Paris - what should I do there?

[Pekka]

Well, I'll be for... about a week in Paris in December. I have about 4 days for my own time. I'm there with my better half so obviously it's not boys out only.

THat's cool though, because I'd like to take the opportunity to see things, take pictures, experience something historical, cultural and interesting. Again, obviously Louvre will be one thing, I'd like to see Ship of Fools at least and some other art. Maybe go to the Musée Salvador Dali. Eiffel tower, naturally, a bit touristy but then again why not, I'd like that as well. And what's not touristy in Paris anyway.

One night will be spent going to the Molin Rogue. It's going to be a bit expensive, but we want to do it so we'll invest a night out in there and she really wants to go there, and I wouldn't mind it myself either.

SO what else? Is there any place to do some cheap shopping for stylish men's clothes, suits and so forth? Or is it all expensive?

[Zkribbler]

Take a side trip to Verseilles. Tell them you're Louis XVII and you want your damn house back.

[-Jrabbit]

I'm sure there are others here with a lot more knowledge, but here's my bit of knowledge...

When I was there (just 4 days), I stayed in Versailles (very nice little hotel, Hotel du Barry) and commuted into Paris. That worked pretty well, but I didn't get to know the city as well as I would have liked.

Versailles is pretty cool, although the gardens are probably a bit lame in December. Still, the palace rocks, and there are some awesome statuaries on the grounds. It's a suburb, so you can get there on a commuter train.

If you do La Tour Eiffel, go all the way to the top and bring a good camera. Take the elevators (you still have to climb the last few stories by stair), especially if you're with the SO.

IMHO, don't bother with Le Louvre unless you have a reliable way to beat the lines. It takes for effing ever, so if you're determined, plan to make a day of it.

For art, I strongly recommend Musee D'Orsay, which is just across the river. Great collection, and the building is pretty cool; it's an old railway station.

Nightlife: I recently wrote an article about a very cool-sounding nightclub located literally within one of the bridges that cross the Seine. So the room is long and narrow, and all made of the old stone that forms the bridge itself. Hang on, I'll look it up... Le Showcase, located beneath the Pont Alexandre III. They have live rock music, a DJ/dance thing, etc. -- check it out at www.leshowcase.fr. I believe they do local talent weekdays and bigger acts on weekends. If you go, let me know what you think. The guys who run the sound and lights seem pretty cool.

Do you speak French? Having even a little goes a long way toward making the trip a lot more fun.

[SlowwHand]

Just learn how to say "I give up".

[Dry]

Re: Paris - what should I do there?

Originally posted by Pekka
Eiffel tower, naturally, a bit touristy but then again why not, I'd like that as well.

Well, if you want something touristy, do not forget Notre Dame

Otherwise, maybe Cimetiere du pere Lachaise. A nice cemetry where some celebrities are buried. Morrison, Chopin, Champollion, Proust, Oscar Wilde and some others.

For the typical parisian touch, have a look at the bouquinistes des quais de Seine (the bookshopers along the Seine). They sell secondhand/old books. Probably most of them in french, but you may perhaps find one who has english books too.

I liked the Musée du Louvres, but as said previously, you'll need a full day for it.

About the Moulin Rouge, I'm no specialist of this kind of entertainment, but when I was in Paris, some 15 years ago, the Moulin Rouge was ok for its historical name, but the show was not the best in the city. If you wanted a real good, quality show it was the Crazy Horse that had the best revue.

[Proteus_MST]

Take an army of english archers with you and watch the french flee in panic

[Zevico]

I hate art, but I make one exception.
Musee D'Orsay. Go there. Stand in awe. Impressionism is the only art worth looking at.

[Main_Brain]

Rent a Car and enjoy the French Way of Driving Paris-Style

[TheStinger]

standing on top of the arc de triomphe is good fun, and makes you glad you didn't drive

[Ecthy]

Originally posted by Zevico
I hate art, but I make one exception.
Musee D'Orsay. Go there. Stand in awe. Impressionism is the only art worth looking at.

Gouda the only cheese worth eating.

Rock music the only music worth listening to.

Liberalism the only sensible politics.

You tool.

[Chemical Ollie]

Go to the suburbs and have a chat with the local punks

[Zevico]

Eh. I've looked at other art. It just doesn't pull me. Some of it bores me. Portraits or landscapes from the renaissance can be well painted but they bore me. And the vast majority of the modern art I've seen strikes me as nonsense. The only museum in which I can look at pictures for hours is the Musee D'Orsay.

Liberal democratic governance is the most sensible form of political organisation I have witnessed thus far, but it does not work for every people and in every time.

And damnit I like Gouda.

[Krill]

Leave quickly?

[Fake Boris]

If you don't know that it's actually spelled "Moulin Rouge" (!=Molin Rogue), you might end up looking for it for a while.

[Chemical Ollie]

Originally posted by Oncle Boris
If you don't know that it's actually spelled "Moulin Rouge" (!=Molin Rogue), you might end up looking for it for a while.

Like you could miss a huge neon sign with a red windmill on Champ-Elysses?