SWMBO and I are scheduled to go to Paris and Brussels next month. Our plans once we got there have changed and we now find ourselves with a week+ of time in France and nothing to do. We are not opposed to jumping on a train to visit another city / area as that was part of our original plan. It'll be January, the only thing we can't cancel without penalty is our airfare flying into Paris. Neither my wife or I are huge fans of Art and typically prefer food, history, culture experiences over art, sculpture, etc. I am always up for car/automotive/etc. experiences and also like high adrenaline things. We may end up going back in the summer/fall as our original plans are likely delayed but not canceled.
So the question is, if you have airfare booked to Paris in mid January and 8 days to do what ever once you get there, what are you doing?
Where is your hotel located?
I am not the best at these things, but if you like to walk here is one way to spend time:
Day 1:
Start at the Arc de Triomphe (there is a way to cross under the street!!) and walk the Champs-Elysees towards the museums.
You will pass both the Renault (I ate there) and Citroen stores (try the slide!)
All this making your way to the Jardins du Luxemburg, explore them. Later on the day you can make your way to Angelina (right on the edge of the park) and have coffee and a sweet treat.
On the way out, walk towards Notre-Dame and enter if possible. Right besides the church there is the Crypte Arqueologique.
Walk back to your hotel and dine anywhere.
Day 2:
Eiffel tower, might need advance tickets.
Depending on the day, you can make your way to the street market on Av. du President Wilson. It is near the Fontaine de L'Avril, middle of the street. Buy some delicious cold cuts, then make your way to La Patisserie Cyril Lignac a couple of blocks away and buy the best baguette ever and sit across the street in the park and eat a sandwich with the stuff you bought at the market.
Spend the rest of the day walking around.
Day 3:
Try and get a reservation to visit the catacombs
https://www.catacombes.paris.fr/en
Day 4:
Moulin Rouge
Basilique du Sacre Coeur
Galeries Lafayette (you can eat here)
Walk near the Seine
Day 5:
Maybe visit Saint-Denis (not one of the nicest/safest areas imo but the church is fine) and check Basilique cathédrale Saint-Denis. Its were most of the royalty was laid to rest.
Running out of ideas, if I think of anything else I will add.
Also, all my spelling might be messed up, but this will get you in the ballpark.
this is awesome thank you. We are there for 8 days, originally we had planned to go to Brussels for a few days and then do the things you mentioned in Paris. but now we can do what ever. I guess if we add a day to go visit Normandy that would still be a pretty complete trip.
our hotel is in the 15th arr
I'll reiterate the catacombs.
You mentioned that you're not big on art and they're basically art using bone rather than traditional mediums but I can't imagine anyone not being amazed.
I found the metro to be super nice even being a product of the suburbs with nearly zero public transport experience.
In reply to Slippery :
These are all excellent.
I know you said you aren't into art but the Louvre is pretty cool.
I'd also go to Notre Dame. I saw it pre fire but it should be amazing now.
If you don't mind a drive I always recommend going to the US Cemetery at Normandy. It is very powerful.
Are you staying 8 days in Paris and Brussels or is Brussels not in the 8 days? I have been to Paris a few times so 8 days seems a lot to me.
Hear me out :) Take the eurostar and go to London. I think London is really cool and it takes less than 3 hrs in the eurostar to get there. Go spend a couple or 3 days in London.
