Planning a trip to Paris - Any suggestions?

We just got back from Paris, Aug/Sept. 2006. It was definitely useful to have done some research and learned a bit of French. Get a good map to take everywhere. We took "Streetwise Paris". We also had the Zagat guide to Paris Restuarants, which was very helpful. Bring some good walking shoes. It is a really great city to walk around. You can easily spend a day at the Louvre, then walk all the way through the Jardin des Tuileries and the Champs Elysees, along to the Arc de Triomphe. Go to the Trocadero for a great view of the Eiffel Tower, and you can cross the river from there to see it up close. Make sure you take time to relax at the cafes. They have amazing hot chocolate at many of them. La Maison du chocolate is a great place to get some chocolate and buy some to bring home with you. The metro is very easy to use and safe at all times of the day and night. We weren't too sure at first, but then we were out late for a dinner one night and saw families, single women, and everyone at the metro stations. Good luck and have fun!

One place that I found to be amazing is Giverny - the home of Claude Monet. It is where he painted all of his waterlilies and the bridge with wisteria - it is unbelievably beautiful. we took a bus trip, and you could combine it with a trip to Van Goghs home - I wish I would have done that! On the Champs Elysee (take the metro to Arc De Triomphe), you will find a very large TOUR shop - you can go in a and book trips to anywhere from there - Paris City Tours, bus Tours to Loire Valley, Normandy anything. It is a great spot. If you are good on your own, try to do so. Example a Versailles tour with Bus, admission and Tour guide cost something like $50, but we took the train - there was a labour strike in the train station, so no one was selling or checking for tickets, there was construction at the castle, so admission was free. The caveat there was that tour guides are very bossy and will push you out of the way once inside. June will not be so bad for crowds - but DO NOT GO IN JULY!!!! Paris gets very crowded in the summer - even Parisians leave town!

get a good guide book June is a good month to go

When you get to the airport dont take a taxi, its expensive...there is a great shuttle, 8 passenger van, nice and clean, that will take you to your hotel for 19 euro a person. You cant beat that deal. The website is http://www.parishuttle.com/reservation.html Also I would recommend learning the metro map. You can go to all the tourist location easiest by using the metro. Its quick and cheap. If you save this map to your computer and enlarge it you can see much better http://www.frenchculture.com/images/metro_map.gif If you are going to choose the metro take a small id picture of yourself and print it out. you can buy an orange metro card for the week put your picture with the ticket and be set for the week. Its like 16 euro and well worth it if you will be travelling this way. The only hotel I can recommend is Hilton Arc de Triomphe. We stayed on the executive floor so I dont know how much normal rooms run, but the people are super friendly, they speak English and are happy to help you with directions etc. The business lounge (if you get access) puts food out all day, liquers, chocolates as well. The spa is exceptional and has a sauna as well. If you pay for it you can have a private massage as well. This hotel is 2 blocks from the metro line, you can see the Eiffel tower from the back rooms. Its 3 blocks from the Arc de Triomphe. The web address is http://www.hilton-paris.com/arcdetriomphe/ Enjoy your stay! :)

The Picasso museum is fantastic - it's the Marais area which has lovely cobbled streets to explore. Of course, make sure you take advantage of all the great food - do not fear the frogs' legs - they are delicious.

plan early....