1. Visit O Chateau, acclaimed as "The Best Wine Bar of Paris" for the absolute BEST wine experience! They offer so many options…ranging from a single glass of wine to a Champagne Cruise on the Seine to a full day small-group tour to the Champagne region of France! Check out www.o-chateau.com/en/
2. Stop in to the L’Orangerie museum to get “up close and personal” with Monet’s incredible Water Lilies. This small museum has easy access, usually with no crowds, and is a fantastic way to see some of the most amazing art in France – hassle free! Make note that it is closed on Tuesdays.
3. One of the best values in the Paris art scene is the Sculpture Garden at the Rodin Museum. For only 1 Euro per person, you can wander around and view some of Rodin’s most famous works, including “The Thinker”. There is also a quaint café in the gardens if you want to enjoy a coffee or glass of wine with your culture! Make note that it is closed on Mondays.
4. Be sure to save a few hours to spend on the wonderfully charming market street, Rue Cler (in the 7th arr). You can find just about anything you might want to eat, drink, smell, see, hear or buy! You must try a freshly made crepe from the stand outside Ulysses restaurant.
5. Another wonderful option in Paris is to buy the “fixings” for a picnic at one of the many markets and eat “al fresco” for lunch! You can then enjoy this wonderful food in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame cathedral? Don't forget to include a bottle of slightly chilled French wine to share in order to complete the experience!
6. For dining out in Paris, look for places with locals who look as though they're enjoying themselves. Avoid the ones with big “WE SPEAK ENGLISH” signs and “TOURIST MENUS” advertised out front. Most restaurants have English-translated menus if you ask and remember that Parisian waiters are paid well from a tipping standpoint. Slow service is good service…you are basically in no rush…the meal IS the entertainment. You must ask politely for the check when you are ready to leave as waiters don't tend to bring your check spontaneously because they don’t want to seem to rush you…it is considered rude! Relax and enjoy the experience!
7.The Eiffel Tower is a “must” for many people, but there really is no reason to go all the way to the top. The view is excellent from the 1st and 2nd levels since Paris is so flat. Reservations can (and should) be made at www.tour-eiffel.fr On the 1st level, there is a nice restaurant for lunch and you can walk around the perimeter that is marked with signs explaining what you are viewing – and if you have a reservation for the restaurant, you can bypass the massive line for the elevator. It is a great way to get the layout of the whole city without the crushing crowds at the top.
8. If you are really a dedicated art lover, be sure to purchase a Museum Pass that will act as your ticket to most of the major museums in Paris, including The Louvre….AND the card lets you bypass most of the lines! Check out https://www.introducingparis.com/paris-museum-pass