Paris

[VPL630]

I'm driving to Paris next Tuesday, anyone got any tips, recommendations or places that are great to visit/nice to see/go?

[snowman]

Mar 26, 2018 0:20:36 GMT VPL630 said:

I'm driving to Paris next Tuesday, anyone got any tips, recommendations or places that are great to visit/nice to see/go?

Unless you have ordered a Crit Air sticker stay out of low emissions zones

As for things to see on route it depends on what sort of things you like, is it chateau, is it pretty scenery (not much in Nord Pas de Calais). If you have never been, visit the memorial at Theipval (about half way between Arras and Amiens), and one of the war grave cemeteries in the area. When you realise how many were dead before age of 20 it makes you think. If you love open space with waves crashing in the miles of sandy beach just south of Le Touquet is great. Amiens city centre is interesting

[VPL630]

Mar 26, 2018 6:08:48 GMT snowman said:

Mar 26, 2018 0:20:36 GMT VPL630 said:

I'm driving to Paris next Tuesday, anyone got any tips, recommendations or places that are great to visit/nice to see/go?

Unless you have ordered a Crit Air sticker stay out of low emissions zones

As for things to see on route it depends on what sort of things you like, is it chateau, is it pretty scenery (not much in Nord Pas de Calais). If you have never been, visit the memorial at Theipval (about half way between Arras and Amiens), and one of the war grave cemeteries in the area. When you realise how many were dead before age of 20 it makes you think. If you love open space with waves crashing in the miles of sandy beach just south of Le Touquet is great. Amiens city centre is interesting

That's all sorted, should have left more detail really, we are only there for 2 days and a night, staying in Notre-Dame-des-Champs, mainly looking for good food places if anyone has any recommendations, sights that don't really get much mention but are great to see and go to etc, nice views etc

[snoggle]

Mar 26, 2018 0:20:36 GMT VPL630 said:

I'm driving to Paris next Tuesday, anyone got any tips, recommendations or places that are great to visit/nice to see/go?

I always like a walk through the Jardin de Tuileries. I just find it atmospheric.

If you like gardens then there is a modern garden at Jardin Andre Citroen (on the site of a former Citroen car plant)

en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71445/Parc-Andre-Citroen

There is also the Bois de Boulogne - I've not visited but woodlands in Spring can be delightful to visit because of the spring flowers and bulbs that emerge before the leaf canopy returns.

I also like the Musee D'Orsay (inside a former railway station) on the South Bank of Seine. There are a lot of historic buildings in the area including the National Assembly.

A ride on Metro Line 6 can be good for the views as it's mostly elevated and crosses the Seine near the Eiffel Tower.

It's years since I've been to Paris so I can't recommend any eateries. What I would advise is to try to avoid the main tourist drags if you can and find a district (arrondisment) and have a wander around to find a local restaurant. I recognise that two days doesn't give you a lot of time for "wandering" but one thing Paris isn't short of is places to eat. I believe it is still the case that all restaurants have to offer a fixed price menu choice which can be an economic way to enjoy good food at a reasonable price. Naturally you won't get the full a la carte menu but the food quality should be the same.

[YY13VKP]

Mar 26, 2018 0:20:36 GMT VPL630 said:

I'm driving to Paris next Tuesday, anyone got any tips, recommendations or places that are great to visit/nice to see/go?

I went to Paris twice last year, and it's a very good city. 
I would highly recommend - if you can afford it - to go up the Eiffel Tower. You get some stunning views from up there of the city. But be warned, as it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, the queues can be massive. I'd suggest if you want to do this, then book your ticket in advance or go early, also beware of pickpockets once you get to the middle level where you change lifts to go up. 
Also, the Champs Elysees has some good shops. Even if you don't intend to buy anything, its always good to walk down there. You can also visit the Arc D'Triomphe which is at the end of the Champs Elysees. There are some good restaurants down there, but these are mainly by famous chains.

I'm not really sure of any little known attractions, but if you like taking walks, I'd recommend heading to the 15th Arrondisement and walking down Le Petit Ceinture. I discovered this as it was directly behind the Airbnb I was staying in when I went in April. It is an abandoned railway which you can walk down part of the route. It is also very quiet and peaceful there. More info can be found here if you're interested: en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/71366/La-petite-ceinture

I ate at a variety of restaurants while I was out there, but I can't remember what they were called exactly, as none of them really stood out. It really depends on what type of food you fancy when you are there. If it's French food you're after, then Tripadvisor is a good place to head, as you can view the top rated French Restaurants around Paris as well as read their reviews. There was one really popular one that I went to on my first night, but I can't really remember the name of it. There was a long queue outside, so it is well known, but I didn't rate it too highly, as the chicken I had was pretty bland (I would have had a steak had I not eaten one at lunch), and I also remember having some mustard in there and the pain I felt in my nose was immense, as it was so strong! Wherever you go though, I recommend you give Escargots a try. People think they're gross, since they are snails, but they are actually very, very good when you actually eat them.

If you had more time, I'd also recommend Disneyland. Although it's mainly for younger people, some of the rides that they have would usually appeal to adults, and in the evening, the Fireworks display is fantastic, but this happens at 11pm.