Travel

[Wobin]

Paris is wonderful!  Top of the list should be the Sainte Chapelle on the Ile de la Cite, one of the 2 islands in the Seine.  It is a medieval jewel box of stained glass not far from Notre Dame.  Be ready for crowds at the Louvre, we bailed on it the last time because it was so crowded and the air conditioning could not keep up.  I prefer the Musee d'Orsay or the Orangerie which are smaller and more manageable.  The Rodin Museum is also very enjoyable and you can have lunch in the garden.  Versailles is also very crowded so on my second visit and Mr. Wonderful's first we rented bicycles and rode through the gardens to Marie Antoinette's village and 2 other palaces then spent the last 1.5 hours of the visit inside.  Make time for strolling the quaint streets perhaps using walking tours in some guide books.  So many good restaurants, cafes and bakeries!  My favorite macarons are on the rue Cler across from Cafe Central.  We have used the Batobus on later trips but it is slow transportation if you are trying to pack a lot in.  We like the river cruises at sunset as the lights are coming on across the city--magical.  Have a great time!

[Jrzgirl]

@sunshine45       I don't have anything to add about places to visit, they all seem to be covered.  You should know that Giverny is about 50 miles from Paris, you can take a train, bus, or taxi to get there. 

I have found the French to be friendly- the first time I was there I was looking for a bookstore to buy my daughters a book in French they had in English.  I woman, just walking by, came up to me to help, led me to the store & helped me find the book. 

It is also polite to greet  a shopkeeper when entering a store- a simple "bonjour".  It's "ugly Americans" who the French don't like- pushy, speaking loudly in English annoyed because the shopkeeper doesn't under them.  I've seen that happen on more than one occssion and it's embarrassing.

The food is fabulous!

I'm sure you & your daughter will have a wonderful time.

[icezeus]

I will be heading to the South of France next year. I have been looking at youtube videos already. One thing that I read as a suggestion, that I plan on attempting would be to learn a few words of the native language before you go. It shows respect. 

[SactoSue]

I love Galleries Lafayette for shopping / browsing and the food court.

They used to have a delightful little cheese shop where you could get a sampler plate of something like 10 French cheeses and a glass of champagne.  It was the perfect shopping break and if you are a cheese addict like me, you wanted to stay there for hours.