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After the sudden unexpected death of a client I realized life is too short. Since life is short I needed to make a dream come true. I have always dreamt of visiting Paris. So I am going to Paris.

I am going alone, just me and my cameras. I want to immerse myself in the city and culture. I want to gaze at art for as long as I like. I want to enjoy the cuisine. I want to walk through streets that are centuries older than my country.

Since french class in high school I have always held a fascination with the city. I know I will not be able to see it all but I plan on a tour and a boat ride down the Seine. I would love any suggestions of places to visit by our French members. Of course any members who have a knowledge of the city your input would also be appreciated.

I need this adventure. I think it will be very important to my well being. In a way this may be the most self indulgent thing I have ever done.

Good for you! --FLO--

Fantastic, go for it and enjoy every minute

River

I remember the food as much as the sights. For example, try fresh bread at:

Poilâne Paris - Cherche-Midi bakery

8 rue du Cherche-Midi

Seeing a show at the Moulin Rouge is a must!

http://www.moulinrouge.fr

So much to see and do and enjoy...

Congratulations!

Bill

sw1911sc (imported) wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:47 am I remember the food as much as the sights. For example, try fresh bread at:

Poilâne Paris - Cherche-Midi bakery

8 rue du Cherche-Midi

Seeing a show at the Moulin Rouge is a must!

http://www.moulinrouge.fr

So much to see and do and enjoy...

Congratulations!

Bill

Bill since I am not attracted to women I will most likely pass on Moulin Rouge. Thanks tho for the suggestion.

Hi,

Of course you should visit the Louvre which is a wonderful museum, les champs elysées (a famous avenue), and of course the eiffel tower, the church of notre dame.

Le chateau de Versaille (where the king used to live before he lost his head ) Montmartre, le sacré coeur, le champ de mars, there are so much place...

Here you can "visit" paris with a photo in 26 Gigapixel. : http://www.paris-26-gigapixels.com/index-fr.html

Un Americainé en Paris, o la la c'est tres magnificient

S'il vous plait, enjoy the french cuisine and the city of light, la premier" lumieré

and then you will realise how much to missed to speak french and be back home soon as a monsieur

---------------------------------------

Cheers a Paris A la Constantinople

Dorian Gray le jeune eternal

j'taime frenchlish

I would suggest to visit Maison Fournaise and have a Creme Brule if you like sweets or wine.

Why?

You wished to immerse yourself in sometheing you have dreamt. There is a famous painting by Renoir - The Luncheon of the Boating Party.

here is the link:

http://www.yacht-in-paris.com/IMG/jpg/m ... renoir.jpg

here is littlebit of background:

http://www.phillipscollection.org/colle ... oswho.aspx

When you finally get there, you will have the feeling that you just entered the painting as the place has still the same feeling and impression.

here is the official link:

http://www.restaurant-fournaise.fr/

And If you can, visit Paris in May.

E.

PS. When I was there, I didn't know much about the place as I was brought to this place. I felt that I had been there before, despite I was first time in Paris. That feeling was strong and I couldn't get it out of my head. Until almost before we left I recognized, that this place must have been a scenery of an old painting I had seen long time ago.

I'll second the Chateau de Versailles - really amazing and an easy train ride from Paris on the RER (suburban commuter train).

If you like the Impressionists, then the Musée d'Orsay is a must. The building alone (a former train station) is worth the visit.

Musée Marmottan also has a great collection of Impressionists, especially Monet.

You'll have a fantastic time. It's an amazing city - my favorite place in the world. And you'll never run out of things to see.

Bon voyage!

I was in Paris in 1970 and 1974,

The big diff, a MacDonalds on the Champs Elysee.

Luckily, I had family friends to show me around and

they can take you places that would otherwise be not experience.

I most treasure my evening at a restaurant on, ? spelling

Mount Marmount. A traditional bohemian district if I remember

correctly.

Still love Amsterdam more. Even the Museums.

Moi

As a frenchman who spent almost all his life in Paris, but who finally decided to move very, very far away from a country plagued by "manifestations et greves" (demonstrations and strikes), I only spend a few days from time to time and enjoy the beautiful city, yes it is magnificent, the girls and boys have a unique french touch and the cuisine is wonderful and not necessarily expensive.

As a typical Parisian, I never visit anything, alone. So If you plan to come again to Paris, I'd be delighted to accompany you in museums, Tour Eiffel, and of course restaurants, just let me know if that sounds good to you? I am 59 (old balls as I call myself), not too stupid, and appreciate good company.

Hello, as a native-born Parisian, I was thinking : why not form a group of eunuchs, chemical castrated and intact males (and females) and spend together a few hours (or days) visiting Paris ? please let me know what you think of the idea ? we certainly have a lot to share, visit, food, and compare our lives and peoccupation, that would be fun, I am sure.

(for information : I still have my balls, but begun a chemical castration recently)

I did 3 semesters at the Sorbonne and love Paris and yes, I even love the French!!

erikboy (imported) wrote: Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:03 pm I would suggest to visit Maison Fournaise and have a Creme Brule if you like sweets or wine.

And If you can, visit Paris in May.

E.

PS. When I was there, I didn't know much about the place as I was brought to this place. I felt that I had been there before, despite I was first time in Paris. That feeling was strong and I couldn't get it out of my head. Until almost before we left I recognized, that this place must have been a scenery of an old painting I had seen long time ago.

Erikboy sounds like a great suggestion, thank you.

Maybe you have lived there before. When I visit Quebec City I have such a connection with the city. I feel more alive there than anywhere else. Energies from a previous life perhaps.

I will be in Paris in May. I will visit the gardens and try to figure out how to capture all the beauty with my camera.

binky69 (imported) wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:58 am I'll second the Chateau de Versailles - really amazing and an easy train ride from Paris on the RER (suburban commuter train).

If you like the Impressionists, then the Musée d'Orsay is a must. The building alone (a former train station) is worth the visit.

Musée Marmottan also has a great collection of Impressionists, especially Monet.

You'll have a fantastic time. It's an amazing city - my favorite place in the world. And you'll never run out of things to see.

Bon voyage!

Thank you for the suggestions. I will visit the Musee d'Orsay. I will be staying in the 1st arrondissement so I am close to the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Any restaurant suggestions?

Milkman (imported) wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:55 pm I did 3 semesters at the Sorbonne and love Paris and yes, I even love the French!!

That must have been an incredible experience.

I will look forward to experiencing the culture. I may even speak a little french in my attempt to enjoy the people. I try to familiarize myself with the culture before I arrive out of respect.

Be careful where you keep your money and documents, there are many thieves, especially in tourist areas.

Have a nice trip!

asphalt-cowboy (imported) wrote: Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:37 am Be careful where you keep your money and documents, there are many thieves, especially in tourist areas.

Have a nice trip!

I am ordering a special wallet that fits under my pants. If anyone reaches down my pants I guess they deserve a little cash.

You have to spend some time walking around Le Marais - especially on a Sunday afternoon when all the boys are out.

Another interesting museum is in Le Marais as well, the Musee Carnavalet, which depicts the history of the city of Paris. You like wine? Le Musee de Vin (www.museeduvinparis.com/en/) was really interesting and even offered tastings the day I was there.

A few restaurant suggestions...

Le Petit Picard

42 Rue St Croix de la Bretonnerie, 4th

Metro: Hôtel de Ville

This cozy gay-themed restaurant in the heart of the trendy Marais neighborhood proves that hip doesn't have to be synonymous with overpriced. In a neo-kitsch setting (Greco-roman statues and bold colors abound), one can procure a very decent lunch menu that includes starter, main course, dessert, and a 1/4 bottle of wine for approx. $18-$30. Le Petit Picard has been noted for its generous portions and cheerful service.

www.amazonial.fr

L'Amazonial

This fun restaurant organizes all kinds of events like bingo, drag shows and cabaret.

3, Rue Des Lavandieres Ste Opportune, 1st

Metro to Chatelet-Les Halles

www.chezpaul.com

Chez Paul

13, Rue de Charonne, 11th

A traditional French bistro with excellent food. Small place so good idea to book a table if you're going for dinner.

www.quick.fr

Quick

A French fast food chain all over - good baguette sandwiches, good pastries and coffee too. Easy way to have a decent lunch for cheap.

Berthillon

www.berthillon.fr

31 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Ile, 4th

Incredible ice cream parlor.

Grande Epicerie De Paris

www.lagrandeepicerie.fr

38 Rue de Sèvres, 7th

Big food hall - part of Le Bon Marche department store - great place to buy French food products to bring home.

Thank you all for your suggestions, good advice and support.

There is so much to see in Paris, so many museums, art galleries. One of my favourites is Musée Cluny. Loved the tapestries "The Lady and the Unicorn" and was fascinated to see that the Notre Dame Cathedral is built on the spot of a celtic sanctionary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9e_de_Cluny

I think I will go to Mass at Notre Dame. Mom would be happy. We would attend Mass at the Notre-Dame de Quebec Cathedral each summer. Now I will see the Notre Dame I have always wanted to see.

I have been looking up info on all the suggestions and have bought a guied book. Tuesday I will meet with a friend who spent a month in Paris and he has lots of suggestions and a map he thinks will be helpful.

I am so ready to travel that each day until vacation seems to be an annoyance. Of course if I had planned the trip any sooner I might have missed out due to the volcanic activity.

How true, when is your trip?

I am excited for you, this sounds like great fun.

River

Riverwind (imported) wrote: Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:09 am How true, when is your trip?

I am excited for you, this sounds like great fun.

River

I am going for 5 nights at the end of May to the beginning of June. I will take lots of pictures. I am looking forward to exploring the city. I even want to visit the catacombs.

Patrickchemcast (imported) wrote: Tue Apr 06, 2010 6:15 pm As a frenchman who spent almost all his life in Paris, but who finally decided to move very, very far away from a country plagued by "manifestations et greves" (demonstrations and strikes), I only spend a few days from time to time and enjoy the beautiful city, yes it is magnificent, the girls and boys have a unique french touch and the cuisine is wonderful and not necessarily expensive.

As a typical Parisian, I never visit anything, alone. So If you plan to come again to Paris, I'd be delighted to accompany you in museums, Tour Eiffel, and of course restaurants, just let me know if that sounds good to you? I am 59 (old balls as I call myself), not too stupid, and appreciate good company.

As vacation nears I am rereading this thread. Thank you for the offer. I am anxious to explore and discover Paris. I have written a nice diary of advice and ideas from many posts and friends who have travelled to Paris. Of course I am most interested in my own personal discovery of Paris.