Spring in Paris, Where to stay and see?

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Rillifane

First of all, don't be too concerned about speaking only limited French. Paris is the #1 tourist destination in the world and they are quite prepared to deal with hordes of tourists who speak no French at all. So even with only limited French you're ahead of the game.

You should definitely see the Musee D'Orsay and should consider adding the new Musee de Quai Branly (non-European art and culture), the Modern Art museum at the Centre Pompidou, the Rodin Museum, and the Cluny (art of the middle ages).

In addition to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, and Sacre Coeur you might add Invalides, the Pantheon, the Conciergerie, Sainte Chapelle, La Madeleine, Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, Church of Saint-Germain-des-PrÃ©s, the House of UNESCO, and the Pere Lachaise Cemetary.

If you're a photographer you'll find that almost every street will bring a vista worthy of a shot. Almost everything is scenic.

I suggest you stay in the Marias rather than in Montmartre. Its a bit more convenient and there are more slightly dodgy streets in the Montmartre area.

If you're in Paris on a sunday night then see if Jim Haynes is throwing one of his dinner parties. Jim is a wonderful old raconteur, critic, artist, philosopher, writer and old fashioned bohemian. Check out his website: http://www.jim-haynes.com/index.htm Everyone kicks in 20 euros and there is dinner, an open bar, and a very hip, artsy crowd. To quote Jim "Most people travel to see things (the Tower of London, the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, etc.); I travel to see friends, known and unknown to me." Really, trust me on this, if you have the time then go.

rice392000

My answer comes from way back circa 1984. I was married in Deutschland (Germany) when I was in the Air Force I was 23 yrs old then in 1988 I got married and my lovely wife and I spent our Honeymoon in PARIS. If it is still there find the NOVOTEL or SOFITEL but being single the Hostels are great I use to "haunt" a few when I was a kid in Cambridge UK when my dad was in the Air Force in 1980. Back to Paris:Visit the PERFUME Factory,the Paris FLEA Market great for Indies and Bohemians (BTW I grew up in the city of Kurt Cobain and GRUNGE ROCK Seattle WA) me and my wife almost spoke no french but an"ice-breaker" is the simple hi "Bonjour" and then "merci"( Thanx) tahnkfully lots of Parisians speak english or understand and you always run into Americans or english speakers just brace yourself Europeans including the French are highly competitive folks so if you get "bumped" bump right back it is kind of expected(lol) watch your money like in the USA don't flash it. Be frugal and be aware of what is around you (smile) even with smiling faces. Hope I helped.

Jessica

I stole this list from this guys' website and used it as our itinerary when my sorority sisters and I went to Paris.

We stayed at the St. Christopher's Inn youth hostel which was very cheap and worth the price. Don't worry about speaking the language, everyone there is friendly. You should also watch The Da Vinci Code and Interview with a Vampire movies before you leave. Then you can reference it while you're in Paris.

Things you must do:
1. Eat lots of crepes
2. Drink cappuccino out of little cups while sitting under the awning of a sidewalk cafe
3. Take long walks along the Seine at night making sure to take in the stunning views of the lights on the flying buttresses of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Things you must see:
1. The Louvre
2. Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triumph (as if I needed to write that down)
5. The Musee d'Orsay is also very cool if you aren't sick of art after the Louvre
3. The Catacombs
4. Notre Dame Cathedral there is a tour you can take where I guess you can get pretty close to the gargoyles and see the bell tower where Quasimodo would have hung out.

MRS.torressanz

personally, i dont really like the area around montmarte..it's safe, don't get me wrong..but i wouldnt find a hotel there..but yea..the garden of luxembourg is a beautiful place..if ur with a friend go to asterix park..it's pretty cool..when u go see arc de triumphe u have to walk down avenue des champs elysees bcuz it's a shopping venue..but beware there are ALOT of tourist there so watch your stuff carefully..beware of pick pocketers..i think thats what they're called

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