Tell me where to go in Paris

[agnes]

If you've been to Paris, what district/area would you recommend or avoid staying in?

Any recommendations on restaurants?

Anything else that you loved or hated?

[urbancowgirl]

We stayed near Notre Dame and it was the perfect location, IMO. Centrally located with restaurants and shopping within walking distance. A few different Metro stops nearby, too. We did some of the typical tourist things (Notre Dame, the Pantheon, Napoleon's Tomb, the Catacombs), but I loved just wandering the streets. Visit Jardin du Luxembourg- it's a beautiful park near the Pantheon. I wish we could have spent more time there.

ETA: We had really delicious pizza at Al Taglio in the 3rd. Also, I highly recommend the Paris Food Lovers app. It has a lot of great recommendations.

[Deleted]

Sign up for a Hyatt credit card.

Pay an annual fee of $75.

Get three free nights anywhere in the world.

Use those nights at the Park Hyatt in Paris (Place Vendome). Usually, the rooms go for 800 or 900 Euro a night.

Cancel card at the end of the year. Or don't (and keep earning points for more free stays elsewhere).

If it's not clear, you live like a millionaire for three nights for just $75! It was the best hotel stay of my life thus far. Seriously.

[biscoffcookies]

I love Saint-Chappelle (very close to the Notre Dame). The stained glass windows are amazing and fill the whole chapel with this great, colored glow.

We stayed in the 1st arrondissement, which was great because it was central and walkable to everything. We stayed here: www.leshoteliersdeparis.com/hotel_paris/uk/hotel_andrea_rivoli_paris/hotel_andrea_rivoli_paris.php We were very pleased when we stayed, and since then it looks like they have renovated.

We also have stayed near the Picpus metro, which we liked. It was a bit of a Metro ride to any of the main sights, but not too long, and the hotel was significantly cheaper than the Andrea Rivoli. We liked it also because it was a bit more neighborhoody -- our hotel was on the same block as apartment buildings, and when we'd stop at the boulangerie or patisserie near our apartment there were always locals picking up items.

ETA: Notwithstanding all of the above, I think Miso has the best idea ever.

[agnes]

Oct 14, 2012 17:43:21 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

Sign up for a Hyatt credit card.

Pay an annual fee of $75.

Get three free nights anywhere in the world.

Use those nights at the Park Hyatt in Paris (Place Vendome). Usually, the rooms go for 800 or 900 Euro a night.

Cancel card at the end of the year. Or don't (and keep earning points for more free stays elsewhere).

If it's not clear, you live like a millionaire for three nights for just $75! It was the best hotel stay of my life thus far. Seriously.

Dude. That is amazing. I will def do this.

I was looking at that hotel and was like, no way can we stay here! That's totally out of the budget. Now we can for 3 nights.

[Pilsy]

We stayed here: www.hoteldupantheon.com/

That was about a year ago. We thought it was great, but I have to admit we hardly did any research; we took a friend's recommendation and ran with it. Our room was bright, clean, and decorated in sort of an old French country style. I think the bed was actually two twins, pushed together. I don't remember for sure, but I think that's the case. It didn't bother us, but it might be a deal-breaker for some.

I highly recommend visiting the Sainte-Chapelle. The line was intimidating, but it moved quickly, and the place was just incredible. The Arc de Triomphe was really fantastic, too. I'm not sure if it's always dead, but there was hardly a line when we went, and the views were just amazing. I imagine the Louvre and Eiffel Tower are already on your list.

We really enjoyed dinner at Zak (www.restaurant-zak.com/), which is a Moroccan place a friend of a friend recommended. And we stumbled upon Sabraj one night and absolutely loved it, too. (We were on our way somewhere else but had forgotten to make reservations and couldn't get in. Blessing in disguise!) I can't find a site for Sabraj, but it is on TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d806886-Reviews-Sabraj-Paris_Ile_de_France.html).

We also liked the Blue Train (www.le-train-bleu.com/uk/index.php) a lot, but I don't love French food in general, so I can't say it was my favorite. The service and ambience are just out of this world, and the food really is great - it's just hard for me to rave about it when it's not a *type* of food I love. It was the most expensive meal we had, too.

You're going to have such a great time!

[agnes]

I just googled the Hyatt credit card and looks like it's only 2 nights. But that's still a steal.

[agnes]

Oct 14, 2012 17:38:46 GMT -5 @tjenbell said:

I was just there a couple of months ago and stayed at Mama Shelter. www.mamashelter.com/en/

The lamp next to the bed would freak me out.

[Pilsy]

Oops! That last pic was huge. My bad. Here's another try at posting the view from our room.

[Deleted]

We've always stayed near Luxembourg Garden in the 5th on the border of the 6th. Easy access to the RER to get to/from the airport inexpensively. I would recommend an apartment over a hotel. It's just a bit more comfortable and there are some quite nice ones.

[cricketwife]

I adore Paris. There's so much to do and a lot will depend on your personal preferences.

I would absolutely not miss the Saint Chapelle and I imagine you'll do Notre Dame, the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay...

If you have time I highly recommend the Musee Marmottan. Here's why I love it. It has the world's largest collection of Monets along with some great medieval illuminations (two of my favorite things). Of the Monet works, it has "Impression: Soleil Levant" which is the work from which the movement got its name. It's in a beautiful old house and is usually not crowded. It's large enough to be interesting and important, small enough to actually take everything in in one visit (as opposed to the Louvre which makes me dizzy every time I go) Of course you should go the the Louvre and D'Orsay, but I enjoy myself more at the Marmottan.

[Doggy Mommy]

Oct 14, 2012 17:43:21 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

Sign up for a Hyatt credit card.

Pay an annual fee of $75.

Get three free nights anywhere in the world.

Use those nights at the Park Hyatt in Paris (Place Vendome). Usually, the rooms go for 800 or 900 Euro a night.

Cancel card at the end of the year. Or don't (and keep earning points for more free stays elsewhere).

If it's not clear, you live like a millionaire for three nights for just $75! It was the best hotel stay of my life thus far. Seriously.

This is the greatest tip I have ever heard! I'm going to save this post forever. ;D

[chuicafina]

Lurker here, but wanted to chime in because my mom is from Paris and I've spent most of my summers there. I love it there!

Definitely go to the Jardin de Luxembourg. Pick up a sandwich beforehand and people-watch in the garden. Near the Jardin de Luxembourg is Pierre Herme. Expensive, but worth trying his macarons (and all his other pastries, but I'm obsessed with macarons).

If you're there on a Sunday, go to Le Marais neighborhood. It's one of the Jewish neighborhoods in Paris. Everything is closed on Sunday, except in this area so it's really lively and fun. Stores in Le Marais close on Saturdays instead. There's an excellent falafel place called L'As du Fallafel in Le Marais. I think it's on Rue des Rosiers. The line is long but moves fast. People generally take their falafel to go and walk to a nearby park to eat.

For an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower- Les Ombres. You get an AMAZING view, and the food is very good. It's pretty expensive, though, so you have to want some fine dining. If you go for dinner, you'll get to see the Eiffel Tower sparkling every hour for 10 minutes.

For even better food than Les Ombres but not as exciting view, go to Robuchon. Also quite pricey, but definitely a dining experience. This was probably my most memorable meal food-wise.

Oh and also- Le Recamier is famous for their souffle and is SO good. The servers are kind of asses, but the souffles are worth it.

Enjoy Paris!! We were there in May and it was fabulous. Can't wait to get back.

[Deleted]

We went to Paris right before Labor Day and we stayed in the St. Germain des Pres area. I liked that area a lot.

[raangoli]

Oct 14, 2012 19:35:19 GMT -5 @kirkette said:

There's a lot to do in Paris.
However, if you have time for a day trip to Versailles, I recommend it.

Ditto both of these. There is a lot to do and even with 5 days, we have things that we didn't get to do.

Also, check the websites for the places you want to go to make sure they aren't closed. Some places close on certain days or for longer periods for refurbishment etc in the off season.

ETA: We stayed in the 7th at The Hotel de l'Empereur: hotelempereurparis.com/ and really liked it. The rooms are small, but we had a fantastic view of Les Invalides.

[5kcandlesinthewind]

I'd also suggest getting the Paris Museum Pass. Buy it before you go to the Louvre, so you can skip the giant line waiting to get in. (You can always go out through the Pyramid.)

[agnes]

I just want to say thank you to everyone who's posted here! All this information is great and so much better than I'd get by google-ing.

I also just spent a half hour talking to my manager about her trip to Paris a few years ago.

[definitelyO]

we stayed in a crappy hotel arranged by a local business manager - blech!!

but to add to musee d'orsay - LOVED it!

and didn't see anyone mention Sacre Couer. It was amazing. we climbed all the steps all the way up to the top and thought it was just incredible and gorgeous!

[agnes]

Oct 15, 2012 9:58:15 GMT -5 definitelyO said:

we stayed in a crappy hotel arranged by a local business manager - blech!!

but to add to musee d'orsay - LOVED it!

and didn't see anyone mention Sacre Couer. It was amazing. we climbed all the steps all the way up to the top and thought it was just incredible and gorgeous!

I think MH might sit that one out. He has knee issues and while stairs here and there isn't a problem, he has a hard time walking up long flights of stairs.

But I googled the pictures and it looks beautiful.