My guidebook Daytrips France includes five walking tours of Paris, each taking most of a day and each beginning where the previous one ended, 
always at a convenient Métro stop. Strolling all five of them results in a pretty comprehensive introduction to the the world's most beautiful city, but still a lot had to be left out. So I added another chapter called (what else?) Additional Attractions in and Around the City. Here it is, straight from the pages of the Sixth Edition:
This chapter has absolutely nothing to do with daytrips, but gives a brief description of the more outstanding attractions in and around Paris that were not covered on the previous one-day walking tours. They are listed alphabetically and include the address, the arrondissement (district) number, the name of the nearest Métro or RER station(s), and the times of opening and price range when appropriate.
Click on underlined entries for links to appropriate websites.
WITHIN PARIS:
African and Oceanic Arts Museum (Musée des Arts Africains et Océaniens) — Situated at the end of the Bois de Vincennes, this museum houses superb collections of native art, weapons, masks, pottery, jewelry, and similar artifacts from Africa, Oceania, and Australia. There is also a tropical aquarium with crocodiles. 293 Avenue Daumesnil, 12e, served by Métro tp Porte Dorée. T: 01-4346-5161. Open Fri.-Wed. 10-5:30. €.
Balzac Museum (Maison de Balzac) — The great author Honoré de Balzac lived in this charming country house from 1840 to 1847, escaping his creditors. It is filled with mementos of his life, manuscripts, and personal effects. 47 Rue Raynouard, 16e, reached by Métro or RER to Kennedy-Radio France, T: 01-5574-4180. Open Tues.-Sun. 10-5:40, closed holidays. Free, charge for special exhibitions.
Bois de Boulogne — Once a royal hunting preserve, this 2,225-acre park is a favorite recreational area for Parisians. Among it many attractions are the Lower Lake (Lac Inférieur) where rowboats and bicycles can be rented, the Upper Lake (Lac Supérieur), the Pré Catelan (a park-within-a-park with its famous Shakespeare Garden), the Bagatelle (a former estate with lovely gardens) and the Jardin d'Acclimatation (primarily a children's amusement park with a zoo and miniature railway).
In addition, there are two racetracks, waterfalls, the Municipal Flower Gardens, several restaurants, and enough sights to keep you busy all day. Avoid coming here after dark. Located in the 16th arrondissement, it is best reached by Métro to Porte Maillot, Sablons, Porte Dauphine, or Porte d'Auteuil.
Botanical Gardens (Jardin des Plantes) — Much more than its name suggests, the Botanical Gardens also encompass a zoo, hothouses, and the Natural History Museum. Located in the 5th arrondissement, close to the Seine and the Gare d'Austerlitz train station, it can be reached by Métro to Gare d'Austerlitz, Jussieu, or Monge. T: 01-4079-3794. Gardens open daily 7:30 a.m. to dusk. Zoo open daily 9-5, 6 in summer. Gardens free, charge for hothouses. Zoo: €€.
Buttes-Chaumont Park — This is the most unusual and possibly the most romantic park in Paris. Laid out over a former quarry, it has steep wooded paths and a lake with a rocky island whose summit is crowned with a temple. Set in the 19th arrondissement, its most convenient Métro stop is Buttes-Chaumont. Open daily, until 10:30 p.m. in summer or 9 in winter.
Catacombs — As Paris expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries, some of its cemeteries had to be emptied to make room for buildings. All of those generations of bones from millions of bodies were ghoulishly stacked in these abandoned quarries, where thay have been on public view since 1874. During World War II the Catacombs served as a headquarters of the Resistance. A flashlight will be helpful for this macabre experience. 1 Place Denfert-Rochereau, 14e, served by Métro to Denfert-Rochereau. T: 01-4322-4763. Open Tues.-Sun. 10-4. €.
Cernuschi Museum — Chinese art from prehistoric times all the way up to the present is the focus of this delightful little museum just east of the Monceau Park. 7 Avenue Vélasquez, 8e, reached by Métro to Villiers or Monceau. T: 01-4563-5075. Open Tues.-Sun. 10-5:30, closed holidays. Free, charge for special exhibitions.
City Museum of Modern Art (Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris) — An outstanding museum of art of the 20th and 21st centuries, this avant-garde institution specializes in Cubist, Fauve, and School of Paris paintings along with temporary exhibitions. 11 Avenue du Président-Wilson, 16e, close to the Métro stops Iéna and Alma-Marceau as well as the RER stop Pont de l'Alma. T: 01-4367-4000. Open Tues.-Fri. 10-5:30, weekends 10-6. €€.
Cognacq-Jay Museum — Both the fine and decorative arts of 18th-century Europe are well displayed in this elegant and intimate museum, the epitome of refined French taste. 8 Rue Elzévir, 3e, served by Métro to St.-Paul. T: 01-4027-0721. Open Tues.-Sun. 10-5:30. Free.
Flea Market (Marché aux Puces) — The largest flea market in Paris is held at Saint-Ouen, on the northern city limits. Walk under the elevated highway and turn left into an area filled with several thousand stalls selling all kinds of junk, some of which may actually be of value. You'll need to bargain, and you're up against expert dealers. Of course, you could come here just for the fun and not buy anything at all. Located on the edge of the 18th arrondissement, it is easily reached by taking the Métro to Porte de Clignancourt and strolling north. The markets are open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays only, from about 8 a.m. to perhaps 8 p.m.
Gobelins Tapestry Factory (Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins) — Craftsmanship of the highest level can be witnessed in these government-owned workshops where works of art are woven with intricate care. The results, each taking years to finish, are for state use only and are never sold. 42 Avenue des Gobelins, 13e, served by Métro to Gobelins. T: 01-4454-1933. Guided tours Tues., Wed., and Thurs.: 2 and 2:45 p.m. €€.
Grévin Museum — A waxworks fantasy world where contemporary personalities compete with historical tableaux for your entertainment. Distorting mirrors, magic tricks, and strange environments add to the fun. 10 Boulevard Montmartre, 9e, reached by Métro to Richelieu-Drouot or Rue Montmartre. T: 01-4770-8505. Open daily 10-7. €€€.
Guimet Museum (Musée National des Arts Asiatiques—Guimet) — Oriental art from all over the Far East is gathered together here to form one of the most outstanding museums of its kind in the world. 9 Place d'Iéna, 16e, served by Métro to Iéna or RER to Pont de l'Alma. T: 01-5652-5300. Open Wed.-Mon., 1-6:45. €€.
Gustave Moreau Museum — The strange paintings of the great 19th-century symbolist artist are displayed in his former studio and home. 14 Rue de la Rochefoucault, 9e, take the Métro to Trinité. T: 01-4874-3850. Open Wed.-Sun. 10-12:45 and 2-5:15. €.
Marmottan-Claude Monet Museum — Famous throughout the art world for its marvelous collection of Impressionist paintings, this museum is especially noted for its major works by Monet. There are also objects, pictures, and furniture from many other periods in this grand 19th-century mansion. 2 Rue Louis-Boilly, 16e, served by Métro to La Muette or RER to Boulainvillers. T: 01-4496-5033. Open Tues.-Sun. 10-5:30. €€.
Monceau Park — A wonderful oasis of greenery in the fashionable 8e arrondissement, this delightful park is adjacent to the Cernushi and Nissan de Camondo museums. Its small lake is embellished with a Roman colonnade and curious follies are scattered among the trees, all legacies of the time when this was the private garden of the Duke of Orléans. Its main entrance is on Boulevard de Courcelles, opposite the Métro stop Monceau.
Montparnasse — The Montmartre of the Left Bank, Montparnasse has changed greatly since the days of Hemingway, Picasso, Cocteau, Stravinsky, Chagall, Modigliani, Lenin, Trotsky, and other famous personalities who lived and worked here in the early 20th century. Some of the atmosphere survives in the La Coupole and Le Sélect cafés on Boulevard du Montparnasse, and around the nearby Montparnasse Cemetery, but the area is noted today mostly for its modern office buildings and shopping centers.
You can ascend the sleek 59-story Tour Montparnasse for a spectacular view of the city. T: 01-4538-5256. Open daily 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m., closing at 10:30 p.m. from Oct.-Masrch. €€. The Postal Museum on nearby Boulevard de Vaugirard tells the story of French communications from Roman times to the present. T: 01-4279-2323. Open Mon.-Sat. 10-6. €. Another worthwhile stop is the Montparnasse Cemetery, where you'll find the graves of many famous personalities. Located at the junction of the 16e, 14e, and 15e arrondissements, Montparnasse is best served by the massive Métro stop Montparnasse-Bienvenüe.
Mosque of Paris — A 130-foot-high minaret towers over one of the most impressive mosques in the world, a corner right out of the Middle East or North Africa. Take your shoes off and join a guided tour, then relax at the traditional Arab café. Place du Puits-de-l'Ermité, reached by Métro to Monge. Visits daily except on Fri. or Muslim holidays, 10-noon and 2-5:30. Guided tours €.
Nissan de Camondo Museum — A sumptuous mansion decorated with priceless objects in the 18th-century manner, this was one of the most luxurious homes in Paris. In 1936 it was presented to the nation by the Count de Camondo in honor of his son Nissim, killed in World War I. 62 Rue de Monceau, 8e, reached by Métro to Monceau. T: 01-5389-0640. Open Wed.-Sun. 10-5. €€.
Père-Lachaise Cemetery — An enormous number of famous personalities, from the tragic 12th-century lovers Héloise and Abélard to the tragic 20th-century rock star Jim Morrison of The Doors, are buried in what is probably the most famous cemetery in the world. You can get a map of their graves at the entrance and explore some of the most interesting tombs anywhere. Be sure to see the Federalists' Wall in the southeast corner, where in 1871 the last 147 insurgents of the Paris Commune were lined up and shot, then interred on the spot. It still has strong political overtones. Located in the 20th arrondissement, the main entrance is on Boulevard de Ménilmontant, and the closest Métro stop is Père-Lachaise. T: 01-5525-8210. Open daily from 8 or 9 to 5 or 6, depending on the season. Free. Tours in English available for a small fee, T: 01-4071-7560.
Popular Arts and Traditions Museum — Everyday life in rural France before the Industrial Revolution is explored in this exceptionally interesting museum near the northern end of the Bois de Boulogne. 6 Route de Mahatma-Gandhi, 16e, reached by Métro to Sablons. T: 01-4417-6000. Open Wed.-Mon. 9:45-5:15. €.
St.-Martin Canal — Dug in the early 19th century, this commercial waterway with six locks links the Seine with a northern canal system and other rivers. It runs underground from the Place de la Bastille for about one mile to the north, then continues on the surface through strangely atmospheric and oddly romantic neighborhoods to La Villette, where it joins the St.-Denis and Ourcq canals. Boat rides are available from the marina at the Arsenal Basin near Place de la Bastille in the 12e arrondissement, reached by Métro to Bastille. Check the Paris Tourist Office for current information, then make reservations. Two companies offering enjoyable canal trips are: Canauxrama, T: 01-4239-1500, and Paris Canal Croisières, T: 01-4240-9697. €€€.
Sewers of Paris (Les Égouts de Paris) — Explore a sample section of the over 1,300 miles of sewer tunnels under Paris on these smelly but nevertheless popular tours that begin with an audiovisual presentation. This is an experience you will never forget. The tours depart from the corner of Quai d'Orsay and the Pont de l'Alma, 7e, eached by Métro to Alma-Marceau or RER to Pont de l'Alma. T: 01-5368-2782. Tours May-Oct., Sat.-Wed. 11-5; Nov.-April, Sat.-Wed. 11-4. Closed Jan. €.
La Villette — Slaughterhouses once occupied this vast site in the northeast corner of Paris, bisected by industrial canals and bordered by an elevated highway. It has now been transformed into the pride of French technology by the City of Science and Industry, a gigantic high-tech, space-age, hands-on museum that celebrates the very latest in technological progress. Next to it is the Géode, an enormous sphere of stainless steel surrounded by water and containing the inevitable Omnimax projection theater. Some of the other features include a French Navy submarine and the Cinaxe, a small movie theater that bounces around with the screen action. The rest of the 125-acre site is laid out as a futuristic park dotted with exhibition halls, modernistic follies, and a huge space for concerts. The main entrance is on Avenue Corentin-Cariou, 19e, served by Métro to Porte de la Villette. T: 01-4005-8000. Open Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-7. €€. Extra charges for some features.
Vincennes — Located in the 12th arrondissement near the southeast corner of Paris, the Bois de Vincennes Park is similar to the Bois de Boulogne, although not as fashionable. Its two main features are the Château de Vincennes, a medieval castle, and the Zoo de Paris, the largest zoo in France. There are also several lakes, lovely gardens, and a Buddhist temple. The château and floral gardens are best reached by Métro to Château de Vincennes, while the zoo and the temple are served by Métro to Porte Dorée. Château open daily except on holidays, 10-6, closing at 5 in winter. T: 01-4808-3120. Long tours €€, short tours €. Zoo open daily 9-6, closing at 5 in winter, a half-hour longer on Sun. T: 01-4475-2010. €€.
JUST BEYOND PARIS:
In addition to the six attractions, there are several major daytrip destinations within the immediate area surrounding Paris. These are described in full detail in Section III, the Île-de-France, following this chapter.
Air and Space Museum (Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace) — Over 150 historic aircraft are displayed in six exhibition halls at Le Bourget Airport just north of Paris, covering the history of aviation from the beginnings until the present. Audiovisual presentations describe the conquest of space, while you can inspect the first Concorde and an Ariane rocket on display outdoors. The museum may be reached by taking bus number 152 from the Porte de la Villette or bus number 350 from the Gare de l'Est or Gare du Nord. Get off at Musée de l'Air. By car, take the A-1 highway northeast to the Le Bourget exit. T: 01-4992-7199. Open Tues.-Sun., 10-5, staying open until 6 from April-Sept. €€. Extra € to board the Concorde or a 747.
La Défense — The city of the future is here today, at least in part. Whether you like it is another matter. Begun in the 1960s and still incomplete, La Défense embodies the fondest aspirations of architects and city planners in a mixed commercial and residential center built on a gigantic elevated concrete platform, with streets below and pedestrians above. Walking along its open terraces provides a fabulous view of Paris, which is even better from the top of the 360-foot-high Grande Arche. There are also enough shopping centers and exhibition halls to keep you busy for a few hours, along with an IMAX theater, an automobile museum, and a sculptural garden. This "Manhattan-on-the-Seine" is best reached by taking the RER line A to the Grande-Arche-de-la-Défense stop. The RER connects with the Métro at several points, including Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile.
Disneyland Paris — Mickey Mouse has come to the suburbs of Paris, but he still speaks English. This little bit of America in the heart of France is extremely popular and offers a fun time for all but the most churlish of curmudgeons. Children, especially, will enjoy a day here. Take the RER line A4 to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy, a quick 40-minute ride from Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile. You can also board at La Défense, Auber, Châtelet-Les-Halles, Gare de Lyon, or Nation. By car, take the A-4 highway to Exit 14, about 20 miles east of Paris. T: 01-6030-6081. Open late June-early Sept., daily 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; rest of year, daily 10-6, until 10 on Sat. and some other days. Inclusive one-day entry €€€€, several other plans available.
Malmaison — Napoléon and Jospehine lived in this lovely château and, after their divorce, the empress continued to occupy it until her death in 1814. Still furnished as it was in those days, it makes for an interesting and very pleasant little excursion. To get there, take the RER line A to Rueil-Malmaison, then walk a short distance. T: 01-4129-0555. Open Mon. and Wed.-Fri., 9:30-12:30 and 1:30-5:45; weekends 10-6:30. €€.
St.-Denis Basilica — The first major structure in the Gothic style, the Basilica of St.-Denis was the prototype for all the great cathedrals of France. Begun in 1136 on the site of a 5th-century church, it served as the royal necropolis for nearly all of the kings of France, from Dagobert I in the 7th century until Louis XVIII in the 19th. During the Revolution the mausoleums were plundered and the bones thrown into a common grave beneath the crypt, but the tombs themselves had previously been removed for safekeeping and are now back in place, albeit empty. The historic basilica is located in the town of St.-Denis, just north of Paris. You can get there by taking the Métro to St.-Denis-Basilique. T: 01-4809-8384. Open April-Sept., Mon.-Sat. 10-7:30, Sun. noon-7; Oct.-March, Mon.-Sat. 10-5, Sun. noon-5:30. Closed on some holidays. €€.
St.-Germain-en-Laye — This attractive old suburb is famous for its château — the birthplace of Louis XIV and other kings — and for its unusual Priory Museum. Set atop a hill overlooking Paris, the town also has a long terrace with magnificent views, and some beautiful English gardens. The Château, long a royal residence, was once home to the young Mary, Queen of Scots, and to the deposed King James II of England. It now houses the National Antiquities Museum, where artifacts from prehistoric times to the 8th century are exquisitely displayed. T: 01-3451-5365. Open Wed.-Mon., 9-5:15. €, additional € for special exhibitions. A short walk through the town leads to the Priory Museum (Musée du Prieuré). Located in the former home of the symbolist painter Maurice Denis, it displays his works along with those of Gauguin, Bonnard, Vuillard, and others. 2 bis Rue M.-Denis. T: 01-3973-7787. Open Wed.-Fri., 10-5:30, weekends 10-6:30. €€. The easiest way to get there is by RER line A to St.-Germain-en-Laye.
Vaux-le-Vicomte — This fabulous château was in a way responsible for the building of Versailles. When the young Louis XIV was entertained there by his finance minister, Fouquet, in 1661, he became enraged at the thought of a public servant living better than the king. Suspecting embezzlement, he had Fouquet thrown in jail and then employed the same architects to build an even greater palace for himself at Versailles. Restored to its original splendor, Vaux-le-Vicomte is located just east of Melun, on the way to Fontainebleau. There is fairly frequent service from the Gare de Lyon in Paris to Melun, after which you will have to take a taxi to Vaux-le-Vicomte, By car, follow the N-6 to Melun, 34 miles southeast of Paris, then local roads. T: 01-6414-4190. Open daily mid-March to mid-Nov., 10-6. €€€.
This post was taken directly from the pages of Daytrips France, Sixth Edition, withcolor, photos, and hyperlinks added. Copyright © 2005 by Earl Steinbicker.
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