First Day recommendations?

I don't think you'll get your orientation in Paris very quickly - the city is so huge, it's hard to get your bearings on a short visit. I've been to Paris several times and still don't know my way around instinctively as I do in other towns I've been to a few times.

I like to stay up too the first day, and I find walking helps me stay awake. A boat ride isn't a bad idea. I also love Paris's beautiful gardens, particularly the Jardin du Luxembourg. On a sunny day, grab a few sandwiches for lunch and find a shady spot in the garden and people-watch for a while.

Ah, Paris my favorite city...Yes, stay up as late as possible...I do not advocate that anyone take anything without consulting their own doctor...but I take 1 Ambien after the over night flight is at cruising altitude...I am out like a light...do not drink alcohol on the plane and avoid for at least 24 hours before flying...jet lag affects MOST people but you can try to minimize the affects.

I would take a walk around the vicinity of your hotel to get your bearings, then yes a bus tour is a good way to get acquainted. I also like to sit in a cafe on the first day in a new place and just people watch, check out my itinerary and relax a bit. Drink a lot of water.

You may not be able to check in at 9 or 10 am...so ask hotel in advance what your options are...some may allow you to use breakfast room if still serving,use lobby bathroom to freshen up, leave luggage locked up with them, and check in at 2pm....if this is the case, don't leave any passports cash or credit cards in your bags...go to a nearby cafe and have some coffee and a meal, people watch. If your hotel has a mini fridge in the room, find a supermarket or outdoor market nearby ( if one is on that day) and buy some food and bottled water etc. for the room.

I think that finding the boat slip and organizing yourselves to take the boat ride on the first day is a bit much...walking and bus tour are recommended.

Boat rides are best in Paris at NIGHT...but it gets dark very late in summertime, so try to take a 9ish boat from Pont D'Alma/near Eiffel Tower... for a Siene tour, I do not recommend the dinner tours, as you can eat better in other restaurants.

Be aware that children are used in Europe as pickpockets...do not let them fool you by coming over to sell you flowers or something...adhere strongly to the money belt recommendations and do not keep more than a few bucks and one credit card in any pocket or bag ( I don't know why tourists keep valuables in bags!) A secured zippered pocket in a shirt works for me...and men can easily use the belt loop style of wallet that goes under the clothing.

https://www.amazon.com/Lewis-N-Clark-RFID-Blocking-Hidden/

https://www.amazon.com/Nude-Pocket-Travel-Safe-Wallet/
I like this for my one credit card and daily cash....the rest and passport goes under my pants, either on calf cuff or waist pouch...
I do not wear it as shown...I attach both straps to ONE side of my bra and tuck it into the side of my bra under my arm...you won't feel it at all if you don't over pack it. Then take it out to buy stuff...turn around if you feel silly...but it will give you peace of mind.

Hi Tammy -
We landed into Paris about the same time you will be and spent almost the entire day just walking. A bus or boat ride would have lulled us to sleep! You should be able to have your hotel store your bags until check-in, and they should prove a washroom for a splash of the face and quick tidy-up.

Hotels desks will also often provide a general map, if you don't have one.

Almost the 2nd thing we did, after dropping the bags, was to find some coffee. That helped (!!!) and they do have a number of Starbucks for getting a good-sized joe to walk around with. We aren't fans of the brand at home but those big takeaway cups were welcome as sitting for any length of time would have been fatal until we got a second wind.

As suggested, Jardin du Luxembourg is a fun ramble for arrival day, and we took a spin through the Tuileries, past the Louvre and Notre Dame, and around the Latin Quarter and St Germaine. Had crepes on the street for dinner, and a couple of adult beverages at a cafe before turning in: great day!

It's OK to go to bed a little earlier than normal as you'll probably be catching up on some zzzz'z lost on the plane. Everyone is different so only you will know how you might feel upon touchdown but staying on our feet and moving is the trick that gets us through that first day in Europe.

In general, anything outside is a good thing, the sunlight helps "set" your body clock to local time. Hop-On/Hop-Off would be good, as long as you get off and walk several times, a Boat tour might be too much sitting.

Australians know a lot about jet lag. It's a long journey from here to Europe or North America, across many time zones. A bus or boat ride WILL lull you to sleep. WALK, WALK, WALK.

It will take you awhile to get into town and settled. I'd guess an hour to get out of CDG, another hour for the train or taxi downtown, and another half-hour to hour to get into and back out of your lodging.

I'd figure your day starts at 11. The best thing to do is take some walks in a park, or on the Seine and eat a light lunch.

I remember getting off a plane in Amsterdam with three children in tow. One had not slept a wink on the flight and was out on his feet when we were walking around, so I went for a canal cruise. After 15 minutes, I realized I was the only one of the group who was still awake - and that was mostly because I was determined to be a good example.

We had a long hot walk from the RER station to our hotel (dropping off bags), so did not want to walk more. We took the HOHO bus for an orientation ride, that was helpful in noting the general distances between the major sights. We did not get off the bus until we had made a full circuit. We didn't get sleepy from the ride, as we were sitting on the top open level and the sun and air kept us awake.

My first day in Paris had me checked in at hotel and out exploring by 12--first stop was the metro to the Pompidou, got my museum pass there, toured the exhibits for a couple of hours and had a light snack and plenty of coffee before heading to Notre Dame and the Conciergerie, plenty of exploring the areas at each stop before heading back to my neighborhood, the 6th. A bit of the Jardin du Luxembourg and finding some goodies for a light dinner before returning to my hotel around 6, utterly exhausted and enchanted. I find it best to stay upright and moving as long as possible, taking a tour by bus or boat would have had me asleep in minutes. I had the same arrival in Amsterdam recently and knew it was time to go to my room when I nodded off on the tram.