I am going to Paris for 6 days in Christmas? Any ideas?

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sophia

Winter is a great time to go. No crowds and the winter sun really helps you see the architecture compared to the glare of the sun in the summer.

Hopefully the transportation strike is over or get your cab waving skills down. If you are going to be there Monday through Sunday get the Carte Orange for the metro. Then buy the one day fares for any odd days you're there. Get the one for zones 1 and 2 (central paris).

I think that with six days I would recommend 4 days in the city and 2 day trips outside paris. You can get a train to Versailles which takes 20 mins. Or Fontainbleu which takes 45 (30 by train and 15 by bus). If you like horses there is the Chateau de Chantilly (20 mins away) which has an incredible chateau with one of the largest collections of french paintings outside the louvre and horse stables bigger than most chateaus. they have equestrian performances there that are spectacular. http://www.museevivantducheval.fr/uk/index.html

Get the paris museum pass. It will get you in almost all of the sites (except the Eiffel Tower) including most of the chateaus outside of paris check their website http://www.parismuseumpass.com/en/home.php

Check which museums you want to go to before you go because each museum closes one day during the week (usually monday or tuesday)

Be sure and get one of the metro-street maps at one of the metro stops. Invaulable and has bus lines too which the carte orange is good for.

Sites in the city:
Notre Dame - incredible cathedral not to be missed
Louvre - everything from egyptian artifacts to well, the mona lisa. get an audio guide it isn't that expensive and adds a lot. it closes late on wednesdays (9pm)so it could be good to go then bc there are no crowds.
Musee d'Orsay - impressionism (pre and post) think Gaugin and Degas
St. Chappelle - the most beautiful cathedral you will ever see. built in the middle ages. it is in the police station on the ile de cite.
Monte Marte and Sacre Coeur - Cathedral on a big hill. behind it on winding cobble roads there are a bunch of street artists and tourist shops. very nice at sunset.
Musee National de l'Orangerie - if you like Monet's waterlillies this is the place to go

Food is excellent. The service has been excellent too. The people are nice and when I have stumbled my way through the menu in french they are quick to help. I never felt like they did not like americans. every time i visited I left wondering how people could say the french were rude or unfriendly.

Sorry the answer is so long. but there is just soooo much to see! on the paris museum pass site they give good info on the sites. cost hours location etc.

carina001

And don't forget to walk along the Seine river or even better, book a dinner cruise, there really is nothing better for romance!
For an expectional midnight mess if that's your thing, there is Sacre Coeur or if you are closer Notre Dame.

glenjulio

Buy a guidebook before leaving, full of pictures. Select what seems beautiful or interesting to you, take a map to know where it is, and once in Paris, walk to all these places.
I'm not kidding, the best trip has to be YOUR trip. Paris has so much to be seen or to be done, for all tastes, that you'd better visit what you fancy than trust what others say.
Hope you'll like my country.

pasanjes

Check on http://www.tripadvisor.com and enter "Paris"

LeslieAnn

The Louvre (spelling?) their big museum is so huge you could spend 6 days in just it!!! It is really worth some time. The food in France is supposed to be wonderful...um croissants and coffee, sounds good right now.

I've never been overseas, so I have no real experience to offer, but when traveling it is smart to watch out for pickpockets and don't keep your money all in one place!

Be careful where you eat so you don't have any um mm, problems with your digestion....ya know? Bottled water is probably best too!

Have a wonderful time and take loads of pictures! Look out for the french guys, I've heard they pinch! and leer!! The accents are really romantic, but they are hounds.

Plus America is not popular in France (just our money!). Also the French people are known to be very rude. I've read and heard this so I'm guessing there is some truth to it. Just watch your back since you will be far from home. =)

davetherave

Take me with you,Pleaseeeee

anna

try this:

http://www.internationalcircuit.com/paris-france/attractions.php

have fun! =)

Mike

definitely visit the eiffel tower and and check this site its great for ideas when you travel!

Sarangapani S

Go and enjoy

cwrazien

Walk down the Champs Elysees at night. It is a great place to take in the sights and sounds with the romantic setting of the Christmas lights. It won't be too cold (I hail from western new york where it can get COLD!) May I recommend Pizza Pino. Just a little place I like to go to when I am there. Nothing out of the ordinary spectacular, but nice just the same! Have fun!

Rose T

Don't worry about the water; it is completely drinkable. However, most French people seem to drink bottled water.

Make sure to go by Hotel de Ville and maybe go skating at the ice rink there.

Definitely go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but bundle up because it will be very cold and windy.

Walk through Palais Royal (across the street from the Louvre) and Luxembourg Gardens.

You must go to Notre Dame, of course!

Take lots of time to wander the streets, especially the street markets in rue Montorgueil and rue Mouffetard. They will be closed on Monday, though.

Lots of people go to Paris for the holidays, so be prepared for lines.

Have fun! Are you sure I can't fit in your suitcase?

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