We are going to be spending two nights in Paris, and I'm looking for both the "must sees" and "Off the Beaten Path" highlights in other words, your most favorite things to do in Paris. In giving me your recommendations, please keep two things in mind: 1) We have spent time (3 full days) in Paris pre-cruise once before, and 2) our one full day of sightseeing this trip will be on a Monday when many of the museums are closed therefore, please eliminate the Louvre from your suggestion list. This visit to Paris is more or less an opportunity to soak up the Parisian atmosphere, visit the obvious sights like the Eiffel Tower, ride the Bateaux Mouche down the Seine, wander and get lost in Montmartre. Please share with me anything else that you have done in Paris that was unforgettable and an incredible memory. Please help me plan my one special day in Paris. Thanks! Shelley
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
Since what you've already planned will take much of a day, I'd suggest buying a bottle of wine, a corkscrew, two glasses and wander onto the Pont des Artes at sunset.
Posted by
Albuquerque, NM, USA
25 posts
I like Doug's suggestion. Ahhhh. If the weather is nice, try a 2+ hour cruise down the Canal St Martin. You get to see into the "back door" of Paris.
Have fun!
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
This same question was asked about six weeks ago. That posting ended up with enough "off the beaten path" sights to last a month. i suggest you search for that. had some really great suggestions
Posted by
Woodland, CA, USA
9 posts
Rick Steves raves about the Rue Cler, and he's right; it is lovely (a friend of ours actually found one of his favorite hotels before he did). Another pedestrian street that's cool is the Rue Mouffetard not too far from the Sorbonne. I like street markets a lot, but unfortunately most street markets are also closed Monday.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
My 2 favorite things to do in Paris 1) walk around Ile Saint-Louis and Ile de La Cite, then along the Seine river to the Grand Palais, cross over the Seine and walk back to Notre Dame and 2) leisurely walk through the Luxembourg Gardens, sit at the cafe there by the Palace and have a drink.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9150 posts
My favorite thing to do in Paris, was the climb to the top of Sacre Coeur dome. The view of Paris from here is stunning, and though we were there in July during Bastille day and the city was packed with tourists, we were the only people up there. So, it must not be on the tourist radar very much. The stairs leading up to the church are filled with people, but no one climbs up into the dome. They are really missing out on something special.