my xmas work-do for a day trip. We will arrive early. We will probably split into little groups.

I dont want to spend hours walking around museums and art gallaries. I want to see something original- parisian. Any Ideas?

Answer 1

Eiffel Tower, Sacré Coeur, Notre-dame, Champs Elysées, Louvre, Arc de Triomple, Trocadero, Pantheon (why not ?) ...

The list is long....

Answer 2

There are several companies offering hop-on hop-off bus trips around Paris for around 20-25 euros for the day.  Taking one of those buses around would let you see the main tourist sights and the wonderful buildings throughout the city, which I think is much more interesting than the tunnels of the Metro.  :-)

I love the Beaubourg area and also the Latin Quarter, so try to schedule some time to walk around these neighborhoods.

Answer 3

You should go and see the main monuments: eiffel tower, Notre-Dame, the Champs-Elysées. And for lunch, eat at Ladurée (rue royale) you'll have delicious french meal.

In the afternoon go to Montmartre and if you have time, go and see the louvre, even if you don't go into the museum, you can at least go under the pyramid.

Answer 4

Paris in a day?  That is extremely short.  If you don't have the time to go to the Louvre or to the Musée d'Orsay , then I suggest to go to Montmartre where you will see the Sacré Cœur , and besides it's the most "Parisian" quarter of all of Paris.  Even Parisians themselves still get mesmerized by its' charms.   There you can find many small Art Galeries, the best creperies (tiny bistros specializing in Crepes), you can make very nice photos at almost any corner. Also Montmartre is the most elevated part of Paris, it means getting a good view of the entire city.  Furthermore, Salvador Dalí, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh all have worked  in Montmartre.

Later in the day, when you have time you take the metro line no. 1 that travels from La Defense until Vincennes.  With this metro line, you pass to most "Must see" places in Paris.  Make sure you have a lot of energy to walk, as it really pays off to promenade from the station Champs-Élysées Clemenceau or Place de la Concorde  (also reached with line no. 1)  until the Esplanade des Invalides, where you will cross Pont Alexandre.   Once you reach Pont Alexandre, take a while to enjoy the breath taking scenery that is not often mentioned in Guide books.  When you look down, you see small boats cruising the River Seine, up ahead you'll see the Tour Eiffel illuminated at night and to the left, the grandeur of the Invalides.   You will never regret having gone to Pont Alexandre.  It would be more romantic if you were there with your beloved.   It's a memory that will stay forever.  I guarantee  it.   Having lived for 5 years in that area, near the Invalides, I feel so fortunate to have discovered the romance and secrets of that bridge that very few people know.  

Make sure to study the street map and metro connections before you go, that would save you plenty of time and stress.  Also you can get the Carte Orange for one day. Make sure to be ready with some ID photos to stick on it other wise Sub way (Metro) controller will not be so forgiving.  It's good as you did not have a ticket when your Carte Orange has no photo.  And the fine is 40 euros if you are caught.  

I hope I was helpful enough to give you ideas.

Answer 5

Go to Monmartre and look at Sacre Couer and the view!!

Shops, cafes and art galleries abound.

If Xmas shopping is on the agenda Galleries de Lafayette  department store is a Christmas wonderland!  Eat lunch in the Cafe for another wonderful view!

Answer 6

Okay, 1st thing you gotta see is the Eiffel Tower! Did you know that if you drop a penny from the top level of it, if it lands on a person's head, you can crack someone's head open! Kinda gross though. Next, take a tour through the city, try some famous bakeries around there. Maybe get a french pastry or two and trust me some restraunt are to die for... not literally though. oh, and definitely see some fantastic museums. if you happen to stop by london, you have to ride london's eye. (BIG ferris wheel!) <<<<So awesome!

Answer 7

How about the Muslims rioting. They are busing them in on charter buses. You can watch them burn cars, beat up Christians and destroy everything they touch to please there God. My son just came back last sunday and this he wittnessed

Answer 8

You're quite right to avoid museum going on a day trip. Museums, after all, are essentially the same everywhere.

On the other hand, the great "sights" of Paris are surely unique and even though they may be so familiar (through TV and movies) as to be almost a cliche its worth taking the time to see at least a few.

Ordinarily I suggest that people just walk as Paris is a great city for exploring on foot but its cold and wet enough at this time of year to use public transport.

So begin by buying a "mobilis" which is a one day transport pass good for the Metro, RER, and bus. You need buy only the cheapest which is for zones 1 & 2 which encompasses all of Paris proper. This will cost 5.60 Euros.

You can begin your tour at Notre Dame which is in the middle of Paris on the Ile de la Cite. It may not be the biggest or even the most beautiful church in the world but its emblematic of Paris.

After seeing Notre Dame cross the Seine to the Left bank. You'll see a small bridge immediately to your left when you exit Notre Dame. After crossing turn immediatey to your right and walk along the Quai. You'll come to the entrance to the underground RER station.

Enter the station and take the RER C line. You want any of the trains marked as heading to Versailles or Saint Quentin. You will see a sign on the platform with the names of the stations served by the train that is pulling in. You will be heading to the Champs de Mars/Tour Eiffel Station. Exiting the station the Eiffel Tower is impossible to miss.

After seeing the Eiffel Tower, walk north along the Quai Branly for a few blocks. You will find a bus stop for the #42 bus. Make sure it is marked "Direction: Gare du Nord" and take it to the Champs Elysee-Clemenceau stop. This will place you on the Champs Elysee and you will see the Arc de Triomphe to the west.

Walk up the Champs to the Arc and then enter the Metro (this is a station for Metro line 2) and take one marked "Direction : Nation" to the Anvers station. Walk north and you'll see the "funiculaire" (an inclined rail car which is part of the Metro system) which will take you to the top of Mont Martre from which the neighborhood derives its name. Here you'll find Sacre Coeur, a white, onion domed church. Most people would agre  that the view from the plaza in front of the church is the best in Paris.

The "Montmartrobus" which stops at the funiculaire does a circular route thru Monmartre. If you want to see the area then use you "mobilis" to board and check out the area (which is quite picturesque).  

After you do this then get off at the Utrillo stop. When you exit the bus, turn your back to Sacre Coeur and  you will see a long set of steps (there are losts of these in Montmartre) and walk down them which will take you to the rue Muller. Continue along this stree to the rue de Clingancourt, cross the street and turn to your right. The rue Poulet will enter from the left, turn on this street and you will find the Chateau Rouge stop of Metro line #4. Take the train labeled "Direction : Porte d'Orleans (General Leclerc)" and this will return you to the Ile de la Cite and Notre Dame.

If you'll be there long enough to have dinner than check out La Methode at 2 rue Descarte which is only a short walk from the area of Notre Dame.  ( bhttp://www.pariszoomtv.com/place.asp?LNG... ) and distinctly untouristy.

Answer 9

You can but a ticket to travel the city on an open bus tour, this costs 22 euros (£15), lasts about 2h 30 and covers all the major sites.  You can get on and off as many times as you like at 9 venues (buses every 10 mins approx.).  

You can also buy a similar ticket for a trip down the Seine (11 euros, about £8, lasts about 2h.

Why not split into 2 groups, one on the bus one on the boat, then meet up for a drink, swap the tickets over, and you only have to purchase half the amount of tickets !!!!

Once done, I suggest visiting the "real" Paris - the Latin quarter - by Notre Dame Cathedral.

Drinks are about 10 euros a pint, so take plenty of spending money !!!