It’s easy to cozy into a routine living in France—visiting the same boulangerie, walking the same streets, and returning to favorite wine bars. I was inspired by this post on C’est Christine (and have been meaning to make a Paris bucket list for quite some time!) to draft up the things in Paris I haven’t done yet, and then make it my goal to do all of them—especially now that my thesis is drafted. I would love to hear other recommendations or tips for the things I have listed!
Climb to the top of Sacré Cœur.
See an opera at the Palais Garnier.
Row a boat and picnic in the Bois de Boulogne.
Maybe it’s because I have a fantasy of morphing into a pointillist masterpiece, but I would love to spend a Sunday in the park with or without George.
Take a day trip to Giverny.
Explore the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Walk through all of Paris’ covered passageways.
Walk through the catacombs (with a friend, please!).
Now if I’m being honest the main reason I haven’t done this yet is because I hate waiting in lines, and I always see the line wrapped around and around for the catacombs whenever I pass by Denfert-Rochereau.
Get the city’s history at the Musée Carnavalet.
Go inside Sainte-Chappelle.
See Marie Antoinette’s prison cell at Conciergerie.
Take a tour of the Marais.
The Marais is one of my favorite Paris neighborhoods, and I love learning about the history of the area (perhaps because when I was in-between Paris homes I read Murder in the Marais).
Listen to jazz at Le Caveau de la Huchette.
Get a pastry at Stohrer.
Visit all of Dominique Ansel’s favorite bakeries and pastry shops in Paris.
Things I’ve done before but will do again and again: pop a bottle of champagne on the Seine, buy art prints from the guy that stands outside the Musée Carnavalet on Sundays, eat crêpes in Montparnasse, fondue in Montmartre, and pistachio/chocolate escargots from Du Pain et des Idées, walk up and down the Seine until my feet ache and the Eiffel Tower stops sparkling. ♦
Thank you Anne for your refresh view about Paris ….Montmartre ?
Rodin museum ?
Other Very chic places to visit :
a walk on Breteuil avenue and Montaigne avenue ( you can have a drink in the” plaza Athene ” palace …. it worth much !
The walk is such a good idea! I’ve walked along there before but to get somewhere and not to just enjoy walking 😉 I’ve been to the Rodin museum, but it has been a while, and I do love exploring Montmartre 🙂 Such good ideas!
Last November was my 13 th trip and my list never gets shorter! I think this last trip, Foundation Louis Vuitton was outstanding! I’ll also add Rodin, Picasso, and the FABULOUS Architecture Museum. Don’t forget to ride the Grand Roue and get a bird’s eye view of Paris. I’d add going to the bottom of rue Mouffetard on Sundays around noon and watch the locals sing and dance. I try and never miss it!
There are so many more but you’re list is a fine one!
V
oooh I haven’t done the Grand Roue! Will have to wait for a clear day to do that 😉 I do most of my shopping on Sundays along Rue Mouffetard, and I agree that the band that come out and play there are a must see 🙂
Hey Babes,
I vote you start with the catacombs, the covered passageways and Marie Antoinette’s cell. Climbing to the top of anything is a worthwhile endeavor but a boat ride and picnic with or without George sounds wonderful.
When is it you return and how long will you be here? It’s a gorgeous day and GD is heading out to play golf. I, on the other hand must finish my list for the Inauguration Consolation Coffee I’m having. It’s for those of us who are still Really bummed about Trump. It’s a Forward/Stronger Together affair. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.
I love you, Classy
I’m saving the pseudo-athletic activities (climbing, rowing) for when Mary Stuart is here…she asked if there was ziplining in France so I figure it’s the least I can do. Will send you an email! love you 🙂
I have done the catacombs and the trip to Giverny. Both are amazing. Sainte-Chappelle could not be more beautiful. And Marie Antoinette’s cell is fascinating. To your list I would add a weekend trip to Mont St. Michel and day trips out of the city to go wine tasting. For my bucket list, I need to visit the south of France – an area you know well. I’ve been to France many times and that is the only part I’ve never been to. Crazy, right?
I’m hoping to go to Normandy with my sister, so hopefully we can make it to Mont St Michel! You would adore the south—it’s my favorite part of France, mostly because the weather is so nice most of the time. If it makes you feel better, I’ve lived here for two and a half years and I still haven’t been to the west coast at all! Must remedy that 😉
Well, the good news is the Musée Carnavalet for a renovation until 2019, so we know you will be sticking around. 😆
Nooooooo!! I guess I have to make a 30th birthday trip to Paris….how inconvenient…;)
What about walking along the Canal St. Martin and seeing a show (stand up comedy) in La Pigalle? A friend of mine and I also set ourselves a target of getting to know each of the 20 arrondissements one year.
I would have never thought to go to La Pigalle, thank you! I do love the canal, especially with an escargot from Du Pain et des Idées 😉 I often think about spending a day (or month) walking along the metro lines to see each of the stops above ground, but have never done it. Maybe I will try!
Though I like your plan better, I once took the Metro 1 to La Défense with the intention of seeing La Grande Jatte from the train. I was so happy to have seen it, but then realized on my way back into Paris that I looked out the wrong side of the train, so I really didn’t see it after all. At least the Metro ride was free, as a present from the RATP for New Year’s morning!
Haha, oh no! I hate when things like that happen ><
I have done most of your bucket list .. I like to go to the top of Tour Montparnasse , amazing views. Visit some of the parcs. Parc Butte Chaumont is lovely. In the summer you could go to Parc Floral for the Jazz concerts. You only have to pay to get into the Parc , take a picnic and settle on the grass, I went with friends from Paris a few years ago. You could go to Parc André Citroën and have a balloon ride. It is tethered so it just lifts up and doesn’t fly around. Bercy Village and then the long walk back along the river. So much to do. I love Paris.
I relate to this so much and the list is great idea! Most free days that I have I always end up doing the same thing in the same places: consume coffee and research. I am definitely going to steal this idea and write up a post on my blog to keep me accountable. haha.
I would love to see it once you write your list! 🙂