What should I not miss on my first trip to Paris?

[Pete Velcro]

Not Paris, Texas; Paris regular.

Any cool tips would be totally appreciated!

[Pat K]

I know this great barbecue place that you HAVE to try, with the BEST barbecue you've EVER TASTED...


(Just kidding. I don't know anything about Paris.)

[akaJudge]

one of my favorite experiences in Paris was the musee marmottan.  Tons of Monet's work, including the painting that supposedly gave birth to the impressionistic movement.  I like impressionist art, though.
http://www.marmottan.com/uk/index_uk.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9e_Marmottan_Monet

The statues in front of the national opera house affected me quite a bit, too, which was weird.  I'm not really an art guy.

[Emily]

Eiffel Tower!

[yesno]

Hey, I'm making my first trip to Paris (and then to Geneva) in a few weeks, too.  (Mostly work-related, but I'll have some free days.) So add some Geneva tips.

[Sarah]

I visited Père-Lachaise with Michel Dansel, author of Au Père-Lachaise: Son Histoire, Ses Secrets, Ses Promenades, and it was a great treat.  It won't be the same with just the book, but touring the cemetery with a copy in hand should still be grand.

I particularly loved the Musée Rodin, not just for the art but for the building and the grounds. 

The best tour I went on in Paris followed the remnants of the wall Philippe-Auguste built around the city during his reign.  The tour involved stops in people's apartments in buildings that had been erected around the wall.  If anyone is still conducting that tour, take it.

It's fun to visit every one of the Métro stations with Art Nouveau entryways.  Your quest will take you all over the place, and you'll see lot of neat stuff on the way.

In general, just walk and walk and walk.  And if you happen to end up on the rue de Fleurus (which you may, because it's one of the roads that takes you to the Jardin du Luxembourg), say hello to no. 43 for me; that's where I lived. 

Most important, eat and drink a great deal.

[Sarah]

Oh, you should also go to the Ile St-Louis and have some sorbet at Berthillon. 

[SJK]

Oh, you should also go to the Ile St-Louis and have some sorbet at Berthillon. 

Seconded. OMFG. Good. Go!

I didn't spend a lot of time in museums, however the Musee D'Orsay and the Natural History Museum are two I enjoyed a great deal. The later also attached to the Jardin des Plantes. The Jardin Luxembourg is another favorite stop. Because my idea of fun is eating and then going to see movies, Paris abounds with theaters large and small showing every kind of film you can think of and even the ones you can't. So, take it all in. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Eat well...learn a few simple phrases(perhaps you are fluent?!). It's one of my most favorite cities on the planet.

I'm close enough, I'll try to return this summer if time and work allows.
Good Luck!

[akaJudge]

In general, just walk and walk and walk.

This is no joke. Wear the best shoes you can get for walking.  Stop at lots of cafes and brasseries.

[Christina]

In general, just walk and walk and walk.

This is no joke. Wear the best shoes you can get for walking.  Stop at lots of cafes and brasseries.

Wow, how cool ... I too am going to Paris, probably in Sept, though. I actually don't want to do much museum-y stuff. I basically want to walk around, eat stuff, and buy cool crap. Any advice like that would be swell.

[Sarah]

As long as you don't go in August. 

[Pete Velcro]

YesNo, we're just doing Paris for a week, then home. That is unless there's more unexpected volcanic activity.

I'm about to cry. I love the FOT.  Thanks everybody! I'll be sure to take pics with my marathon t-shirt on!

[yesno]

Are you there between June 13 and 18?

[Pete Velcro]

Are you there between June 13 and 18?

We're leaving tomorrow and coming back on the 31st, all full of sorbet.

[Sarah]

It's a wonderful city, PV.  My favorite of the (not very many) I've lived in.  I hope it still smells like coffee, Gauloises, and diesel fumes.