Cool stuff to do in/around Paris

[kenberman]

I'm in Paris for work, and have 2 free days. I'm looking for interesting/cool stuff to do, that I haven't done before.

Stuff I have done before: basically all the major tourist stuff in Paris (except the Orsay)

Stuff I haven't done: any day trips w/in 20-30 km of Paris, minor museums in Paris, other ideas TBD in Paris by OOT'ers.

Me: I like museums, but not so much 'painting' museums. Meaning, I love natural history, and artifacts, and stuff like that. the British Museum is my favorite museum, b/c of their Greek/Egyptian collections. The Louvre has a great a deal of things I am interested in, so part of my default plan is to wander around there for a few hours. I will probably go to the Orsay, but that is a mostly Impressionist museum, and although I can respect how great those artists are, it won't hold my interest for very long.

I also love to eat & drink, so any plan should involve lingering in cafe's/bistros for too long.

So, I'm basically looking for any good (short) day trips people may know of, cool neighborhoods or (minor) sites to see in Paris, or great restaurants/nightspots to go to. I haven't been to any 'name' restaurant here. I'm not looking to spend huge sums of money, but I will if it's worth it.

Thanks...

[Dominic]

Walk. All over. You'd be surprised how mauch you miss by not walking. And take the metro, too...get off at random stops...walk to the next metro station. Eat lunch from one of the sidewalk crepe vendors...

A great half-day trip is to drive to Giverny and visit Monet's farmhouse - where he painted all those waterlilly paintings...it's pretty amazing to wander through those fields and cross the little footbridge he made famous and stare out at the pond and lillies....

This doesn't make me gay, does it?

/images/graemlins/spade.gif

[Peter666]

I am assuming you checked out all the porn shops, strip clubs and sex museums on Pigalle?

[Dominic]

Also, check out the Renoir muesum - it's my favorite in all the world.

[kipin]

If you're into p*ker check out the Aviation Club on the Champs Elysee, although there is a dress code so you can't just walk in with street clothes on.

[Blarg]

It took this long to make a lame reference to Paris Hilton in this thread?

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
Walk. All over. You'd be surprised how mauch you miss by not walking. And take the metro, too...get off at random stops...walk to the next metro station. Eat lunch from one of the sidewalk crepe vendors...

A great half-day trip is to drive to Giverny and visit Monet's farmhouse - where he painted all those waterlilly paintings...it's pretty amazing to wander through those fields and cross the little footbridge he made famous and stare out at the pond and lillies....

This doesn't make me gay, does it?

/images/graemlins/spade.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

No way. Impressionism was the nuts. Still is. Especially if you're lucky enough to see the paintings in person when a museum tour comes around or something. That's not to be missed.

[Dynasty]

[ QUOTE ]
Walk. All over. You'd be surprised how mauch you miss by not walking.

[/ QUOTE ]

Right now, it might not be such a good idea to walk around Paris. He might "miss" getting in the middle of a riot.

[mslif]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Walk. All over. You'd be surprised how mauch you miss by not walking.

[/ QUOTE ]

Right now, it might not be such a good idea to walk around Paris. He might "miss" getting in the middle of a riot.

[/ QUOTE ]

the riots are not inside the city, more in the suburbs and projects surrounding Paris.

[Chairman Wood]

You've said you've done most of the touristy stuff in Paris but have you been to Versailles? It is one of the most impressive but yet gaudy things I have ever seen. Get there in the morning, walk around, pack a picnic lunch and have it anywhere you like on the grounds. After that I still wouldn't know where to start. There is so much. I would just walk. You will find something somewhere.

[Vish]

I don't know if you're into jazz/swing dancing, but there's a nice little place for that in the 7th (or maybe it's the 5th--it's the Saint Michel metro). It's called Caveau de la Huchette. It's on, conveniently enough, Rue de la Huchette.
It's a nice dark, smoky place with live music.

[dcasper70]

[ QUOTE ]
You've said you've done most of the touristy stuff in Paris but have you been to Versailles? It is one of the most impressive but yet gaudy things I have ever seen. Get there in the morning, walk around, pack a picnic lunch and have it anywhere you like on the grounds.

[/ QUOTE ]

I second Versailles. That place is amazing.
Orsay was the most memorable for me, barely remember the Louvre...

[OtisTheMarsupial]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
You've said you've done most of the touristy stuff in Paris but have you been to Versailles? It is one of the most impressive but yet gaudy things I have ever seen. Get there in the morning, walk around, pack a picnic lunch and have it anywhere you like on the grounds.

[/ QUOTE ]

I second Versailles. That place is amazing.
Orsay was the most memorable for me, barely remember the Louvre...

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, if you're into history like you said you are, you may like Versailles. I thought it was pretty borinig myself. And it takes a whole day! Getting out and touring and getting back eats up the whole day.

I was in Paris for 10 days and I have to say my favorite things were
- the cemetaries
- musee d'orsay
- le metro
- movie theatres
- wine

(but then, I read "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris beforehand and watched Amelie in France when it came out, so my experience was, a bit, influenced).

Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Burial place of Jim Morrison. Also Oscar Wilde, and Voltaire, if you care about them.

The Rodin museum in the Marais is great - especially the sculpture garden. And the neighbourhood is fun to wander round too.

[kenberman]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Walk. All over. You'd be surprised how mauch you miss by not walking.

[/ QUOTE ]

Right now, it might not be such a good idea to walk around Paris. He might "miss" getting in the middle of a riot.

[/ QUOTE ]

the riots are not inside the city, more in the suburbs and projects surrounding Paris.

[/ QUOTE ]

thankfully, this is true. bad situation out there, though