Paris - must sees? - DPChallenge Forums

10/07/2009 02:08:24 PM · #1

It's been photographed to death and I certainly won't find any new angles, but I will take pictures for myself. What are the must sees from a single traveler/amateur photographer perspective? Good, safe places to stay? I'll travel there by train (I am not brave enough to drive into Paris) and will therefore want someplace reasonably accessible by train/public transport. Thinking of going later this month. Would love company if anyone else wants to go.

10/07/2009 02:51:14 PM · #2

COOL! Paris is my favorite city in the world.

The Metro (subway) is the best. In the city, you never more than 3 or 4 blocks from a metro station. Look online for a map, it goes everywhere. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be like a gopher popping up all over Paris! Several of the stations have artsy things going on. I often think of doing a photo book on nothing but the inside of the Paris Metro stations.

The view from the top of the Montparnasse building is stunning, especially at night. I proposed to my wife there! :-)

The classic views of the Eiffel Tower are from the Trocodero, there is a Metro stop right there.

My favorite museum is the Rodin located near Les Invalides (Napoleon's crypt), also a cool place to see.

My favorite place to walk about is the Ille de St. Loius, The small island behind the lager island (Citi) where Notre Dame is. Lots of shops and art galleries.

The Louvre is awesome

If you plan on going in, give yourself a lot of time. It is huge. You could literally spend days in there.

The MusÃ©e d'Orsay is great if you like Impressionist art.

Get a book or 2, you won't be at a loss for things to do in Paris. Our favorite is "The Food Lovers Guide to Paris" ;-)

If you have time for a train trip outside the city, try Fontainebleau or Chartres. Both very cool and usually not overly crowded.

Good luck and be sure to post some pics

10/07/2009 02:53:51 PM · #3

Awesome advice - thanks very much! I'm thinking of spending at least four days there, maybe more. I need to use up frequent flyer miles so may as well use them on hotels (since it's an easy train from here.) I already found one kinda interesting day tour - Versailles by bicycle. It'll be in French, but hey, I'm just along for the scenery anyway.

Thanks again, David - very much appreciated!

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

10/07/2009 03:05:31 PM · #4

Originally posted by Melethia:

Versailles is cool, but the Chateau itself was jammed packed when we were there. The bike tour sounds interesting. We much preferred the Chateau at Fontainebleau, but it is less historical.

If you do go to Fontainebleau, just another train stop or to is the town of Sens. My company has an office there. Sens has a great cathedral, one of the earliest Gothic buildings in France.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

10/07/2009 03:07:02 PM · #5

I'd stay in the 1st (Place du Chatelet) or the 6th (Place St Michel)Arrondissements. Either side will put you in comfy walking distance from just about everything and on the best Metro lines. Not that the Metro is hard to figure out but if time is short...like a quick weekend, it might matter a bit. The walking distance is pretty key.

I had a great time shooting up in the Montmarte District (18th Arr.) the last time I was there. Pound for pound a lot of cool views within a compact area and not too crowded on the off streets. Personally, I avoid the tourist stuff so my hunts are for people and quaint things.

Rue Rambuteau weaves through Le Marias into the Bastille. On the way up the narrow street there's Place des Vosges(at the end) which is beautiful but all the way through it's very nice 20-25 minutes walk from center Paris. Starting around Les Halles and Centre George Pompidou it's a nice way to drift and not waste time in bland space. Le Marias is one of the oldest parts of the city...very cool.

...and a pigeon shot, just for you.

Message edited by author 2009-10-07 15:17:07.

Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M MF - Chrome

10/07/2009 03:12:30 PM · #6

I think the bike tour spends more time in the gardens around the Chateau than at the Chateau itself. Currently still in the looking and planning stages...

Good advice, Steve. I'm game for walking - tend to do a lot of that when I travel 'round these parts. I carry a metro map but will often meander from A to B a pied - more sights to see that way.

My biggest problem will be the fact I quit smoking.... I'm not sure I can do Paris without a cigarette and a cuppa at a table at a bistro, you know?

signal2noise

Leica M9

10/07/2009 03:15:18 PM · #7

I would add CimetiÃ¨re du PÃ¨re-Lachaise as a good destination as well - especially early evening and on a cloudy/rainy days. Structures range from extremely old to brand new.

Message edited by author 2009-10-07 15:22:24.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

10/07/2009 03:20:02 PM · #8

Oh yeah! Shoot your ass off if it rains. That's the best and I'd bet in Oct/Nov there's a good shot at 100% precipitation.

hajeka

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM

10/07/2009 03:21:11 PM · #9

We have plans to go in Januari, so I keep watching this thread!

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

10/07/2009 03:38:51 PM · #10

Originally posted by signal2noise:

I would add CimetiÃ¨re du PÃ¨re-Lachaise as a good destination as well - especially early evening and on a cloudy/rainy days. Structures range from extremely old to brand new.

Yeah, I second that. Always fun to see the crowd around Jim Morrison's grave. Chopin, Sarah Bernhardt, and Oscar Wilde are must sees. A bit out from the main part of the city, but, again, there's a Metro stop right near the entrance. You can also pick up a map that shows where all the famous people are buried.

Most go for Jim Morrison, although the grave itself is very unremarkable, there are always people hanging around. They also tend to put graffiti on all the surrounding graves.

Photologist

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

10/07/2009 03:45:31 PM · #11

If you really want to see something unique about Paris, go to "l'Ossuaire Municipal" (the Catacombs of Paris).

I went there many, many years ago (years before digital cameras) and I recommend going there and learning about the history of the quarries in that area.

Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M MF - Chrome

10/07/2009 03:49:03 PM · #12

You can also bring a hawt model to spice things up:

Well, she's a hawt model and I am a sucky PG...

Bring a fisheye and you can do some new views?

But overall I would just walk around off the beaten track at odd times to find some really cool original shots. Only when I was there in august I didn't do that but just had fun with my girllll. Havent processed anything from that visit. Will be there again in December for a Rammstein concert.

signal2noise

Leica M9

10/07/2009 03:58:25 PM · #13

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by signal2noise:
I would add CimetiÃ¨re du PÃ¨re-Lachaise as a good destination as well - especially early evening and on a cloudy/rainy days. Structures range from extremely old to brand new.

Yeah, I second that. Always fun to see the crowd around Jim Morrison's grave. Chopin, Sarah Bernhardt, and Oscar Wilde are must sees. A bit out from the main part of the city, but, again, there's a Metro stop right near the entrance. You can also pick up a map that shows where all the famous people are buried.

Most go for Jim Morrison, although the grave itself is very unremarkable, there are always people hanging around. They also tend to put graffiti on all the surrounding graves.

I shared a very nice sunset with Maria Callas a couple of years ago.

10/07/2009 04:00:13 PM · #14

Do all the famous people die in Paris, or do they just want to be buried there? Johnny Depp still live there? (That would be my idea of a hot model, thanks.)

10/07/2009 04:08:31 PM · #15

Originally posted by Melethia:

Do all the famous people die in Paris, or do they just want to be buried there? Johnny Depp still live there? (That would be my idea of a hot model, thanks.)

I believe JD owns his own chateau to hang out with the babe of babes Vanessa Paradis. And if he is tired of the French Fries he also has some Pacific private Island or something to hang out at.

10/07/2009 04:14:18 PM · #16

Originally posted by signal2noise:

Originally posted by scarbrd:

Originally posted by signal2noise:
I would add CimetiÃ¨re du PÃ¨re-Lachaise as a good destination as well - especially early evening and on a cloudy/rainy days. Structures range from extremely old to brand new.

Yeah, I second that. Always fun to see the crowd around Jim Morrison's grave. Chopin, Sarah Bernhardt, and Oscar Wilde are must sees. A bit out from the main part of the city, but, again, there's a Metro stop right near the entrance. You can also pick up a map that shows where all the famous people are buried.

Most go for Jim Morrison, although the grave itself is very unremarkable, there are always people hanging around. They also tend to put graffiti on all the surrounding graves.

I shared a very nice sunset with Maria Callas a couple of years ago.

Sure, but did you kiss Oscar Wilde's grave and leave lipstick on it? Mary did!

10/07/2009 04:17:38 PM · #17

Originally posted by Azrifel:

Hey Deb - If you can get over to Amsterdam I know great tulip/windmill tour guide, right Sander? ;-)

10/07/2009 04:33:17 PM · #18

I went to Amsterdam and Sander ignored me completely. :-(

10/07/2009 04:36:39 PM · #19

Originally posted by Melethia:

I went to Amsterdam and Sander ignored me completely. :-(

I think that at that time I was in Moscow, Paris or Germany.....