Whether traveling alone or on one of The Traveling Professor's small group tours for adults to Paris, here are some destinations worth visiting:
Musée des Arts et Métiers
Métro: Arts et Metiers. Bus: 38, 47, 75.
Museum Pass: Yes. Closed: Mondays. Open late Thursday.
Paris is well-known for its contributions to art, cuisine, and humanities. But let’s not dismiss a rich legacy in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. The 80,000 item collection of historical artifacts here is impressive. For instance there are sound recording devices by Edison and a French airplane pre-dating the Wright Brothers along with early automobiles, TV’s, computers, engineering and technology marvels. It is one of my favorite museums in Paris. About 2 hours. You would think they would have a better website though: www.arts-et-metiers.net.
Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Métro: Sevres-Babylone or Saint-Placide. Bus: 39, 63, 70 84, 87, 94.
Practically hidden behind the Bon Marché department store at 140, rue de Bac, this is probably one of the most visited sites in Paris you never heard of. Roman Catholic pilgrims flock to where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared “in flesh and bones” to Saint Catherine Labouré in 1830 to request an oval medal be made, hence the Miraculous Medal. It is the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Website: www.chapellenotredamedelamedaillemiraculeuse.com.
Cimetière des Chiens
Métro: Gabriel-Peri.
Located northwest on the Seine at 4 Pont de Clichy, Paris’s Le Cimetière des Chiens et Autres Animaux Domestiques (Cemetery of Dogs and Other Domestic Animals) is the oldest pet cemetery in the world. It’s Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise of pet cemeteries. Founded in 1899 by lawyer Georges Harmois and journalist Marguerite Durand, here you’ll find the graves of dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, mice, hamsters, horses, monkeys, turtles, fish, sheep, foxes, and even one shark. Canine movie star (and World War I hero) Rin Tin Tin and Marguerite Durand’s own pet lion, named Tiger, are also buried here.
Jim Haynes Dinner
An American ex-pat, Jim Haynes hosts a dinner at his home for about 50-100 people on Sunday evenings. I’ve met a few English-speaking guests and made some new friends at his Sunday soirées. Jim is very welcoming and makes guests feel right at home. For details, check his website: www.jim-haynes.com.
For more information on The Traveling Professor's Tours, see www.travelingprofessor.com