Moulin Rouge
Métro: Blanche. Bus: 30, 54, 68, 74.
The world-famous risqué cabaret house with the 19th century windmill is the mother of all tourist traps. It has been entertaining audiences for over a century with feathery (and topless) can-can dancers. The incredibly bad value of €109 for the show and ½ bottle of champagne is trumped by the €210 dinner/show deal. The Moulin Rouge is in Montmartre. The exterior, featuring the famous red (rouge) windmill (moulin) can be visited during a trip to Sácre-Cœur. When traveling with my groups, we always take some snapshots there. Be mindful, this is in a safe but seedy area of Paris. Website: www.moulinrouge.fr.
Place du Tertre
Métro: Abbesses or Anvers. Bus: Montmartrobus.
Actually, I would recommend visiting here, but just once. Adjacent to Sácre-Cœur it is a reminder of Bohemian Paris. Inside the square, artists sketch charcoal portraits and paint Impressionist landscapes, surrounded by cafes, crepe shops and okay, a few souvenir stands. Walk down Rue des Saules past the only vineyard in Paris for a photo op at cabaret Au Lapin Agile, hangout of characters like Picasso, Modigliani, and Hemingway. www.au-lapin-agile.com.
Bateaux Mouches
Métro: Pont de l’Alma. Bus: 63, 72.
A trip to Paris is not complete without a cruise down the Seine. It departs across the river from the Eiffel Tower near the Pont de l'Alma. Tickets are €12.50 for the cruise alone. Dinner options range from 99 to 140 euros per person. There are better places to have dinner in Paris for those prices, but it’s your money. Website: www.bateauxmouches.com.
Here is an area I would avoid dining on your next tour to Paris:
•Rue de la Huchette: This is a pedestrian street located in the Latin Quarter starting at boulevard Saint-Michel (métro: St-Michel) stretching down to rue Saint-Jacques. It is full of souvenir shops, inexpensive falafel vendors and cheap restaurants (mostly Greek and Asian). Hawkers do their best to reel diners in with €10 menus, but generally, expect to get what you pay for.
For more Paris information, see www.travelingprofessor.com