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Post by sistereurope on Jun 4, 2007 12:13:09 GMT -5
OK...this question is for you frequent visitors...(or everyone who has been to Paris more than twice, which is how many times I've gone)...
Since this will be my third trip, I started thinking about what sites I would always want to visit, no matter how many times I go (and I WILL hopefully be able to have many more visits)
I realized that for me, that place is Notre Dame. I can't imagine being in Paris and not going there - for me, it's THE "I am really in Paris site". On the other hand, I've never been up in the Eiffel Tower and didn't even go there on my first trip. Anyway, I can't imagine not spending time in Notre Dame...and it's not even for the religious aspect. It's just my "go-to" place - the place that always gives me chills...
I know it's hard to choose...but if you had to pick one, what would you consider to be your "go-to place"??
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 4, 2007 12:19:04 GMT -5
My husband has already informed that he ALWAYS plans to go to Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe when he's in Paris, so I suppose we will definitely be at those places every time.
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Post by sistereurope on Jun 4, 2007 12:23:23 GMT -5
Shoesy...I thought that you were going to say that you will always go to Berthillion!!  |
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Post by Happygoin on Jun 4, 2007 12:58:41 GMT -5
It's not really a "site" but it's a boulangerie on Blvd Victor Hugo. It's called Bechu. There was a book published about the boulangerie and its history and, in 1997, I took the book to the boulangerie to show them. It caused a mild uproar. They were SO excited. I mailed them a copy when I got home and we've all been amis since then. I always stop in to say hi and have coffee when I'm in Paris. I suppose, if I had to pick a major site, it would be the courtyard of the Louvre. I love it there.
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Post by luvparee on Jun 4, 2007 13:12:22 GMT -5
For me, it's the Eiffel Tower ----- then I KNOW I'm in Paris. I don't need to go to the top anymore ... did that twice. I just need to LOOK at her!
joy/luvparee
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 4, 2007 14:51:07 GMT -5
I'm with you, Luvparee--seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night is my "I'm really here" moment.
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Post by andi on Jun 4, 2007 15:48:34 GMT -5
Make that us three!!!! My heart melts when I first see her and it weeps when I take my last look of the trip. Hubby agrees on this one too!  |
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 4, 2007 22:30:20 GMT -5
sistereurope - Surely you didn't expect me to mention the obvious!  |
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Post by GitteK on Jun 5, 2007 0:55:42 GMT -5
Place du Parvis Notre Dame, absolutely. It must be bright sunshine. Looking up those towers always make me heave a DEEP sigh of relief - YES YES YES..... I am finally here.
I never go in anymore, though. I am not that wild about the interior of Notre Dame.
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Post by geordy on Jun 5, 2007 17:51:33 GMT -5
I'll get flack for this ..but I must go to the Champs Elysees! Just seeing it and the Arc de Triumph and the views off to Defense and down to Pl. de Concorde..it is Paris!
The other biggies I kind of alternate, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Sacre Couer, Lourve , though Notre Dame and the Lourve are so "central " we usually get there.
Also Blvd. St. Germaine and Pl. des Vosges, Marais in general, Pl. de Bastille, are musts.
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 5, 2007 21:53:15 GMT -5
geordy - I too like the Champs Elysees, though I know that it's very different from sections of Paris that are much more charming.
I see it as a grand lively avenue, full of shops, and I enjoy strolling there in either direction at least once when I'm in Paris.
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Post by joan1 on Jun 5, 2007 23:15:25 GMT -5
I agree with the obvious choices, the ones that scream " PARIS" ,, the Eiffel Tower( I won't go up anymore though) and Notre Dame and the Arc.
I must always walk along the Seine, especially where the little wooden magazine, old books and print carts display their wares.
I also like the Place de la Concorde,( or is it the Place de Vendome?) it just says Paris to me, can't imagine anywhere looks like that! LOL The fountains are hilarious ,, so over the top!
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Post by arrowcapet on Jun 5, 2007 23:52:43 GMT -5
I stay very near the river in the QL, so I see most of the stuff around there. I always pay a visit to Notre Dame de Paris, but it's impossible to miss. Oddly, the one place I've been more than anywhere else is probably the Basilique de St. Denis, one of my favorite places ever. More than the Louvre, or the TE....more than any of the usual landmarks. Not more than Versailles, but I don't think that counts as "site" in Paris, so I'm not including it. But I've been to Versailles almost 30 times. Oh...and I'm a complete dork...I always to go the Sacre Coeur and have lunch at the Place du Tertre.
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 6, 2007 0:00:12 GMT -5
Arrow - You're the one who found that decent restaurant in the Place du Tertre, right? "Eugene", right?
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Post by sistereurope on Jun 6, 2007 7:28:59 GMT -5
I really am glad to hear that you all have your favorite places that you return to year after year... and geordy - there's no flack for your choice. Variety is the spice of life and it would be boring if we all like the same things/places equally (not to mention way too crowded ) |
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Post by geordy on Jun 6, 2007 8:04:17 GMT -5
Arrow,
Have you ever tried Maison de Rose? It is a little off the Pl de Tertre? Charming..at least it was a few years back.
And Shoesy I do recall your agreement on the Champs.....and liking to stroll Fifth when here.
Let me know when you next plan to stroll!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 6, 2007 9:36:44 GMT -5
I can't go to Paris without going to Ile St Louis to walk around (not to mention, of course, visiting La Grande "B"), which also means walking through the parvi of Notre Dame. Also, always end up on rue de Seine to check out and sometimes visit the art galleries.
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Post by arrowcapet on Jun 6, 2007 11:45:38 GMT -5
Yes, Shoesy, it's Eugene that I frequent, and find to be relatively predictable. Geordy, I've never been to Maison de Rose that I know of, although I've tried several restaurants on the streets leading to Place du Tertre over the years...so it's a possibility.
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Post by trechic on Jun 6, 2007 19:22:59 GMT -5
What is it about the Basilique St. Denis that is so special???
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Post by willow on Jun 6, 2007 19:43:26 GMT -5
I haven't been to the Basilique St.Denis but I have studied it this quarter in an Art History course.
It was built for grandeur by Abbot Suget, based on the concept that height and light will get you closer to God. Also Suget was a politician of sorts and got all sorts of "donations" of money and gems to be put into the basilica. The vaulting of the ceiling is supposed to be breathtaking and the windows are a sight to behold. I'm trying to find a way to work it in to my itinerary, but I may have to come back and do it another time.
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hahahha