MarkC5

I’ve taken many suggestions from a previous post, specifically grouping sights by location and 2/day and came up with the following plan. It’s by no means set in stone and I realize it’s mostly “tourist” oriented but with it being my wife’s first visit, I want to make sure we see what interests her and I. It’s not in order; I’m looking for feedback, suggestions, comments, etc. Thanks

Day 1 – Arrive, settle into apartment, shop in local market for supplies, boat tour, Eiffel Tower.
Day 2 - Louvre
Day 3 - Versailles
Day 4 – d’Orsay, Invalides (Napoleon’s Tomb) and Rodin
Day 5 – Arc de Triomphe, l’Orangerie, Champs Elysees
Day 6 – Notre Dame and Georges Pompidou
Day 7 – Picasso and Pere Lachaise
Day 8 – Catacombs and Montparnasse
Day 9 – Sacre Cour and Dali
Day 10 – Open
Day 11 - Depart

Leely2

Wow--I've been to Paris a few times, but I'm going to copy this itinerary. It makes so much sense and I'm totally disorganized. I haven't even done all the things on your list.

I think this looks like a good first-timer's itinerary for your wife with plenty of extra time to poke around and get lost. Day 4 is probably a little too heavy for me, but you and your wife might have the stamina. I've gotten rather lazy on my vacations and I always seem to "waste" time sleeping in, sitting having a drink somewhere, getting an ice cream, etc.

Some of my preferences, and they may not be yours:

I generally like to visit the Louvre a couple of times for shorter periods because I find it exhuasting but there's always more I want to see. I can't remember the deal with the museum passes, but getting one should enable easy visits.

What time of year are you going? If nice weather, you might want to visit some gardens, especially Luxembourg.

I love the Cluny and the Petit Palais and other small mueums. And churches. And bars. And restaurants. So I try to squeeze that stuff in. If you have a good guide book, and you arrive someplace and the line is atrocious, there's usually something interesting--a "lesser" sight--that you can visit nearby.

The Deportation Memorial behind Notre Dame is quite moving.

I'm sure the Paris experts on this board can give you more useful advice but I think your itinerary is generally sound. Have a great time!
.

adrienne

Very interesting itinerary! Leaves ample time for wandering around.

There's no days of the week indicated here so you need to make sure that the places you're visiting are open on the day you plan to go.

I would not do the boat tour on your arrival day if you're taking an overseas flight. I did this once because I thought it would be an easy thing to do and fell asleep and missed the entire boat trip!

I would add a few more churches but I'm a church nut!

Are you going to Ste-Chappelle? I always tell people that if you only see one thing in Paris that one thing should be Ste-Chappelle. It's near Notre Dame.

Street markets are always fun and often there are free church concerts (many on Sunday afternoons).

How about seeing one of the period houses such as Jacquemart-Andree (my first choice), Nissem de Camondo, or Cognacy-Jay (free).

One evening, after sunset, walk to the Seine and wait for the Eiffel Tower to sparkle on the hour. You can also see this up close from a night boat trip.

How about a walking tour to get an indepth flavor of an area.

Check to see what is on at the Jeu de Paume (next to the Orangerie). I was going to say the twin museum to the Orangerie until I remembered that the Orangerie no longer looks like the Jeu de Paume! Day 5 is light and there might be something there that appeals to you.

yk

I think others here will say your itin is just fine, but it's a bit slow for me. I'm just someone who likes to do A LOT each day.

Not sure what else to add without knowing what else might interests you.

I've taken a Paris Walk tour (sister company of London Walks) of the 6th arr and it was lovely - gave me a better understanding of that neighborhood.

I beg to differ regarding Seine Cruise. We did it just last month, also on our arrival day to Paris. I thought that was great, as the fresh air kept us refreshed and awake.

I'll be tempted to do another day trip given the length of time you're in Paris.

The following link is a list of the Paris Municipal Museums. All of them are free, handy if you happen to be in the neighborhood.
http://www.paris.fr/portail/english/...t?page_id=8229

A few other museums I've enjoyed:
Mus&eacute;e Marmottan - Just seeing Monet's <i>Impression Sunrise</i> is worth the admission

Mus&eacute;e National du Moyen &Acirc;ge (aka Cluny Museum) - the Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are incredible

Mus&eacute;e Carnavalet - history of Paris with lots of period rooms

An area that's missing from your itin is the Marais.

zeppole

(The Pompidou is in the Marais.)

Since you've advertised this itinerary as having what interests what you and your wife, can't argue with the choices, and they are well grouped and well paced.

Were it me -- and I realize it is not -- I would want to see Ste Chapelle, St Denis, the Musee Marmottan and spend time in the gardens (among the greatest artworks in Paris). I would skip the Catacombs, Sacre Couer, the Arc de Triomphe (other than to walk or drive past), and I'd only go to Versailes on a nice day with the fountains blasting. I'd make a separate trip to Catalonia for a Dali and Picasso fix, and do other things in Paris.

The Batobus might do you instead of boat &quot;tour&quot; and you might want to check out what's on at the Grand Palais or other art venues with changing exhibits.

yk

Some other activities would be going to a performance (or 2, or 3) while you're there.

Many churches have concerts, and of course, if you're into classical music, opera, ballet, you should look into attending a performance at Opera Bastille and/or Opera Garnier.

valtor

In my opinion it is a very good plan, and you also received here some good advices.
I would like to add some ideas:

- visit of City hall (Hotel de Ville) - it is decorated like a beautiful palace. You have to make reservation by phone 01 42 76 50 49 or in 29 rue de Rivoli in the H&ocirc;tel de Ville's Salon d'Accueil.
It is free of charge, it takes about 2 hours.

- two museums in Park Monceau: Nissim de Camondo and Cernusky.
There are not so big, but very interesting. you can find a lot of info in internet.

- we enjoyed to see in one evening the show at Crazy Horse, the girls are beautiful and they are really artists.

MarkC5

I really love this forum, thanks for the feedback! Y'all have given me plenty to consider and I've added some sites due to the feedback The batobus, smaller museums, churches and period-houses are also great sugesstions!

I intentionally left the days &quot;light&quot; so a leisurely lunch and exploring in the area where the visits would be made could be had. So adding in time at Jardin de Tuileries, Luxembourg, etc will be easily done. I also left nights open allowing for late dinners, a trip to Aviation Club for a little poker, Moulin Rouge/Lido/Crazy Horse one night, cigars and wine at one of several locations I've found, etc.

I think I'll add St Sulpice, St Chappelle, Marmottan and even Baccarat, based on the suggestions. I'll also allow for museum closings and weather to dictate the actual day.

We're planning late September currently and the first day will be Friday so hopefully we'll catch some good weather and good days for sight-seeing

Thanks again!

zeppole

St Sulpice on a Sunday (for a mass) gives you the opportunity to perhaps hear the organ play.

Keeper

Take the train to Monet's house from Gare St. Lazare -- takes about 90 minutes. You will not regret it.

PalenQ

If into walking there is a rather neat walk from the Vernon train station (about 3.5 miles from Giverny, on the opposite bank of the Seine - mini-buses and taxis meet most trains

but i've walked it and the path goes along the disused railway that once went along the Seine to Giverny - long since abandoned - but it was the railway that Monet often took to Rouen i guess when he was working on his cathedral series there.

Giverny closed on Mon and in off-season all days. The American Museum in Giverny gets good reviews as well so check it out