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Message
Quick Paris Trip
Posted on 6/10/25 at 7:36 pm
Posted on 6/10/25 at 7:36 pm
Daughter is in Italy studying abroad and the wife and daughter are planning on meeting in Paris for a quick 4-day trip. Neither have been before.
Hotel wise we were looking at the Hotel Le Cercle near the Eiffel Tower. It seems to be in a nice area and has great reviews.
Any recommendations for guided tours? Or use the hotel concierge to arrange? Or just do excursions on their own?
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Hotel wise we were looking at the Hotel Le Cercle near the Eiffel Tower. It seems to be in a nice area and has great reviews.
Any recommendations for guided tours? Or use the hotel concierge to arrange? Or just do excursions on their own?
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
6
Posted on 6/10/25 at 8:26 pm to tarpley2000
When are you going?
Posted on 6/10/25 at 9:05 pm to tarpley2000
Fair warning that I did not actually dine at this place, but if you’re planning to hang around the area of the Eiffel Tower, one of the restaurants that was on my list to try was La Fontaine de Mars.
Also, if you’re looking for other attractions that are relatively close to the tower, you could plan to check out Les Invalides, especially if you have any interest in military history.
More general advice - my understanding is that it is generally appreciated to greet people with ‘Bonjour’ when interacting with them, or even just entering a place of business (small shop, café, restaurant). I generally followed this approach and had a good experience despite my shaky French.
Also, if you’re looking for other attractions that are relatively close to the tower, you could plan to check out Les Invalides, especially if you have any interest in military history.
More general advice - my understanding is that it is generally appreciated to greet people with ‘Bonjour’ when interacting with them, or even just entering a place of business (small shop, café, restaurant). I generally followed this approach and had a good experience despite my shaky French.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 10:00 pm to Dead Mike
quote:Yes. An excellent traditional Parisian bistro.
La Fontaine de Mars
I have eaten there several times. We like to go there on Sunday nights when a lot of places are closed.
The OP’s hotel looks fine.
The rue Cler - rue St. Dominique neighborhood is a nice one.
Lots of good restaurants around there.
Besides La Fontaine de Mars there is Chez L’Ami Jean and Au Bon Accueil among others.
Just avoid the tourist traps that are just trying to attract the Eiffel Tower crowds.
Posted on 6/10/25 at 10:28 pm to tarpley2000
I'll say this here until I die. Go to the back seafood market at Marché des Enfants-Rouges. It's incredible.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 6:22 am to tarpley2000
I used Bourdain's "Layover" as a guide (scroll down to 2011) the first time. Berthillon ice cream was legit.
Especially if you're doing touristy shite (with two women new to Paris it's unavoidable) during the summer, it's going to be shittily crowded. Paris isn't a collection of restaurants, pickpockets, scammers, and the like, it's this:
If you can get it, cruise down the Seine at night (they're usually BYOB.) And play your daughter's music on the cruise, not f-ed out Sinatra or the like. The crew will be appreciative.
Especially if you're doing touristy shite (with two women new to Paris it's unavoidable) during the summer, it's going to be shittily crowded. Paris isn't a collection of restaurants, pickpockets, scammers, and the like, it's this:
quote:
“Most of us are lucky to see Paris once in a lifetime. Make the most of it by doing as little as possible. Walk a little, get lost a bit, eat, catch a breakfast buzz, have a nap, try and have sex if you can, just not with a mime. Eat again. Lounge around drinking coffee. Maybe read a book. Drink some wine, walk around a bit more, eat, repeat. See? It’s easy.”
- Anthony Bourdain, World Travel: An Irreverent Guide
If you can get it, cruise down the Seine at night (they're usually BYOB.) And play your daughter's music on the cruise, not f-ed out Sinatra or the like. The crew will be appreciative.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 7:52 am to LemmyLives
Thanks everyone for the advice / recommendations. Next Thursday - Tuesday (4 full days).
They will try the restaurants, and have decided to do a Seine cruise, Louvre, Versailles, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower.
They will try the restaurants, and have decided to do a Seine cruise, Louvre, Versailles, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 1:15 pm to tarpley2000
If there is any way you can convince them to walk the grounds of the Louvre, but then actually visit the Musee D'Orsay, do it. It's much less crowded. You can look like a genius if you keep it in your back pocket when they realize how bad the Louvre is going to be. It's almost directly across the Seine and maybe 50 meters down the river.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 1:25 pm to tarpley2000
Versailles is incredible! One of those places that it's hard to imagine that it was just a house. Worth the short jaunt over.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 2:53 pm to HouseMom
Versailles was just someone’s house. That is why the occupants got their heads chopped off.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 4:22 pm to tarpley2000
Just back from Paris.
Meals
Les Cocottes (Fontaine de Mars good choice as well)
Chez l’ami jean
Allard
Paul Bert
Le Bon Georges
Le Comptoir
Regis Huiterie (but have to like seafood)
Good meal but off service at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Orsay over Louvre all day
Get a private boat for Seine. Have them leave 30 minutes before sunset
Versailles - get a private guide, go in morning on a weekend when fountains are on (check believe it’s summer only)
Pastry Tours and cooking classes good ideas.
If anything is playing at the Palais Garnier, get tickets.
If they are interested in fashion, my girls loved the Dior Museum.
Mostly just wander around. Averaged about 8 miles per day on the hoof.
Meals
Les Cocottes (Fontaine de Mars good choice as well)
Chez l’ami jean
Allard
Paul Bert
Le Bon Georges
Le Comptoir
Regis Huiterie (but have to like seafood)
Good meal but off service at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Orsay over Louvre all day
Get a private boat for Seine. Have them leave 30 minutes before sunset
Versailles - get a private guide, go in morning on a weekend when fountains are on (check believe it’s summer only)
Pastry Tours and cooking classes good ideas.
If anything is playing at the Palais Garnier, get tickets.
If they are interested in fashion, my girls loved the Dior Museum.
Mostly just wander around. Averaged about 8 miles per day on the hoof.
Posted on 6/11/25 at 5:34 pm to tarpley2000
Do a bike tour the first day. It helps being active to shake jet lag. And is a great way to get your bearings. They tend to hit major areas.
Good way to get a vibe and determine where you want to come back to.
I have a rec for the one we did if interested
Good way to get a vibe and determine where you want to come back to.
I have a rec for the one we did if interested
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