9 Top Paris Stops

These 9 Top Paris Stops are from my last trip. Paris, France, is a wonderland, and because of its abundant riches, it is hard to narrow down what to do and see. On each visit to the City of Lights, I discover new and exciting places to visit and delicious things to eat.

Paris is always a good idea. – Audrey Hepburn

Eifel Tower Night View

Here are my latest Top 9 Paris Stops:

#1 Les Pavillons de Bercy – Musée des Arts Forains

# 2 Croissant Making Class

#3 Musée Marmottan Monet

#4 Salon International de l’Agriculture

#5 WW2 Paris Occupation & Liberation Tour

#6 Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation

#7 Bouillons

#8 Cemeteries

#9 Conciergerie

#1 if my 9 Top Paris Stops – Les Pavillons de Bercy – Musée des Arts Forains

This unusual, fun museum showcases antique fairground objects. Entry is only within a tour. The tours are in French. However, it’s worth it. Although no one in our group is fluent, we enjoyed it immensely with the help of Google Translate.

Musée des Arts Forains Pavillons de Bercy Paris Our Guide Max was an energetic and entertaining addition to the overall experience.

Musée des Arts Forains Pavillons de Bercy Paris guide Max

You not only learn the history of the objects, but you also get to ride on some of the antique carousels. My favorite was the Velocipede – a bicycle carousel. Additionally, we got to play a horse racing game.

The beautiful space is in a converted winery, with a stunning courtyard. This unusual museum is an outstanding addition to any Paris itinerary.

Tip: The tours are only a few times a week. Make sure you book your tickets online well in advance of your trip.

For my Next Visit/What I missed: At Christmas time, they turn the gorgeous courtyard into a Christmas market. This is now on my bucket list. for my next visit.

# 2 Croissant Making Class

Croissant Making Class Paris What was not to like about this class? Next on my 9 Top Paris Stops, I find myself in a beautiful kitchen in the heart of St. Germain with a lovely, friendly, expert instructor. This was one of the highlights of my trip.

Croissant Making Class Paris facility

The class was small with only 7 participants, so it felt almost private. Croissant pastry dough needs 24 24-hour rest period. Consequently, we made croissants from the dough prepared by the students the previous day. We prepared the dough for the following day’s class. So we got to experience the full circle of life of a croissant.

Croissant Making Class Paris

We made two types, plain and chocolate. Matthew, our instructor, gave us a choice of how many chocolate “batons” we put into our chocolate version. Minimum was one, maximum was 4. I picked two and four for the duo I prepared. At the end of the class, we hung out a bit and ate our creations. We walked away with a step-by-step instruction guide on the recipe and a bag of our handmade pastries.

Tip: Do not eat a big breakfast because there will be a lot of pastries to eat. You want to eat them fresh for maximum taste.

#3 Musée Marmottan Monet

Musée Marmottan Monet

This is the unofficial Monet Museum. A former hunting lodge turned museum by Paul Marmottan to house his extensive art collection. Bequeathed to the Académie des Beaux-Arts, this gorgeous building is unofficially the Monet Museum Paris & offers the greatest collection of Claude Monet paintings worldwide.

The lower floor has a stunning display of Monet paintings in the round. In addition, there are beautiful works by Renoir, Degas, and Gauguin. There is also an impressive collection of Berthe Morisot’s works. Her palette is also on display. Some other random surprises as well.

Symbolic ceremonial swords were offered to new members of the Academe as part of their official uniform. This sword display is worth a look. Master Mime and French Resistance Hero, Marcel Marceau, was a member. Each sword was personalized to highlight a recipient’s life achievements. The swords are works of art in themselves.

#4 Salon International de l’Agriculture

9 top Paris Stops Salon International de l'Agriculture Paris

If you are a food enthusiast and are in Paris at the end of February, you have the opportunity to attend this fair showcasing foods from every region of France. This is your chance to sample and purchase items from other regions of France without leaving Paris. There is so much to cover that one can easily spend a few days visiting delicious booths with gourmet goodies to eat and buy.

What sets this show apart from other food conventions is a section of live animals. We had fun gawking at the camels.

9 top paris stops - Salon International de l'Agriculture Paris

The event is held at Porte de Versailles and tickets go for around 16 euros. Pre-buy them on their website. There are over 1,100 exhibitors, so bring your appetite and wear your stretchy pants. Better yet, bring a few friends, and you can try more items by splitting them. The show also features plenty of wine and spirit vendors.

Tip: Dress in layers and bring a packable coat. It gets hot in the show. I got tired of juggling my jacket, scarf, etc.

#5 of 9 Top Paris Stops WW2 Paris Occupation & Liberation Tour

I read a lot about, and have visited many sites relevant to World War II. Consequently, I was enthusiastic. However, my expectations were low about learning new information on this tour. Led by Thierry, this walking tour took us through the highlights of the Paris occupation by Germany, its liberation, and French resistance activity.

The tour takes you through beautiful parts of Paris’ center. You see major landmarks and off-the-beaten-path places related to the period. Thierry speaks excellent English and brings visuals to illustrate the pivotal events of the time period. I learned so much. The only downside? I was so captivated by his narrative that I didn’t take many pictures. Highly recommend.

Tip: Make sure you check the weather before you book and wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing significant walking outside.

#6 Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation

Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation This sobering site is a memorial to the 200,000 people who were deported from Vichy France to the Nazi concentration camps during World War II. It is located in Paris, France, on the site of a former morgue, underground behind Notre Dame on Île de la Cité.

9 Top Paris Stops - Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation

The Hall of Remembrance is lined with 160,000 pebbles. It represents the Jewish tradition of placing a stone on the grave of a loved one. Above, these “Resseruction” roses, created on the initiative of women deported to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, are dedicated to all the victims of deportation. They are a call to vigilance and peace. ”

Tip: This monument does not take a lot of time to explore. However, save time to read the captions on all the exhibits. It’s worth it.

9 Top Paris Stops Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation

#7 The Bouillons

Bouillon Chartier Paris

I ate at four of the Paris Bouillons. Only two (Bouillon Julien and Chartier) were exquisitely tricked out in Art Nouveau style.

The other two (Le Petit Bouillon Vavin and Pigalle) have modern decor. On the plus side, the Bouillons are known for being lower priced than most Parisian restaurants, and no reservations are required.

9 Top Paris Stops Bouillon Julien Paris

However, the food is hit or miss. It ranges from OK to good. Admittedly, I am not an adventurous eater. So I stick to chicken or beef. A fearless eater may do better. That being said, I recommend a visit to Julien and Chartier just to gawk at the decor and soak up the atmosphere.

Tip: There is almost always a line to get in, especially for Bouillon Julien. To avoid waiting times, go in off hours, like 4 PM.

# 8 Cemeteries

9 Top Paris Stops - Pere La Chaise Cimetiere

These are where I spent the most time in one place on my list of 9 Top Paris Stops. There are many graves of famous people. On my last trip, I visited three main ones: Pere Lachaise, Montmartre, and Montparnasse. Of the three, Montmartre and Montparnasse have laminated maps/notable grave keys hanging at entrances. You can borrow these for your visit. Père Lachaise does not. All three have signs with the same maps and “notable graves key guides” at entrances. You can photograph these when you get there.

9 Top Paris Stops - Jim-Morrison-Grave-Pere-La-Chaise-Cimetiere-paris

Jim Morrison’s Grave
Pere La Chaise

If working off your mobile phone is annoying with all the swiping, I suggest you print a map and key beforehand to have a physical one in case the ones available are all taken. The official website is where to find all the maps. Also, note that the online maps are more up-to-date than the ones at the cemetery. So it’s a good idea to take a look at them anyway before you go.

Montmartre Cemetery

If you cannot find a grave, it is helpful to Google pictures of it. Often, it was easier to spot the grave this way. I am directionally challenged but visually astute, so this worked well for me. Of course, I figured this out after walking in circles several times. Also, some photos provide good orientation clues in the background, like stairs, walls, or other distinctive graves. If all else fails, and you become frustrated, ask a worker, stalk the location a tour group has vacated, or follow other tourists who look like they know where they are going. If you see more than 2 people photographing a grave, most likely that is one on your list.

Père Lachaise Cemetery

9 Top Paris Stops - Pere La Chaise Cimetiere

There are official tours available on all the major tour guide sites. However, there are also shysters hanging around in the cemeteries who prey on confused-looking tourists. They badger tourists for payment for directing them to famous graves. The cemeteries post warning signs about these characters. If you don’t want to self-guide, take a tour. Don’t encourage the shysters. Also, tour guides usually provide historical narratives and anecdotes, which are worth paying for.

Montparnasse Cemetery

Obviously, this goes without saying, but if there are grave diggers working or family visiting their loved one’s grave, out of respect, steer clear of the area.

If you don’t know when the cemetery closes and you hear a bell ringing, that’s the time to head for the exit. Leaving can take a while because these places are huge. The workers walk the paths, ringing bells to warn people that the cemetery is about to close. Unless, of course, your idea of fun is to be locked in a cemetery overnight. Then hide.

Degas
Montmartre Cemetery

Tip #1: All have smooth main paths except Pere Lachaise, which has large cobblestone paths. These are difficult to walk on for long periods. In all 3, walking the smaller paths and negotiating between graves can be rocky and steep. Wear your most comfortable and sturdy walking shoes.

Tip #2: If it is very windy on the day you plan to visit, change your plans. They close the cemeteries during high wind advisories. The doors are locked. This happened to me. They don’t want visitors getting smacked down by falling tree branches.

#9 The last of 9 Top Paris Stops – Conciergerie

9 Top Paris Stops - Conciergerie Paris Most people visit Saint Chappelle and skip over its next-door neighbor. Don’t sleep on The Conciergerie.

The building is a medieval royal palace that became a revolutionary tribunal. It was one of the principal places of detention during the French Revolution and also Marie-Antoinette’s prison.

You get a “Histopad” when you enter. When you point it at certain parts of the room, you see a reimagining of what the original rooms looked like, with food, furniture, etc.

9 Top Paris Stops - Conciergerie Paris

More than 4,000 people’s names held in this prison are inscribed on these walls. You can look up names, their information, and fate.

Tip: Don’t skip the Histopad. It’s free and so worth it.

So, did you like these 9 Top Paris Stops? Then also check out some of my other travel posts:

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CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND

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