What should I do?
I will be going to Paris for business and I will have 3 days to kill. I will land at 7:00 AM on a Saturday and will have nothing to do until Tuesday morning. I have never been to Paris, or France for that matter, and I cannot speak French. Any dopers out there willing to make some recommendations on good things to do?
Thanks!
That’s kind of like asking “I have three days to kill in New York. What should I do?”
What are you in to? The Louvre is a must if you like Ancient to Renaissance art; the Musee d’Orsay is a must if you like Impressionist stuff; and the Pompidou is great if you like Modern. Pick two. Notre Dame is cool and Saint Chapelle is right across the street.
If you like lame souvenir shops, check out the Latin Quarter. If you like cool rock clubs, check out Bastille. If you like classy gay neighborhoods, check out Le Marais.
Mostly, just plop your ass down in a sidewalk seat at a cafe with a glass of vin, some cheese, and a cigarette, and watch the city walk by.
Three days to kill in Paris, France? Three days to kill in Paris, France?!? Arghhh!
(Actually, on preview, I like black rabbit’s last suggestion.)
Just walking around in Paris is a hoot IMO. The whole damn city is like a museum. And there are actual museums as well, so if you’re that sort of person, you’ve got plenty to work with. Hint: if you do want to see some museums, consider a Paris Museum Pass. The advantage you’ll get simply from bypassing lines is typically worth the price.
If you’re into food, Paris By Mouth has suggestions for every neighborhood.
Not speaking French won’t be much of a problem; everyone speaks English. However, being very polite, and remembering to say “Bonjour” to the shopkeepers when you enter a shop goes a long way.
If you’ve never been up in the Eiffel Tower, it’s worth it, even with the lines, IMO. It’s the frikkin’ Eiffel Tower, it’s cool!
There are lots of great parks & gardens as well - Luxemburg, Tuilleries, etc. It’s pretty cool to wander through, especially when you turn a corner and stumble on some hugely famous sculpture.
I love Paris. Have fun!
If you’re not into museums (although you’re missing ground zero with Paris), check out the usual tourist attractions: the Eiffel Tower, a walk down the Champs Elysee to the Arc d’ Triomphe, a visit to Sacre Couer cathedral in the Monmarte district, which is also worth wandering around in. Notre Dame is certainly worthwhile, as mentioned. See if there are any flea markets open during your stay. I remember an open air stamp market, which was on a Saturday, I believe.
If it were me I’d stay in the cheapest room I could find so I could spend my money wandering in search of places to eat and drink all day long till I returned to my room exhausted, and then do it all over the next day.
My favorite place to visit in Paris is Père Lachaise Cemetery.
I’ve just written and deleted about 10 different sentences trying to explain what I love about Pere Lachaise, but it’s just too hard to capture. Go. There will be someone there that makes it meaningful for you.
Thanks black rabbit.
I admit my OP was pretty lame but I was at work and was just told that I was going and I quickly typed up the OP in excitement. I have always wanted to go to Paris and France in general (actually, I would rather tool around the country, but all I have is the 3 days). It’s too bad that my wife can’t go with me… 
Anyway, I will look around online at the Museums you suggested. Screw the souvenirs. Bastille sounds tempting, but doubtful. Le Marais, maybe; surely there will be good food, wine, and culture! The last suggestion (vin, cheese, and bench) sounds like the best. I am also looking forward to the inevitable pastry and café au lait.
I am into architecture more than art though I was halfway planning to spend either Sunday or Monday (which would be better?) going to the Louvre. I will also be close to Versailles; would this be worth a visit?
Athena, thank you for the Paris by Mouth link. Food and drink, to me, are among the most exciting reasons to go to Europe.
Anyway, I am going to look around online and see what I can see… Maybe I can even swing some more days.
Thanks much and please post any other must sees (or must tastes) coming.
No problem on the link! Happy to share it.
As far as Versailles, you can read my thread on it. Short version: Yes, it’s worth going, but it’s very crowded. Personally, we’re planning on skipping it this trip; not so much because we don’t want to go but because we have limited time, and we have enough museums, parks, wine, food, strolling, cafe-ing, and gawking on the schedule to fill up twice as much time as we actually have.
I’ve recommended this in other threads before. If you like science, computers, math, or engineering, definitely check out the Musee des Arts et Metiers. Plus it’s cheap to get into. (6 or 7 euro).
I once spent a week in Paris by myself. Six days and six different regional French cuisines.
Day seven was pizza
I had the best gyro of my life in the Latin Quarter in 2003.
If you like military stuff, the French Military Museum at Les Invalides is pretty cool, plus Napoleon’s Tomb is in the back, and it’s impressive in its own right.
The Louvre is pretty much a must-see- it’s kind of like if someone made a mashup museum of the Uffizi and the British Museum.
Heh, after 3 weeks in France several years ago…
Our last few days were in Reims and Paris. We were so sick of croissants and pastries that we ate breakfast at a McDonald’s in Reims before heading back to Paris, and it was the best damn Egg McMuffin of my life. Our last 3 nights in Paris? Italian, Japanese, then back to the same Italian place. I love French food, but 3 weeks of NOTHING but that got old even for me.
A couple of years ago, a friend and I signed up for the boat tour of the canal and the Seine. The tour was wonderfully interesting. Be sure to sit at the front of the boat though, so you don’t have to breathe the diesel fumes when going through the locks. And La Chappelle - every single pillar is painted a different leaf pattern. It is amazing.
La Villette (19) is kind of a hopping quarter. Lots of artsy/media types there.
Take me with you! Please?
We could go to Rue Mouffetard. Dozens of good restaurants and a wonderful fresh produce market.
You, my friend, are the man. This is exactly the kind of stuff that I like.
Really, that looks so cool!
Well, I will be there the weekend of Sat 3 may if you want to join me. I will definitely take a look at the Rue Mouffetard. Dozens, that bodes well.
I did Louvre on a Monday and found the crowd quite manageable (better if you get advance tickets and if possible take one of the lateral entries rather than the main Pyramid entrance, whatever the day), except of course for the year-round mob scene in front of Mona.
That’s key, the polite greeting and acknowledgement that you’re in their turf; my command of French is about nil but I never got the stereotypical attitude when I went in like that.
Assuming that it’ll be warm when you’re there, make your way to Ile Saint-Louis, which is the island in the Seine that is adjacent to Ile de la Cité, the island where Notre Dame is found.
Ile Saint-Louis is quite small, so head straight to Berthillon, and have some of their ice cream or sorbet. Expect long lines, but it’s worth the wait. And, if you don’t like ice cream, go anyway, to make everyone that does like it supremely jealous.
Nice. I like it.