So. I’m going to Paris over Thanksgiving. Wait, let me say that one more time: I’m going to Paris over Thanksgiving!!!!!! There, that’s better. It still hasn’t sunk in yet really. Maybe because it’s still months away. I’ve never set foot outside the U.S., unless getting shitfaced at Fred’s Bar in Juarez every weekend for three semesters counts, which doesn’t. So this is a pretty big deal for me. I was originally planning to go to Greece over Thanksgiving but three things made me change my mind: 1) I don’t speak any Greek (and despite the title of this post, I do speak some French (and I read it quite well)); 2) Paris is only 460 km from London; and 3) I’ve wanted to go to Paris ever since I saw the movie A Little Romance when I was twelve (cut me some slack, I was twelve!). So, Paris it is.
Last week I received confirmation on a studio apartment on rue Georges Pitard in the 15th arrondissement, Montparnasse. I’ll be about five blocks from the Plaisance Metro stop and about a mile and a half from the Eiffel Tower. I’ve asked around about that neighborhood and the worst thing anyone can say about it is that it’s boring, meaning it’s not very touristy. And that’s fine by me. I love the idea of staying in a normal neighborhood away from all the hype, assimilating rather than invading. But being so close to the Metro stop means I’ll be able to get to the touristy places relatively easily (provided the Metro workers aren’t striking, which I’ve heard they do on a semi-regular basis).
While I’m in Paris, I plan to visit the following places:
1) The Eiffel Tower
2) The Louvre
3) Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées
4) Jardin du Luxembourg
5) 27 rue de Fleurus (only about eight blocks from my apartment!)
6) The Catacombs
7) Moulin Rouge
8) Musée d’Orsay
9) Notre Dame Cathedral
10) The Sorbonne
11) Montmarte
12) Versailles, if I have enough time
13) Père Lachaise Cemetery (of particular interest are Chopin, Alice B. Toklas, Oscar Wilde, and Marcel Proust)
The nice thing about renting an apartment is that a) it’s cheaper than a hotel and b) it’s got a full kitchen. My plan is to buy groceries as soon as I get there and cook for myself twice a day, eating out only once per day. And at some point during my stay, I’m going to take the train to London. I’ve got a lead on an apartment on Abbey Road, not far from the studio. If I get the apartment, I’ll be in London for two nights. If not, I’ll probably only stay for one. I realize that one night isn’t really much time in London but since Paris is really my main focus I’m okay with that.
Anyway, if anyone has an suggestions of other places I should visit while I’m there, or suggestions of substitutions on the above list, please let me know!
8 responses so far ↓
1 neil // Sep 1, 2008 at 6:11 pm
You can very easily overdose on art in Paris, but the Centre Pompidou[1] is not to be missed. It’s the biggest (?) modern art gallery in Paris and it’s just wonderful.
[1]:http://www.cnac-gp.fr/
I’ve found that trips to Europe / Paris are akin to having a child: everyone has their own singular experience and it’s difficult to really tell someone what to see or things to do. All I can suggest is to just enjoy yourself and remember that the French aren’t so bad if you can speak a few key phrases and not treat them like very skinny Americans. :)
2 chris // Sep 2, 2008 at 5:35 pm
envy
envy envy envy envy!
Also, it is just excellent that you are going to Paris over Thanksgiving!
3 Karen // Sep 2, 2008 at 11:37 pm
wow, I’m so jealous - I adore Paris. I went 5 times while we lived in Germany.
You will have such a great time!!!!
4 michaelbrown // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:28 am
Chris, I know!! I’m envious of myself!
Karen, any places you could recommend as must-see, aside from what’s already on my list? I’ll be hanging out with a new friend who lives there. She’s promised to take me places that are not typically touristy, so I’m excited about that.
Neil, can one REALLY overdose on art? I don’t think so. And seeing as how I’m so illiterate when it comes to art, I think it’ll be a veeeery good learning experience for me.
5 michaelbrown // Sep 3, 2008 at 10:30 am
Oh, and Neil: I’m a very skinny American! And since I try to treat others as I would expect to be treated, I don’t know what to do! Ack!
6 Ericka // Sep 5, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I wish I could gooooo!!!!
7 andy // Sep 8, 2008 at 4:26 pm
) The Eiffel Tower–did it
2) The Louvre–saw part of if
3) Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées–saw it
4) Jardin du Luxembourg–saw it
5) 27 rue de Fleurus (only about eight blocks from my apartment!)–have no idea what this is
6) The Catacombs–loved, loved loved these
7) Moulin Rouge–didn’t go–very touristy area
8) Musée d’Orsay–spent half a day here
9) Notre Dame Cathedral–twice since it was near my flat
10) The Sorbonne–walked past it and saw many effite Parisiennes smoking cigarettes.
11) Montmarte–walked around here.
12) Versailles, if I have enough time–didn’t go
13) Père Lachaise Cemetery (of particular interest are Chopin, Alice B. Toklas, Oscar Wilde, and Marcel Proust)–this is a great cemetary. There’s also the Montparnasse cemetary where folks like Sartre, Ionesco, and Baudelaire are buried. There’s also a really cool American-run bookstore nearby where you can go and commiserate about the French, which is necessary after about 72 hours.
I also did the flat with the kitchen thing. Worked very well. I also spoke enough French to get by but had little use of it knocking around on my own because surprisingly, few people bother to talk to you.
The 15th is a decent district to stay. I stayed on L’Ilse St. Louis, which was also residential. It’s nice to be able to sleep at night and to hang out without too much pickpocketing worries.
Other than what you’ve got listed, I don’t have too many suggestions except since you’ll be ther in November, be sure to bring un parapluie.
8 andy // Sep 8, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Oh, and the Metro and other train workers started striking the day I left Paris. That meant taking a shuttle to the airport. Plan ahead!
Leave a Comment