A Guide to Paris

Thank you! This is wonderful.

Thanks for the link. Interesting article.

I can't say I agree with many of the things they suggest for a 1st timer. I'm not a fan of Sacre-Coeur except the view from the terrace out front which is excellent. It's easy to get hassled getting there unless you know to take the funicular or you walk up the "back" way. Best way for a first timer is to take a Paris Walks tour, in my view. Taking time to see an early 20th C church vs a gothic one built in 558AD is odd to me. BUT each person should decide what is important to THEM.

Thank goodness none of my go-to hotels are on the list, hahaha!

Yeesh...this sounds really negative and I'm not normally a negative person. I just cleaned out the fridge so maybe that is having an impact, hahaha!!

Anyway, thank you Mardee for posting and gifting the article.

wow, this is wonderful.

so informative.

Thank you for posting.

It's okay, Pam. You're allowed to be negative from time to time! 😂 You're probably at a disadvantage because you know so much about Paris!

Estimated Profit, you're welcome!

Boston Phil, I'm glad you're enjoying it. I figured that you might get something out of it. 😊

Great article ! Thank you

Amazing document, a bit disjointed for a visitor to follow, but it hits many, many known places people appreciate. Just last weekend we had dinner at a restaurant in the Galerie Vivienne, walking through the Palais Royal from the Louvre evening hours and yesterday we ate choucroute garnie at Lipp’s sister restaurant, Bofinger, both serving the classics. This is indeed where you see professional waiters at work who never tell you their names or have time to schmooze, but they know their craft.

Fun to read but still get a GOOD GUIDEBOOK that links sights and sites with shopping and eating in the same area. And don’t forget the newly reopened Art Nouveau toilets under the Madeleine church.

No problem with the view from the Sacre Coeur even if it was built for political domination after the defeat of the Paris Commune.

And don’t forget the newly reopened Art Nouveau toilets under the Madeleine church.

Definitely a must-see for me, Elizabeth—I love anything Art Nouveau!

"And don’t forget the newly reopened Art Nouveau toilets under the Madeleine church."

Oh gosh! These had somehow dropped off my on-going list of things "to do" in Paris! Thanks for the reminder, Elizabeth. Mardee...I love Art Nouveau as well! I wonder if they decorate them for Christmas? hahaha.....

Editing to add: Not only is there a Wikipedia article but there is an Atlas Obscura entry as well!!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavatory_Madeleine
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lavatory-de-la-madeleine-paris

Christmas decor would be fun, Pam! And thanks for the articles - those were interesting!

I didn't realize the toilets by Madeleine were open again. I remember all the big demanding signs to not take photos LOL

I was inclined to be negative since these articles are usually full of nonsense but this is actually a good overview for a beginner and makes it easy to plan a balanced first visit. Alas they mention my favorite tea place and favorite place to sit and read so they will be even more overrun. I can remember decades ago when we would sit by the Medici Fountain and never have any trouble getting a chair -- in recent years it is no longer a hidden treasure and this should insure more of that.

They also, inevitably I guess, mention a lot of very touristy overpriced overhyped places -- but any visitor can find their own cafes, bakeries and such once on the ground.

Thanks for a nice read with my afternoon tea.
The only problem is now I want to return to Paris and I don’t think I can fit it in for 2026. Drat.
That’s the problem with early planning.