passionfruitdrink37

And by it, I meant l'orangerie.
What happens for New Year's Eve in Paris, usually?

jamikins

passionfruit - do you have a good guide book - that would be your best bet now. I like the Michelin Green Guide, or the Top 10 Paris might be a good one. Then go through it and pick what you want to see. Honestly you dont have to see anything you dont want to - if you dont want to go up the Eiffel Tower then dont!

NYE alot of people go out for set dinners which can be a bit pricey. I think there is also a big 'party' on the Champs d'Elysee. Google New Years Eve in Paris 2012 and you will get info. I found this: www.newyearseve2012.net/new-years-eve-paris-2012

gomiki

passionfruit, the Top Ten Paris guide is excellent. It lists the top ten sites, fountains, parks, museums, etc with locations, hours and interesting facts. Has a street map and Metro map and is an easy size to carry.

I hope you have a wonderful time and come back here to tell us about it!

StCirq

Typically, Parisians celebrate St-Sylvestre either at home with friends or at a restaurant they have booked well in advance that offers a prix-fixe menu including champagne, a nice meal, and papillottes. If you want to join in one of these communal feasts, you'd best book now.

Otherwise, just get out on the Champs Elysées and watch the madness. Fireworks are legal in France, so be careful. They will erupt at midnight (and before). There will be plenty of bars and cafés open late.

passionfruitdrink37

I'm confused. Are fireworks usually illegal?

StCirq

They are where I live.

passionfruitdrink37

Oh. Where is that?

StCirq

Washington, DC.

kerouac

Personal fireworks are illegal in Paris. But they seem to magically appear on December 31st with impunity. I have no idea where people buy them, but I do know that they Chinese shops sell firecrackers under the counter.

Speaking of fireworks, there is no official fireworks display in Paris for New Year's.

StCirq

Official? No. But an awful lot of people seem to appear on the streets with their own fireworks (happens on plenty of occasions, too, even at small village celebrations, and not just on New Year's Eve).

suze

I don't think these things are any big secret but some of my favorite things were walking thru the parks and gardens (yes I know it's winter) and eating street food (crepes, "hot dogs", sandwiches, etc.) One of my favorite things I ate in Paris was a fabulous sausage, on bagette with incredible cheese melted over it. Another just a chicken salad sandwich from a bakery. Boy were they good.

Also sitting drinking wine from little clay pitchers in sidewalk cafes and walking Paris go by.

Christina

Fireworks are illegal in lots of places in the US, they are dangerous. I imagine they are illegal more than not, at least the ones that expload or are projectiles. Where I live in Maryland all fireworks are illegal, even sparklers, but I know a lot of Maryland allows those but not anything exploding.

From what I've read, there are a lot of people out on the streets partying on NY Eve in the Bastille area, around the Bastille column generally, head that way, it is close to where you will be.

denisea

I would recommend that you go on the Paris Museum Pass site for a list of museums and monuments that are included with the pass. http://en.parismuseumpass.com/

Another thing you can do on that site is to map out the museums you want to go to...it can help you decide which places to group together when you visit. Click on the interactive map.

Yes, L'Orangerie is included on the PMP.

I have never been up in the ET...just not my thing and after 4 trips to Paris, I still have no interest in that. For many, it's a must.

A great view of Paris for me is from the top of Notre Dame and you see the gargoyles up close! You can use the PMP for entry but it doesn't get you to the front of the line. Go early to go up first and avoid a wait. I think we got there at 9:30am to go up at 10:00am and were first in line. The view was amazing. It's a favorite thing that we have done in Paris.

StCirq

Lots of things are included in the Paris Pass - that's the problem with it - it includes a zillion more things than anyone can possibly see in a short time, and costs a small fortune. Please understand that the Paris Pass is totally different from the Paris MUSEUM Pass, which IS worth it if you plan to visit a few museums (but you DO need to plan you visits carefully to take advantage of it).

Damienfr

For info the Paris pass made of The museum pass plus a travel pass and some added prive museum and attractions not than worth it

and if you wanna do the open bus tour ( be aware it expensive and public transport are cheaper but without audio guide ...)

if you want you can splash on the paris a la carte
http://www.batobus.com/english/PDF/Paris-a-la-Carte.pdf
an you will be able to avoid public transport for 1 or 2 days
the best option is the batobus on its own offer great vantage point and much cheaper than must cruise ....

I will advise you to do the Eiffel tower trip to the top not just the first floor
but prebook online or the queu will kill you
and take the stair case option ( no panic its stair only to the first floor then you get the lift to the top )

if you go with the Paris Museum Pass save on Montparnasse and go to the arc de Triomphe
Notre dame Tower
Sacree Coeur/ Montmartre
or at the heart of Paris on the roof of Beaubourg modern art museum you have a stunning cafe with terrace over looking the Marais
walk straight to the direct restaurant acces lift (outside on the left side of the museum entrance )
if ask you just going to restaurant ( if ask question about reservation, booking etc just anwser I guess as my friend already upstair ..... is not the police don't explane yourself to much once their have a drink or not enjoy the with then go back down through the tube staircase ...

don't miss the Christmas windows of the big department store and the great Xmas tree at gallery Lafayette (metro lafayette )
and as traveling goes Velib' paris bike system fab cheap, every where and best night transportation system !!!!!

enjoy

passionfruitdrink37

Are most things closed New Year's Day? I know they are, but I'm hoping ssomething will be open so I can do something those days.

mamcalice

A good guidebook will let you know what is open on New Year's Day. If you don't have one, get one asap. While we increasingly use the internet for trip planning, a good guide is invaluable.

A quick check of my Michelin Green Guide for Paris indicates that most everything is closed on New Year's but it seems that the Eiffel Tower is open and most churches should be open.

jamikins

We found the area around the Eiffel Tower to be open, and the area around the Latin Quarter. Stick to fairly touristy places those days and you should find something open. You should check specific websites, like museums etc, if you want to do something specific that day.

suze

Or ask at your hotel front desk. Sometime they can be very helpful with information about the neighborhood.

Dee_Dee

passionfruit - I'm so excited for you. Your first trip to Paris! I hope you love the city as much as I do. I think you are on the right track now staying IN the city. I also agree with your idea of walking and wandering. It's a wonderful way to really appreciate the city. I will agree with other posters that you will likely want to do most of the major venues & sites on your first trip. But.... if you want some other wonderful suggestions, check out this thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...at-visitor.cfm It contains great suggestions. I posted the one about walking down rue Mouffetard on a Sunday.

Enjoy your first trip and I hope you will enjoy many, many more.