Paris

[June2008]

We have a day in Paris next weekend and I'd really like a suggested itinerary as to what we should do. How's best to get around?

The only thing we're set on is the Eiffel Tower - but is it worth going up? Any other must see sights?
Thanks for any help!

Tour Montparnasse - it has the best views, and the view includes the Eifel Tower. I think the ticket is valid all day so you can go back in the evening if there's a good sunset.

But... if you've only got a day don't spend it dashing about on public transport trying to fit in an itinerary. Go to the Latin Quarter, walk the streets, see the Pantheon, the Jardin de Luxembourg, Ille de la Cite. Have a really nice lunch, afternoon, coffee, and an evening meal. Enjoy it, don't rush it.

Thank you @DogInATent That's good to know. I think we had a vague idea that the metro would be best but if its walkable then that's what we'll do. We have a concert in the evening so we'll be splashing out on lunch I think. It feels like a difficult balance between seeing as many sights as possible to make the most of it but also actually enjoying our time there!

The Marais, around Place des Vosges, is a gorgeous place to wander around, and you can walk from there down to the Ile de la Cite, and then along the river towards the Louvre etc. The Orsay or Rodin is lovely if you want a museum (more manageable than the Louvre on a short trip). The area just around the Eiffel Tower is quite grotty, and actually Sacre Coeur is less nice than it used to be. Personally I wouldn't bother going up the Eiffel Tower - it's much nicer to look at from a distance!

There can be long queues to go up the Eiffel Tower. I would add in a trip on the Seine. It’s just a great way to see the bridges and some landmarks. Then definitely the left bank. Sad about Notre Dame. Musee D’Orsay is wonderful but you would need to book. It’s popular.

Hello, I have a day in Paris in a couple of weeks time too and wondering what to do.

I am staying near the Eiffel tower and hoping it is a good place to walk around - but sounds like it's grotty??

Can anyone suggest a decent (not too pricey) restaurant/cafe for an early birthday dinner with noisy children in the area?

(said noisy children will be with me - not just random ones around)

I’d try and keep Dc a bit quieter. Just look at a food guide and go from there. Definitely choose a family friendly one!

If anyone is interested we ended up going to Firmine near the Eiffel tower. The food was great - kids had pizzas and dp and I tried other things.
Noisy child was fine - we sat outside and had electronics to keep busy.

Book the Eiffel Tower in advance! It's often sold out and otherwise you'll spend forever queuing... Since they put the new barrier up you can't even get close any more unless you pay!

You can get inside the barrier for free and wander around under the tower.
We hadn't booked as online tickets were all sold out about a week in advance but luckily got tickets at the time to the summit. We went last thing in the night about 9pm and a couple of us were keen so queued up - took about 1 hour to queue and 1 hour for the trip.