I’m spending January 31 through February 6 in Paris, mostly for work. I haven’t been to Paris since 2012, and although I know it’s cold and dark, I want to enjoy the pedestrianization. I’ve been to the Louvre. Please recommend me places to go, walk, vibe, learn, and eat.
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@rmondello Musée d’Orsay (go straight to the impressionist gallery) then walk across the Seine to its twin museum in the Tuileries gardens, l’Orangerie (where you can spend some time reflecting in Monet’s Water Lilies rooms).
A good walk is from the Galeries Lafayette to the Louvre through Opéra Garnier (go through Place Vendôme with all the jewelers and the Ritz hotel, Rue de la Paix, Faubourg Saint Honoré etc.)
@rmondello il sure it’s been mentioned but quartier du Sacré Cœur is worth visiting. Gorgeous views and very typical French vibe (which will remind you of the movie Amélie if you’ve seen it). The catacombs are also worth visiting (but quite a different vibe!).
@rmondello Search for free walking tours. We've done several in Paris and other cities. Remember to tip your guide.
@rmondello following along, I’m heading over with my mum in a couple of weeks to see an opera. In particular looking for vegetarian food recommendations. (Not vegan — we’ll want to sample French cheeses!)
@rmondello walk, walk and walk some more … just a great city to stroll around … if museums float your boat then Musée Des Arts Et Métiers is wonderful
@rmondello this is not like a life-changing recommendation or anything so feel free to pre-empt it, but when I was last there one of my biggest sources of enjoyment was a random corner bakery I wandered into in Villejuif. *Particularly* if you want to practice French, get out of the city center and get some kebabs and pastries in a shop where you can't order in English.
@rmondello make sure to go to L’as du Fallafel in the Jewish quarter!
@rmondello my son is a huge fan of the Paris sewer museum. Like @danielpunkass, we were walking 15 to 20 miles a day there. You can basically always see the Eiffel Tower, so you can always orient yourself.
@rmondello It hasn’t been as cold as what you’ve probably been experiencing lately, though the damp air can make it feel worse. All the better if dark, since Paris looks best when the lights turn on.
I’d recommend the top of the Arc de Triomphe when it’s dark. Likewise looking down over the city from the top of Montmartre on the steps of Sacré Coeur. I second the recommendation for Musée d’Orsay – for the building, for the collection of early photos and daguerreotype.
@rmondello Les Fabricants in the 11th Arrondissement (a Basque brasserie) always brings back some good memories. I'd recommend the Escalope de veau montagnarde.
Note that they don't take reservations/credit cards.
@rmondello I was just in Paris. Took day trips to Vincennes and Versailles. Did the Picasso museum and the Cluny. Did the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower after dark. The Eiffel has quite a light show these days and a special one on the hour. Get a Paris Museum Pass. It will get you into most things for free and pays off quickly. Also gives you priority admission. Some things like Notre Dame’s towers are booked for a week in advance, so book some stuff now!
@rmondello Go here for lovely food and jazz 😍 https://maps.apple/p/d9V7vIk12naZuG
@rmondello I was also last there in 2012. The Sacrè-Cœur would probably be my top pick if you're looking for things to see. What a view.
I have wonderful memories of dining at Restaurant Paul on Place Dauphine on the Ile de la Cite. It's a great little restaurant untroubled by tourists with traditional French food. On a nice day (sadly unlikely in February) you can dine outdoors and watch the locals playing boules on the Place. It also puts you a very short walk from the Saint Chapelle with its glorious stained glass windows (it's inside the Palace of Justice, so expect tight security, but try to visit on a sunny day), Notre Dame, and an outdoor market. It's very Metro-accessible, and you can (and should, weather permitting) also walk across the Pont Neuf to get to other major attractions like the Louvre and Tuilerie Gardens.
Enjoy!
@rmondello - Caveau de la Huchette. Former Knights Templar and resistance meeting space. Jazz club since 1949. Underground.
@rmondello Orsay Museum is really good. You will find the city changed with far less cars, and more enjoyable to walk in. I can recommend some restaurants if I know what you like.
@rmondello Oh, when I was last in Paris I walked 20 miles a day. It's totally my way of seeing the city. I'll try to collect some goto sites for you.
@rmondello i was there a couple of months ago and if you like contemporary art the Cartier Foundation just reopened its gallery