Check the view out, Dude! (Sights & Attractions in Paris in general)

Member Name: KathrynMackinnon

Product:	Sights & Attractions in Paris in general
Date:	29/04/01 (274 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: people are very helpful when you try to speak French

Disadvantages: can be a touch on the smelly side

There's a place in my head that I go to whenever I'm feeling down, stressed of bored. It's called Paris, the steps of Sacre Coeur on a quiet, clear-skied Sunday to be precise.
Now, I know that it's one of Paris' major attractions and that it might sound cheesy - but when you see that amazing view you will understand. Don't take the steps, take the Funiculaire at the base of Montmartre hill - or else you'll be knackered.
I would have gone for the amazing view from the top of the Ferris Wheel in the Tuileries Gardens, if I didn't have the memory of nausea and an overwhelming need to pee myself to go with it!
Oh, another. What about the Rodin Museum at 77 rue de Varenne, 75007 ? It's not exactly a magnificent view, but it's amazingly peaceful to sit in the gardens there and take in the quiet atmosphere. To see my view, you go inside the house and up the stairs to the main room with the balcony and look out over the pretty gardens, scattered with sculptures and people snogging! Sweet though.
Next, you need to go to the mad and eclectic Shakespeare and Co bookshop at 37 rue de la Bucherie, 75007. It has to be dark when you go there, don't worry they're open noon - midnight, and the bench outside the shop has to be free. Sit down and stare up at Notre Dame, relax - isn't it lovely? It'll be bustling woth people so you ought to soak up the Parisienne atmosphere by going for a meal at Lac de L'ouest - the nearby Chinese restaurant at 7 rue de la Harpe 75005!

There special views and places of mine are nothing without the food. So I'd recommend starting and finishing them in such places as L'as du Falafel in the Marais district - 34 rue des Rosiers, 75004 near the wonderful Pompidou center - they have delicious lemon juice and you need to try the filled pitta with cabbage salad, hoummus, chilli sauce and falafel. If it dribbles down your chin - all the better!
I love Le Grand Co
lbert, near my usual hotel on rue Vivienne, 75002 (see Hotel Vivienne £50 a night double room - plug!). It's one of the few remaining Parisienne brasseries with art deco interior and the most astounding seafood platters imaginable. Their puddings are to die for!

My main tip for seeing Paris is to restrain yourself from checking maps and guidebooks constantly, don't be afraid of getting lost - the Parisians are friendly, despite what people say!
Buying a 'carnet' of 10 metro tickets will save you from running out and a few pennies too. Have your own tube map and watch yourself late at night in the stations - don't be silly about your safety.
If you're on a tight budget then don't go for meals along the banks of the Seine, because they can charge just what they like without giving a damn about the quality of what they have to offer.
Give yourself at least 4 days if you want to wander or, if you only have a weekend - restrict yourself to a general area and really explore it - you'll be coming back soon anyway!

Next time try going in September - it's less American and you'll find that the Parisians are less irritated because they're probably on holiday as well!

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