First trip to Paris, what to do first day.

We have only been there once for a few days and we didn't get there until later in the day, but we enjoyed taking a leisurely walk with no specific plan. Our hotel was near the Eiffel tower, so we headed there for a look at the icon first. After that, we walked along the Seine all the way to the Louvre and enjoyed views of the outside before having dinner from the snack area in Tuileries gardens. After people watching in the gardens for a while, we walked to Notre Dame and enjoyed views of the beautiful cathedral until it was almost sunset. Then we got the famous Nutella crepes and wandered back towards our hotel along the Seine, enjoying the sunset and the lights on the Orsay. We ended our walk in front of the Eiffel tower to watch it sparkle on the hour. This was a TON of walking and would have to be modified depending on ability /interest, but we loved the chance to just soak in the fact that we had finally arrived in Paris and getting to see the icons we'd dreamed about in person. The fresh air kept us awake until bedtime. No matter what you choose, you'll have a great time!

We were there in April two years ago this spring...flew in then stayed 4 N to adjust to the time before moving down into Provence. Keep in mind when the spring break for schools is in Europe. We were there at the beginning and Paris was jammed with Euro tourists and their families. The Eiffel tower line was all the way down Champ du Mars. Orsay line was huge. We didn't even go to the Louvre. We'd been to Paris a number of times so to leave out some things was no big deal.

So, the first day, get out and walk is good advice. Use Metro to save your legs when you need it. For example, walk to the Eiffel Tower, then down along the Seine as far as Notre Dame. Then take the Metro back towards your hotel, put your feet up before you go out to dinner. I'm assuming you're staying on the Left Bank by saying all this.

If you're in Paris for 10 days...just Paris, I definitely recommend a day to Versailles. Also a day to Giverney, Monet's home. You might be able to add Honfleur. Normandy is also possible but a bit rushed perhaps.

Just go to Rick's book on Paris and watch his videos. In 30 yrs he has never steered us wrong.

Bon voyage!

In all my travels I have never taken a hop on/hop off bus tour but it was perfect for our first day in Paris. We were struggling to stay awake (traveled from Seattle) and decided to take the bus tour. We got on the top level and had a great time seeing the sights from up above and it gave us a a good overall picture of the city. I must admit we did doze a few times but kept going from one route to the next, We followed it with an early dinner, bottle of wine and slept like a babies (we're in our 50's). It helped us so much the following week in exploring the city. I love Paris. So many don't misses but I could spend every morning at Luxembourg Gardens.

Consider that it will be about 11:00 or so before you arrive in the city. So, drop your luggage off at your hotel, then stroll around the neighborhood to get a feel for the area and find a place for a nice lunch. Since you are close, you might go to the top of the Montparnasse Tower to take in the view - allow yourself to be wowed. Have a wonderful time.

If it is a beautiful day, you might drop the luggage and then stroll towards the Luxembourg Gardens picking up a picnic lunch at a bakery along the way. (maybe ask the hotel for a nearby bakery) Bakeries provide a variety of filled baguette sandwiches and will throw it in the bag with a drink and a dessert -- sometimes they have a formula that includes all these for a fixed price. The Luxembourg Gardens are stunning in April, filled with tulip beds and they have dozens of movable metal chairs where you can sit in a pleasant spot and enjoy the sun and view. Get a walking tour book or two (or maybe that little set of 50 cards for neighborhood walks) and then stroll around the area. If you have a pleasant day you want to be out in the sunlight. Another interesting spot in the neighborhood is the MOntparnasse Cemetery.

Notre Dame is the sacred soul of Paris. You arrive on a Sunday so it would make an excellent first stop.
Wander down Boulevard St Michel afterwards and walk off some jet lag.
Enjoy the delights of the Luxembourg Gardens as you return to your hotel.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions, it really helps! Makes sense to be out walking but also to not schedule too much.

I loved Rick Steves' Historic Paris Walk (in the guidebook). You can go in, or not go in, to any site. It's just a great overview walk through the center. As you have a nice long stay (10 days is such a nice time!), you can go back and see any sites you miss on Day One, or repeat them at opportune times.

I'll be making my first trip to Paris in May, arriving around noon on a Monday (Whitmonday, though museums are open) and plan to head out and get oriented, find something tasty to eat and see the Pompidou. The Louvre is also open Monday but I feel it could be a bit too much for the first day. This is my general MO for arrival day in any city--get situated, walk, find food, bonus points if I knock a museum off the list. If I stay busy and alert I'm usually ready for bed around 8-9, then ready for a full day after that--remember it's hard to predict what affect jet lag may have on you.

Many stores, including those selling groceries, will be closed Sunday. Ditto banks. If you want to pick up snacks, water etc. for your hotel room, ask the front desk for places that may serve you. Some restaurants will be closed too (and some on Monday.) Cultural attractions will be open and you could find a smaller museum as your target for the afternoon. Walking and fresh air, without an afternoon nap, do help me adjust to the time difference.
For transportation research:

http://parisbytrain.com/

http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/visiting-paris/

By the time you land and get through customs get you bags ,get to the hotel it will be 11 o'clock or so , get yourself unpacked , relax for a bit in your room ,get over your jet lag, stroll the streets find a small cafe and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat and people watch. Head back to the room , freshen up , hop on a subway if you are up to it and go and sit on the banks of the seine and enjoy the lights on the Eiffel Tower

I have a ritual whenever I'm in Paris. I take the metro to Trocadero for the best view of the Eiffel Tower and experience the joy of being back in the City of Light. Then I slowly walk over the bridge across the Seine to the base of the tower. From there, it's a short walk to Rue Cler for lunch at Cafe du Marche - crisp duck, perfectly fried frites and a glass of wine. Lafayette, I am here!

Should leave a few hours to continue exploring till exhaustion sets in! Since you'll be in Paris for ten days, no need to attack the must see sights immediately. Relax and just roam around. It's an easy #6 metro ride from your hotel to Trocadero. Don't just visit Paris. Savor it.

I visited Paris about 2 years ago with my family, and we had an early morning arrival, too (I think we landed at 7:30am). We were (and really still are) new to international travel, and didn't realize how bad the jet-lag would be. However, we didn't want to lose a precious day in Paris! Our hotel allowed us to drop off our bags (I want to say that we got to our hotel sometime around 10am in the 9th Ar. by combining RER and taxi). We explored the Galerie Lafayette, tried our first macaron there, and just relaxed on the rooftop for a bit. Then, we mustered up some energy and carried a picnic that I had put together (wedges of cheese, those fancy strawberries, crusty bread) to the area around Notre Dame. We walked a little bit, people-watched, enjoyed our late lunch, discovered the ice cream, and then explored Notre Dame. We finished the day on a relaxing evening boat tour on the Seine. We were very tired, but felt like we had done a pretty good job. We slept very well that night and were ready to go the next day. I think that what I learned is: 1) drop your bags off and maybe find something neat to do near your hotel 2) Plan more down-time than you think you will need that day 3) A boat/bus tour is great on your first day and will probably be running on a Sunday, I would think.

When we went to Paris 2 years ago we ended up walking over to Notre Dame and exploring the area between there and our hotel. But last year before going to Belgium I discovered Sandemans free city tours. So I signed up online, before we left on vaca, for the free Brussels walking tour for our first afternoon. It was a great way to get our bearings for the city. It is a "free" tour but it is customary to tip the guide.
It looks like they have them on Sundays. Have fun in Paris!

http://www.newparistours.com/daily-tours/paris-free-tour.html

Have multiple plans for each day. What you can do it based on lines and the weather. If you buy a six day museum pass you will have to plan around that. The walks, shopping, and sites not covered by the pass need to be done before or after the use of the pass. I took all the places/activities we wanted to do and put the place, hours of operation and closed days in excel. It really helped us get the best use of our pass and metro card.

Your energy level will also depend on how much you slept on the plane.

Last year we found out about Sandeman Tours. The first tour is usually an overview of the historic center and it is free. You only tip. The other trips are fee based. We always wanted to do to bicycle tour which I thinks begins about 2 pm.

My first thought was for you to walk to the Eiffel Tower from your hotel, then perhaps walk to the nearby Rue Cler for lunch. However, since you are coming on Sunday, you might want to walk to the Raspail Organic Market which is not too much of a walk from your hotel. You can plot out the walking route on googlemaps, being sure to select the walking option, not the driving option.

Here's the information:

Raspail Organic Food Market
Boulevard Raspail, between Rue du Cherche-Midi and Rue de Rennes
Open Sundays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Metro: Rennes

gina,

Especially as this is your first trip to Europe, I'd suggest planning "light touring" for your first day as you may find that jet lag becomes a concern after a few hours. You may need to take a power nap at some point in order to keep going until a normal bed time in your new time zone. I've tried the "fresh air & sunshine" approach that's often recommended to deal with jet lag, but find that it's only marginally effective.

Are you using the RS Paris guidebook to plan your Paris visit? There are some good familiarization walks listed there, and one of those might be a good place to start.