I am going to Paris in February for a week. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on must-dos?? Merci.?

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Blah.

First, I'd like to make a suggestion - dress warmly! I was in Paris this past March for 10 days and I just about froze my butt off. Make sure you have a pair of gloves and a scarf. I was used to cold weather back home, but it was a lot worse there. The wind played a big role in that. Cold weather is so much worse when it's wet (it rained a bit) and there's wind involved.

Anyway, as to your question - I assume you already know to hit the tourist traps. Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Notre Dame, etc.

I'd stop by the catacombs if I were you; they were closed during my trip and I was pretty disappointed. They just look really cool and spooky. I'm into that sort of thing, though; I don't know if you are.

At the end of the Tuilieries Gardens (opposite the Louvre), there's a crepe place. Stop there! I found my favourite crepes there.

Definitely go to the top of the Eiffel Tower and up into the towers of Notre Dame. Nice views and it's pretty cool up there.

Montmartre is a great area of the city, very pretty and quaint. Sacre Coeur has great views as well.

There will be a lot of little shops all around the major tourist areas for souvenirs. Rue de Rivoli (near the Louvre) has a particular strip that has a ton of tourist shops with a bunch of little things. You'll find these all over the place, though. Of course, I'd also recommend going into some actual French stores and boutiques as well.

Frankly, I loved riding the metro. I know that's not really a "must do" in Paris, but I found it to be a lot of fun and great transportation. The maps look a little confusing at first, but easy to understand and it's a great way to get around Paris quickly. You can buy passes that last several days, so you don't need to buy a ticket each time you walk in.

I'd buy the "Paris Museum Pass" (you can buy that at most of the major tourist sites), as it lets you get free entry to a TON of places. The Louvre, Arc du Triomphe, Pantheon, etc. and many times you get to skip the long lines. When I was there, there was a HUGE line for the Louvre but I walked right in because I had that museum pass. Very convenient!

Definitely stop into a bakery in the morning and grab a croissant for breakfast. I miss those so much! Or stop by a street cafe and get some coffee and have a croissant at a table outside. It might be a bit cold, but it's one of those fun things to do that's so "French".

Also, before I went a lot of people told me the French were rude. Not true! They were all quite nice and even tried to speak to me in English because they knew my French was poor...even if their English was poor, too. I only met maybe one rude person, but he was a waiter and I think he was just a grumpy person. Lol. Almost everyone else was quite nice and helpful. Of course, it's only polite to say "bonjour" and "merci" in what simple French you can manage. If you just run up to them and start talking English, that won't be appreciated - but I don't think anyone in any foreign country would appreciate it. I wouldn't appreciate it if someone came to my work place and started talking to me in Russian or something.

Have fun!

ocularnervosa

Be sure and take the bell tower tour at Notre Dame and check out the Musee d'Orsay.

Daniel Z

Hello I have been to Paris in the transition winter/spring time as well as the south of france multiple times, so i think I will be able to help:

You need to bring alot of cover. It will be rainy, windy, and cold all at the same time and get somewhere in the mid thirties during the day. I suggest good shoes for long walking in a wet environment, long sleve shirts, sweaters, and a coat both for general old weather, and a trench for rain. You should probably carry most of these with you at all time, the weather there changes VERY quick it will be sunny one moment then raining the next.

I have never heard about speaking fromal french makes someone think you are a whore. I mean dont talk like you are talking to a diplomat to people, but if you have trouble with words or some sayings, they will know that you are american and have probably been tought nothing but formal.

DO NOT, I MEAN DO NOT speak english to them (people in stores, resturants, etc....) when you first meet, unless you want to be ignored or shunned. Always introduce in french then ease into asking them if they speak english if you have a problem. Most of them will be so happy you started talking to them in French they will be MORE then happy to help you out because you helped them out by respecting them.

Dont look at people on the street, especially guys and make solid eye contact.....this means something....I think you get the idea and can be very rude. Dont smile a ton they will think something is wrong with you, just keep a steely (not rude, not happy) expression on your face and use emotion conservativley. Dont be loud whisper or use an inside voice in public places.

These are the main things I can tell you. Do everything and I think you will be set and the french will be very open and warm to you. They are VERY wonderful people and I love them alot, you just need to know how to "work" them so they open up!

AS FOR WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE THERE: Sure the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, and Notre Dam are must sees but they are toursit traps!

The catacombs are amazing. I would go there. They are a little tricky to find as the enterence starts in a tiny house. It is by a lion statue, and if I remember correctly across the street from a resturant called "Indiana".

The champs elysees is cool to. I like shopping there but none of the stores are cheep so be warned, lol.

Montmartre is fun as well. All the art is cool to look at and it is away from the touristy things. Its easy to get to from pigalle street which is where the Moulin Rouge is, so you get to see all the "sex" shops as well. Its neat if you have never been there before. Just dont go there at night!

LASTLY IF IT IS THE ONLY THING YOU SEE VERSAILLES IS AMAZING. It is not in paris but about a 20 min ride by train outside the city! It is the most amazing building in the world and is so long it will not fit in a standard camera lense. Its very neat!

Hope you have fun!

Have fun Paris is AMAZING!

Sadra

Fat Tire Bike Tours!!! They have bike tours as well as segway tours (super cool), but be sure to check it out in advance and see what their hours are during the week you'll be there. You get a great overview of the city, so check it out first and then you can see what you want to explore in greater detail.

sas s

dont forget your boots and umbrella!

dosiennamiller

Arrondissements 5, 6 and 7 are the best districts to stay in Paris for tourists. These areas are within walking distance of the Seine River. Most people spend alot of time strolling along the Seine when visiting Paris. We especially like the Latin Quarter (Arrondissement 5) because it is close to Notre Dame and the docks for Seine River cruises. Travel in Paris, use the Metro. The Eiffel Tower is number one on everybody's list and it does not disappoint. Next is Notre Dame and you must go to the Louvre Museum. One of our unexpected favorites is Sainte-Chapelle, with its stunning stained glass windows. You will thank me. Instead I saved my euros for a single meal out per day, and tried to focus on ordering just an appetizer or a sandwich when I did. Otherwise, I bought baguettes from local bakeries for 1 euro and went to the grocery store for toppings. Itâ€™s tempting to buy little gifts for everyone you know, but the prices on sidewalk souvenirs are extremely high. If you want to get something for friends and family, try to avoid buying outside of major tourist attractions and instead focus on smaller gift shops in out of the way spots. I saw identical prints of the Arc de Triomphe for 5 euro and 1 euro, just depending on the location. Shop around and youâ€™ll save.
If you're looking for a hotel in Paris You can go to Scoobit.com, the hotel search engine at http://www.scoobit.com Switch the language to English, then fill the form with city name (Paris) and click on "Search hotel". We went to the first hotel on the right (in the first row): nice and clean place, loving it, but feel free to choose the hotel that best fits your needs. Scoobit.com is a safe website I've used many times so far, and you can book on line. Have a great time.

Christy

I was there last Valentines Day! The weather was a little chilly (especially at night) but beautiful. Museums were easy to get into but the restaurants are always crowded (expect a little wait).

My favorite thing was seeing the sun set from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Paris perfect!

Gemma

Visit the Louvre and The Eiffel Tower! Have a great trip.

Ashlynn :)

yer luckyy :)
but i've never beeen to paris, so idk.

Tajarae T

you should be safe and do not do something that you will regreat

Jason W.

When you go there. NEVER talk to a french person in a "formal" way. Especially in a store or restaurant. They will kick you out because in France, they will think your a prostitute, slut, and/or a whore. Be careful, because some guys will take "formal" talking as the ticket to having sex with you.
Otherwise, make sure to visit everyone you can, you can rest when you get home =P.

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