Nikki

Visit art galleries during the day; find out when there are gallery openings (vernissages) in the evening. There are many galleries clustered in the Marais, in Saint Germain, and near the Louvre that are described on this website that lists (and maps) galleries, exhibits, and openings: http://www.associationdesgaleries.org/sgi/galeries.html

There are also galleries clustered around the rue Louise Weiss in the 13th arrondissement.

luvparee

Sitting (and just "being" in Paris) in a little pocket garden or square that you have just discovered.

Strolling along the quais of the Seine.

Gazing at the doors of Paris.
Gazing at the flower boxes of Paris.
Gazing at the architectural details of Paris.

Strolling through a street market feasting your eyes on all the eye candy!

Walking along the Canal St. Martin.

People watching at a cafe for as long as you want(however, you would have to purchase a vin or cafe creme!).

Sitting for an afternoon in the Jardin Luxembourg.

Sitting on the steps of the Trocadero looking at the Tour Eiffel.

Walking through the flower market (or just enjoying all the fleurists on the streets).

I'm sure there are 1000's more, so let's keep this going!

Enjoy!
joy/luvparee

Katie_H

For the part-time artists and secret poets...take your sketchbook/journal down to the Seine and plop yourself down next to the other lined along the wall. Dangle your feet over and draw or write for 30 minutes. I know, I know... time is precious--- but taking a few minutes to soak in the scene and record your observations or expressions might just be the moment you look back most fondly on a year later when you're leafing through that old notebook.

jsmith

These are all in the 14th.

Musee de la Poste
Musee Bourdelle
Musee Zadkine
Musee du Montparnasse
Musee Jean Moulin & Jardin Atlantique
Cimetiere Montparnasse

adrienne

Musee de la Poste has an admission charge (5 euro I believe).

jsmith

You are correct. The same applies to Musee du Montparnasse, 5 Euros.

eclipselady

On the first day of summer, enjoy the Fete de Musique -- all kinds of music played by terrific young musicians -- performances are indoors and outdoors, all day long and all free. May introduce you to delightful parts of Paris you might otherwise miss. A delight!

TomMariner

I second the thought on Ile Saint Louis, but I would do it around the island on the walkways down on the Seine. And in the evening when the lights are just coming on -- great photos.

And, of course, June 21 when it is light until 10:30 and every street corner has music.

LJ

Visit the Musee de Prefecture de Police (Police Museum). It is easily acessible, free and fascinating. Paris once led the world in forensic science and this tells the tale. Especially useful if you have to maintain the interest of cranky 11-year-old boys who have seen one too Degas' dancers!

dwzemens

The only thing better than sitting on the steps of the Trocadero and gazing at the Eiffel Tower is to <a href="http://www.1955design.com/view.jpg">sit at a table</a> at the restaurant on the Trocadaero and gaze at the Eiffel Tower!

http://www.1955design.com/view.jpg

laughingd2

Whoa Nellie! This thread is great, but: has anyone seen the pictures on Fodors.com proper, the page where free New York vs. free Paris in compared? It's here: http://www.fodors.com/news/story_307...0717newsletter (scroll down)

Yes, that's right: it's a (stock?) photo of a guy in shorts, with his bare feet up on a second chair, in the Luxembourg Gardens. This raises so many questions, I'll leave it to others to untangle the implications.

Did Fodor's put this photo there on purpose to encourage a lively discussion? Have any of you actually put your bare feet up on a chair in a Paris park? Mon dieu!

Katie_H

I guess the feet on the chair is inappropriate---at first glance to me it looks relaxing but that isn't to say I would do it myself.

In any case, the photo wasn't meant to start a debate. It's actually from flickr, which is a photo sharing website. You can link to it at the bottom in the photo credits.

Anna1013

Michel Paris - I thought those dancers were only on the Seine on Friday evenings...good to know that I could see them on any night.

libssmfamily

bookmarking

PalenQ

The day's of whistle toting and blowing park guadiens in Paris are long gone

I see nothing inappropriate with bare feet on the edge, yes edge it appears of a chair - fussy folks would wipe the chair off anyway

I think that is way over reacting in today's practice.

Of course if he were taking up a chair and folks wanted one it would be different - it's much ado about nothing IMO

RonZ

ttt

Katie_H

I don't think we've quite hit 100 yet...

Mahya2

I was in the Luxembourg Park last year in April when it had been cold but one day suddenly became a beautiful sunny hot day. Absolutely there were people who had taken two chairs, one to sit and another to stretch their feet and legs out on.

With no shoes and socks? Uh - no.

Kristina

I like this website:
http://en.parisinfo.com/guide-paris/...and-good-deals
It lists all the museums which are free every day and links to other pages with those which are free on Sundays, the first Sunday of the month, wednesday nights, etc.

CarolA

"I guess the feet on the chair is inappropriate---at first glance to me it looks relaxing but that isn't to say I would do it myself"

I was in the gardens a few summers ago at lunch time.

The folks with thier shoes off and feet on the chairs... were NOT tourists. They were the locals. Now seeing them do it, I joined in LOL!