What can I do in Paris for 12 hours?

[Leyla Giray Alyanak]

I'm in Paris this Sunday, arriving around 11am at the Gare de Lyon. I have the day to myself, and the evening. I'm traveling solo and want to make sure I really use the time! 

 

I don't know the city's museums but I love art, decoration... Perhaps a museum for the day? (I've been to the Puces de St. Ouen so no need to direct me there).

 

In the evening I'm eating alone but love good food of any nationality. Any ideas of where I can enjoy a great meal without having to dress up or feel awkward dining alone?

 

I'll be staying somewhere near the National Assembly but don't know where yet...

 

Any help welcome!

[Karen Fawcett]

Depending on the weather, (and as of now, it's supposed to be terrific), I'd buya ticket for the (very touristy) but fun - hop on and off bus.  You'll see all of the sights and be able to pace yourself and walk around the neighborhoods.  Take a cruise of you want to see Paris by water. (Make it a short one and steer clear of dinner cruises.)

You might enjoy this museum:   

Museum of Arts & Decor

 

As for where I eat - a woman alone is no problem.  There are so many places where you can  sit at a bar and eat a very good meal.  If you're feeling language challenged:   FISH is a terrific wine bar/restaurant with very good food that's within walking distance of where you're staying.  A lot of expats hang out there.

 

For additional ideas - do take a look at Bonjour Paris. We've been writing about France for 17 years!  Best, Karen

[Leyla Giray Alyanak]

All great suggestions, thanks Karen!

[Jean Dabrowski]

Hello Leyla,

 

To start with, I recommend having lunch at Le Train Bleu, which is inside the gare De Lyon station.

 

You would think a "train station restaurant" may not be the best place for a good meal...but believe me you will be surprised by the restaurant itself and by what's in your dish... http://www.le-train-bleu.com/uk/index.php

 

If Art is what you are interested in, then yes, a museum pass will keep you busy for the entire day.

 

Besides the Louvre, Orsay and Pompidou, you may also consider some of the off the beaten tracks and some of Parisians' favourite cultural hotspots:

 

Galerie Gagosian: Having transformed a huge hôtel particulier into a state-of-the-art contemporary gallery, Gagosian has offered Parisians interesting diptych exhibitions such as Rodin and Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, Richard Prince and Jean Nouvel.
• 4 rue de Ponthieu, 8th, [phone], gagosian.com. Métro: Franklin D Roosevelt

 

Hôtel de Ville de Paris: Few visitors to the French capital know that the town hall organises free exhibitions. Their topics are usually, but not exclusively, capital-related. The most successful have been: Jacques Prévert's Paris, grande-dame designer Andrée Putman's Parisian interiors, La Commune and Communards, Paris as seen by Impressionists.
• rue de Lobau, 4th, paris.fr. Métro: Hôtel de Ville

 

Fondation Cartier: The Cartier Foundation for contemporary art with its gleaming new HQ on boulevard Raspail is home to a massive collection by 300 living artists, it acquires 15 new art pieces annually.
261 boulevard Raspail, 14th, [phone], fondation.cartier.com. Métro: Raspail or Denfert-Rochereau

 

You also may want to take a look at the current culturual agenda and list of exhibitions available during your visit:

 

http://en.parisinfo.com/shows-exhibitions-paris/exhibitions-1/

 

Enjoy!

 

Jean-Francois Dabrowski

www.FranceCruises.com

www.FranceCountryTours.com

 

[Julie Palisse]

Hello Leyla,

 

I would advise you to do the cruise on the Seine, it is a one hour cruise, it costs around 10 € and gives you a good idea of Paris.

 

Then, I will do the Orsay Museum, the museum and the garden are so nice, and for me it is one of the best area.

 

Finally you might do the district of Marais, open on sunday because it is a jewish area. Or if you prefer you can have a walk in Bercy Village (la cour st emilion) and have dinner there (always crowded on sunday).

 

If you need advices for hotels write me back.

 

Julie

[Candice Sabatini]

 I agree that the Marais is a good choice because while much of Paris is closed on Sunday's, this formally predominently jewish neighborhood is alive and hopping on Sunday. Lots of stores and restaurants will be open and it's a great area to explore and walk around.

For a cheap lunch, and the best falafel in the universe (imo) go to Las du Fallafel on rue des Rosiers. The Picasso Musuem is also in this neighborhood.  There are also other small galleries that will be open.

 

If you love decoration, I highly suggest visiting the Musee of Arts Decoratif, which is on rue de Rivoli, right next to (and part of) the Louvre.  They have some great permanent pieces and always have a great fashion or design exhibit going on.

 

The Trocadero area (Metro Stop: Trocodero on the #9 or #6 line) in the 16th arrondisement is nice and probably lively on a Sunday.  You can sit in one of the many cafes there and have an incredible view of the Eiffel Tower just down the hill and across the river. Also near here are some nice museums - the Guimet which is all asain art (and free), the Palais de Tokyo, and Musee d'Homme.   The cafes here are pricey, so menu shop before you sit down. If you're there after dark, you can view the incredible light show on the Eiffel Tower that glows every hour on the hour.

Many restaurants are closed on Sunday's, and La Gare, in that area, is open on Sunday. It's a 5 minute walk from Trocadero, (Metro stop La Muette on #9 line).  It's an old train station that's now a restaurant and they've got a large outdoor dining area as well. www.restaurantlagare.com

 

Agree with Karen on recommendation for FISH in the St. Germain neighborhood.