Walking Around, Paris

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well another popular demand and this one is agree by the Paris tourist office and many friends who told me so I can tell you to move and walk in Paris above ground. Also recommended by your Trip Advisor.

You will have local folks walk you around Paris and show you some interesting stuff you might missed hurry up to see all. The favorite rides are Montmartre,Notre Dame,and Left Bank/latin Quarter
They have many trails to do too,
Paris landmarks, left bank, notre dame, evening river, montmartre, trendy marais,etc
tours are in English and last from 60 to 90 minutes; and you pay what you think the trip was worth, up to you.

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I found it very interesting while walking around Paris to see that a number of foreign leaders were honored in Paris. Some had statues, some had avenues named after them, some had Plazas.
It just seemed to me that in Paris there were far more foreign leaders honored than in most places.

Among others-
Avenue du Président Kennedy- RER station on Line C
George V- King of England during World War II- Metro Station and Avenue George V
Franklin D Roosevelt- President of the United States during World War II- Metro Station and Avenue Franklin D Roosevelt
Simon Bolivar- liberator of the Americas- Avenue Simon Bolivar , 19th arr.
Avenue Woodrow Wilson- President of the United States attended the Peace Conference
Statue of George Washington- First President of the United States

(thanks to VT member Wabat for pointing out Av. Wilson, merci mate)

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The northern "border" of interesting Paris is dotted wit a couple of arches with few differences except size. The biggest one, St Denis was built in 1672 and restored in 1988.

Twenty five meters high, it has some bas reliefs, and sculpted elements. Side-by-side with St Martin they represent the line between the touristy area and... the other.

Yes, it is frontier land!

A little out of the touristy area I was surprised by a very beautiful building - the Mairie of the 9th quarter. It is installed in a palace coming from the 18th century, built to be used as a hotel - Augny hotel.
It's long and interesting history may be read in the Mairie's page (link below... in French)

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Many years ago, I stood a few days in one of the hotels in Caumartin St. I kept the idea that it was an ugly neighborhood, close to some of the really beautiful many things of Paris.

I stayed there again recently and... surprise! Meandering in those "hidden" streets, closed to traffic, I found another reality: A beautiful quarter, with fancy restaurants, statues, and a peaceful ambiance, in contrast with the rush of the main avenues.

Wrong idea in the first impressions, or an excellent work in space rehabilitation?

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Any time I am visiting a country with a fixed program in mind and trying to see all the tourist spots, after returning home I have the sensation that something was missing, that I’ve lost something from the local ambience of the visited place.

This is why, I have decided to start moving around in Paris, to get lost between the locals and try to see the city as I’m one of its inhabitants.
Trying to imagine that I have to wake up every morning in that place and I have to go to the office in the crowded subways, to meet friends for a concert or to walk around the parks with my family.
It is the only way I can fulfil my lungs with the Parisian air and it works in some other places also.
The only difference is that probably in Paris is no way to get bored…
I’ve found by chance so many interesting places and so beautiful views, I’ve seen so many nice ladies rushing their steps at home, so many crazy drivers trying to park their cars in far to narrow spaces, so many bikers trying to kill themselves in traffic... This is Paris, this is the street show of the colossal capital and this is probably what I like most.

My first experience of a proper panorama view of Paris was from a little viewing platform at the top of the Opera house at the Bastille. From memory, there was a cafe on the top floor, then a little staircase up from there. Views from Sacre Coeur all the way around to the Bibliotheque.

The best view of the Eiffel Tower, for me, is from the outdoor patio at Le Totem restaurant, at Trocadero.

For someone who has been to Paris several times (you mentioned 6, I think?) then going to a new area is also fun - try Buttes Chaumont, there is a lovely view from rue Lardennois, overlooking a little vineyard, and Paris stretched out below.

St Martin door was built in 1674 to replace a medieval gate, and restored in 1988. It is closed to the great malls avenues, and it is almost a frontier with... the other Paris.

In my last visit, I heard a sound that looked like pistol shots, but everybody was so calm, that... I kept walking without concern.

The next day, by the arch, I noticed that the window of the next shop presented signals of... bullets.

Coincidence? Of course... Paris is nice!

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I didn't know it when I strolled past this bakers near Montmartre in May (2012), I was just on the lookout as usual for the odd bits and bobs of Paris, when I took these photos, but this bakery in Montmartre had been voted "Best baguette in Paris" for 2011/2012. There is a 4000.00€ prize attached, but it is the further prestige awarded. Stephane Mauvieux is now the official baker to the President, now M. Francois Hollande, and will deliver 15 fresh baguettes to the Elysées palace every day.
The bakery is found at 159 rue Ordener Paris 75018.

Closest metro is Jules Joffrin. It's a fair way to go for your bread but if you want to taste the best...

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The building here, originally constructed in 1530-40, which makes it among the oldest buildings in Paris, is rather special being one of the first mansions in Paris to use this type of red brick. Built over a row of 6 arcades with a frieze of earthen busts. Acquired by Scipion-Sandini it remained in the family only until his death in 1609 and was then transformed into an home for poor people. Later it became a maternity hospital under the name of "Sainte Marthe". Transformed once again 1676 the building became the bakery for the hospitals of Paris. It stayed as a bakery until 1974 when it became part of the museum of Public Assistance/Hospitals of Parisand then as a residence for museum personnel. Today it is also holding many of the exhibits that normally are at the main part of the museum on Quai de la Tournelle, whilst this part is undergoing renovation.
If you are fortunate like me, and the main door is open, just wander in. I was greeted by 5 different people and nobody asked me what I was doing there, but politeness and a smile always helps.

Les Gobelins is the nearest metro.