Nine Hours in Paris in September

You can walk within St. Lazare to Hausmann St. Lazare RER station and take the RER E to Magenta which is connected to Gare du Nord. Or you could walk. This is central Paris; it is perfectly safe. You can store things at Gare du Nord and then hop on the RER to St. Michel Notre Dame. There is a lot to see in this area and the Cathedral itself is such a treasure -- I think the back view at night may be my favorite sight in the world. There is a food court at the shopping mall with the Carrousel entrance to the Louvre and there are cafes in the Pyramid for a very informal bit to eat. You could certainly see a lot at the Louvre in 2 or 3 hours especially if you have your list of what you want to focus on when you come in.

You could connect from Gare du Nord on the RER at Chatelet and get the metro 1 to the Louvre. Louvre Rivoli stop. You can enter via the Carrousel mall entrance by following the signs to Carrousel du Louvre and not the signs to the Louvre Museum. The later signs take you outside to the pyramid courtyard and the former directly underground to the mall and the entrance there which generally is less crowded for security.

Make sure your room at the airport is guaranteed for late arrival.

Just an opinion, but if it is your first time to Paris, and you have limited time, I'd skip the Louvre. It is a wonderful museum, but the world is full of wonderful museums, and there is only one Paris. Rather than spending time in line and indoors, I recommend walking around the left bank, sitting in a café, meandering around Île de la Cité (including Notre Dame) maybe taking a 1-hour boat cruise on the Seine (you'll easily waste that much time in line at the Louvre), and soaking in things that you can only enjoy in Paris.
Just my too sense...

I agree with the above poster. If you want a small, easy museum experience visit Musee L’Orangerie in The Tuilleries, filled with Monet’s large mural sized waterlillies.

I agree. I'd spend my time strolling around the center -- Ile St. Louis, perhaps stroll up to the Tuilleries -- or wander up into the Latin Quarter towards the Luxembourg Gardens -- lot of pretty town on the way and have dinner at a sidewalk cafe -- or even reserve at a nice place that doesn't have a long service like a nice brasserie.

Don't get trapped wasting your time by standing in line to get inside a museum. Just stay out and roam about.

I agree with Tim and others. Don't get trapped in a museum, even the spectacular Louvre. Do as others have suggested, wander around the Ile de la Cite. Take the hour cruise on the Seine. If the line is not long, spend 45 minutes in Sainte Chappelle.

Ile de la Cite is a 10 minute Metro ride from Gare du Nord where you can store your luggage.

Whatever you decide, you'll board the plane for home regretting you didn't have more time in Paris and you'll spend the flight back planning your return trip!

All the advice above is good, even the contradictory advice about the Louvre. I'd agree about skipping the Louvre if this is your first visit to Paris, use the time for a Seine cruise (Vedettes du Pont Neuf close to Notre Dame), strolling, cafe stopping, and maybe a smaller museum like the Orangerie. But if you really want to include the Louvre, take the advice about the less-crowded Carrousel entrance, and keep in mind that the museum is open till 9:45 on Friday nights and usually not so crowded in the evenings.

It's a long walk from Gare St-Lazaire to Gare du Nord -- not unsafe but tiring and time-consuming. The RER as Janet recommended, or a taxi for an easier trip, would be much better. Don't worry about personal safety in Paris, but do keep your money etc. closely held and be aware of pickpocket risks.

Thank you all for your excellent suggestions. I appreciate your time.
The Louve will have to wait for another visit!

It’s a Friday. You can do it all, and Friday night is the best time to enter the Louvre through the Pyramid and down the escalator. Don’t let all these gadabout Louvre naysayers dissuade you from some cultural enlightenment. From Gare du Nord go to Notre Dame. After Notre Dame, catch a boat ride on the Seine, the Bateaux Parisiens are right there. After the bateaux, which will take you past a lot of important buildings including the Eiffel Tower, catch the #1 metro to Concorde where you can walk through the Tuileries, stop at an outdoor cafe, and go on to the Louvre. If you’re still hungry there is a cafe in the main entrance area and a cafeteria on the mezzanine level for survival food. You’ll still have plenty of time to see a few things. Leaving the Louvre up the Pyramid escalator is again a delight. Stroll back toward the Gare du Nord, catch a bus, metro or taxi. Out to CDG et bonne nuit.