Please advise on best sites, restaurants (price sensitive), and must DOs for a week in Paris (May 28-June 5)?

Question

Spending a week in paris for roland garros. staying near metro stop place monge. I need advice on good bakeries, restaurants, night activities, sites, day-trips, etc? Please advise as you can... thanks.

Answer 1

If you speak French, I would recommend http://www.restoaparis.com/recherche-res...

They have restaurant reviews, you can search by price, type of cuisine, location (by arrondissement or nearest Metro station), style of restaurant and some certain dishs.

Answer 2

Frommers is still the bible of Paris. However, Lonely Planet is running a close second.

Answer 3

A week in Paris will not allow you to see everything that you want to see but here's my list of things that I think you shouldn't miss (not in any particular order)

1.  The Eiffel Tower-get there early b/c the lines get very long quickly.  But also, go at night to see it twinkle.  The special twinkling happens at the beginning of each hour and lasts for ten minutes.  It's truly magical.  If you go at night, don't go to the Bir Hakiem (left bank)  metro stop, instead get off at Trocadero (right bank and right across from the ET).  It affords you a much better view of the Tower.

2.  Musee D'Orsay-if you love impressionist paintings.

3.  A cruise on the Seine.

4.  Pastries from Laduree.  I love their pastries but they are pricey and I'm sure you can find a local patisserie that offers the same quality for less.  

5.  Sacre Couer.  My advice, take the tram up and take the stairs down.  

6.  Just walk around and absorb Paris.  

7.  Side trip, Versailles of course.  Or, take a day and go to see Monet's Gardens in Giverney.  It's about an hour on the train and the gardens are absolutely beautiful, just like in the paintings.  

8.  Musee Rodin.  If you don't want to go in, you can see the Gardens (with The Thinker et al) for 2 euros.

9.  Petit Palais (just off the Champs Elysees).  Best of all, it's free and offers some amazing works.

10.  Luxembourg Gardens--one of the most popular parks in Paris.  Great for watching the kids sail their boats or just people watching.  My favorite park is Parc des Buttes Chaumont but I think it might be a little out of the way for a week in Paris.  It's in the north of the city but I think it's worth the journey b/c it has waterfalls and lots of green space.

11.  L'Orangerie--newly renovated and opened in 2006.  Another must see if you love Monet.  If you decide to go to Giverney, this is a great way to tie the two together b/c you'll see Monet's Gardens in person and as he represented them in paintings.

I could add more, but I don't want to overwhelm you.  Notice I left off the Louvre.  The Louvre is a great museum but it's always packed and its size is overwhelming.  If you decide to go, skip the main entrance and instead enter through the Carrousel de Louvre entrance (much shorter lines).  You can always exit through the main entrance.

Lastly, always be aware of your surroundings.  As in any city there are people who try to prey on tourists.  One of the most popular ones is a woman will come up to you and ask if you speak English or show you a sign....just ignore them, they'll go away.  If you must answer them, be polite.  Keep your eyes on your belongings, esp. when entering/exiting metros.

Happy Travels!  I hope you find this information useful.