I will be traveling for work to Brussels in late August and have a weekend to travel - planning on taking the bullet to Paris but if you only had 1 day what are the MUST SEES? I know the Eiffel Tower,but I also would love to get to go to any of the famous antique/sidewalk markets - looking specifically for linens and lace are there any that are open on a Saturday?
thanks in advance for your responses!
Cherri -
I fear you may find the markets to be at a minimum at the end of August. This is because August is the month of vacation for the French and Paris is virtually empty (other than the tourists).
The result is that the markets that will be open will have minimal vendors. Each week my local market has less and less already. The market at Vanves is going to be your best bet - but I have no idea how much will be there. To get here - Metro line 13 (direction Chatillon) to Porte de Vanves.
There are no Broncante (flea markets) scheduled either.
This website will show you what will be happening the Saturday you will be here.
http://vide-greniers.org/agendaDepartement.php?departement=75
At the bottom of the web page click the British Flag for English.
Linens and lace??? that's Belgium territory...not Paris..Use your Paris time for a museum of art of your choice..and a nice meal somewhere...and just walk along the Seine..Keep it simple..My personal choice is to focus on one destination in the city and leave the rest up to chance.
So linens and lace - is there anything in Brussels that would be open on a Sunday?
I tried looking the last time I was there (again for work) but was with folks that could careless about really looking for it - but hoping I will be on my own so I can look all day long.
Sunday usually not. Brussels like Paris and most of Europe tends to have minimal shopping on Sundays.
during the night i'll go dig out a recent guide book..but if you are not booked to Paris ..and the lace and linens are the priority then you should zip up to Bruges. We were there in June..it's a lovely small city..and if you have only a weekend it might be better to go there and relax rather than rushing down to see the Eiffel Tower...Lace shops open around 900am every day in Bruges..the chocolate shops a bit later.
What about the Village St. Paul, in the Marais?
Try this website www.vintage-clothes-linen.com The name of the shop is Fuschia and they are in the St Paul Village/Marais. They don't list opening hours, you'll have to email direct.
(Overlooking the entire linens/lace question)
If I had one day (and hadn't been to Paris before):
-Le Louvre
-Historic Paris (Ile de la Cite, Sainte Chappelle, bit of Latin Quarter, Notre Dame, etc.)
-Seine river cruise (You can take the Vedettes de Pont Neuf from Ile de la Cite. It takes you by many beautiful buildings you wouldn't otherwise have time to see, including the Eiffel Tower. Personally, I wouldn't take the time to wait in line to go up if I just had a day. I think it's a lot prettier to look at, not be in. But that's just me....)
