Recommendations for Student Visiting Paris This Weekend

Don't miss Cathedral Sacre Couer (check spelling) on a clear day have a good view of Paris, just be aware there any many gypsies in this area trying to sell you something, just walk away as if you are in downtown Chicago. I am from New York and they bother with me at all!!

I'm glad to see you'll be visiting the Musee d'Orsay (one of my favorites in the world), but I wonder is your class not also visiting the Louvre? That and Ste-Chapelle have to be on the short list of any visit to Paris.
Have fun.

Walk around the little island east of the island where Notre Dame is, then around Notre Dame and that island, then along the river to the west as far as you'd like, cross the river, then walk back to the Saint Michel area. Walking in Paris is one of my favorite things to do there. And it's free! Also, walk to and in and around the Luxembourg Gardens which is close by your hotel. I hope you have a good map of Paris, if not, buy one at a bookstore or newsstand.

I'll second the recommendations for Saint Chapelle, Sacre Coeur and the Louvre. If you a chance go to the Place de Vosges for either lunch or dinner. Beautiful square great place to people watch. Hope you have a great time.

Alyssa, Friday evening head over to Saint Germain de pres lots of free street entertainment, clubs and a fun atmosphere. Saturday or Sunday see the Pompidou Center. The building itself is a wonderful expression of the arts, the exterior is fanciful and the inside is also full of art. A great place to people watch.
Have a great time

If you like medieval art, the Musee de Cluny is a medieval art museum built within a monastery from the 1300-1400's which was built on top of an ancient Roman bath. As you descend through the museum you descend through layers of history - it was an oasis of quiet and peace and had the lovely lady and the unicorn tapestries. I also loved wandering the Ile St Louis, the Marais district, and along the Seine.

On Saturday mornings the outdoor food markets are in full swing for the weekend.They are such a slice of French culture you should go. They open from about 8- noon. My favorite is the President Wilson market at metro stop Iena. It is on President Wilson avenue which is right behind the Trocadero.We also love the Saxe Breteuil Market , also open same day and time. And for old french things at a good price the porte des Vanves flea market is very nice.Saturday and Sunday 8-12 ...metro Porte de Vanves.If you go to the food markets, you can get your lunch cheap... bagette, cheese ,olives, fruit. etc. Also, the french market baskets make a neat thing to use for grocery shopping here at home.We also love Pere Lachaise cemetery.

The Louvre is open late on Friday evenings and it is an excellent time to visit. I don't know if this is in a college student's budget, but I really enjoy the walking tours done by Paris Walks. The walks are posted on their website (paris-walks.com). You just show up and pay 12 EUR for the walk. I particularly enjoyed their walks in Montmartre and the Marais. Have a great visit.

If you're a history buff, Napoleon's Tomb deserves a visit. It was easy to get to using the metro and it was free. Has some beautiful paintings depicting Napoleon. I also really enjoy viewing Monet's floor to ceiling water lily paintings at the Musee de l'orangerie. It's a small museum that takes very little time to go through but definitely worth the stop. Have fun on your excursion.

Thanks so much for all of the great suggestions! I ended up making it to the Louvre, the Luxembourg Gardens, the Marais for dinner, Montmartre to see the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, the Musée de l'Orangerie, Notre Dame, and Sainte-Chapelle in addition to the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre Dame, and Versailles. I think my favorites were the Musée de l'Orangerie and Sainte-Chapelle, but I absolutely loved all of it.