What are the must-see attractions in Paris besides the obvious?

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Coach

Paris is definitely a place for people who like to walk. There are so many things to see that would be missed if all you did was take a metro to the closest "big attraction."

One of the cool things about Paris is that around just about every corner there is something new and amazing.

Some of my favorite locations:
Luxembourg Gardens: Make sure you see the Medicis Fountain. The fountain's centerpiece is a Cyclops from Greek Mythology, the scene depicts "Polyphemus Surprising Acis and Galatea." The Girl in this link is his love interest. (First time I saw it I thought the big guy was the girls father. Same fate either way I guess...) http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF0338.html
http://www.arnaudfrichphoto.com/english-version/fountain-medicis-1.htm

When leaving Luxembourg Garden make sure you travel south. The 1/2 mile strip contains a fair number of the thousands of interesting things that make up Paris including one huge fountain.
http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF0436.html

Close to that fountain you will be near some of Hemmingway's haunts when he was in Paris. He like to drink at the Dome and La Rotunde. (They are across the street from one another.)
http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF0486.html

Some people would ask, "Why see a bridge?" But the Pont Alexander III is no ordinary bridge. It is certainly one of the most ornate bridges in the world. Here's a view of one of the street lights on the bridge.
http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF9789aa.html

Versailles isn't in Paris itself, but it is just outside Paris and easy to get to by underground train. Go on the weekends when they run the fountains. (Look up the schedule so you don't miss it. They don't run them all day.) The Palace is spectacular, and if you have a lot of time consider two trips to Versailles, otherwise plan on spending the whole day. Spend as much time as you can out in the gardens. Here are a couple of pics of the fountains running. They are incredible.
Apollo: http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF0806a.html
Apollo's Mom Lotone: http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF0850a.html
The Bath of Apollo: http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF0873.html
The Giant Buried Beneith Mt Etna by Zeus:
http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF0903.html

St Chapelle, the lesser known of the two Churches on the island Ile de Citi (The other being Notre Dame) is a work of art. See this link:
http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF9678a.html

My favorite Museum is Musee d'Orsay. It contains the work of the Impressionists, but so much more. The building is a converted train depot. http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/html/paris__-__2_91.html

Good, affordable meals in Paris can be a crap shoot. One of the best we had was at a
"Tobac" several blocks south of the Eiffel Tower. Other Tobacs served steaks that tasted like cardboard. On Ile St Louis (the other island without Notre Dame) is quiet and has a few places including the one pictured in the link, LeRelais de l'Isle. We ate here twice 10 years apart under different management and were not disappointed either time.
http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/html/paris_2005_164.html

If expense is no object a very ornate place to eat is actually in a train station, "La Train Bleu" in Gare de Lyon.
http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF1537.html
http://www.vanbeusekom.us/kachelmyer/europe/slides/DSCF1551.html

Anyway there are a few ideas that go beyond the traditional ones.

Note: Take precautions concerning potential loss of your wallet or credit cards:
1) Have all phone numbers for credit card companies (and card numbers written somewhere) so you can easily cancel.
2) Don't bother with discover card. No one takes it.
3) Have a photo copy of your passport separate from the passport.
4) If you are traveling with a spouse, split your credit cards so you only lose half of them if you lose your wallet/purse.
5) If you lose your drivers license along with the wallet report the loss to police. They will usually give you a provisional license you can use while traveling in France.
6) If you prepare, your loss will be minimal and it won't wreck your trip.
(I know all of this from experience having had my wallet picked in the metro! It was much easier spotting pick pockets after having been picked! There are many of them!)

Good luck and have fun!

evertalall

The pioneering role of France in giving direction for human freedom

Sarah H

Well I'm assuming the obvious attractions you're speaking of include the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Notre Dame, the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, and the Arc de Triomphe.
For a natural, non-concrete monument, you may want to try the Buttes-Chaumont park in Northeastern Paris. It's a beautiful waterfall and a great place to get away from big city life for a change. Besides that, I would suggest not going on too many tours-- leave some days to roam around the city by yourself, no guide. If you speak French you'll be able to get around easier with less hassle. If you don't, that's okay too-- most people there will speak English (maybe not too well, but you'll be able to communicate). Go to the cafes that aren't crowded, visit the shops on the quieter streets. Getting away from the tourist destinations will give you a genuine and unique experience you will never forget.

rootzgirl34

other than Eiffel Tower, check out Versailles and the L'ouvre<<art gallery (the Mona Lisa is there : )) i've been, is really nice, go on a canal ride, have fun..

Weekend Warrior

Uhh, there's like this tower that's kinda sorta popular.. I think they call it eye full tower.

:)Steph:)

the people i have been there before the people are very nice!

Natin90s

well, everyone see the front of eiffel tower right?
so why dont come see the back of it...

telemeister

In addition to 'the obvious', which you must see, try the cemetries (pere lachaise, montparnasse, catacombs). Also go to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre and climb all the way to the top for an incredible view (It is exhausting, and you get dizzy, but it is well worth it). By doing this you get to see all of Paris as well as Montmartre and the artist's quarter. Drop in to Les deux moulin for a cafe creme too!!

Alternatively, find the local markets and spend the morning wandering through them. Buy some cheese, foie gras pate and a couple of baguettes and head for one of the beautiful gardens for lunch!

margesgi

well there's the eiffel tower

that's it

Chevall

If u go in Paris u got to see this museum -
(its similar to Madame Tussauds museum in London )
This is the web site
http://www.grevin.com/english/index.htm

Platobeenz

The Eiffel tower and the Lourve.

mareeclara

Well things apart from the couple of obvious ones i liked was Sainte Chapelle....a lovely place with stained glas windows all around
Alexander III bridge....lovely and the outside of the Opera House (I didn't go inside but its supposed to be nice inside too)

Notre Dame...nuff said its one of the best anywhere
A cruise along the Seine also give you great views of the lfying buttresses on the side of notre dame and its a nice peaceful way to see paric
THe Louvre....even if your understnading of art is limited its great...get a museum pass so you can go back a few times and it will let you into lots of other places like Picasso museum too.

I really like Pare Lachaise...the cemetary, but unlike any cemetary I have seen with monuments for africa, lots with statues, stained glass windows....lots of famous people are buried there, most notibly Jim Morrison (a plain headstone tho), Chopin and Oscar Wilde. Its free to get in butyou can buy maps for a couple of euro outside the gate from people.

Just walking is lovely as the buildings are so ornate

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