What not to see in Paris?

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lmnop

Okay, we were there in May for just 2 1/2 days and here is what I suggest....1) Go to the Louvre but don't try to see everything - just hit the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, etc. You could spend a week there and you just want to see the most famous stuff - we spent about three hours there. 2) Visit the Arc de Triomphe which is at the easternmost end of the Champs Illese (spelling?). Use that opportunity for a brief stroll down one of the most famous (and most expensive!) shopping streets in the world. 3) You will want to go to the Sacre Coure; it is a tremedous and beautiful cathedral; also you will want to see the Notre Dame cathedral. But I suggest you pass on both the time and expense of going up on the roof of either the Arc de Triomphe or Notre Dame. 4) One of my favorite parts of the city is near a Metro stop called "Boulevards." This part of the city has beautiful tree-lined streets and even in all the hustle and bustle to try and see the sights you will want to spend some time sitting at a sidewalk cafe and just people watching in this part of the city. But get ready to pay $12 for a cup of coffee or a beer. 5) The Rodin Museum is also good, but again, like the Lourve, go to see "The Thinker" only. You can get into the garden part of the Museum only for just 1 Euro. 6) Obviously you also have to see the Eiffel Tower. Tickets and the line for an elevator take a while to get. If you are physically able, I suggest walking to the first level. Also, the earlier you go in the day, the less crowded it is. 7) I would also recommend you go to the Follies. Even though it was in French and I didn't understand a lot of it, I understood more than I thought I would and it was fun.

I haven't personally been to Versailles, but have heard that it doesn't make the "must see" list. Also, you will spend half a day getting there and back if you are staying in the heart of the city. If you stay focused, use the Metro, which is very good by the way, you can see all the must see stuff in two days.

sandand_surf

Have to see the Eiffel Tower - if you can, get there a little before sunset and stay up there and watch the sun go down and all the monuments light up. Come back down and have dinner nearby. I know the sun sets earlier in November, but it is no problem to eat dinner at 10:00 in Paris, so don't cut anything short in order to "make it" to dinner.

You can do the "Da Vinci Code" tour of the Louvre and hit the highlights. If you don't want to do that, at least visit the gardens there and see the place from the outside.

Go see Notre Dame for sure. The square in front is full of interesting people too.

If you had more time and it was spring or summer, i would recommend Versailles, or even Fontainebleu (which is closer and was the inspiration for Versailles - King Louis saw it and got jealous. lol)

Dont bother with the Bastille - there is nothing left of it anyway but a few bricks on the side of the road.

to get a view of the city from the opposite side as Eifferl Tower, climb up to the top of the Sacre Coeur. An alternative is the Tour (Tower) Montparnasse, take an elevator to the top.

Les Invalides in interesting (my parents liked that one) where Napoleon is buried.

If you like Impressionist art, spend an hour or so at the Musee d'Orsay. Very pretty building and a great variety of art. One small room has huge paintings by Monet.

If you want coffee like we drink, ask for a "cafe americain". Otherwise, you get a shot in a demi-tasse. lol

Stop in a bakery - any one - and try one of the best pastries you'll ever have.

lingua06437

I agree with Paris. Take a bus tour when you first arrive and get a guided tour of the city for a few hours. Then go back and see what you liked.

As for what not to miss, I put the question back to you. What do you like to do in your spare time? If you like museums, then pick one or two to see while you are there. If you like hanging out in artsy areas, then don't miss mont-martre. If you like shopping, then don't miss champs-elysses and focus on some other shopping districts. If Cathedrals fascinate you, then go to Notre Dame, le sacre-coeur, St-Denis and others.
If it is parks you like, then go to the tuileries, and jardin du luxembourg.

Aside from the arc de triomphe and the eiffel tower, I'd make sure to hang out in the square in front of the centre georges-pompidou. It is an eclectic area full of street performers and it is great for people watching. Don't miss Notre Dame. Make sure you take time to hang out in a cafe and order a "cafe au lait".

As far as what is over rated? Not sure. I'd just say steer clear of what you don't like doing. If you don't like art history then don't go to the louvre. If you prefer beer to wine, don't feel compelled to have to drink the wine. They have plenty of beer there too. Lastly - the French have a reputation for being mean to tourists. This is underserved. Make an effort to speak the language. If you just can't speak it, be humble and don't act like they should all know English. They shouldn't have to know English anymore than you should have to know Mandarin Chinese. You are the guest in their country, treat them with respect. Be grateful to anyone that has taken the time to learn your language. Then you should be fine.

STPabroad

OK, here's a suggested itenerary.

Day 1: Quick fire tour of the Louvre. Make sure to see the Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa, the sculpture rooms, the code of Hammurabi, and the Paul Reubens room. Leave the Louvre and head west through the Jardins de Tuileries towards the Place de Concorde and along the Champs Elysees. Take a quick tour around the Arc de Triomphe. Climb up the Arc is you want a fantastic view. Then grab the Metro Line 6 to Bir Hakeim and walk 5 min to the Eiffel Tower. Climb to the top for a fantastic view of the city. Take a relaxing walk around the Champs de Mars.

Day 2: Start off at the Musee d'Orsay, a train station converted into a contemporary art museum. There are some very nice exhibits there, but don't feel like you need to spend a ton of time. Walk east through the Latin Quarter and head to Notre Dame. After visiting the cathedral, head north to the Hotel de Ville (City Hall). There's always something cool going on there. From there you can go to the Centre Georges Pompidou, or if you are museum-ed out, head to Montmartre to see the Sacre Coeur Basilica.

There. You've seen all the best of Paris that you can see in 2 days!

luca

"xyzlmnop_tx" has a good program. Except for me MusÃ©e Rodin. If you have only 2 days don't loose too much time in museums. Don't try to go on Versailles. It is beautiful but you need one day to enjoy the castle.

Enjoy your trip...

witch2order

Eiffel Tower what else. Thats the landmark. And also the Arc

paris

Do an Open Bus Tour and in 5-6 hours you can see the "must see" places. Then, you can choose and visit again you liked. Of course, two days are not enough for the city, but, at least, you can have an idea.

Fifi

samantha

The Ifole tower, enjoy the food.

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