taschen, 011-33-1-40-51-79-22

attractions
le jardin des serres d'auteuil,
011-33-1-40-71-75-60
notre dame, 011-33-1-42-34-56-10

we said...
our prime paris picks


lodging
hotel le regent, expensive, 011-33-1-46-34-59-80. it's quaint, it's small, it's boutique, it's romantic, it's reasonable, it's perfect. it also has the l word: location. walk out the front door and you're in the heart of the left bank.

dining
les deux magots, 011-33-1-45-48-55-25. sip a coffee where hemingway used to and stake out a spot under the terrace for some of the best people-watching this side of the seine.

street vendors. stop by any one of the carts selling those tasty crepes with chocolate, bananas, etc., for a low-cost, high-carb (you'll need it) start to the day. their giant cup of french fries also makes a nice afternoon snack.

attractions
musée d'orsay, 011-33-1-40-49-48-48. we love the louvre, but we get a real kick out of the d'orsay's extensive collection of works by edgar degas, including sketches of the graceful ballerinas that were one of his favorite subjects.

père-lachaise cemetery, 011-31-1-55-25-82-10, www.pere-lachaise.com. if you're feeling adventurous and maybe a little macabre, take a stroll through the final resting place of notables such as frederick chopin, oscar wilde, edith piaf, and, of course, doors frontman jim morrison.

shopping
shakespeare and company, 011-33-1-43-25-40-93. this bookstore named after the bard and located in the latin quarter has everything you need to read. but hey, what better souvenir than one that will look magnifique next to that copy of le petit prince sitting on your bookshelf back home?

excursion
le château de versailles, www.chateauversailles