I am going to be in Paris Jan 12 to 19th, my 1st time. I am staying in an apt in St. Germain. When people ask for help most of you ask what are your interests. Well, I don%26#39;t really know! I want to see some museums, but honestly, I think I would get bored after 2 hours. I want to see all the architecture, ET at night twinkling, outdoor markets, people watching, river cruise (?), crepe stands, bakeries, etc. I heard there%26#39;s a fashion museum only open once in awhile. Are things closed in winter? Thanks for your help. What to wear also.
Should I buy passes ahead of time %26amp; where to do so.
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Making a bit of plan helps, since you will be overwhelmed on the amount to do. Walking tours, river trips, bike tours are a good introduction to the city. Buy a good map of Paris to get your bearings before you land.
If you have an interest, there is most likely a museum here for it. Flowers, artists, art movements, various histories, etc. Really think about this one and you will find a gem of place or something to fill your time.
Buy a winter coat, doubt you need one often in SoCal, comfortable walking shoes that you can stand in for one hour, bring an umbrella for the rainy days that will alter your itinerary.
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You should really get yourself an illustrated guide book,( we have the DK eyewitness series here, but I don%26#39;t know whether that is available in USA), then go through ticking those sights that appeal to you, make a list, and then make a (loose) plan around that. Don%26#39;t go to places just because others tell you to, there is nothing which is a %26#39;must see%26#39;.
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The Dk Eyewitness guide is available here in the US and is the one I use.
Pjk
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The fashion museum I think you were referring to which isn%26#39;t always open is called Le Musee Galliera; Musee de la Mode et du Costume, 10 Ave. Pierre 1er de Serbie, Metro: Alma-Marceau or Metro Iena. You have to check on their website to see if they will be open while you are there.
There is a crepe stand right at Place de la Concorde at the west end of the Tuillerie Gardens. There are fabulous bakeries everywhere in Paris. People watching can be done in any cafe, some restaurants, in a park, etc.
There are lots of outdoor markets. Check out Rue Moufftard or Richard Lenoire (or something like that) in the Bastille area. There are many others. Try typing %26quot;outdoor markets%26quot; in the %26quot;search feature at the top of this forum and see what comes up.
Everywhere you look there is beautiful architecture. Check out the outside of the Hotel de Ville, Paris%26#39; main city hall/mayor office. It is so gorgeous. Also check out the outside of the Pompidou Center (mostly modern art museum). The outside is amazing. Just about every door (huge doors which hide big courtyards) is beautiful. There is so much beautiful architecture in Paris.
If you like Impressionist art, I suggest the D%26#39;Orsay museum (especially top floor), L%26#39;Orangerie (small museum next to west end of the Tuillerie Gardens which has a room specially built to house the Monet Water Lily paintings), the Marmottan in the 16th arrondissement which has many monet amazing paintings. The Louvre is overwhelming. If you go there, take some time first to go online and see what is there and decide what wing(s) you want to visit. Otherwise you will be very overwhelmed and not see your favorite things.
Be sure to go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. Fantastic view.
Don%26#39;t miss the Opera Garnier (opera house). You can go on a self-tour or a guided English tour. I think it is the most beautiful building in Paris.
Walk around Ile St. Louis. This little quaint island has cute shops and great restaurants. It is next to Notre Dame and Sainte-Chappelle (gorgeous stained glass windows) so you might want to start your day with Notre Dame, move to Sainte-Chappelle and then have lunch on Ile St. Louis.
Truthfully, there are so many wonderful things to see in Paris that you just need to figure out what your preferences are.
If you like fashion, you might also enjoy Le Musee des Arts Decoratif. It is next to the Louvre on the Rue de Rivoli. They have a permanent collection but what I like to see there is their temporary exhibits. Go on line and see what temporary exhibit will be there when you visit Paris. I have seen two fabulous fashion exhibits there (Balanciaga--Spanish haute coulture; Gaultier/Chopinot--amazing ballet costumes).
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