When we asked our Paris expert friends for their top tips to where to wander and have a picnic in Paris we got some terrific feedback, so much so we thought we just have to share it with everyone. Not just the best walks in Paris but other means of getting around and places to stop off and enjoy a picnic – roam the streets of Paris like a Parisian with a good map and some comfortable shoes!
Katie’s Language Café top tip is: “whatever you do, you must walk to really know Paris. I love starting over by Notre Dame (A MUST SEE) and from there walking at your leisure to your next point of interest. If you have never been there before, it is worth it to pay (about) $36 American for a two day red bus (les Cars Rouges) tour. You can use it as a taxi, get on and off when/where you want for two consecutive days and it goes to every point of interest around the city”.
Paige Standen-Burrows from the US recommended the Velibs in Paris – but “only if it’s not raining”. The bikes can be loaned for a day or a week, there is no need to book in advance, you just turn up and go; there are parking bays around the city where you can leave them while you sightsee. Paige says that “you get to see so much more of the city while you’re getting around.”
Several people mentioned the Louvre at Sunset with a glass of champagne – what’s not to like about that one?!
Walking in the Marais came up time and time again. The Marais is one of the oldest and most impressive quarters of Paris and the name means “swamp” which it once was. Today you’ll find preserved narrow streets, fabulous architecture from Medieval and Renaissance Paris and amazing buildings. You’ll find yourself stopping short in amazement in these little streets and with so many artisan shops, beautiful squares and art galleries to explore our top tip is to wear comfortable shoes and allow at least half a day to visit.
For picnics, favourite places include the Jardins du Luxembourg or laying a blanket on the cobbled paths of the Seine. Scoring high on the list were the Jardins de Plantes, Bois de Vincennes, Domaine st Cloud, Buttes Charmont and Parc de Mousirs. Le pique-nique is clearly a very popular choice with everyone in Paris! So much so that we’ve gone a bit further and produced a full guide to our favourite Paris picnic spots!
The Batobus boat service on the Seine is perpetually popular and Sandy H. says”Hop on the batobus and get off at all the stops. You can see a lot this way!”
Sandy is absolutely right – Batobus have 8 stations along the Seine at some of the most iconic places to visit – the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysée, Notre Dame, Jardin des Plantes, Hotel de Ville, St Germaine des Prés and Musée d’Orsay. A one day pass costs (about) €15, a week long pass costs (about) €21 and you can get on and off for as long as your pass is valid, more details on the Batobus website.
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