Exceeded Expectations? Paris

The Vivaldi concert (the early one) at Sainte-Chapelle. I know some here scoff at this presentation but I thought it was so good I went a second time. The venue was fabulous and I very much enjoyed the personality of the musicians.

Not IN Paris, but I really enjoyed a day trip to Chartres and a tour of the stained glass windows with Malcolm Miller.

I will second Pam. I had Malcolm Miller as my guide at Chartres "back in the day" when I was with a student group (high school). I only missed him a few summers ago because of that persnickety ticket kiosk in Paris that needed a "Chip." Malcolm doesn't do tours on Sunday.
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Hi Donna.

We are also doing the eastern France tour (again for me) and are spending two and a half days in Paris beforehand. We are foodies so we are set on visiting all of the Anthony Bourdain featured spots. Our goal will be to get over jet lag and absorb as much of the cafe culture as possible.

As for things that have exceeded my expectations in the past in Paris....... Are the things that I haven't planned. :-)

Enjoy!

We really liked the underrated Cluny Museum (Middle Ages). The tapestry collection and the Roman baths in the basement we're particularly amazing.

There are so many but a few I'll mention are the Luxembourg Gardens, the Nissim de Camondo museum, outdoor markets, the Vavin flea market, Notre Dame Cathedral...

Day trips from Paris... Vaux le Vicomte, Monet's house and Garden, Fontainebleau, renting and riding bikes at the Palace of Versailles...

Some of the less famous museums are really good. Cluny, Carnavalet, Musee l'Orangerie. Part of what is great about these is that you don't have the crowds that you would see at the more famous museums. If I had to choose between the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay, I would choose the latter. Not that the Louvre isn't great, just that the Orsay is even better. Standing in a room with twelve or fourteen Van Goghs -- wow.

Cluny gets a 'second-that' from me. Plus, it's in the heart of the nitty gritty of the neighborhood!

Outside of the 6th & 7th, I really had so much fun just hanging out on the steps of Trocadero... Argentine Tango 'Milongas', photo sessions with tons of angst and too much equipment, kids on the carousel, picnickers in the side gardens,... lots of goodness!

I loved the Place du Tertre in Montmarte just a couple blocks west of Sacre-Coeur. It is famous for all of the artists painting pictures. Google it to see pictures of it. It is touristy, but still a great place to visit. I also really liked going to the top of Notre Dame. It had one of the best views of Paris.

Hi Donna!

We are preparing for our third trip to Paris, love it so much! On the second trip we went up the Eiffel Tower (app. 1/2 hour before sunset) and were so glad we did, it was amazing! Loved seeing the view in daylight and after all the lights went on. We just loved walking everywhere and enjoying the beautiful sites, gardens, monuments, and architecture. Really enjoyed Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. We loved the Seine dinner cruise on Bateaux Parisienne, just soaking it all in, the bridges and small Statue of Liberty, etc... Of course we enjoyed the Louvre and Orsay Museums and St. Chappelle.

This time we are excited to see the Rodin and Cluny, maybe even Jaquemarte- Andre and Napoleon's Tomb. Also want to get out to St. Denis, check out Pere LaChaise and maybe a day trip to Vaux le Vicomte or Fontainebleau on this trip. So much to see and do, so little time..... I can honestly say Paris has always met and exceeded our expectations (other than the extremely small hotel rooms; luckily not there long enough to worry over).

Enjoy and happy travels!

Funnily, the Louvre wowed me. I visited for the first time in 1980 and swore I'd never go back - the exhibits were crowded together and many looked like they needed a good dusting, I had to leave my backpack at the entrance (there were several back then) and then wandered forever to find it when I was ready to leave. I went back a second time a few years later because I was with a friend who had to go, and again, I swore never, ever again, for much the same reasons. Then they did a major expansion and reorganization and it has become the one museum in Paris that I feel I must visit at least once on every trip there.

Paris Walks Chocolate Tour was better than I'd hoped, and I had high hopes.

An organ recital in a Gothic church is another.

Is Malcolm Miller still doing tours at Chartres? I went many years ago and enjoyed it so much that I bought his book. If he's still there, and I have a sunny day, I'll go there next week . . . when I'm in Paris. I enjoyed walking around the town afterward too.

Edit: I just looked at the Chartres website. He's still doing the tours, from now until the end of October, at noon and 2.45 p.m., Monday-Saturday, unless there is a religious ceremony.

The Cluny museum and Saint-Denis. And the Mona Lisa (one reason I never encourage people to look at a copy of a masterpiece).

From my first Paris trip in 1989, the two things I remember most as exceeding expectations were Ste. Chappelle and the Musee Marmottan. The one thing I remember being most disappointing was the sewer tour (not intriguing or interesting, but just a lot of plumbing facts).

Rodin Museum, Albert Kahn Museum and Gardens, and throughly enjoyed finding the Gothic Saint Severin Catholic Church in the Latin Quarter. Gargoyles, beautiful stained glass. What more can you ask for?

My son, who is now a professor with a Ph.D in medieval studies, spent a semester several years ago studying and traveling all over Europe, going through many, many churches, cathedrals and museums. When I went to visit toward the end of his stay we made the trip to Chartres and were lucky enough to find Malcolm Miller there. He (my son) said that it was the best church and tour that he had experienced. I didn't go through even close to as many churches as he did, but it had to be one of the highlights of my trip. I would LOVE to go back again, especially if Malcolm Miller is the guide.

Besides all the wonderful sites that we loved, our experience with our "Paris Greeter" exceeded our expectations. We spend 5 hours with our local tour guide (free) and he took us to many different food shops and markets and we ended with a picnic in a park, all outside of the tourist areas. It was a wonderful time to spend with local shop owners and a intimate time with a Parisian. We hated for it to end!

You said not a first trip, but it wasn't clear whether this is a first trip to Paris?
Your answer will help us give you more useful advice.

Thanks to everyone who responded. We appreciate your time and helpful suggestions!

We visited Chartres last year with the RS South of France tour and loved it. We were fortunate to have Malcolm Miller as our guide and he was wonderful. We had four nights in Paris before the tour and spent some time at the ET, Louvre, Orangerie, Rodin, and Napoleon's Tomb.

This time we have five nights in Paris. We're planning a visit to Versailles, and a Fat Tire Bike tour to Giverny. We also want to do the steps at Notre Dame, D'Orsay, and the Opera Garnier (tour). I'm trying to find some place to fit in the Marmottan, Cluny, and Luxembourg Gardens. I hadn't thought about a concert at Sainte-Chapelle but that's a good idea. I love Paris and want to see everything!

Ray - I agree with you about the baguettes. I can't wait to sink my teeth into a jambon and fromage sandwich!

Thanks again!

Giverny is a great visit. I don't really think of it as a day trip from Paris kind of thing, because my wife and I don't usually use a day trip strategy from cities that are so expensive. We visited Giverny on our 2010 trip before dropping off the rental car, having started the day in Chartes. I was prepared to be underwhelmed by Giverny, and time of year probably matters a lot, but in May 2010 it was fantastic. A little crowded, but very nice.

Three things in Paris stand out for me as exceeding expectations:

Climbing the Notre Dame towers, a bit of a huff 'n puff getting up there but the views of Paris and the gargoyles up close were astounding. Worth the effort

The smaller museums - the Marmottan, Cluny, Carnavalet, Rodin

The Place des Voges, I wandered over there many times during my month's stay.

I'm a foodie and this is going to sound crazy after reading all of these other responses (I loved all of those attractions mentioned too), but the thing that I was absolutely unprepared for in terms of sheer awesomeness was -- wait for it -- the baguettes! Oh my gosh, you have never had bread as good as the bread in Paris. Doesn't matter which bakery you stop in, each baguette will be fresh and delicious (though taste slightly different from bakery to bakery). Yes, I'm saying it. The baguettes exceeded all expectations for me!

I've lived in Paris for seven years and I always take visitors to the top of Printemps department store (behind the Opera house). The building that has beauty products on the ground floor. There is a great rooftop bar, that is free, have a glass of wine and see great views of the city (incl Sacre Coeur and Tour Eiffel) and unlike the roof on Lafayette the view is not obstructed!

A wonderful museum in an old building is the Musée Carnavalet in the 4e arrondisement (by St Paul metro); it is of the history of Paris, very interesting and not crowded!

If the weather is nice, take a visit to the Père Lachaise Cemetery; very beautiful, some very elaborate tombs.

Visiting the catacombs is really cool and if you can stand the stink (bring a perfume scented scarf; I actually gagged) check out the sewers tour (self-guided), it's very interesting.

If you go to Versailles, make sure you visit the Trianons and the Hamlet. And the Opera House is beautiful and worth it, esp if you don't have time to see Versailles.

Definitely do Giverney, but I'd skip the tour. It is very easy to get to Vernon (next to Giverney) by train and then there is a shuttle that takes you to Giverney (5 min) or you can walk. Get tickets online to Monet's home to avoid the queues. Take a quick stroll through the town, and head back to Vernon for another stroll or visit the chateau there.

I highly recommend a quick stop in Auvers-sur-Oise. Charming town on the banks of the Oise river. Van Gogh died here and painted here as well. The church he painted can be visited, the home of Dr Guichet with many works of art by several impressionists, there is a chateau, and the river (many Renoirs, Monets, etc were painted here), and more. A nice little day trip.