Extra time in Paris - where should I explore?

Linda has nailed it. I also like the Palais Royale gardens.

Rue Cler is interesting, but is full of Americans walking around with their noses in their Rick Steves books! My wife and I just got back from Paris, and we stayed in the St. Germain neighborhood near the Luxembourg Gardens and Odean Theater, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It seemed to be "less touristy," although I challenge you to find an area of Paris with no tourists! There was a quaint neighborhood market within a block or two of the Pantheon, but I can't recall the exact street. Lots of cafes and people watching in the area, and the Luxembourg Gardens are stupendous! Someone can point you in the right direction to the market. Find it in the mornings, when the locals go shopping.

My favorite markets in Paris are: Rue Mouffetard, which I believe is every day except Monday, in the 5th arrondissement, not far from the Luxembourg Gardens. Blvd Richard-Lenoir, which begins at the Place de la Bastille, on Thursdays and Sundays. And my favorite place to just take it slow is the Luxembourg Gardens. You could go early to the market at Rue Mouffetard (early is always best for the markets), purchase a picnic lunch, and then walk to the Luxembourg Gardens. For me, that would be a perfect day in Paris!

Thank you for the tips! Would you guys suggest an evening in Montmarte or is there something "better" we could spend an evening doing?

There are so many markets in Paris. They are all wonderful. My husband is a photographer and we have been to all of them. Our favorites beside the Rue Cler are the President Wilson Market, and the Saxe Breteuil market.We also love Rue Mouffetard . I have a wonderful book all about the markets called ... Paris in a Basket. It not only tells about the history of the markets, but it has recipes and tells the days, times, and metro to get to all the markets.Saxe Breteuil market is in walking distance of the Rue Cler... we stay there.The days are Thursday and Saturday 8-noon.Most of the markets are open on 2 or more days with the bigger day on the weekend.If you are interested send me a PM and I can give you walking directions. The President Wilson market is Wednesday and Saturday morning about 8-noon.It is behind the Trocadero on President wilson. The metro stop is Iena. Go early. These markets give you a real slice of Parisian life. The food is so fresh. You will see people chatting with neighbors. It is a lot of fun to buy your lunch there. We always get a bagette, cheese, fruit, olives, a drink.. in the Fall they have fresh cider and dessert. We find a bench and enjoy.Have you considered the flea markets. We love Porte de Vanves... Saturday and Sunday mornings.. ..8-noon. Metro is porte de Vanves..This is great , also. Let me know if you have more questions.

Since you are "open to suggestions," here are some slightly more obscure spots we enjoyed on our fourth visit to Paris: Cluny Museum, the Roman arena remains, Jardin de Plantes, Promenade de Plantes, Le Printemps viewing spot and restaurant under dome (next door to each other in separate buildings), Opera Garnier (English language tours available a couple of times a week), Musee Jacquemart Andre, and Parc Monceau. I have listed them in geographical order, starting at the Cluny and circling around to Parc Monceau. We also tried to walk to the Statue of Liberty out on Isle de Cgynes but it was so miserably hot that day we gave up. Two places on our list that we didn't get to were the Marmatton Museum, which is supposed to have a superb collection of Monets, and the Butte de Charmonts Parc out past the St. Martin Canal. (Forgive any mispelled names, I am working from memory, not my notes!)

The Marmottan Museum is a great small museum of Claude Monet. The museum in not covered by the Paris pass and is a six block walk from the nearest metro. However the walk takes you past a nice area of Paris and a nice park full of children. It is well worth the time to visit this museum.

I'd definately recommend going up to Montmartre some evening. Lively. Lots going on. fun.. also the Marais district was interesting.

There is a market close to Parc Monceau, the marche couvert Treilhard on 1 rue corvetto. Buy some yummy chees fruit and bread and then head to the park. It is a lovely place to sit, eat and people watch.
Very nontouristy.

I loved the Paris Walks Chocolate tour. Even if it takes you through some of the territory that the RS walks do, the stories the guide tells are all about chocolate, and the tastings are soooo yummy. It is very popular so you do have to sign up a few days in advance. The Marais quarter is very diversified: old Jewish quarter, some of the oldest buildings in Paris, trendy boutiques and cafes, the FREE Carnavalet Museum (history of Paris, with lots of interesting exhibits and some very good paintings), the beautiful Place Des Vosges

All good suggestions. I love the Cluny Museum and the Luxembourg gardens. St. Sulpice is a lovely little church with some interesting history. Also, the Orangerie is very good (it has several of the best Monet water lily canvases). I'm not sure if you're already seeing it but you should definitely go to Sainte Chapelle which has absolutely lovely stain glass windows. Montmartre is a lovely place to visit at any time of day. There are beautiful views out over the city of Paris, and it's fun to look at the street musicians and artists. I also like going up to the top of the arc de triomphe as not as many people go as at the eiffel tower and it is truly a lovely view from the top. Also, if you were interested in day trips from Paris, you could take a short train trip either to Versailles (which can be crowded and expensive but fun) or to Chartres which is a lovely little town with one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seendefinitely worth a visit if you like churches and stain glass. Both are relatively easy to get to and definitely do-able as day trips (check rick steves france for tips).

You don't mention Versailles - it is a nearly full day excursion and worth a trip. Get there first thing. Be sure to take the tram from the palace to the Trianon. Don't miss Marie's village. (We're fit and the walk just isn't worth the time.) Also, you don't mention Giverny - which we didn't get to do but others have liked it. I will also give two thumbs up to any of the Paris Walks. They are way better than hoofing it on your own on the RS walks. No reservations necessary - just meet at the indicated location and pay $12E/person. We took 3 of them when we were there in early June. In fact, we cancelled the Giverny trip to take the one called Hemmingway's Paris. The Montmartre was wonderful! And we loved the Marais Circuits. The walks are engaging and very informative. We learned so much and Paris came alive. Look them up on the internet: Paris-Walks.com.

Seconding Luxembourg Gardens and Musee Cluny. I ended up at both by "accident" on my first trip to Paris and was blown away by both, not realizing they're not on the typical tourist itinerary. There's a fantastic bakery (although not terribly cheap) right across the street from the Luxembourg Gardens on the street coming down from the Pantheon, and it's just begging for you to pick up a couple of macaroons and enjoy yourself at the park.

The pastry shop across from the Luxembourg Gardens is called Pons. It's an elegant, Paris institution.