Paris for Pres Day Weekend

[Austin Orange]

I am taking a girlfriend with me to Paris next weekend for a few days. Besides the typical Eifel Tower type stuff, what are some good ideas for me to take her to?

Also, I plan on doing dinner both nights at somplace nice. Will take the concierge recommendaitons if I cant find any recs first hand.

We are late 20's early 30's.

Thanks.

 

[Cap33]

Get Rick Steves' book.

 

[happy fun ball]

I'm thinking about a three day weekend with the wife soon. A friend reccomended the Hotel Orsay, but I'm not decided. Where you staying?

 

[iamtigerwoods]

Listen to Cap33 and grab the Rick Steves book. It will give you itineraries for 1,2, or 3(or several more if you are there longer) days. They are very good.

 

[Stringer Bell]

When I spent a month there a couple of summers ago, I started with the Fat Tire Bike Tours. It helps you get a good feel for the city and some of the history. It's a quick way to get see a lot of the city. They're just a couple hours, so not too time consuming. Plus, it's run by Texans, Aggies, but Texans.

The girlfirned and I really like the Montmarte area and the area around the Tuileries. The Louvre is obviously very important to see, but don't spin your wheels looking at everything. Hit the high points and head out.

Most imporatantly, make sure to take some time to enjoy the Parisian culture. If you just run around like crazy trying to see everything, you won't enjoy it as much.

 

[Austin Orange]

Staying at the ADT Hilton.

I travel throughout Europe for work, but do not ever go to Paris. I was hoping someone had a hook up at a resturant or some other by name referal. The bike tour might be worth looking at for the Texas ties.

 

[Mack Tripper]

Check out this thread: The Link

 

[MustangOrange]

I really enjoyed Willi's Wine Bar - link below:
Willi's

A cool place to grab a drink is Harry's New York Bar, where the Bloody Mary was invented. This was a big Hemingway hangout. Another good one (ie nice bar) is the Bar Hemingway in the Ritz.

I'll second what one of the above posters said - enjoy the city and walk around areas like Montmartre and the Latin Quarter. You'll also get to see the sights while walking.

 

[Lone Star]

First, my apologies for not reporting back sooner and thanking everyone for the great advice. It was employed and the result was one of the top trips I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

A couple of thoughts:

First, as much as I had heard about the beauty of Paris, I was blown away – just an incredibly elegant city. The people were great, very helpful. We learned a number of phrases before we left and work our French as much as we could. We rented an apartment in the Marais near the Hotel de Ville; the location was ideal.

Places the stood out:

We visited the Louvre twice, once on Sunday and then again Friday night. I would highly recommend visiting the Louvre on a Friday night. The crowds are down and the lighting is just spectacular. Of course the Denon wing gets all the press, but the third floor of the Richelieu wing with the Flemish masters was equally sublime.

The Rodin Museum – Beautiful grounds with all of the signature works; just a lovely space and very serene.

Picasso Museum – I always forget the variety of forms the Picasso experimented with and eventually mastered. The museum provides a great retrospective of his career and I continue to be impressed by his continuous sense of exploration and creativity.

Left Bank – Did a self-guided walking tour (Frommer’s Paris Walks) of both the Latin Quarter and the Faubourg St. Germain. Would recommend the same.

Musee D’Orsay – Start with the structure (a Beaux Artes era train station), which has been restored to create a spectacular exhibition space. Then add a collection of seminal works that astound you as you work your way through the space. Then the café on the top floor with a view of the Seine – just a memorable experience.

Versailles – We took the train and the site when you walk around the corner and see the palace for the first time is spectacular. We liked the interior – but the gardens really stole the show. They just envelope you as you make your way along.

Ste-Chapelle – Beautiful, awe-inspiring, magnificent, you get the drill. Even better that the glass is on the second floor of the chapel, so you get a since of anticipation as you walk up the steps before you are blown back.

Hotel Costes – Went for drinks one nights and was one of the best bars in which I have ever had the pleasure of enjoying a cocktail. Everyone in there is beautiful and the women are universally off the charts – a level of talent that you maybe get in high-end bars in Rome or NYC. Just unbelievable.

Restaurants

L’Atelier de Maitre Albert Guy Savoy – Located on the Left Bank near Notre Dame. This is a rotisserie with outstanding beef, game, and side dishes, housed in a restored space with modern touches. This is not a steakhouse, although grilled meats are the specialties.

The Link

Benoit – Benoit is now owned by Alain Ducasse and this is an old standard Bistro. Probably the best piece of veal I have ever tasted – just off the charts with the flavor of the veal and the sauce. Also had a GREAT bottle of White Bourgogne that they helped us choose. Again, very nice and helpful. Located near the Pompidou Center.

The>The Link Link

BENOIT
20 rue St-Martin, Paris 75004, France.
Telephone +33 (0)1 42 72 25 76
Fax +33 (0)1 42 72 45 68
Email: [email protected]

Also dined at Willie's Wine Bar and recommend.

Final note, if you are taking your girlfriend to Paris and she does not rape you in the sack nightly – dump her ASAP. If a chick cannot be impressed by Paris then do not waste your time.

Feel free to PM me for more info.

 

[Ahab]

Take her for ice cream at Berthalon on Isle St Louis. It is unbelievably good.