Let's Take a Trip To Paris

Let's Plan A Trip To Paris

Lesson 2:

Day 3: Skeletons & Cannons

Morning

Arrive at the Catacombs by 9:15am (Metro: Denfert-Rochereau). Wander the creepy underground corridors for about 45 minutes (no bathrooms) before emerging a half mile away at 36 Rue Rémy Dumoncel. Turn right immediately upon exiting toward Avenue du Général Leclerc where you’ll make another right.

Walk five blocks down Leclerc until reaching Rue Daguerre. Turn left down this market street to purchase picnic supplies. Unlike Rue Cler, this is a locals’ scene; you’ll find better pricing on fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, baguettes and sandwiches. In addition to Boulangerie Lesiourd (24 Rue Daguerre), there are also several good bakeries on Leclerc near the Daguerre intersection. Shop with your nose!

Afternoon

Catch the Metro at Denfert-Rochereau by the Catacombs. Take it to La Motte Picquet Grenelle station, transfer to the line #8 and go three stops to Invalides. Exit the station into the wide-open embrace of Esplanade des Invalides, perfect for your picnic lunch.

After picnicking, head toward that huge golden dome. TheArmy Museum is hands-down Europe’s greatest military wonderland. From medieval jousting to WWII blitzkrieg, take your time going through this expansive collection. (Prefer making art to war? The Rodin Museum is next door.)

Evening

After exiting the Army Museum, take a left on leafy Avenue de la Motte-Picquet and walk about five blocks, passing the École Militaire Metro station (where you’ll be catching the Metro home tonight) to the even leafier Avenue Bosquet – take a right.

You’ll see several good dining options, but at the end of the first block on your left is Le Bosquet (46 Avenue Bosquet), a hip brasserie serving authentic French cuisine at cozy sidewalk tables. Onion soup, escargot, tenderloin, mussels, roasted chicken and fries – it’s all good here, my friend. Take the Metro home at École Militaire.

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Day 4: Quirky Paris

Morning

It’s time to get weird in the Marais neighborhood, which literally means swamp. Once home to misfits and artists, it’s now one of Paris’ most exclusive neighborhoods.

Start at the Place des Vosges(Metro: Chemin Vert or Bastille) for Paris’ most picturesque square. Les Miserables writer Victor Hugo lived at #6, where a free museum in his honor stands today. Exit the northwest corner, going left on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois. Take a left on Rue Pavee, then a right on Rue des Rosiers.

These quaint streets were once the Jewish Quarter and are now home to boutique shopping and takeaway food. The Eleven Paris (38 Rue des Rosiers) boutique clothing store has graphic tees, sweatshirts and jeans. (I’m told it’s very hip.) Buy picnic supplies from the Mediterranean delis, kosher pizza and shawarma shops in the area.

Continue on Rue des Rosiers until it dead-ends at Rue Vielle du Temple, go left and then make an immediate right on Rue Ste. Croix de la Bretonnerie. This is the Marais’ gay and artistic epicenter; you’re bound to see some creative characters here, not to mention shops.

Follow Rue Ste. Croix de la Bretonnerie (and the helpful signs) to the Pompidou Center.Don’t go in yet. Eat your Marais picnic lunch at Stravinsky Fountain in the little square south of Pompidou Center. This interesting fountain is the perfect primer for Paris’ preeminent modern-art museum. Pop around light-hearted Pompidou for a couple hours and don’t miss epic top-floor views.

Afternoon

Exit the Pompidou Center at the northwest corner on Rue Rambuteau. Go right on Rue Rambuteau away from the PC. Go two blocks, then make a left on Rue des Archives. One block up on the right is the charmingly peculiar Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, the Museum of Hunting and Nature. Spend an hour in this lavish mansion amongst mounted animals, hunting art and a talking albino boar head.

Evening

Exit left back on Rue des Archives and take your first left on Rue des Quatre-Fils. Go two blocks, then take a left on Rue Vieille du Temple. One block up to the left on the corner with Rue du Perche is BREIZH Cafe(109 Rue Vieille du Temple), an award-winning innovative crêperie specializing in buckwheat galettes and cider.

Take the Metro home at Saint-Sébastien – Froissart station.

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