Things to do in Paris for those that dont like art

[DarkManX]

Going to spend about 5 days in France with a friend. She is into art but I am not, She has also been to Paris a few times already so she has seen mostly everything she wants to see. I am having a hard time finding attractions that I am interested. I would like to go on the Sewer Tour and to the Air and Space museum. Any other suggestions?

 

[mizzou]

eat, eat, and find more places to eat. And keep a lot of coins on hand to use the bathrooms.

 

[DarkManX]

eat, eat, and find more places to eat. And keep a lot of coins on hand to use the bathrooms.

food is probably the primary reason I am going.

 

[UglyCasanova]

I would image there are tons of history museums. The catacombs would be neat.

 

[mizzou]

You don't like art, but do you like architecture? Paris has a deep history and there are palaces, churches, and many other famous/significant buildings to visit.

In the end, Paris is a lot like NYC. So if you have that kind of a mindset it might help.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I know you said you don't like art, but don't discount the Louvre. Yes, it has art, but it also has a ton of awesome historical artifacts, some as old as 8,000 years old.

There are tons and tons of things to do in Paris. If you like history and architecture, there are a ton of cool churches to see (Notre Dame, Ste. Chapelle, etc), there's a cool military museum (The Army Museum) covering the world wars (among others), and just walking around and enjoying the city is awesome as well. Versailles is a short train ride away (around 30 minutes IIRC). You could also take a train to Bayeux (a couple hours IIRC) and go on a tour of the Normandy D-Day beaches. I HIGHLY recommend Normandy -- beautiful landscape, awesome food, and great people.

 

[KeithTalent]

^^ yeah, the Louvre is more of a history lesson than anything. It's really worth going even if you do not like art as you say.

Oh and make sure to eat a lot, as previously recommended.

KT

 

[Homerboy]

Just walk around. Seriously, that's about all you need to do to enjoy that city. Walk and observe.

 

[blankslate]

L2Parkour..... of course....


.....

 

[dave_the_nerd]

...

...

...whores?

Hey, don't look at me like that! It was good enough for Benjamin Franklin.

 

[Homerboy]

... and as for the Air and Space museum, that sounds about like the lamest thing to see while in Paris. There are COUNTLESS other things in that city that you just can't see anywhere else. Just go take in the culture and ambiance of the place.

 

[smackababy]

I would say see a PSG game, but they aren't playing in Paris. =(

 

[DarkManX]

thanks for the feedback everyone, I didnt say I was against doing all the typical things, I am just looking for a few other suggestions that aren't on the usual "top 20 things to do France" lists.

 

[cabri]

Architecture
churches
the "tower"
the "arc"

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Just walk around. Seriously, that's about all you need to do to enjoy that city. Walk and observe.

That's all I did in Europe. That and eat.

 

[DarkManX]

... and as for the Air and Space museum, that sounds about like the lamest thing to see while in Paris. There are COUNTLESS other things in that city that you just can't see anywhere else. Just go take in the culture and ambiance of the place.

you are probably right, I live 2 hours from the Smithsonian Air and Space museum in VA. Went a few years ago.

 

[lxskllr]

 

[IronWing]

http://www.musee.mines-paristech.fr/Presentation/

http://www.mnhn.fr/fr

 

[dullard]

Paris is a good, but not great, city. That said, if you are only spending 5 days in all of France, you shouldn't run out of things to do in Paris.
* Wander the streets aimlessly,
* Sit at a cafe outside people watching,
* Lots of history museums, even ones off the beaten path that no tourists go to are quite worth the visit.
* Enjoy omelets that are 50% butter, almond croissants, Nutella and banana crepes for next to nothing in money. Then blow your day's allotment of cash on a great dinner.
* Try good French wines. You won't care about finding activities afterwards.
* Sit in a great restaurant where the tables are so packed that you have to pull a table out to sit down. Then spend the evening talking with those at nearby tables. Here is a restaurant like that:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d719212-Reviews-Le_Petit_Pontoise-Paris_Ile_de_France.html
* Do a few of the big sights: Notre Dame, Louvre (but take the metro in directly to the basement to avoid the 1 to 2 hour line the tourist suckers suffer through), Versielle, Eiffel tower at night, etc.
* River walks / cruise?
* Paris Opera House (the setting for the Phantom of the Opera). Go on a tour, watch ballet, or even an opera. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_Garnier
* The sewer tour was okay. It is more a history of Paris museum than anything else.

 

[Exterous]

Some potential options:
A Seine River cruise
A free walking tour (I like the free ones as the guide gets paid in tips so if he's bad he won't stay around long. I've used Sandeman in the past but hear good things about Wego)
I am a big fan of Ste Chapelle. If its fairly bright outside its amazing inside. From my visit there:


Go visit the Palace at Versailles
Eat a lot
Enjoy the pastries
Drink a lot of coffee
Wine and/or cheese tour
Just eat a lot of wine and cheese on your own

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Paris is a good, but not great, city. That said, if you are only spending 5 days in all of France, you shouldn't run out of things to do in Paris.

Disagree - Paris is an awesome city.

* Wander the streets aimlessly,
* Sit at a cafe outside people watching,
* Lots of history museums, even ones off the beaten path that no tourists go to are quite worth the visit.
* Enjoy omelets that are 50% butter, almond croissants, Nutella and banana crepes for next to nothing in money. Then blow your day's allotment of cash on a great dinner.
* Try good French wines. You won't care about finding activities afterwards.
* Sit in a great restaurant where the tables are so packed that you have to pull a table out to sit down. Then spend the evening talking with those at nearby tables. Here is a restaurant like that:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d719212-Reviews-Le_Petit_Pontoise-Paris_Ile_de_France.html
* Do a few of the big sights: Notre Dame, Louvre (but take the metro in directly to the basement to avoid the 1 to 2 hour line the tourist suckers suffer through), Versielle, Eiffel tower at night, etc.
* River walks / cruise?
* Paris Opera House (the setting for the Phantom of the Opera). Go on a tour, watch ballet, or even an opera. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_Garnier
* The sewer tour was okay. It is more a history of Paris museum than anything else.

Great suggestions!

 

[IronWing]

I am a big fan of Ste Chapelle. If its fairly bright outside its amazing inside. From my visit there:

Dang, look at all those monitors!

 

[Kelvrick]

Paris was fucking awesome. I only spent like 4 days there during my tour of europe though and want to go back. Food in all the french cities I went to were awesome and people were pretty friendly. For some reason, all the cool bakeries had hot french bakers in them.

 

[K1052]

Should you find yourself on Ile de la Cite for Notre Dame/Ste Chapelle do yourself a favor, go behind Notre Dame and cross the little bridge to Ile Saint-Louis. Proceed directly down the main street until you arrive here. Avoid the long line trailing out of the walk up shop and go directly next door (on the left) to their cafe where they have the really good stuff. You're welcome.

 

[Anubis]

. And keep a lot of coins on hand to use the bathrooms.

Qua?