Sights I recommend not already mentioned:

Eglise Saint-Sulpice, it recently finished an extensive renovation. With Notre Dame closed, Eglise Saint-Sulpice and Sacre Couer are the two accessible cathedrals in Paris.

Le Bataclan. Site of a horrific case of Islamofascist terrorism. If you are doing this stop, cruise by the office of Charlie Hebdo.

Fort de Nogent. Walk around the imposing fortress to this door (which is usually closed):


Le Jardin du Luxembourg, a formal garden in the center of Paris.

I've only spent part of one day in Paris, but enjoyed (and no one else has mentioned) the Grand Marché department store. It has, besides the usual merchandise which is fabulous, a rooftop restaurant / cafeteria with both good food, self serve wine by the carafe, and fabulous views of the skyline including the Eifel tower. The terrace is also "defense de fumer", possibly the only real estate in Paris free of smoke. There are also trash cans, which seem not to exist anywhere else in the city.

I was there on business so didn’t see much. But the Catacombs were cool and bizarre. I also went into the Eiffel Tower and I’d recommend seeing it up close or going in if it’s open to really appreciate how big it is. See it at night with the lights.

ETA a few pics from my trip...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: frayedends,

One of my favorite tours was the boat trip around the city. I took it both in daylight and at night.

quote:

Originally posted by ador:
Hey guys and gals. Our family will be flying to Paris, France next weekend for 6 nights (5 Days Total to walk around). Wife, son and stepdaughter have their list of places to see. I told my wife I would like to pick one place to visit. I am interested for a day trip to see Historical Place like Omaha Beach or the American Cemetery. Any suggestions on “must see place” on my wish list?

If this is your first time, you're pretty much ticking-off the 'majors'; with 5-days you can see a lot. Get them out of the way and if you're able to return for another trip, you don't have to hit them and can avoid the crowds. Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Versailles (day trip), self-guided walk around Arc de Triompe, d'Orsay (French art), Pompidou (modern art), boat ride on the Seine, Rodin Museum, Père Lachaise Cemetery, etc. Normandy you can do in a day from Paris but, you'll be crushed-tired, it really deserves 3-days to enjoy.

For interesting historical:
Army Museum- National military museum, from armor to cannons.
Tomb of Napoleon- housed at the Hôtel National des Invalides where the above Army museum is located.
What Paris has is lots of interesting neighborhoods, lots of different ones to wander around, grab a mid-day drink, snack along the way: Latin Quarter, Montemarte, Le Marais, Les Halles, etc. Live the life of leisure, relax.

quote:

Suggestions on “must see places” within Paris for everyone in our group? Any tips on how we can spend our hard earned money wisely?

Like any worldwide destination, you're there with the rest of the world, expect to navigate through lots of crowds and lines. Hopefully your family has wised up and done some pre-planning by purchasing tickets for many of the desinations already, nothing worse than unnecessarily wasting your time in a line when a bit of pre-trip preparation to get tickets/reservations could've avoided it all. I travel int'l a fair amount and this is one thing I'm absolute about; if you're just tagging along, kinda hard to complain if you had no hand in the itinerary.

Grab a Rick Steves Paris guidebook, while he's very good at hotel recommendations and traveling around, these books really stand-out by giving excellent historical points & perspective, self-guided tours and functional maps. I've relied on the books, podcast/travel app and their website for tips and advice; the books I'll tear-out sections, tape them up and stuff them in my pocket/pack each day of my trip. You don't have much time before you leave so, get on it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: corsair,

Normandy is a full day trip. 2.5 hour drive. Very rural area of Normandy. Park and walk to the cliffs at Omaha beach. Bunkers and bomb craters. Drive along the coast to see the other beaches. Lunch at Normandy. Then to American cemetery, outdoor monuments detailing the invasion, views of coast. Indoor museum with slideshows of the invasion. Normandy is a full day.
Try a book a night river cruise on the Seine. You get dinner, see the Effel tower, Louve, Love lock bridge, mini Statue of Liberty.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SIGfourme,

Good choices given upthread. I haven't seen the Pantheon noted yet. Some of Frances greatest hero's are entombed there. Nearby is an unearthed Roman Colosseum. Rodan's house with his amazing sculptures.

What makes some of that stuff so interesting is the history. It's so much better on some of these places to read up on them first, Louis 1X, the builder of Saint-Chappell noted upthread would be a prime example. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh_Crusade

Pre-researching restaurants in areas you plan on being, then call in a reservation is the way it's suppose to be done. Even if you call in the AM for a dinner reservation. Learn a few French words and phrases, more if you can. Please and thank you are nice words when others hear them in their own language.

ador ... please see my update at the beginning of this thread.

Other things:

We researched a lot and one of the important things we learned, and paid off big time, was do not dress like an American. Especially, no logo clothing of any kind.

Both my daughters and I dressed mainly in all black with some brown ... nothing fancy. Fun story was when I was getting cash out of an outdoor ATM. Common sense is to have someone always watching your back. My two daughters were watching my back when an older couple walked up asking them for directions. They thought my daughters were Parisian women. Found out they were from Florida, and us from Washington State, and their comments were, "hey, we are neighbors !". Fortunately we could answer their question.

Yes, sadly there are pickpockets especially around the Louvre and Sacre-Coeur. We never had any problems since our heads were 360 degree aware, never let anyone up close to us and kept our valuables in a pouch down the front of our pants. Just something to be aware of, not afraid of.

If having dinner out, know that the French culture is laid back and not in any kind of hurry. Follow the waiter's lead, take your time. We did. We did not dictate when our coffee or dessert will be delivered, nor did we hurry along. Saw a couple from Australia who did, and argued with the waitstaff ... it as both ugly to see and entertaining to watch. They were treated like dirt while we were treated like royalty (they knew we were foreigners but could see we respected and tried to be French).

Even while shopping, there were the typical bus load of tourists who were pushing hard to be first in purchasing ... but the French would have nothing to do with them and even a few times reach over to us to be first.

Just little things to make your trip more memorable ... and like your family, we traveled on my birthday too. My wife (who had traveled all over Europe, and caring for her ailing mother) knew our first trip overseas was important. She sent a beautiful gift and card for me to open with my daughters while we were in Paris. Priceless !

When I was stationed in Germany in the 90’s, I hopped a train on a Friday night and spent Saturday to Monday in Paris just checking it out on my own.

One of the coolest places I found was Père Lachaise Cemetery.

There’s a lot of famous people buried there with Jim Morrison of The Doors being it’s most well known resident. I’d recommend checking that out too.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

The Louvre Has several cafeterias, so you can spend all day there. The subway is fairly easy to navigate- you need to identify the line by the start and ending stops. Paris is a walkable city - the best app is Citymapper. Allows you to navigate the subway and streets .

We used the Paris Metro a lot and after a couple times found it very easy to get around. The Louvre does have several cafeterias and was a nice break to use when visiting.

Of all the places we visited, for me the best was the Pere Lachaise cemetery. I was an all around experience ... the sight, the sound (quiet), the smell (hard to explain, have to experience first hand) and an unexplainable feeling. Will be one the the first places I will visit again when I return.

I enjoyed my climb to the top of the Arc d'Triomphe--the view from up there is spectacular. https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157654234295084/

It is unfortunate that Notre Dame Cathedral is damaged and unavailable. Sacre Couer, St. Chappelle, and St. Sulpice are inspiring, but there are many other lovely churches to visit. I can recommend St. Severin, which is just 1/4 mile from Notre Dame (photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157656579190695/) and St. Ambroise, about a mile from Place d'Republique (photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157656548616022/. Both are easy to get to and not crowded.

I also enjoyed the boat tour of the Seine River ( https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157656506518456/. It was a pleasant way to see the center of Paris.

I've visited Paris several times, always seeing different things. You've been given the standard attractions, and all are worthy. If you can arrange a day trip to Normandy I think it would be worthwhile. I visited there as part of a river cruise of the Seine River from Paris to the coast and back--a nice trip, but too long for your stay (7 days, many stops).

BTW, if you're a Harley-Davidson fan, there are lots of Harleys in Paris. There were 5 H-D dealers and 2 customs shops when I was there, and I managed to visit several of them over time. https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157656167674678/ and some here (2nd page, especially) https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157624822850892/.

flashguy

If you're on a time crunch, maybe do Orsay over Louvre.

I do think Normandy and cemeteries are must, unless you think you'll be back in the coming years.

Hotel de Invalides, Effiel, Arc d Triumph, etc. Champs de lesay.

How old are you kids?

Thank you very much for all of the recommendations. My wife couldn’t believe it when I showed her the suggestions here. She said “why didn’t you ask that question in your forum earlier”? LOL

Well, they (wife, son and stepdaughter) were the one doing all the planning. I was just going along with whatever they want.

My son will be turning 17. Stepdaughter will be turning 30 this coming December. So all 3 of them have their own “thing” they want to do. I am mostly interested in doing a day trip to Normandy. We have just over a week left to start getting advance tickets to whatever they decide on. So many nice places to visit based on everyone’s recommendations. So little time. I dont think we will be coming back anytime soon. We will make sure we make the best out of the 5 days we have to spend there.

I last was in Paris in 2015 and did spend time in Notre Dame Cathedral before it was damaged. Since you won't be able to do that, perhaps you'd enjoy my photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157656508958616/.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by old dino:.... was do not dress like an American. Especially, no logo clothing of any kind.

Generally, it's don't look like a fish out of water. American-dress is very casual (super relaxed) compared to how the rest of the world dresses; flip-flops, shorts, sneakers, t-shirts, workwear, tanks, leggings, sweats... pretty common in the US but, you'll see the same in Europe as some kind of high-fashion statement. Its weird how athletic-fashion has taken hold over there, usually it goes along with a super-tan, heavy make-up and douchebag haircut. The classic Euro look is the track-suit, and that guy is likely living in public(state) housing.

Some clean denim, a collared shirt of some kind, maybe a sweater and some nice shoes works for just about all situations. Make sure to have fun and enjoy your time there, if it feels like you're on the Bataan Death March or, you're constantly missing things, you're doing it wrong. Let us know if you need food options.

Lot’s of great recommendations here.

I highly recommend the Musee D’Orsay and have lunch at the on-site dining room and buffet. Great food in a beautiful setting and likely most affordable meal in Paris.

Be sure to get some fresh bread from one of the hole in the wall bakeries.

The Seine cruise is awesome.

FYI: the Moulin Rouge is in the middle of the red light district and a sketchy neighborhood.

I forgot about Moulin Rouge ... yes, very sketchy but really enjoyed it !

And a fresh baguette from a hole in the wall bakery that is handed to you with nothing more than a small square of paper is lovely ! Easy to eat on the run with a little cheese and salami ... just need a little knife.

In Versailles, it is a long hike but so worth it and beautiful through the hunting woods (with trees in perfect rows) and a hunting lodge so large and beautiful. There is also Marie-Antoinette's secret getaway hamlet that is amazing. My daughter took a beautiful long horned cow photo what we have hung on the wall in black/white. Again, for us well worth the time and will do again.

The Arc De Triomphe is particularly cool at night. The view from the top is amazing, all roads in Paris seem to come together in that round about. Les Invalides has already been mentioned, but if you are interested in military history, it is a must see. The bateaux mouche, or Seine cruise is also fun. Make sure you sit inside or be very aware when going under bridges. Some of the local miscreants have been know to drop things onto the passing boats. Paris is what you make it, it’s my favorite city in Europe.

One of our favorite things to do, is just wander around various neighborhoods and explore. The buildings, architectural features and other things you see by just looking up, are found nowhere else in the world.
There really is dog sh** everywhere, so don’t forget to look down once in a while. Also not sure why someone above said no trash cans... they are everywhere, and at least every street corner.