Critique my 1st attempt at Paris itinerary

Holy Moley! Looks like a forced march to me, especially Tuesday. Every minute of every day is busy, busy, busy. If you want to see all the museums listed and really appreciate what you are seeing, you'll need to add another week. Taxi from CDG is 55 euro by the way.

If you want to go to Versailles, I would trade that for the activities you had planned for Tuesday.

When you’re in Paris, give yourself permission to just enjoy the city, sit in a cafe with a coffee, relax while walking across some bridges or watch someone painting. You may find yourself having “museum burnout” with your current plan; don’t feel that you must check off each item.

I agree. I admit that I'm not a "museum person" - I get saturated with museums pretty quickly. But I can't see how anyone could possibly absorb three museums in one day.

I'd add some spontaneity to the itinerary. And allow for adjustments for the weather - it might be rainy some days and not others, so better to do your outdoor stuff when the weather might be a little nicer.

You wrote: "I’m struggling to find tune to fit in Versailles; is it worth reworking to fit in?" That's a question those of us who don't know your interests can't answer because it depends on how badly you want to see it and what you're willing to give up. Keep in mind that it's probably going to take a full day if you want to see the whole estate. It wouldn't be worth it to me on such a short trip. However I practically burst into tears when I saw the Hall of Mirrors - so much happened there - so I'm glad I made time for it on a seven-day trip.

I wouldn't plan anything for your arrival day other than walking around.

Appreciate the feedback. My husband and I are clearly not sit on the beach relaxing kind of people but I agree it is a ton packed into a short time.

How would you rank priority of following museums:

Louvre
Orsay
Rodan
Oranferie
Army museum

In terms of museums, it's quite personal. In general, the Orsay is my kind of art. It might not be yours. The Orangerie is small and doesn't take much time. It also is quite unique given Monet's water lily paintings. We didn't expect to spend much time at the Louvre, but found we really enjoy it. It was a royal palace so the architecture is interesting. In some rooms it was almost as if we spent more time looking at the ceilings. There are the furnished Napoleon rooms. The info desk at the Louvre has always been extremely helpful. They will give you a guide to the "famous" pieces or if you have specific artists, they will help you find their works. I really like Vermeer and there is usually one on display. If you have the time, Paris Walks often has a Louvre tour which can make it more personal and interesting. The garden of the Rodin Museum is lovely. I didn't know there was a wine museum! I assume you are going to the Notre Dame. If you have the Paris museum pass, the trip up the stairs to the roof with the gargoyles is really fun. I think you have plenty already, but Sainte Chapelle is quite spectacular.

Ranking museums is a contrived approach as opposed to making a choice based on your interests , as well as what you wish to see that would extend your knowledge and level of appreciation . So - The Louvre ; art that runs to about 1850 . The Orsay ; large collection of Impressionist work ( Monet , Renoir , Seurat , Signac , et al ) and late Romantic through post impressionist . Rodin ; work of the great sculptor . Orangerie ; Monet and more impressionist and early modern , Army Museum / Napoleon's Tomb - Best known as Les Invalides ; fascinating information from Franco Prussian war through Second world war ; the church with the tomb is an architectural masterpiece . - you choose , If it were my choice for one day , I would skip the Rodin and The Orangerie , and do one of the art museums and Les Invalides . At that point , wine in mass quantities , would be a fitting end .

I travel solo and move at a fast clip through museums, generally gravitating to the parts that really call to me and exploring further if compelled/have the time, so your itinerary looks fine to me. But as others say, do allow time for happy wandering because Paris is packed with so many lovely and intriguing areas you won't want to short-change yourself there. I spent 6 days and 1 of them was Versailles--and I got back in time to view l'Orangerie as well.

I visited all the museums you list and a few others (Cluny, Marmottan, Pompidou, Picasso, Dali in Montmartre) and would rank as follows, but keep in mind I am a huge military history, sculpture and Impressionist-era art fan, which is why the Louvre is last for me--I spent about an hour there just to see Mona Lisa and the other art in that wing.

d'Orsay (also did Picasso and Cluny that day)
L'Orangerie (after Versailles)
L'Armee (walked to Rodin after)
Rodin
Louvre

I would not enjoy your visit as it stands. Way too much running and not enough ambling through Paris. I would probably move the catacombs on day 1 to a different day if that is high on your list of things to see. Wine, walking around the 7th (and having a hot chocolate at Amorino's) and checking out shops, the 7th/Eiffel tower, and dinner would be a good start to day 1. If you feel like you must see a museum, the army/Napoleon museum is within easy walking distance of Rue Cler and the Rodin is walkable to the area as well.
If at all possible leave Saint Chapelle for a sunny late afternoon, assuming you get one. Check your weather when you get there and see if that looks likely. Go later in the day before the sun sets and is low enough to shine in the windows for best viewing. Definitely split up museums for different days. I try not to visit more than 1-2 on any particular day, with a nice wine/lunch break in between. Seeing museums is very different from enjoying them. Give yourself time. If you don't visit them all that's okay.
My top pick from museums is the Orsay, but rather than visit any of the others I would return to the Basilique St. Denis. Takes a few minutes to get there but it is wonderful to see the marble tombs and crypts of France's Kings and Queens.
Slow down a little and enjoy BEING in Paris.

I smiled at your comment that you aren’t “sit at the beach people”. I’ve been known to cover a lot in a short amount of time. My adult children still refer to our trip to Disney World when they were teenagers as “Disney Bootcamp”!

My husband and I spent five days in Paris with active days similar to what you’re planning. When we returned, I realized that we had “seen” Paris, but I hadn’t “felt” Paris. I returned the next year by myself (hubby had new promotion and couldn’t get away) and joined the RS 1-week Paris tour. During our free time, I took the time to thoroughly enjoy being there vs. more items checked off the list. That’s why my earlier post to you suggested allowing yourself the time to enjoy the ambiance and culture of Paris, which is an unhurried lunch, lingering at a park, etc.

With the dinner times you show you'll be eating with the staff. French restaurants serve dinner later than Americans are accustomed to ( I make the presumption...), often with two seatings, beginning 19:30-20:00.

A lot of good comments here (I liked andrew.reis's). To me, it just sounds like you are trying to tick every item off of some guide book's list of "must sees" rather than trying to really see and absorb the atmosphere of the city—which to me is the most important part of a visit to Paris. Sure, there is a lot to see, and I can understand not wanting to "miss" something (that is a good reason to plan a return visit). But in an attempt to see too many of these sights on a rigid schedule, you run the risk of not experiencing the most important thing–seeing Paris as she is. My advise would be to slow down, see a few sights that are particularly interesting to you personally, walk through some neighborhoods, soak up the atmosphere, and actually experience the city rather than rushing around to stand in line with all the tourists seeing the same things on your list.

My too sense...

I spend a great deal of time in Paris and hopefully can make some comments here that will help you...
Saturday - skip the Rue Cler walk. There honestly is nothing special about this street. Go straight to the Eiffel Tower from the catacombs and enjoy a glass of wine (or something hot!) in the cold while you watch it twinkle. By this time you are going to be suffering from the effects of jet lag anyway. I would eat dinner first, then go to the Eiffel Tower, then head straight for bed. You'll want to by then even though it's a little early.
Sunday - Walking Tour - take the time to go IN to Notre Dame. You may not have time to go up the tower as the lines can sometimes be long even in winter. There are plenty of other places to get good views of the city that are free and don't take forever. Also go IN to St. Chapelle...there is NO OTHER ROOM LIKE IT IN THE WORLD. If you're luck it will be sunny. Also go IN to Shakespeare & Co. Take your time...it is a very special place although it can be very overrun with tourists. You don't have enough time to tour the Opera Garnier at 2:30, go all the way back to Notre Dame to the archeological crypt, and then make it to your cruise by 5. You should do the crypt in the morning when you are taking your walking tour. You will be right there anyway. Go straight from the Opera to the cruise.
Monday - spend more time in the Louvre and move everything else until a little later in the day. You have lots of time built into this day. Finding a quality dinner on the Isle St Louis at 5:30 will not be easy...most places don't start serving this early in France.
Tuesday - Give more time to the Orsay! There are two fairly large rooms of impressionists and there are many other amazing things to see in that museum. I also suggest having lunch in the Cafe Campana upstairs - very French with decent food and a great view through the giant clock in the wall. I'm not sure what time the Army Museum/Tomb closes on Tuesday but, unless you are really into military stuff, the tomb can easily be seen/experienced in under 1/2 hour. The military museum is huge and quite detailed...but maybe you are into that stuff and need more time? Just my suggestions.
Wednesday - The Orangerie isn't just the Monet waterlily paintings on the upper floor. There is also a large gallery downstairs that is worth seeing - different exhibitions come and go but they are always very good. If you can give this museum more time I highly suggest doing so.
Since your overall schedule is so incredibly tight you need to buy as many of your tickets as you can in advance, or buy a pass, so you don't have to wait in lines.
Unless you add another day to Paris you cannot see Versailles on this trip. It takes at least 1/2 day just to get out there from Paris and see the palace alone. Full day if you also want to see the gardens, trianons, hameau, fountains, etc. Come back to Paris again.

Really appreciate responses!!

Here is second take. I live impressionist art so really looking forward to Orsay. During walking tour we are planning on checking out Notre Dame including crypt and tower, Sainte-chappelle, and Conciergerie. I’m hoping the walking tour will help get bearings of a lot of city. Also planning on purchasing museum pass to help save time and money. Thinking it will also allow me to make quick stops as time allows to see highlights without feeling bad.

Saturday
1045 - Arrive in Paris (CDG)
1300 - Taxis to Center of Paris (60 Euros)
1600 - Catacombs
1730 - Wander around Eiffel Tower (sunset 5:30 pm)
2000- Dinner near Eiffel Tower

Sunday
0730 - Rick Steve’s Historic Walking Tour (4 hours) - Ile de la Cite, Notre-Dame (including tower) – 10 Euro, Deportation Memorial, Ile St. Louis, Left Bank Booksellers, St. Julien-le-Pauvre, Shakespeare & Co Bookstore, St. Severin, Boujlevard St. Michel, Place St. Michel, Sainte-Chapelle – 10 Euro, Cite Metro Stop, Conciergerie – 9 Euro, Place Dauphine, and Pont Neuf & the Seine
1430 - Tour Opera Garnier - 1430 English Tour
1700 - Cruise the Seine River (1 hour cruise)

Monday
0900 - Louvre
1500 - Champs-Elysees Walk including Arc do Triumph
2100 - Dinner on Ile St. Louis and view Notre Dame at Night

Tuesday
0930 - Orsay Museum
1200 - Rodin Museum
Wednesday
AM - Eiffel Tower Ticket with access stairs and lift
1420 - Depart Rome via Taxi (60 Euros)

I would add some "park time" into your schedule. The Tuilieries and/or Luxembourg Gardens would be great to take a slow walk through, accompanied by a glass of vin chaud, of course! While the gardens won't be lush in January, they are still beautiful.

A warning about Sunday: I suspect Rick's 4-hour Historic Walking Tour does not allow time for climbing the towers of Notre Dame. Seeing the towers took me about two hours. Here’s the new drill (if you have a smartphone): first download the Out of the Line app. On the day you plan to visit launch it after 7:30 am and choose a time for your Notre Dame tower climb, move on with the rest of your day. You will pay the admission fee later, at the gift shop part way up the tower. If you don't have a smart phone there are kiosks outside the cathedral (to the left as you face the main entrance) and you book the time of your climb there.

Climbing the tower of Notre Dame is not-to-be-missed if you’re good at climbing stairs. The views are absolutely incredible. You show your phone when your entry time arrives and climb with a group to the gift shop. There you buy your tickets or show your Museum Pass to finish the climb. Three-quarters of the way up you emerge on a walkway between the two towers where there are gargoyles posing for your cameras. Then you cross to the other tower, visit the bells, and wait your turn to go to the very top (that stairwell is used in both directions but is open in one direction at a time.

Make sure that you book your Catacombs timed entry tickets well in advance. We went last week with tickets for 11am. The line for those without reservations was already down the block!

The first thing I notice is you're not taking into account lines to get in. Drop any plans to stop at sights during the self guided walking tour. Except Notre Dame, even if the line is long it goes very quickly. The towers, in June, required reserving a time. You could do it at a kiosk by the church. I'm not even sure you can get there early and plan on being first in line anymore. St. Chapelle and the Conciergerie sometimes have incredibly long lines unless you arrive very early or late.

In general, the less you carry with you the easier it will be to get through security everywhere you go.

I've been to the catacombs a few times but didn't go in because the lines were too long. I'm not a big reservation person. If you want to go, however, make sure you reserve a time.

For the Louvre, get there 45 minutes before opening so you don't waste time in line. I went early with no bag for security to check and a museum pass. I was first in line and waived right in, literally the first person in the Louvre that day. I went to Mona Lisa first and had her to myself for about ten minutes before people started getting there. A half day is probably all a person should plan in a museum. You won't see it all but you can see the highlights.

Arrive early at d'Orsay also. I've never had trouble getting into Rodin or the Orangerie. The Army museum is huge. If you just want to see Napoleon's tomb, it won't take too much time. If you want to see more, you should focus on the period that interests you. I wouldn't have thought there were that many suits of armor in the entire world, let alone one building.

Below is the link on information on the new way to access Notre Dame Towers. The app name has changed from JeFile to Duck The Line. The icon is a hand in the shape of a duck for charades. Info: http://www.tours-notre-dame-de-paris.fr/en/News/No-more-queuing-to-go-up-Notre-Dame.
After reserving your time the morning of, 07:30, if you keep your BlueTooth on, the app will notify you when it is time to get into line, so it says. Once you enter the tower, you head up to the gift shop/ticket desk. Here you either show your museum pass, pre-purchsed ticket or purchase your ticket from the desk. Then you head up in small groups to the top.
Enjoy your trip.