I know a lot of you ask yourselves this question on your way to hunting Bongo. Aside from the countless excellent restaurants, museums, and some decent looking women, there are also a few places to see some old taxidermy that might be a change of pace if you've already done the rest:

http://gridskipper.com/archives/entries/063/63246.php

So let's see Wink, I can sit at a nice outdoor cafe, enjoy a glass of fine cabernet and watch lovely Parisian ladies walk by or go see some taxidermy? Decisions, decisions . . .

Wink

When I saw the title I though one of us "ugly Americans" was asking if there in anything to do or see in Paris.


I am looking forward to finally getting a chance to see Paris and use some of my French when I pass through on the way to Cameroon. Sadly that is still a ways off.

I got a kick out of this quote from the link you provided:

quote:

It may not be politically correct, but there's something strangely compelling about seeing dead animals on display -- perhaps precisely because it is a shock to our modern sensibilities. Paris has many places to indulge this morbid fascination, from boutiques that replicate 19th-century curiosity cabinets to museums that showcase historical collections of animal specimens for educational purposes.

quote:

What to do in Paris?

Just fly over it to another destination....been there....won't go again!

After rambling around the planet for most of my life, I have to say that, sitting here in retirement, Paris is the place I miss the most.

Wow! I would say Vapodog and jetdrvr have differing views on Paris.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
After rambling around the planet for most of my life, I have to say that, sitting here in retirement, Paris is the place I miss the most.

+10

The only major city in which I'd consider living. I like the people, I like the food, I like the museums, I like the wine, and as a visitor I'm not responsible for the government.

Frankly, I am amazed that someone can't like Paris if they have any ability whatsoever to enjoy another culture.

Paris is nice, but I find other cities in Europe just as interesting if not more so. Barcelona has the church Gaudi built, which by itself is worth the trip. The Prado in Madrid has my favorite painting of all time (Las Meninas). Vienna has a ton of cool stuff.

But the food is best in Paris.

While I do not know of any locales for taxidermy I would suggest a visit to Les Invalides and the Tomb of Napoleon http://www.napoleonguide.com/tours_naptomb.htm. Les Invalides has one of the best military history museums you will ever visit. Firearms galore along with all implements of war. The tomb and museum are in the same building(s). Right next to the property is the Rodin museum and a few nice cafes in the area. Rodin's Garden is also worth the visit. It is not a large facility, but fascinating. It is at least 3/4 day to do the above on a fast basis. You can take the Metro to Rodin's Garden and walk about 2 blocks to Les Inalides (Les Invalides is actually directly across the street but the entrance is not). Enjoy Paris it is a fun and interesting city laid out by the Romans.

quote:

Originally posted by Dall85:
While I do not know of any locales for taxidermy I would suggest a visit to Les Invalides and the Tomb of Napoleon http://www.napoleonguide.com/tours_naptomb.htm. Les Invalides has one of the best military history museums you will ever visit. Firearms galore along with all implements of war. The tomb and museum are in the same building(s). Right next to the property is the Rodin museum and a few nice cafes in the area. Rodin's Garden is also worth the visit. It is not a large facility, but fascinating. It is at least 3/4 day to do the above on a fast basis. You can take the Metro to Rodin's Garden and walk about 2 blocks to Les Inalides (Les Invalides is actually directly across the street but the entrance is not). Enjoy Paris it is a fun and interesting city laid out by the Romans.

Yeah, those spots are great. One of my favorites is one of the most commonly visited, Notre Dame. On a sunny day, the light shining in through the clearstory is amazing.

If you like a nice rack you might try the Crazy Horse or Moulin Rouge.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:What to do in Paris?

Disneyland is next to paris and it's quite nice there.

there's always the Mona Lisa and the Eiffel Tower...

Rich
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:
Wow! I would say Vapodog and jetdrvr have differing views on Paris.

Maybe he got laid there.....

Well, hey - after Nebraska, what could Paris possibly have to offer? They probably don't even have quilting bees, tractor pulls or corn shucking contests, and those damn fool French wouldn't know a fashionable pair of bib overalls if they saw one.

Got laid? If he did, his partner probably only had two legs, wore lipstick and didn't chew its cud during... ...some might find that to be a quite a letdown.

Might want to consider the Lido. Spent a week there one evening!! Check it out on the web site, the shows and extravaganza are outstanding. You will remember it!!

'First saw it when I was 17 and I still think it is the most beautiful city in the world. I have a lot of problems with the French. French women isn't one of them. Yeah, I've been to the Gaudi church in Barcelona - so, so. 'Like Italy a lot, but Rome ain't Paris. My wife has demanded that I show her Paris before I do too much more hunting. I'd rather go there than New York or Hawaii, which are both also on her mandatory list. I love my country, but being in Paris isn't a bad way to spend some time.

Just east of the Parc du Champs de Mars on the Avenue de La Bourdonnais sits the Cafe Champ de Mars. The cafe sits on the corner where 5 streets come together. A wonderful place to sit and watch the world go by.
Cafe Champ de Mars

PM Wink and get him to give your the 10 Franc tour.

Take the metro up to the Arc de Triomphe and then walk down the Champs-Elysees. It is a much more enjoyable walk down toward the Louvre than trudging uphill toward the Arc.

Go to the d'Orsay and see all the impressionist paintings. Sit across from "Whistler's Mother" and think "This is cool!"

The most fun we had was sitting on a park bench in the Parc du Champs de Mars with a loaf of bread some cheese and some water and wine. Saw the sun set and people shuffling by. A wonderful moment in time!

I've been twice. I think, once too many. If you have the chance you ought to go see a few sights then you can you've been there and done that!

And yes I did eat the "Last Mango in Paris"!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:
Wow! I would say Vapodog and jetdrvr have differing views on Paris.

Maybe he got laid there.....

I'll never tell...

quote:

Take the metro up to the Arc de Triomphe and then walk down the Champs-Elysees. It is a much more enjoyable walk down toward the Louvre than trudging uphill toward the Arc.

Yeah, that is a great stroll. Paris is a great city to walk in. I particularly love the walk along the river to see the beautiful barges people have redone into houseboats. Some of them are very nice. One I saw had its own greenhouse with a telescoping, retracting glass cover.

For you old guys, Sterling Hayden lived out his later years on one of them. What a great place to hang out that would be.

I liked taking the open air bus tour with all of the historical sites. And, you can do it in your own language, as the headphones will allow you to do. You can get off at any of the stops and then get back on again, all for one price. That way if you want to spend time walking around, visiting one of the sites, eating at a nice restaurant, etc., you can do so. Hey, then there's the additional chance to visit the grave of the Doors' great, Jim Morrison!

I loved riding on the top deck of the open air boats just as the sun was setting. Paris is a beautiful city and I get along just fine with the French.

Rather than the Moulin Rouge & other tourist traps don't miss a visit to the hunting museum "MAISON de la CHASSE et de la NATURE" displaying spectacular collections of paintings & furniture & trophies & firearms in the superb setting of a XVIIe century mansion house. Open every day but Monday.
It is situated in the Marais central area :
60 rue des Archives, 75003 Paris
Tel : 01.53.01.92.40.
www.chassenature.org

The Museum of Natural History "Musée d'Histoire Naturelle",
on the other side of the Seine river, is also world-class.

acteon,
any chance of getting you to post some pictures from the Hunting museum??

I don't have pictures but pse have a look at their website
www.chassenature.org