We're going to Paris this summer, what should we visit?

Question

We know about the big museums, what we're looking for is some smaller things that we should look for as we'll be there for 2+ weeks,

Answer 1

While they are museums, don't neglect those outside Paris like Versailles and the chateaux of the Loire.  It is not very far from Paris to also visit the home of Claude Monet in Giverny (take the train to Vernon).

The northern coastline is scenic and loaded with 20th century history; it always seems to get a little dusty around the American cimetiere.  Around Paris, if you have a rainy day you might like to take in a movie at La Geode.

I agree with the other answer that South of France is a great destination, two weeks are barely enough to fully experience the South especially if you're also going to Paris.  I would make that a separate stay. If you do get to the south, in addition to Monte Carlo, be sure to see the back country where in summer, the fields of lavender and sunflowers are dazzling.

Bon vacances.

Answer 2

Buy a guide book. It will list all the things you can see, big or small.

Visit all the big tourist attractions first. They're tourist attractions for good reason.

With two weeks in the city you can really feel like your part of the life there instead of a fleeting tourist, so soak up the atmosphere.

Paris is a great place just for strolling around lazily too.

Answer 3

http://www.10best.com/Paris

is a great guidebook w/ info accessible online.  go to the paris section online

Answer 4

champs élysées, notre dame de paris, ile saint louis, saint germain des prés, le quartier latin, le panthéon, la tour eiffel, versailles, le louvre, quai d'orsay, stade de france, go 4 days on la côte d'azur and corse, la tour montparnasse, madelaine, rue du faubourg saint honoré, bois de boulogne, montmartre, sacré coeur, opéra garnier, place vendome, rue de la paix (expensive street of paris), école militaire, place de la bastille, cimetière père lachaise, buttes chaumont

have a nice trip

Answer 5

besides all the big sights and shopping....go "off the beaten path" to small, family owned restaurants.  They are always the best and most authentic

Answer 6

I went in May for 5 days and I saw everything. I saw most of the big/small museums and attractions. Since you have the time, I think it is worth it to see all. The following is what I saw and my comments about each:

Marmotton Museum (Collections of Monet Paintings which were very nice)

Picasso Museum (Not huge fan but went to see it to say I saw it, it was interesting)

Rodin Museum (Sculptures were good but what was really cool is they have a huge bush maze in the back of the museum to explore, that was fun)

Arc du Triomphe (beautiful, if you climb to the top, you get a nice view of they city)

Sacre Coure (a cathederal on top of a big hill with a really nice view)

Louvre (like a maze, you need a couple of days to see everything)

Musuee D'Orsay (Architectually beautiful)

Champs Elysee (huge street full of shops and outside restaraunts)

Jurden du Tuillieries (a huge park that leads to the Louvre, your going to love it)

Eiffle Tower (Saw it and moved on, no interest in going to the top)

Seine Cruise at night (my favorite, amazing)

L'Orangerie (my favorite museum bc it has Monet's Waterlilies plus other famous artists)

Notre Dome (Saw it and moved on)

Jurden du Luxenberg (another beautiful huge park)

St. Chapelle (Cathedral)

Conciergerie (where Marie Antoinette was kept prisoner)

If you go to www.frommers.com, it has a list of attractions with a brief descripton.

Have fun!

Answer 7

restaurants,

forgo everything else

Answer 8

I would visit the south of france....cannes, monte carlo etc.

Answer 9

1. the Cluny Museum (Museum of the Middle Ages) is often overlooked. Its quite small but the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries which are there and the excavated Roman Baths that were discovered during renovations many years ago are well worth seeing. The address is 6 place Paul Painlevé in the 5th arrondissement. Its just a short walk south off the Blvd. St. Michel. http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/

2. The Conciergerie on the Ile de la Cite (where Notre Dame is located) is a medieval fortress. The site was the residence of the Roman governors and later of the first Capetian Kings.  Philippe le Bel, in the early 14th Century, bi;t what was described at the time as one of the most impressive palaces of the Middle Ages. It was turned into a prison on 1391. During the Revolution, Marie Antoinette and other notable aristocrats where held there prior to the being guillotined.

3. The Arènes de Lutèce at 47 rue Monge is a Roman arena dating from the first century. Long forgotten and covered over it was rediscovered in 1860 and excavated at the urging of a committee headed by the famous author Victor Hugo.

4. Parc du Vert Galant The little garden at the northwestern tip of the island commemorates Henri IV, who was known as the Vert Galant ("Lusty Gallant"). It is most famous however as the site where Jacques DeMolay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, was burnt at the stake in 1314 by the order of Philip IV with the connivance of Pope Clement V. DeMolay called upon both men to meet him before God to appeal "from this your heinous judgement".  Phillip and Clement both died within the year.

5. The Church of St.Germain des Pres built, by the Merovingian King Childebert in 542, is the oldest church in Paris. Once part of large complex of buildings including an Abbey and a library the Church is all that remains. It is situated next to the famous Cafe des Deux Magots on the Blvd. St. Germain.