We are in Paris for 4 nights and staying in the Odeon / Luxembourg Garden area. This is our 2nd trip to Paris and other than 2 museums we are going to different neighbourhoods and exploring(Montparnasse, Marais the 17th Arrodisment) . We are looking for some suggestions in any of these areas as well.
I have heard of pros & cons on the dinner cruise and would appreciate any feed back .
My friend took a Calife Dinner Cruise and quite enjoyed it.. they actually cook the food onboard that cruise.. unlike some of the other larger boat companies that simply bring in food precooked and warm it up. She said the food was good and enjoyed the smaller boat.
A Seine cruise, any time, is great. After dark it's extra great. I haven't taken one that includes dinner. I've heard that the food isn't necessarily worth the price, though I'm sure this varies. Equally important, why would I want to be looking at my plate while the city is passing on either side of me?
Suggestions for the areas you mentioned: For Montparnasse, the cemetery, the view from the Tour Montparnasse (as an alternative to Eiffel), the Rue Daguerre street market, the Catacombs if you're into old bones and a good walker. For the Marais, the Place des Vosges, Hotel Sully, Carnavalet Museum, Jewish Museum, Picasso Museum if it's reopened, wandering the narrow streets.
I wanted to do this on my last trip to Paris but couldn't squeeze it in. But be aware that in doing research for it, it appears most of these cruises have very formal dress codes, dress for gals and jacket/tie for the gents. There was just one operator that does dinner with informal attire:
I can't help you with the dinner cruises, but am fairly familiar with the 17th, as we stay there every time we are in Paris.
If you like Thai food, there is a place called "Thai Siam" at #23 Avenue Wagram that we have enjoyed every trip for the past 5 years. The food and service are excellent, and the prices are good. Try the Pad Thai or the Penang curry.
For a lighter meal, there is a little pizza place just off Avenue Wagram, at #11 rue De l'Etoile. It's called "Pizza Au Feu De Bois". It's a tiny place, but the pizza is delicious and the prices are good, also.
Don't forget the open-air market on rue Poncelet.
We're leaving for Paris a week from today, so maybe we'll see you there!