Paris Suggestions Please

[artnbarb]

I just realized we still have a few gaps in Paris this April. We'll have Friday (4/25) afternoon free, after a morning at the Louvre. We also need to fill a full day on Sunday 4/27. This is the week AFTER Easter.

One the the things I want to make sure to do is see the newly rebuilt Notre Dame Cathredral. Before I realized I had Friday afternoon free, I was in a panic, wondering if I'd even be able to get in on a Sunday. Even with this being the week after Easter, I'm thinking my best chance will be on Friday. Reservations for Notre Dame are available only 1-2 days before visiting, so I'll have to plan carefully.

Assuming we visit Notre Dame on Friday, that will leave me with all day Sunday to fill. At that point we will have seen the Louvre, wandered Monmarte and done all the standard touristy stuff. On Saturday we're taking a daytrip to the Champagne region (Epernay and Reims), so I'm inclined to stay in the city on Sunday, but need some inspiration. TIA!

P.S. I just realized that our very first trip to Paris was in April, back in the very early '90s. Art found a deal with TWA (that turned out to be an error, but they had to honor it!) $199 roundtrip STL-CDG, and the flight from Louisville to St Louis cost an addtional $19 ir $29, I can't remember which!

 

[Steve R.]

Assuming that you've gone to (or at least know about) the major places to go/see, here are some that maybe you don't or haven't gone to:
-Musée Carnavalet, 23 Rue de Sévigné in the Marais. A great Paris history museum, free.
-Marches at St. Ouen. https://www.tourisme-plainecommune-...ncontournables/marche-aux-puces-de-saint-ouen. A huge area, full of antiques, furniture & quirky items. An easy Uber ride from Central Paris & worth it.
-Les Pavillons de Bercy - Musee des Arts Forains https://arts-forains.com/. Ok, so it's a little corny, but this guy has collected fair grounds items from old carousels to games of chance and gives guided tours. We loved it.
-Atelier des Lumières 38 Rue St-Maur, in the upper 11th. https://www.atelier-lumieres.com/en. Depending on what artist's work they're showing (the current animation one will probably be long gone by April), this is a very nice couple of hours. We've seen several shows there -- the Van Gogh one was outstanding.

 

[Andrew]

Palm Sunday is a week before Easter.

You might see if special exhibitions interest you; one listing is here:

Paris Museum Exhibitions Schedule 2025 | Paris Discovery Guide

See the Paris museum exhibition calendar for shows at the Louvre, Orsay Museum, Centre Pompidou, Grand Palais, Army Museum, and Picasso Museum. Dates, ticket information, locations, and Paris Museum Pass savings.

www.parisdiscoveryguide.com

 

[artnbarb]

Palm Sunday is a week before Easter.

You might see if special exhibitions interest you; one listing is here:

Paris Museum Exhibitions Schedule 2025 | Paris Discovery Guide

See the Paris museum exhibition calendar for shows at the Louvre, Orsay Museum, Centre Pompidou, Grand Palais, Army Museum, and Picasso Museum. Dates, ticket information, locations, and Paris Museum Pass savings.

www.parisdiscoveryguide.com

Thanks Andrew! Too many years gone from the church. I'll edit my original post. As for special exhibits, that's a great idea, I'll do some research.

 

[Gillaspiewoods]

If you take up Steve’s suggestion to visit the Musee Carnavalet (which recommendation i support), then while you’re in the Marais, I’d recommend that you visit the Picasso Museum and the Holocaust Museum; both there and both worth your time. Please enjoy and report back!

 

[djh1]

I would definitely agree with the Carnavelet and the Picasso.

We've never been to the Atelier des Lumieres, but we have a similar exhibition here in Melbourne and we've seen Van Gogh and Monet there, also have seen the one in Bordeaux which was Caraveggio. Well worth seeing.

 

[chachalaca]

If the weather is nice go to a traiteur, grab a picnic lunch (with a bottle of wine perhaps?) and head to the Jardins du Luxembourg. That's my all time favorite thing to do on a Sunday in Paris. It sounds like Friday and Saturday may be busy, so this might be a good fit.

 

[ninkat]

The reservation slots for Notre Dame come available 2-3 days in advance: https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/visit/reservation/ You do not need to reserve, but it will give you a time slot, so you won't have to wait so long. In addition, CASA (has been giving outdoor tours for decades) gives free tours in several languages, including English. These are also free (but do not enter the cathedral): https://www.notredamedeparis.fr/en/visit/visitor-reception/

In April, Fondation Louis Vuitton is giving over the whole (Gehry) space to David Hockney, if that is of interest. And if it's a nice day, a picnic in that park is also lovely. Not sure what is on at the Fondation Pinault (Bourse), but that is also an interesting space to see art.

 

[chachalaca]

Oh! Agree with the Fondation Louis Vuitton suggestion! The restaurant there Le Frank has a Michelin-starred chef and was delicious (2019).

 

[artnbarb]

@ninkat , I've got reminders set on my phone for Notre Dame,so we'll just keep our fingers crossed! Thanks for the info about the CASA tours, I'll check it out.

The name David Hockney sounds vaguely familiar, but I had to Google him to see his work. I really like it, so there's another possibility! Thanks.

 

[milgreen2]

Musee de Montmartre is a lovely, small museum on the history of Montmartre and includes the gardens where Renoir painted and Suzanne Valadon's (she was a model for several Impressionist artists as well as being an artist in her own right) studio is well preserved. You also have great views onto the vineyard of Montmartre. I spent a delightful few hours there.

Another new-to-us experience after many trips to Paris was the late afternoon 'Mysteries' tour of the Opera Garnier. Lots of fun and great way to see the interior. Must book ahead. We were very happy we planned this visit during our witching hour, rather than during prime daytime hours, as it added to the mystique and filled in a timeslot when we're usually low energy.

 

[Gillaspiewoods]

I second the Musee de Montmartre recommendation; lovely peaceful couple of hours and you can enjoy a coffee or wine in the garden.