I'm leaving for vacation next week! 2 weeks in France

[Fleshdancer]

I've never been so I'm very excited! :bounce: For the DUers who have been there, do you have any recommendations on where to go and what to see (aside from the obvious Paris tourist stuff)? Are there any DUers in France? Any tips/advice?

[AirmensMom]

1. Never been there ...

So I'll just say, from one Uppity Woman to another, You'd better have a damn good time and see everything you're expected to see! :bounce:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. A couple places

Touristy, but the Chateau de Versailles is one place you should definitely see...one of the oldest castles in Europe, and spend a couple hours on the Rue Mouffetard which has some of the coolest shops and food...it's in the 5th Arrondisement

[Seabiscuit]

3. If you promise to stuff me in your suitcase, I'll answer any questions

once there.

Lived in Paris 5 years. Honeymooned there after marriage.

L'Isle Saint Louis and La Rue Mouffetard are musts.

And the Loire Valley and Normandy and Brittany trips are also a must if at all possible.

Don't miss Mont Saint Michele - both high tide and low.

[Arugula Latte]

4. Do you have time to get to Nice & area?

If so -- ooooh la la!

BTW, I am the color of this guy: :bounce: ... Green!

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Oh how I wish I were you! Instead, I'll just wish you a safe and wonderful

trip!!! :hi:

[Shine]

6. Bon voyage!

I've never been,but I wanna hear all about it when you get back, OK?

:hi:

[coffeenap]

7. Also touristy, but I loved it: Top of Notre Dame. The stairs get very

narrow, so you get to know your neighbors--I met a wonderful group of Basque tourists. Great feeling up there. (Stayed on Ile St. Louis--old Paris feeling, to be sure.) PS: Don't touch the fruit in the small shops--the proprietor wants to choose it for you! Have fun! :hi:

[trof]

8. Bateau mouches Seine tour

http://www.discoverfrance.net/France/Transportation/Water/Bateaux-Mouches.shtml
Night tour is the best.

[bikebloke]

9. It's been a while

On Ilse de St Louis, there's (or maybe was) a pub that served beer in ceramic mugs. You could walk outside an sit on the wall overlooking the river. The bartender spoke like a penguin (a la Burgess Meredith in the Batman series).

France is very friendly towards cyclists. Especially, if you're loaded up for touring. Always waving, which is encouraging especially if you've been pedalling in the the rain all day.

[Darth_Kitten]

21. What's this Ilse de St. Louis I'm hearing about here?

:D where or what is it? sounds intriguing....

[Sugar Smack]

10. Wonderful. You are in for such a treat.

I never made it outside of Paris the two times I was there, but it was one of the finest experiences of my life. The festivity never ends!

[Fleshdancer]

11. THANKS EVERYONE!!!

I'm bookmarking this thread so I can make my list of all the places I should go to. In typical American fashion, I have no idea what to do with two whole weeks of vacation time! I definitely have time to travel south and yes, I do want to see Nice. We're also toying with the idea of also heading to Monaco or turn the other way and see Barcelona. 2 whole weeks! :bounce:

I'll post some pics when I get back. ;) Like I said though, I don't leave until next Tuesday so if you can think of anything else, just let me know.

[radwriter0555]

12. Nice is a big mess right now, they're building a subway. Cannes is pretty

as is St. Tropez. The towns are all gearing up for summer season, and it's really pretty right now. Nice just isn't that... great. It's kind of dirty, old town is charming for a couple hours. The boardwalk is... entertaining I suppose. If you want charming, old medieval villages, I can steer you to some lovely, fantastic sites that only the locals know about. If you have any interest in a monastary and private island, let me know.

The shopping in Cannes however, is world class. The drive from Cannes to St. Tropez is wonderful. Dining in Cannes is outstanding. The perfume factories in Grasse are really cool.

You can do the Riviera in a few days... it's mostly about the local color. Barcelona is a great idea, and you can get there easily.

In Paris, make sure you spend at least a day in Versailles. It's well, well worth it.

You're welcome to contact me for info and questions. I can make arrangements for you as needed for the local sites. I can suggest some brilliant museums as well.

[snacker]

13. Oh, lucky you (I am soooo jealous).....have a great trip! n/t

[greatauntoftriplets]

14. Restaurant Polidor....

on rue Monsieur le Prince on the Left Bank. James Joyce used to hang out there and it hasn't changed much since his day.

[Seabiscuit]

15. Contrary to Rove & Wolfowitz & Co., the French

are some of the friendliest and most informed people on this planet.

Enjoy!

[Fleshdancer]

16. Well all I know....

is that a true friend will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. This is what France did for us before we attacked Iraq so Rove and Wolfowitz can kiss my french wine drinking, Paris bistro eatin', train ride through the south of France ASS! :D

[RevolutionaryActs]

17. I am so jealous of you right now!

I hope you have a safe trip, and a wonderful time!!! :hi:

[GOPisEvil]

18. You're not taking me? Dammit!

Well, have fun - go see the Musee D'Orsay! :D

[Darth_Kitten]

19. I'm so jealous......enjoy your trip!!

take some side trips to places like Versailles. ;)

[xchrom]

20. you are sooo going to fall in love with paris.

every minute is a feast.