Leaving tomorrow for Paris!

[Raine1967]

I can't even begin to tell you how exited I am. This has been a place I've wanted to visit since I was in my teens!

Due to an awful lot of life circumstances over the past thirty years it never seemed to happen.

The tickets were booked last November. We have a Flat rental in the Panthéon neighborhood and it's about a 3-5 minute walk to the Seine.

We will be making the rounds to museums and walking around and eating and playing in the city. We are spending one day in the Loire Valley to visit some vineyards, etc., and will be tryinig to Visit Da Vinci's final resting place.

The rest is all Paris in the springtime!


I hope to be providing pics when we return in two weeks!

to all my DU friends!

[redwitch]

1. Have a wonderful time in a wonderful place!

Don't miss the Jacquemartandre Museum. ( Not sure I spelled that right!). And have lunch in their restaurant!

Bon Voyage!

[Raine1967]

27. I will put it on the list of places to attempt to see!

Hubby and I (he's been there before) have a feeling that we wont get to see everything, but It is ALL good.

[panader0]

2. I'm jealous

I was in Paris as a seven year old in 1957 or 8. When we went to the Eiffel Tower, my mom was scared by the rickety elevator
and we only made it to the second level. I was very disappointed.

[Raine1967]

29. I'm told I must go to the Tower.

It was actually not on my high list of things, but We are going.

What I am not going to spend time to see is the Mona Lisa.

I have the good fortune to see his painting In the States right here in my backyard.

There are much more painting that I wish to seek out. I went to PArsons School of design in the 80's and I loved Art history. So many of my friends were able to Study abroad in Paris, I was not as fortunate, so here I am 30 something years later and much more seasoned on Art.

[wilsonbooks]

3. Bon Voyage.

Have a great trip.

[oldandhappy]

4. Have a wonderful time!

Very happy for you. Enjoy! I know you will be thrilled. Make great memories!

[mainer]

5. Watch your purse and wallet! Always hug them close to you.

Esp on the Metro.

Have copies of your credit card numbers and customer service numbers. Have a neck pouch for valuables.

I always felt safe in Paris, but I knew my belongings weren't!

I love that city. Spent several months in the Rue du Bac neighborhood. While I saw all the "big" cathedrals and churches in the city, my favorite was the small and exquisite Sainte-Chapelle on Isle de la Cite, v. close to Notre Dame. The most gorgeous stained glass I have seen anywhere in the world. But go on a sunny day, so you get to bask in that glorious color.

http://www.sainte-chapelle.fr/en

[New Orleans Strong]

16. Sainte - Chapelle

Couldn't agree more.

[Fla Dem]

6. Have an absolutely magnifique time! nt

[liberal N proud]

7. Paris in the sping, how nice

Enjoy!

[femmocrat]

8. How wonderful!

Paris is #1 on my bucket list.

Looking forward to the pictures!

[Major Nikon]

9. Don't miss Napoleon's tomb

It's one of my favorite things to see there. Rodin museum is also right next to it, which is worth spending a couple of hours.

[Raine1967]

12. Both on the list!

[elleng]

23. You'll probably love the Rodin,

esp the park to sit and gaze!

Will be thinking of you OFTEN!!!

Order Croque Monsieur whenever you can, for the best 'grilled cheese sandwich' ever!!!

[Hoppy]

10. Say hello to Morrison for me.

[Raine1967]

13. Will do! eom

[dorkzilla]

11. Paris is stunningly beautiful

Make sure you get to the Musee d'Orsay! The building is as beautiful as the art.

You will have a wonderful time, I am sure!

[RoccoR5955]

14. Have a great trip.

I'll visit Paris in October, when I have more vacation time.

[blondie58]

15. Have a great time!

Looking forward to seeing pictures.

I went on an art history tour with my German Teacher in the early 80's. I decided that 10 days was too short, so I extended my stay for a two months total.

After my first scary day alone, I really enjoyed it.
Came back and I had so much money saved, I left again. For another couple of months.
Best experience if my life- I have no regrets.

[passiveporcupine]

17. Happy Trails

Can't wait to see some pictures.

[Beowulf42]

18. Too Long

I unfortunately waited until I was in my late sixties before visiting Paris, but even then it was a life-changing experience. I've been back two more times and have yet to see so many of the things that on my list. Bon Voyage, et Bon Chance.

[Raine1967]

30. Thank you! It was a long wait, but as I said

my life has taken some interesting turns, some good, some bad but until this wonderful period of my life, it was just not in the cards to happen.

I'm 48, I'm finally going.

[skydive forever]

19. If at all possible

try to go to Versailles. And even better on a Sunday morning. Stunning city, you wont be disappointed. If you can get Rick Steves book on Paris. Worth every penny. You're going to love it.

[Raine1967]

25. Already have the book and Versailles in in the plan!

and welcome to DU!

[saidsimplesimon]

20. Have a wonderful visit in Paris.

[lark]

21. Ah Paris, such a fabulous place.

If you like Impressionist art, you must go to the Muse Dorsee (don't have the little accent things on this keyboard). It's like a dream, the colors of Manet and Monet just glow. Wish I could remember the Alsatian restaurant we ate at, right near the Parthenon, we spent a whole afternoon eating outside, drinking wine and people watching. Eifel tower at night, c'est magnifique!

I hope you enjoy your trip to the fullest. It's a magical city.

[Raine1967]

31. That is on my must do list!

I cannot wait!

[rickford66]

22. Speaking even a little French goes a long way in Paris.

They give points for trying.

[Major Nikon]

33. There's one thing you definitely need to know when you go to France

When you walk into a shop always say bonjour madame or monsieur as applicable. If you don't, they will think you are an asshole from that point on and you won't get points for being a foreigner.

[rickford66]

34. I had a shopkeeper say "Ciao" to me as I left.

Even though I said bonjour when I entered. I am half Italian so she must have taken a good guess.

[Major Nikon]

35. I've heard all kinds of things for goodbye, including "goodbye" to obvious native French speakers

Bonjour seems to be mandatory when entering, though.

[elleng]

24. P.S. About Da Vinci's final resting place,

most of which you probably know, but a favorite ballet dancer of mine, of the NYCity ballet, is Jacques D'Amboise!!! (He was born in Mass, tho.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_d%27Amboise

[Raine1967]

26. I did not know!

[mnhtnbb]

28. Have a wonderful time!

Yes to keeping handbags zipped or closed; men should carry wallets in front pockets.
Pickpockets work in pairs--one will distract you and the other lift the valuables.

I had an encounter with one the first time I was in Paris in 1983. One splashed water on me on the side
opposite my handbag and the other reached in my purse. Luckily, I realized what was happening and saw
my wallet in the guy's hand as he brushed ahead of me. I grabbed his arm--hard--and yelled at him
to drop it. He did. And didn't run off. Everyone on the street stopped to see what would happen.
No gendarmes around--so nothing did but at least he didn't get my wallet.

Yes, too, to speaking French, although many people speak English--especially younger folks--these days.

We were last there in May of 2014 and had the great pleasure of our French "daughter" meeting us at our hotel, spending
the afternoon with us walking the city, and then dinner. The next day we had Sunday dinner--with her husband and two children--in the garden of her home outside Paris.
(She had lived with us for a year--her senior year in high school--in 1989-90.) Had a wonderful time--beautiful weather--walking the streets, going to museums,
sitting at sidewalk cafes.

Have fun!



On edit: if anyone is thinking about hosting a foreign exchange student: do it! We have stayed in touch with her all these years--and she visited us here in 2009 and we've seen
her on a couple of different trips in Paris over the years. We also hosted a German student when my youngest son was in high school. We're still in touch with him, too, because
his family hosted our son for three weeks during the summer after he'd been here.

I have other friends who've hosted foreign students here, too, and had wonderful experiences and are still in touch. It makes visiting another country so much more fun
when you get to see someone you know--in their home.

[MrScorpio]

32. For your trip...

[Raine1967]

38. My goodness, this is already in my head as a sound track!

Thank you, MrScorpio!

[WinkyDink]

36. If you're still reading here: PLEASE, I beg of you, do NOT miss seeing Sainte-Chappelle!

Bon voyage!!

And if you want THE most PERFECT view of Notre Dame, eat lunch (or dinner!) in the restaurant Tour d'Argent. Ask to go to the rooftop!

Tip: Take a tour of the Louvre, or just follow an Asian group!

Also, Chenonceaux!

[Raine1967]

37. I PROMISE you, we won't!

I think we will be going on Tuesday!

Suggestions are already on the to do list!

Today was Hubby's Birthday, we just had a porch party. So tha tmeans we had a fire ppit and a bunch of neighbors over... andlibations...

we will be packing some more tonight and be leaving at 3pm tomorrow.

[WinkyDink]

45. Three more tips, heh:

1. BEST view of the Eiffel Tower is at night from the Trocadero.



2. Napoleon's tomb is in a most impressive setting.



3. If you can get to Giverny, you will ever after be able to say, "I stood on Monet's footbridge!"

[Solly Mack]

39. Have a wonderful trip!

Looking forward to your photos and stories!!

[steve2470]

40. Have an awesome trip! :) nt

[awoke_in_2003]

41. I want to go there before I die

My one worry is mushrooms- the French love them. How hard is it to eat there without eating that disgusting fungus?

[bettyellen]

42. Don't miss the Catacombs and parties and caramels at Jaques Genin!!

[Little_Wing]

43. Did you know there is a restaurant in the Eiffel Tower? Le Jules Verne.

It is a fantastic spot to watch the sunset as you eat very yummy food! Highly recommended...
expensive but a once in a lifetime meal.

http://www.lejulesverne-paris.com/en

[FSogol]

44. Have a good trip. n/t

[bikebloke]

46. My first trip in 1977

It was my first backpacking trip, which turned me into a world traveler. At the Eiffel Tower, due to my budget, I only went up to the second stage. I reckoned the top could wait for another time. The top is still waiting.