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Two Full Days in Paris. First time. Slower pace vibe.

Only two full days in Paris first week of August. Want to be realistic regarding places to see. Mainly interested in staying in a portion of the city that will provide walks and outdoor experiences. Suggestions, please on place to stay, sites to see, restaurants to enjoy? Which train station is best to allow close access to such an area?

Posted by
2431 posts

I would suggest staying in the Latin Quarter - strolling along the Seine, walking distance to many large and small museums, Sainte-Chapelle, Jardin du Luxembourg, etc.

Posted by
2418 posts

for slower paced enjoyment of outdoor experiences decide which aspect of Paris you want and stick with it for the two days -- Latin Quarter, as above? or Marais? or the Opera/Louvre area? or Montmartre? Commit to one neighborhood and stroll it. In August, do you want to be in the traffic or not?

Posted by
32523 posts

regarding the question about train stations, you don't really have a choice of station. Each of the main stations serves trains to and from a particular region of the country. Provence for example goes into Gare de Lyon; Strasbourg and the Grand Est goes into Gare de l'Est; Lille, Belgium and England into Gare du Nord; Normandie into Gare St Lazare, etc.

Where will you be coming in from or going out to by train?

Posted by
4324 posts

Read Rick's suggested itineraries (and those from Fodors and Frommers) and pick and choose. You have little time.

Posted by
2300 posts

For August, I would be like looking for a hotel with ac in the Latin Quarter or Marais. Rick has some nice walks through these neighborhoods that you can follow.

Posted by
2431 posts

Thanks for that, Jane! What you’re describing sounds similar to the High Line in Manhattan.

Posted by
13809 posts

2nd recommendation for making sure you hotel has AC for that time frame.

On the sights to see...I'll pose the same question as on your Switzerland question...what sounds like fun to you? Since you mentioned walks, I'd recommend www.paris-walks.com They are an excellent way to have a short guided tour of specific areas or fields of interest.

I've also watched a bunch of walking tour videos by Corey Frye, A French Frye in Paris and RS guide Vero. I often will pull out several things they show and create my own walk thru various areas.