If you could do only one thing in Pris what would it be?

I%26#39;m looking for top tips on what to do in Paris - to see either tourist places or the hidden Paris that most people miss?

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The best advice for hidden Paris is to just wander around aimlessly in the 1st-7th arrondissements, not looking for any particular tourist sites. This is what I used to do when I first arrived. You won%26#39;t regret it!

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I second that, but stop to eat.

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Do alot of research before you leave-sometimes I think this is almost as much fun as a trip itself-and see what interests you. If you like archetecture, focus on that, churches or museums, the same. There are several threads on this site on things most tourists miss, so check those out. Two things I always mention are Palais Royal and Galerie Vivienne, behind it.

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Eat endless amounts of pastries and breads and cheese!!!

And don%26#39;t forget to look up at the buildings as you walk by (eating your pastries!).....the detail in the architecture is amazing!!

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thanks I will have to do some reading i think as I know nothing about paris its districts or anything really! Can anyone recommend a good guide book?

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i totally agree with the first advice...just wander through Paris%26#39; historic center...to optimize your wander just take a map like those offered in French airports...and spot the famous landmarks...

there are 3 walks you can do...

Rive-gauche-left bank of Seine river-5th/6th/7th arrondissements-districts: with Quartier latin, the historic Paris universities and schools, Pantheon, nearby Luxembourg and Bourbon Palaces hosting the country%26#39;s parliament...

then cruise the Seine to go Ile de la Cité with the historic justice court Sainte Chapelle, and Notre Dame then the Hotel de Ville on the other bank the go toward Vendôme Place and Rivoli street near to Louvres...

third go to the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower...

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just one thing? live there. :)

since the wander option was already taken and someone mentioned St. Chappelle I%26#39;ll say visit Montmarte and Sacre Coeur. Make sure you get to see all the little nooks and corners, not just the souvenir shops.

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Camp out at Berthillon for as long as my

body can stand it !

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Like Linda said it is always a good idea to read in advance and prepare. You do not want to go home, find an article and say: I should have gone there and I really missed that!

At the same time it is great to get lost - in an arrondissement of choice - but not in an aimless way.

Somebody said walk arrondissements 1 to 7. I agree to a point.

My absolute favorite walk is going from Opera to Montmartre, a good uphill exercise. I love Place St Georges, rue Notre Dame des Lorettes, Square Gustave Toudouze, Place d%26#39;Anvers, rue d%26#39;Orsel etc. on the way to Montmartre. Sometimes I walk down too and go to rue Montmartre and end up at les Grands Boulevards through Passage Verdeau, Passage des Princes, Passage des Panoramas etc. ( I am missing one). All good typical neighborhood. Rue Cadet etc. That%26#39;s the 2nd, 9th and 18th arrondissements.

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I think you would definitely have to go to the metro, and travel to Trocadéro, (this is easily accessible on the 9 route) and from the 2 (Nation or Charles de Gaulle etoile).

When exiting from the Trocadéro head for Sortie (exit) and when you come out of the tube you will see two massive buildings. Head left of these and you will see a very big surprise (the eiffel tower). From the platform of Trocadéro (best viewed around 7/8 summer, 5/6 winter) you walk down the steps, around the fountains, the gardens and the beautiful architecture and sculpture head to the eiffel tower. From here you can walk (3euro) to the 1st or 2nd level (medium + fitness level required). Or you can get the lift to the very top (10.75 euro ) or 7.50 to the 2nd level. Expect to queue to get the lift on busy hours. Be very vigilant to pick pocketers on the Eiffel Tower as I and many have got their money stole and beware of people trying to sell things outside.