Houses the National Museum or Modern Art – lots of great stuff. Also a huge library. Great view from the roof top cafe.

If only for one day in Paris, you have to swing by Notre Dame and its pure High Gothic style. From there it’s a short walk to either the Latin Quarter and Cluny Abbey (more Gothic stuff) or to shopping in the Marais, thequaint Place des Vosges and the hidden Hotel de Sully.

... viewed from right outside the Palais de Tokyo – a really cool modern art museum in the 16th district (late nights there are the bomb) – also near the Musee Guimet (Asian Art Museum), my personal favourite. Check out http://www.palaisdetokyo.com

... everybody knows about Pere Lachaise cemetery: Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust. If you’re in the neighborhood, swing by the Montparnasse Cemetery and visit Gainsbourg, Beaudelaire, Brancusi, or Jean Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.

More Gothic architecture!! The Mont St Michel was built as a stronghold, then a monastery, from the 8th Century onward. It switched hands many times between Brits, the Normans and the French. It’s a bit too far for a day trip, though. If you’re taking the train or driving, also visit the nearby fortified city of St Malo and the scenic and dramatic Cap Frehel.

The train to Nice takes six hours. Break off your journey with a half day or day trip into Marseille on your way to Nice.

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux preached there in favor of a second crusade at Easter 1146, in front of King Louis VII. Richard I of England and Philip II of France met there and spent three months at the Abbey in 1190 before leaving for the Third Crusade. (wiki)

Montpellier is a very charming town, ideal place to relax for a few days.

My all time favourite museum in Paris. It’s the Asian Art Museum. Check out http://www.museehuimet.fr

... there are often demonstrations and strikes in France, especially in Paris (the metro strikes) . So sometimes they need the riot police :+) But I wouldn’t say at all that it feels unsafe. There’s always been a lot of social protest – it’s kind of cultural.

... I just really like that place. Oh, and the first Tuesday of every month all of the Musees Nationaux are free!! See http://www.museeguimet.fr

During the summer the Parc de la Villette offers a free, open air movie festival. The “Festival de Cinema en Plain Air 2007” is in its 15th year and will run from July 17th until August 26th. Bring a blanket, some food and drinks, and friends. It’s really cool. Almost 10,000 showed up when they showed “The Matrix” – that was a few years ago already… Check out http://www.villette.com for complete park program.