[stuartj]

Paris is most fabulous city in world, I don't understand the comments about it being filthy, it just isn't. Time of year is important, its the biggest tourism destination in the world and its gets hellishly busy in the peak season. Its much nicer, I find, to be there in the colder weather.

The Metro is great and easy to use, but the best way to see Paris is to stay somewhere central- the 6th is great- and just walk. It is a fabulous walking city. Also- its bit dinky- but the red tourist buses are really good- buy a two day pass, the routes do loops around all the major destinations- and just get on and off if you've had enough walking. The Louvre will consume a day, go early and be sure to find the excavated fortifications is the original corner. Everone seems to miss this. The excavations under the forecourt of Notre Dame also get missed- the original settlement of Paris. Most of the churches have pipe organ recitals after services on Sundays- and hearing Wagner pumping out of the biggest pipe organ in Europe in the magnificent chamber of Notre Dame cathedral was the best (and free) heavy metal experience ive ever had. There so much to take in Paris, its hard to explain where to start.

Sit in cafés, drink coffee, talk to people. Such a fantastic city.

check out "Air BnB"- you can stay apartments rented direct from owners- much cheaper and more betterer.