I will be traveling to Paris in March with 7 other ladies to celebrate a 50th birthday of someone in the group. Suggestions on what to do to celebrate the actual birthday? We were thinking maybe a Sei
I will be traveling to Paris in March with 7 other ladies to celebrate a 50th birthday of someone in the group. Suggestions on what to do to celebrate the actual birthday? We were thinking maybe a Seine River cruise or dinner at the Eiffel Tower. Any thoughts on these ideas or others?
I'm a big fan of choosing my own birthday activities. Does the "we" who is mentioned as considering the options include the birthday girl?
Speaking only for myself, I could not bear to let other people buy me dinner at the Eiffel Tower at those high prices and I absolutely would not want to be invited on my birthday to share the bill. (And think how everybody will feel more than a thousand dollars is dropped on an Eiffel Tower dinner and it is pouring rain that night or very foggy.)
Does the birthday celebrant have a special interest? Mine is movies, so I would be ecstatic if my friends were willing to go with me to the movie museums and iconic movie locations of Paris. I'm not suggesting that specifically, I'm just suggesting that it might make for an unusual and wonderful day for all of you if the day is constructed around her desire to eat macaroons, lay flowers at Jim Morrison's grave, take a tour of the sewers of Paris a la the Phanton, go to the Foliies or a perfume laboratory -- I mean, Paris really has it all, and if she says she most wants to have a dinner cruise on the Seine, that sounds great too, but on March 7, bundle up.
depends on the budget, but there is a lovely old restaurant cloiserier des Lilias which is charming, cave petrusssians is a lovely winebar which can arrange anything for you very cozy, if you have a small crowd try the deli Maison aux truffles near the madeliene
The Jules Verne restaurant, in the Eiffel Tower, has a magnificent lunch. Yes, it is expensive, and who pays is between you and your friend. I certainly don't know your financial situation, however the lunch is less expensive than their dinner. If you do that -- and you would be treated regally - then you could take a bateau mouche the same evening, and you wouldn't need to have dinner (believe me, a lunch at 2pm will require only a late night snack or some celebratory drinks). BTW, reservations at the Jules Verne are mandatory, and should be made several months in advance.
I'm so sorry, Angiono, but I and many others feel that the Closerie des Lilas is really a tourist trap, and their food is nothing special. I also noticed that there will be several ladies to share the cost of a lunch or a dinner. They'd be paying for themselves and 1/7 or 1/8 of the birthday girl's meal -- seems perfectly doable to me.
My friend & I recently celebrated our 60th birthdays in Paris and dined at Le Train Bleu, which is located in the Gare de Lyon trainstation. It is a gorgeous setting for a birthday - lots of gold, crystal chandeliers. When I made the reservation I told them about our birthdays and they acknowledge it very festively (I won't reveal so if you go it will be a surprise). The food is very good, probably not the best in Paris, but certainly very good. The atmosphere is fantastic. http://www.le-train-bleu.com/uk/index.php
We actually celebrated our birthdays twice (why not?) and went on a dinner cruise on the Seine. It wasn't one of the very touristy boats and it was also very atmospheric. Lanterns hang on the boat, figurehead on the front - very cool boat. They also will celebrate with you if you let them know it's your birthday. The name of the boat is "Le Calife" and you can read about it on their site or tripadvisor. We sat on the upper part of the boat and from there you'll have a good view for the cruise. http://www.calife.com/
Just being in Paris is a wonderful way to spend a birthday....or any other day for that matter. I agree that you should get input from the birthday girl as everyone's idea of a good time can be very different. And do find out if you need reservations well in advance for whatever you decide to do.
I agre with Mushroom. I do not like surprise parties...I want the fun of being in on the choosing and planning if it's MY party. How about cocktails on the river cruise and then a cozy dinner...or a dinner in a "famous" resaurant or cafe? Seems to me you want to be looking out the windows--not eating-- as you cruise down (or is it up?) the Seine while the floodlights are highlighting the passing scenery.
Le Jules Verne by all means. Go for lunch and if you don't order drinks or wine, it is quite reasonable. While in Paris, get BatoBus Seine River service pass. One day fairly costly, a five day pass is a bargain. Take the BatoBus to the Effiel Tower, thereby combining a Seine cruise with le Jules Verne Restaurant. An express elevator takes you to the restaurant with no waiting in line. From the restaurant, you can visit the tower.
The Closerie des Lilas is not worth a stop unless you want to eat a so-so meal with fellow tourists. Le Train Bleu is beautiful, unlike any other station restaurant, but unfortunately it is high class station food at a high price.
If you are looking for a beautiful room, Michelin star food at an outrageous price, try the wonderful restaurant at the le bristol Hotel.
I highly recommend the Seine River Cruise. It is a relaxing and yet informative way to first see the city. After our cruise we selected places we had viewed from the boat and enjoyed a leisure touring of them. Be sure to visit the park that is on your way to and around the Eiffel tower. I simply enjoy watching people and getting a flavor of the culture. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the view!
The sidewalk cafes are my favorite and also the gardens and art museums. You have selected a lovely city in which to celebrate your birthday!
I turned 50 this year and wanted to go to Paris, but life got in the way. I was thinking how would I like to celebrate. I've never been to the Jules Verne for a meal, but lunch sounds wonderful. I would also like to go the Montparnasse area and have oysters and champagne around 6 pm, but you can probably do that anywhere in Paris. And a night time Bateaux Mouche cruise sounds great too. I would like to sit outdoors on the top, but it will probably be very cold so bundle up. I've done that before, and a hat is a necessity.
My wife and i celebrated our wedding anniversary in Paris .We booked one of those all inclusive deals where we went to the Eiffel Tower during the day , took a River cruise early evening and then had Dinner in a Restaurant very close to the Arc de Triomphe all excellent places - we enjoyed the trip setting etc. however - the include Restaurant meal was terrible -the worst meal we had in Paris .There were a number of Americans on the same "tour" who walked out in disgust - warning just be careful if you book Package tours around Paris.
A few years ago I celebrated by 50th birthday in Paris. This is one of my favorite cities and I managed to talk 15 family members and friends into joining me. We rented several different apartments and held the birthday dinner in the largest one. If you are celebrating with 7 friends, one apartment that can accomodate several people can be more reasonable than hotel rooms and will give you a special place to gather. Many apartments can be rented for 3 days if your stay is short and having a kitchen means you can go wild at the local open markets and have fun cooking your own gourmand meal at very reasonable cost. Since Paris is the birthday girls choice, it should also be her choice for what to do on her birthday. River cruises will likely be cold in March and very often not even running if the river is too high. I have been to Paris in March and April many times and have been snowed on more than once in both months. That being said, I still love Paris in late March and April. If its cold outside perhaps a dinner & music venue would be fun. The jazz clubs in the 6th are lots of fun but a party of 7 will need to make reservations.
I spent 10 days in Paris around my 50th and on the big day, a friend and I went to Reims for the day. We bought a picnic lunch before we left Paris, took the TGV to Reims, and explored the town. We took a tour of the one of the champagne caves, explored the fabulous cathedral (worth the trip alone!) and saw the minor basillica where all of the kings of France were crowned.
We were back in Paris in time for sunset in the Jardins de Luxemborg and dinner at Le Petit Prince de Paris in the Latin Quarter. If you are in Paris long enough for a side trip, it's a memorable way to spend a big day.
Hey, is this you, Dori? If not, to whoever wrote this, I was also part of a fabulous 50th birthday celebration with family and friends, and thank the b'day girl wo much for including me and my wonderful husband. Can't think of anything better to do for a special, or unspecial occasion. Karen
I was about to post the same question about where to have a special dinner in Paris as I am going to Paris in April to celebrate my 50th birthday and was wanting some ideas about where to have dinner ... apart from the obvious Eiffel Tower, which I presume will be very expensive. When I was reading the replies I was a little horrified to read the comment about the weather for a river cruise, that travelmystic talks of snow in April! I was certainly not expecting that. We will be arriving on the 19th April and staying for 10 days. I didn't think it would be that cold.
Le Jules Verne by all means. Go for lunch and if you don't order drinks or wine, it is quite reasonable. While in Paris, get BatoBus Seine River service pass. One day fairly costly, a five day pass is a bargain. Take the BatoBus to the Effiel Tower, thereby combining a Seine cruise with le Jules Verne Restaurant. An express elevator takes you to the restaurant with no waiting in line. From the restaurant, you can visit the tower. The Closerie des Lilas is not worth a stop unless you want to eat a so-so meal with fellow tourists. Le Train Bleu is beautiful, unlike any other station restaurant, but unfortunately it is high class station food at a high price. If you are looking for a beautiful room, Michelin star food at an outrageous price, try the wonderful restaurant at the le bristol Hotel. Posted by lawthomas
Thanks for sharing this. I am planning a romantic week in Paris and I would like to try Le Jules Verne. Is there any dish you would suggest? thanks
