Paris In September - Advice Needed

[Watchflair]

Seeking some advice from my fellow TRF members.

I am going to be taking the GF to Paris in mid-Septmber for 5 days(Planning on popping the question while there)

Any recommendations on some good centralized locations to stay?

What are the must do's? What should I pass on?

I don't want to spend the entire trip in museums. We do want to see some of the museums but also want to see some of the local culture etc.

I appreciate the input

[Naples09]

This wine tour was an awesome experience. Many other day trips that you could choose from depending on what you enjoy. Monet's house was a fun day trip too.

http://www.wine-day-tours.com

[towernick]

When I go, I like to stay in the 6th which is Saint Germain des Pres. I've also stayed near the Opera in the 9th but I think the 6th is a cooler neighborhood. You really can't go wrong though. Paris is the most visited city in the world, so prepare yourself for crowds. Walk around, get lost, go into small shops, eat snails, drink wine, do more walking. Hard to have a bad time in Paris.

[Galion]

Originally Posted by towernick

When I go, I like to stay in the 6th which is Saint Germain des Pres. I've also stayed near the Opera in the 9th but I think the 6th is a cooler neighborhood. You really can't go wrong though. Paris is the most visited city in the world, so prepare yourself for crowds. Walk around, get lost, go into small shops, eat snails, drink wine, do more walking. Hard to have a bad time in Paris.

Yes, lovely neighborhood. St. Germain des Pres has a very cool vibrant feel. Lots of cafes, shops, boulangeries at hand, within a walking distance of major tourist sites.
I always stay at the Holiday Inn St. Germain, very nice

[rr-nyc]

September is a great time to visit. Tourism slows down a bit and the weather is a bit cooler. In five days, I would pick only a few sites to visit and spend the rest of the time strolling, people watching at a sidewalk cafe, and taking in all the fabulous food and wine. My trips are typically 5 days so I can see some stuff but not all

I usually stay at the 1st arr which I find perfectly situated for my needs. Not sure what your budget is but since you are proposing, you may want to splurge a bit; The Park Hyatt is my personal favorite.

The Louvre is and always will be a must see but pick and choose what you want to see there or you will kill an entire day. The Eiffel tower is the quintessential stop when in Paris. Versailles is worthwhile seeing but the crowds can be overwhelming.

[Galion]

Not sure if you are into Vespas, but this is really fun. took a day tour and kept the Vespa for the rest of my stay. Loved the experience.
http://www.leftbankscooters.com/v02/

[Watchflair]

Thanks for the suggestions keep em coming

[thomaspp]

Cool Jim. I'm going to Paris again in two weeks (my mother in law lived there so we go often). First of all, take a spin around Place Vendome and see some watches!!

haha.. I would try to stay around the U.S. Embassy as it is centrally located and near everything. The Sofitel around that are is tops man. Do the boat tour down the river, go up the Eiffel tower (skip eating at Jules Verne... overpriced). My favorite museum is the D'Orsay.

Buy a loaf of bread, cheese and a bottle of wine and go have a picnic by the river bank. One of the best times I've had for cheap.

[mannyv11]

I think i will be going in September as well. My wife is a designer and the largest fabric show in the world takes place in September. I'm pretty excited to finally see Paris never been myself, so I am enjoying reading these suggestions a lot.

[linesiders]

Go to Lichtenstein?

[Tri-Tip]

I was in Germany for business one week, and then 2 days in Paris the next week, so I spent the weekend in between doing some sightseeing. I was alone, didn't speak the language, but had it all planned out in advance, including subway stops. I stayed in the 9th.

Day 1:
Took the subway to Trocadero, walked across to the Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower - Bought my ticket weeks ahead of time and was on the FIRST elevator to the top. Was great because for the first half hour, there were less than 50 people up there.
Took the subway to Champs Elysees, walked from the Franklin Roosevelt subway stop north-west to the Arc de Triomphe, and back down the other side, stopping for lunch along the way.
Back to the hotel, for a change of shoes
Took the subway to Montmarte, walked around the streets and then up to the Cathedral, and then back to the hotel.

Day 2:
Took the subway to the Lourve, didn't go in, just checked out the grounds
Walked to Notre Dame, didn't go in, just checked it out
Walked through Marais, had lunch
Subway back to hotel
Collapsed from exhaustion.

Only thing I really wanted to do but didn't was to see Jim Morrison's grave, but it would have been several subway stop changes and I wasn't that crazy about a trip like that, plus I was too tired.

[AK797]

To be really really romantic watch Before Sunset, you should actually watch Before Sunrise first really as it is the first one, and then follow in Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke's footsteps along La Seine and Notre Dame. I guarantee she will say Yes!

I'd also have dinner at Pierre Gagnaire and see Moulin Rouge.

[Watchflair]

Thank you for the suggestions keep em coming

[bayerische]

I'd say any of the single digit "arrondissements" are fine, I'd skip the double digit ones as they're a bit far from most sights.

If you're in september, try to catch Jimmy Buffett! He's playing at La Cigale. Friday and saturday show. Seen him twice in Paris, great show. Sold out, but tickets are available outside. Make sure the tickets are real!!!

I usually stay in the 9th district. Good and affordable hotels. Also lots of cosy and typically simple French restaurants around. Remember the French eat well, money is spent on produce, not on the interior, as it is in the US for example. Best restaurants I've eaten at in Paris are simple joints full of Parisians, they'll look at you a bit dirty, but disregard that. Bring a thesaurus if you don't speak or read french. You will NOT get an english menu. If you do get an english menu, walk OUT. You will not get service in english. Your waiter will hate you from the moment you walk in.

[bayerische]

To add, best plan to do Paris, is to not have a plan. You'll see once you'll get there. Busy people aren't around. Besides tourists.

[unclesallie]

Paris, wow! I would stay in the Latin Quarter, no doubt, first trip. So cool.
From there you can walk to Isle de Cite and Notre Dame, and from there across to Le Marais. Yeah. Save time to take the train from Opera to Versaille....fantastic.

Always Always keep valuables in your front pocket...this goes for your fiancée as well.
Pickpockets abound and are professionals...
IMHO, the best museum in the world is Musee d'Orsay....do not miss.
Finally, buy all tickets in advance, or buy a tour.......the lines will ruin your day, week and vacation........
I am jealous!! Enjoy!!

[Watchflair]

Appreciate all the suggestions. Definitely have some places on my go to list.

Any recommendations on where to stay? Any specific area? Price wise I am thinking $350 or less per night. Would consider going more if needed. Honestly don't plan on being at the hotel too much. Mainly there for the sights. Also should I be looking to stay in a specific area? I would like something centrally located so we can get around fairly easy.

[sea-dweller]

I always stay in the 1st arrondissement. It's very conveniently located to major attractions and very accessible to the Paris Metro stations. One or two Rolex dealers also!

[Watchflair]

Thank you for all the suggestions and insight!

Finally booked a hotel. Such a process having never been to Paris before. Paris isn't the easiest place to book. Lots to take into consideration: location, room size, quality of rooms etc.

Ended up going with the Hotel Marignan Paris 12 Rue de Marignan which seems to be very centrally located.

Looking forward to the trip. Any insight on good places to go watch shopping? I saw someone mention Romain Rea and ChronoPassion. Any other places worth a visit?

[locutus49]

This:

Originally Posted by towernick

When I go, I like to stay in the 6th which is Saint Germain des Pres. I've also stayed near the Opera in the 9th but I think the 6th is a cooler neighborhood. You really can't go wrong though. Paris is the most visited city in the world, so prepare yourself for crowds. Walk around, get lost, go into small shops, eat snails, drink wine, do more walking. Hard to have a bad time in Paris.

[Daryl]

i was there last week. take your gf to top of eiffel tower


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[Watchflair]

Originally Posted by locutus49

This:

Thanks John. That's typically our style. Just want to have a couple days of some structure to make sure we get to see what we need to see. Any watch stores you've been to that are must visits?

[Kingair]

'Paris en Septembre'

Guess you might need a rain coat by than . . .

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[Fabrice M]

I was born and raised in Paris, feel free to pm me if you have specific questions.
September is a great time to visit Paris.

Cheers.

[tfly212]

Originally Posted by unclesallie

Paris, wow! I would stay in the Latin Quarter, no doubt, first trip. So cool.
From there you can walk to Isle de Cite and Notre Dame, and from there across to Le Marais. Yeah. Save time to take the train from Opera to Versaille....fantastic.

Always Always keep valuables in your front pocket...this goes for your fiancée as well.
Pickpockets abound and are professionals...
IMHO, the best museum in the world is Musee d'Orsay....do not miss.
Finally, buy all tickets in advance, or buy a tour.......the lines will ruin your day, week and vacation........
I am jealous!! Enjoy!!

Second the D'Orsay...no better collection of impressionist art anywhere. I would also suggest the Rodin museum which is set in his old estate. Definitely pick up the museum pass http://en.parismuseumpass.com saves tons of time.

If you have 1/2 a day or so and the weather is good Versailles is a great day trip.