Paris this weekend

Hi! Londoner and family (2 adults, 2 older teenagers) going to paris this weekend (very excited - not least about the brill weather thats expected!) We are staying at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris so anyone with any comments about that would be good!

We are totally clueless about what we should be doing! We are thinking of going up the arc when we arrive friday night and then having a meal in the hotel. Other than that we have nothing planned.

Would love to go shopping. (the Paris version of harrods or selfridges would be good as i would love to go food and clothes shopping while were there)

Is it better to go for a bus tour or a boat cruise?

What should we see while we are there?

Thanks very much!

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Probably stroll along the Champs Elysees and visit the Arc De Triomphe on your first day (not necessarily going up).... assuming you are arriving at night... you may find having dinner at a restaurant more enjoyable then eating at the hotel.

Your hotel should not be that far to the shopping destinations you mentioned: Galleries LaFayette, Printemps... on Boulevard Haussman... a bit of a long walk though (unless you use the metro).

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Weather in Paris has been fabulous for the past few days 68 degrees and above. It should stay warmer than normal for a few more days.

Have you thought about a guide for the day?

www.awalkinparis.com

You can of course go to Arc de Triomphe, walk down the Champs Elysees and hop on Metro Line 1 to go to Louvre, get you close to Notre Dame, or go to Bastille and Le Marais.

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Hi shining star,

the hotel you are staying at in Paris looks fab. After you return home l%26#39;d really appreciate it if you would let us know how you rate it on value, service, rooms and whether you would suggest it as a hotel to take children to (under age 10). What are the rooms rates like for a family room?

Hope you have a great time in Paris. I%26#39;m planning on going on my 4th trip there next year. It is a lovely city.

Some of the places l have went to on previous trips there are:

Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe (didn%26#39;t go up), Louvre, Gallaries Lafayette %26amp; Printemps stores, Champs Elysee, Place de Vosges- Marais 4th Arr., Pere Lachaise (visited Jim Morrison(The Doors) grave there among many other famous deceased. Also Cafe de Flore (famous Parisian cafe), where the hot chocolate is wonderful, even if a little pricey, definately worth it.

We like to have time to just walk out and see what we come across, taking a break now in again in a cafe.

Oh, I wish I was going to Paris this weekend!!!

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Going up to the top of the Arc de Triomphe at night is fun. But for a genuine %26#39;..WOW !!!..%26quot; moment, from the Arc, walk down the Ave. Kleber, from Étoile to the Place de Trocadero and the Palais de Chaillot and climbe the satairs frome the street up to the terrace Try to %26#39;..time..%26#39; your arrival at the Palais de Chaillot for a few minutes just before the exact hour. I can GUARANTEE you that what you will see within those next few minutes will stay with you for the rest of your life.

There really are no stores comparable to Harrod%26#39;s...anywhere in the world. But Paris does have some pretty good %26#39;..second bests..%26#39; in the form of Galeries Lafayette and Primtemp, side-by-side, up on Blvd. Haussmann and Le Bon Marché dond in Saint Germain. But unless you are a confirm %26#39;..shopaholic..%26#39; for a brief week-end visit, perhaps you should save your shopping for another visit and concentrate on PARIS.

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Check out www.timeout.com/paris for what%26#39;s on this weekend. There%26#39;s a handy Time Out Paris guide available in bookstores, or probably at the airport. Costs £4.99 and in an easy to digest magazine format. Shopping-wise, hit Printemps and Samaritaine (in the process of being refurbished?) and the area around Rue de Rivoli has all the bigger shops. However, the Marais is best for smaller boutique style shops. Walking around is the very best way to see Paris. Be flexible and go with it! I%26#39;d avoid eating in the hotel though. I%26#39;m sure it%26#39;s fine, but you have Paris on the doorstep - get out and enjoy it! Have fun!