Help Me Plan 24 Hours in Paris

I hate Paris but I love love LOVE this little island in the middle of it- Isle St. Louis. It’s like a teeny tiny Soho, chock full of the best ice cream and sweets (Berthillion), adorable cafe’s, and fantastic views. As a bonus, it’s just a few blocks from Notre Dame.

Some info:
http://gofrance.about.com/od/paris/a/ilesaintlouis.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187147-d209761-Reviews-Ile_St_Louis-Paris_Ile_de_France.html
http://www.frillseekerdiary.com/away-we-go/yum/the-district-eats-berthillon/

It’s cheesy but a Bateau Mouche (or similar) boat tour up and down the Seine will allow you to see many of the monuments awfully “up close and personal” and all in the space of an hour or so. I love to go at twilight to see them both with a bit of sunlight and again once they light up at night after dusk.

If the weather is nice, grab a bottle of wine, baguette and some cheese and take an hour or two to sit at my favourite picnic spot at the tip of the île de la Cité. http://blog.travelfusion.com/2010/04/02/best-picnic-spots-paris-france/

I also think using buses to get around would be great as you can take in the city as you go. Line 63 is my favourite and it goes from Gare du Lyon all the way up to the posh Porte de la Muette in the 16e arrondissement, passing by the famous Eglise Saint Sulpice, the Seine, Boulevard Saint Germain, the Assembly, Invalides, Eiffel Tower and more.

Have a fantastic trip – can’t wait to hear more about it!

Kathryn @Travelfusion

I’ve been to Paris four times. Let me see if I can help.

This is what I would do:
–Go to Notre-Dame. It’s a fantastic site, my favorite Paris landmark, and the geographic center of the city. Climb the towers if the line isn’t long; skip the towers if it is.
–Wander through St-Germain. It’s the classic Left Bank neighborhood, with tons of cafes, bookstores, boutiques and more, and it’s very close to Notre-Dame. I’d eat in a cafe there for dinner — the prix fixe menu with a carafe of red.
–Don’t climb the Eiffel Tower. Not worth it. But it’s your first time, so get off the Metro at Trocadero for a great view and perfect photos.
–The Louvre is a great place to use the bathroom! Seriously. The bathrooms are located before the ticketed area.
–I also love Montmartre and the Musee d’Orsay (much more than the Louvre), but adding either of those would be pushing it just a tad.

Have a blast!

If you like French Impressionist paintings, take a quick visit to the Musee d’Orsay. I’ve been to Paris twice and visiting this museum has always been a highlight. It’s much easier to digest than the Louvre. This museum is in a former train station, which adds interest to the visit.

Sheila – Ooh visiting a former train station alone sounds cool. I will add this to my list. Thanks!

Wow Kate, all great suggestions.

Notre Dame sounds like a must see.
Will I have enough time to wander through St Germain?
Don’t plan on going into the Eiffel Tower, just walking to it, snapping a pic and moving on. I will check it out next time I am in the city.
Louvre for a potty break. Writing that one down.

Kathryn –

Since it is May, a boat ride might be a good idea. I can get more done and see a lot more of the city this way. Time is of course very valuable, so as long as it is only an hour that is perfect.

Wine and cheese in the park sounds awesome. I will try to visit your fav picnic spot.

I love checking out mass transit in new cities, so a hop on the bus and train is definitely going to happen. But I am going to make sure I walk most of the city. I love to just wander aimlessly in a new city.

Hahah love that you are so honest Anna. “I hate Paris” made me laugh.

Since I plan to visit Notre Dame, I may need to check out Isle St. Louis for some of this ice cream you speak of.

You have to walk the Champs Elysees to the Arc du Triomphe. Along the way, stop in Laduree, the best macaroons in Paris according to most.

Jetpacker – I will need to pick up some macaroons for my wife. Thanks!

Honestly, the Eiffel Tower is a bit overrated. It’s weird when you go up because the Paris skyline is missing its landmark–the Eiffel Tower. I suggest going to the top of the Arc De Triomphe for a better view and fewer lines. The Bateau Mouche boat tour is a great way to see a lot of the landmarks in a small amount of time, especially if it’s a beautiful day!

Yeah I have heard from more than one person that going up the Eiffel Tower provides you with so so views and funny enough leaves out one of the most sought after attractions – the Eiffel Tower – haha.

If you only have 24 hours, take one of those Paris hop-on hop-off buses or bateaux mouches hop-on hop-off boats. You’re guaranteed to see most of the tourist sights in 24 hours!

Well I want to keep the “touristy” factor low, if that is possible.

After seeing all the suggestions, I agree with Anna — go to Ile-Saint-Louis and get ice cream at Berthillon. It’s the best ice cream in France. Ile Saint-Louis is next to Ile de la Cite, where Notre-Dame is.

I think you could fit in Saint-Germain — you don’t need a lot of time to do a little wandering. Just walk a few blocks directly south of Notre-Dame and you’ll be in the heart of it! AND from the Notre-Dame towers you have a view of the city and the Eiffel Tower.

(Sorry — in high school I wrote and acted in an adaptation of Notre-Dame de Paris — I’ve been obsessed with it ever since!)

Kate – Haha very cool, thanks. It looks like I will be sucking down some ice cream while wandering Paris.

It may seem like an odd suggestion, but get yourself a truly memorable falafel at L’As du Fallafel. Not only will you get an incredible falafel, you’ll also get to see a picture of Bibi Netanyahu in a leather jacket.

If you do wander around St. Germain, walk towards Luxembourg Gardens where you can watch the local pétanque sharks that put the guys in Bryant Park to shame, and if you’re so inclined, take in a puppet show. You might not understand all of the words unless your French is decent, but I find that puppets are usually pretty easy to follow.

Fave square: Place des Vosges
Then walk around the Marais and just shop, stop, sip and savor the neighborhood (for one hr as you’ve got to get a move on)
Cross as many bridges as you can, eat a crepe
Look up at the light – sometimes it seems as if the sky is about to fall upon the buildings.
You will need transport to cram it all in – consider renting a taxi or tour guide for the day with a car to whisk you around, money well spent.
Oh and my favorite bookstore, a place you can ONLY find in Paris is Shakespeare & Co across from Notre Dame (english lang. bookshop, where writers have stayed over the years and every major writer has read at some point) Ditto to visiting NDame, more imp’t than Eiffel.
Your one dinner….this is terribly hard, I think you should do a classic old bistro rather than hitting one of Paris’ trendier spots as these are impossible to replicate anywhere else. Le Dome for oysters or sole meuniere, or Brasserie Balzar (quintessential bistro) or Julien for the art nouveau paintings. For something a foodie would love – go to Le Chateaubriand, killer fab.
Consult my MUST DO Paris page:
http://www.girlsguidetoparis.com/must
Or take one of our walking tours, I’d recommend the one from St. Germain to the Louvre – I have a special way to reveal the Pyramide inside the Louvre in the most spectacular way.
http://www.girlsguidetoparis.com/mapstore

ENJOY! Drink it all in and go back again…for much longer.

Wow a falafel, a pic of Netanyahu in leather and a puppet show. You win by far Andy for most original suggestions. Thanks!

Doni – Just read the must do Paris page. Very helpful information. Really appreciate it.

Ok you have to take the boat ride up and down the Seine ….and you can catch that right across the road for the Eiffel tower. Then have some wine and a baguette right on the grass under the Eiffel tower (bring a towel …then sit, relax, people watch, and just take it in. Eat a crepe or 2. I also think you should go to Notre-Dame, and agree with Kate that you should wander around. Oh and take pictures.

Look for the real Paris …

1) What about a 90 minute tour of Paris with a private chauffeur in a French Citroen? See:
Discover Paris in a 2 CV. http://tinyurl.com/47tzwn

2) No trip to Paris is complete without a picnic. For produce with personality, make your way along rue Mouffetard. You’ll find pate, patisserie and peaches that will remain etched in your personal taste bud Hall of Fame. Historical bonus–Rodin was born in this area and his mother shopped in this very same market.

You have to eat lunch – why not in the Marais?

http://www.seriouseats.com/2008/08/best-falafel-las-du-falafel-mi-va-mi-chez-marianne-the-marais-paris-france.html

You better not harbor any animosity toward the French, mon ami!

Seriously, you’re getting great suggestions here, including Andy’s to visit Luxembourg Gardens and its surrounding neighborhood, a favorite of mine.

During five visits to Paris, I have yet to climb the Eiffel Tower and have no regrets. You can enjoy nice views of the city and the May sun from places like Parc des Buttes Chaumont (metro Buttes Chaumont, etc.) away from most of the tourists.

Keep in mind that Paris is a compact, highly walkable city, with a fantastic metro system. You’ll have no trouble seeing a lot within a short time. However, for a first visit, I’d focus on the Left Bank (Paris south of the Seine) and very southern portion of the Right Bank.

One caution: The immediate vicinity of Notre Dame seems to harbor more pickpockets and other pests than anywhere else in Europe. Watch your wallet.

Enjoy!

I hope I`m still on time to share my day in Paris. (Actually it was 1,5 day, but on the second day I went to Montmartre) You can read my walk through Paris here: http://www.isabellestravelguide.com/Paris-personal-experience.html
Also @MyMelange wrote a great guest post about a Perfect Solo Day in Paris: http://www.isabellestravelguide.com/day-out-in-paris.html
Good luck! Looking forward to reading your 24 hours in Paris afterwards