Something extra special in Paris?

Have you done a food tour? We loved one by Secret Food Tours.

My daughter and I did Cookin' with Class in Montmartre and it was great! They take you shopping, then you make the food, and then eat it. My daughter is more of a cook than I am and she was scaling the fish, etc - I chopped parsley - and so on. Great fun and worth the money. DELICIOUS meal!!!

hey hey shelly
eatwith.com "eatwith10 discount code
check event type, lunch/diner with resident house, cooking class, food tour
lacuisineparis.com
take your pick of classes/food tours
cookly.me
cooking classes, choose what excites you
tuktukinparis.com
tours in a tuk tuk around paris
lefoodist.com/ baking-class-paris
eatingeurope.com/ paris
cedricsparis.com
sightseeing night or day tours
2CVparistour.com
sightseeing in a french car
originalfoodtours.com
check out what's happening in paris
solosophie.com/ pretty french towns
day trips to pretty french towns near paris
theguardian.com
charonne, paris last authentic village
atasteof paris.com
take your pick
oldtimersparis.com
tour in a vintage car in paris
retro-tour.com
take a ride in a sidecar motorcycle
paris-tickets.com
montemarte food and wine tasting tour
en.parisinfo.com
unique charm of parisian covered passages
en.parisinfo.com
park, garden. promenade in paris dans le quartier: opera - grands boulevards
this will keep you busy and researching what floats your boat. had these saved from out last trip. enjoy
aloha

Maybe go somewhere else in France other than Paris.

Paris is an agglomeration of (most of all) France and (secondly) the world.

There is a lot to France that a visitor to Paris would never see or experience. Just as there is a lot in the world that a visitor to Paris would never see or experience.

I would suggest that you consider what French things are that you like about Paris, figure out which region of France from which they originate (hint: it's probably not Paris) and go to one of those places.

Experience the real thing; not the diluted version one finds in Paris.

Spécial birthday, sign up for a special tour that travels around France rather than Paris.

Go to Versailles and book a cooking class with Molly Wilkinson…..in her lovely apartment there in Versailles. We enjoyed a picnic yesterday on the grounds of Versailles that she planned for us before touring the castle…..it was delightful.

The virtual reality experience, now at la Defense, called Eternelle Notre Dame is astonishing -- well worth doing. 45 minutes walking around Paris when Notre Dame is being built, exploring the church and then viewing fire damage and repairs present days.

Bustronom! A gourmet meal on a bus. The food is fantastic and the views are sensational. I've done it 3 times (once solo) and loved it each time.

Good thread. I think we will try the virtual reality experience of Notre Dame, sounds cool!

Thanks everyone! I’ll reply in detail later today, but I guess I should have mentioned that Paris isn’t my only stop on this trip. I’m starting in Amsterdam, then Annecy and Provence, before spending last 4 days of 17-day trip in Paris.

Again, thank you all for your suggestions.
Janet: That virtual Note Dame experience looks wonderful!
Yes, I think I will book a baking class - if there’s any availability at this late date.
I’m also looking into some type of spa treatment ...

If you look on the AirBNB website they have an "experience" offering different events/tours you can sign up for, maybe look there for something unusual.

Happy Birthday..I also love Paris and have been several times..like home..well.kind of! But perhaps get on the train to Annecy aor a stay of 3 nights. Soo beautiful! Or take yourself to the Hamman in the Mosque in Paris and then enjoy lunch or snacks in the beautiful Cafe! Really a treat! Or..lacuisineparis.com.
I love their market then cooking class..and. you end up eating a beautiful lunch in their dining room overlooking the Seine! I was there in Dec. And returning in one week..will b doing all these again!
I too will b there on my birthday...enjoy yourself..all the other posters have excellent idea!

Hi Shelly. Like you, I've been to Paris several times and am going again soon! We loved the dinner cruise we took on Le Calife - really nice food and a beautiful evening cruise on the Seine. Be sure to ask for the top deck to see the sights. A concert at St. Chapelle is special if you enjoy classical music. This time we are trying the wine tasting dinner at O'Chateau, Eating Europe's Chef PJ's Montmartre tour, and afternoon tea in the garden at Hotel Bristol. All have really good reviews. If you don't mind going out a little farther, the candlelit evening at Vaux-le-Vicomte looks amazing. I'm also looking into experiences on eatwith.com, but have not tried any yet.

Hi Shelly, I’m glad you are considering a spa treatment as Paris would be an ideal place for a facial, haircut etc. Sadly, I cannot make any recommendations based on personal experience! :) I

Another idea: http://www.patriciawells.com/cooking-classes

Sounds pretty cheesy, and a tourist trap, but how about having your portrait done by one of the artists hanging out in Montmarte? 20! years ago we had one done and still have it as a fun souvenir. We laughed through at the time, but it was fun for a pretty small amount of money (no idea what they charge these days). And I can remember how cute I was then. ;)

Mentioning again, Travel & Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler magazines have lists of travel agents who claim to specialize in once in a lifetime type events all over the world. If you've got the money, they've got the Rolodex (sorry, dated reference). Also Amex Platinum has concierge services, I assume Chase Sapphire has similar.

@Peg, we did the Chef PJ tour a few weeks ago and it was great! Have fun!

Alexander mentioned Bustronome. It is wonderful and a real treat!

Ever been to opera Bastille to watch an opera?

Hammam- style spas are quite popular in Paris.

Hammam Les Cent Ciels
Hammam Pacha
L'Escale Orientale

All are beautiful - Pacha is women only. Set aside several hours to really enjoy yourself!

Goodness, what wonderful responses! Apologies for taking so long to respond again - life, and work, got in the way, and preparing for trip. I’m traveling now, in Provence. The first week, in Amsterdam and Annecy, was gray and rainy. On my rainy-day birthday I decided to get my hair done — colored to remove gray and a cut. Had a fabulous time and the head stylist was super sweet.
It’s now sunny and hot in Provence - yay!
I’ve previously done many of the things mentioned for Paris (e.g. the Grand Hammam at the mosque, St. Chapelle concert), but you all had such wonderful ideas, thank you! I am going to do the Notre Dame experience that Janettravels recommended and I’ve booked my first-ever baking class. I might even screw up my courage and get one of the cheesy portraits in Montmartre that one of you suggested.
Again, thank you all so very much!