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My mother had a dream that she and her 3 daughters celebrated my eldest sisters birthday by having dinner in Paris..................she is now offering all of us an all expense paid vacation to France

I'm in total shock - but not enought to know this is a chance of a lifetime.

So - for those of you that have been - if you had a week (that's all I get my mother and other sisters will be there for about 2 weeks ) what would you do? what would you see?

ooh I'm thinking this is a must

Definitely not abuse someone on the subway (yes there is a story but gotta run!)

Isn't that where that glass museum with the Mona Lisa is?

Personally, I have never been there. My grandparents have, many a time, and love it there. I'll have to ask them some of the good places to go.

Umm thanks Creeky! Can't wait to hear THAT story

P1987 - I believe that is the Louvre and that is a DEFINITE must

PHAW Webmistress wrote:Umm thanks Creeky! Can't wait to hear THAT story

P1987 - I believe that is the Louvre and that is a DEFINITE must

Yes, that's it! I was thinking of the loo (sp?), but that's a British word

prrthd1987 wrote:

PHAW Webmistress wrote:Umm thanks Creeky! Can't wait to hear THAT story

P1987 - I believe that is the Louvre and that is a DEFINITE must

Yes, that's it! I was thinking of the loo (sp?), but that's a British word

. .have absolutely nooooo input here. .

. .but will be following this thread . . .just to hear about the Jimmy part . .! !





. . .how great for you, Renee . .! !

When are you going?

One of my coworkers is a native of Paris, and visits family there every other year. I will pick his brain when I see him this week.

Are you particularly interested in anything like art/fashion/food/wine, etc.?

phjrsaunt wrote:When are you going?

One of my coworkers is a native of Paris, and visits family there every other year. I will pick his brain when I see him this week.

Are you particularly interested in anything like art/fashion/food/wine, etc.?

yes

this will be the 2nd week of September

I lived in France for 8 years, a long way from Paris, but got there once in a while. Also lived closer for several months at a time in the ancient past. And my son was born there. Paris is wonderful.
If you like to walk, that's the best way to see everything. The Metro is great, fast, pretty cheap--with lots of walking between trains. The buses are great to see sights (ordinary and famous), especially if you are good at reading maps. There are passes that make it easy to hop on and off: bus tickets used to be awful there! The boats on the Seine (BatoBus) are great, and have a hop-on-hop-off ticket, too. Tours of the St Martin Canal are getting popular, but we walked along the canal and enjoyed that too.
Do any of your party speak or read French? That's a big help.
Are those who are going for two weeks staying in a hotel or a rented apartment? The latter is the best choice, and often quite economical, plus it gets you into the lifestyle of Parisians. Friends of ours spent a month in an apartment in Montmartre... wonderful!
Bon Voyage!

PS feel free to PM me with specific questions: I have a few answers.

I spent a week in Paris in 2000....it was the most magnificent thing I've every done....like you, it was an all girl trip....the highlights for me were:

Mussee d'Orsay (Orsay Museum)....amazing modern art. I liked it better than the Louvre....even though the Louvre is a "must do" as well....can't go to Paris without seeing Mona Lisa or Michealangelo's David...

http://www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/us/index.html
The whole Montmarte area is amazing.....that's an area with a lot of local artists. There is a restaurant there called Mere Catherine in the Montmarte area that is just amazing. They have local talent sing there every night.....bottles of wine on every table... very, very good food! The profiteroles that I had for dessert (I had no idea what they were at the time) are a chocolate fantasy I love to revisit....The time we spent at Montmarte was probably my favorite part of the trip.....

We went to Ash Wednesday services at Notre d*m while we were there....it was a very moving, spiritual experience. Notre Dom is a must see.....

Walking down Champs d'elyse is amazing.....all the high end designer shops.....it's definitely where all of the pretty people are....I felt like a toad, but still loved every minute of seeing it!

You must go to the top of the Eiffel Tower during the day AND at night....seeing the lights of the city from the top of the tower is beyond amazing!! Everything was still lit up from the Millenium celebration when we were there, but I'll bet it's incredible no matter when you go.

Hit the small patisseries for breakfast......the pastries are to die for and you can eat for a little bit of nothing.

The only thing we did that I was disappointed in was a visit to the palace at Versaille.....I don't know what I expected, but it just didn't hit me. You're moved through it like cattle and it just didn't impress me..

http://www.pere-lachaise.com/perelachaise.php?lang=en
Pere Lachaise cemetary is a great trip, too......if you like that sort of thing....and of course, visit Jim Morrison's grave.

We were very, very fortunate as we had a guide that was an American who had lived in Paris for fifteen years....she spoke fluent French and English.....

If I think of more, I'll add it, but honestly....it was a trip I still love to revisit looking at pictures whenever I can.....no matter what, every time I get together with this group of friends....we always end up talking about Paris. I do so hope to share it with my daughter someday!

Paige and Barb - thank you very much for the information - I'm copying everything and sending it to my sister too

I took french in high school but don't think that will get me far .........I'm thinking I might to the cd's and see how much I can learn beforehand

I've never been to Paris, but what I would recommend is watching the French Open these next two weeks on ESPN and ESPN2 for ideas.
Have a blast!!!

Renee!!! How exciting for you!

My oldest sister who lives in Vegas is there RIGHT NOW. It's her 2nd trip in two years. Last year she did the Paris thing. This year, she and her boyfriend are doing southern France.

When she gets back I can put you in touch with her if you'd like. France was always a HUGE dream of hers as well and she just can't get enough.

They are going back next year to do the "Spain" side of France.

It's been a long time since I was in France...13 years I think! But I have to agree with Paige, a must see is Sacre-Coeur/Montmarte. It wasn't scheduled for a tour with my group, so on our free day my roomie and I took off and went there, and it was the best decision we made. We had the best time exploring and I wish we'd had more time there. As it was we almost missed our overnight train to the south of France!

It is truly a beautiful place.



Oh yeah, don't forget to remind Mom about her 4th daughter!

GO FOR IT!!

Drink lots of wine and eat lots of bread! And drop Monty Python quotes about the French as much as possible

Sis don't forget to try the fries

What a wonderful opportunity! And what a wonderful mom you have! Like BG...I've never been so am not any help...but will keep watchin' this thread!

Montmarte for sure, also, I really enjoyed the different cathedrals, this one being my favorite:



Ste. Chapelle. Beautiful, and overshadowed by many of the more popular cathedrals. This one is an architectural marval - apparently too much stained glass to actually be standing by engineering standards...

Also, the Eiffel Tower at dusk, and I agree about the Subway system - actually fairly clean, easy to navigate and really convenient.

So exciting!!! How about taking more extended family??