My husband and I are going in July, high tourist season but only time our family in eastern France could see us. This is a side trip. We are staying off Rue Cler. Here is our time line.
Arrive from Geneva around 10pm on July 13. Catch the metro, check in hotel and head to the nearest fire station for the Fire Station Ball. Dance for a bit, head back to hotel. Any advice on taking the metro?
Tuesday, July 14th. We are hoping to find a Eiffel Tower tour since all tickets are booked through their website. I know we will have to wait. We might walk around that area as well and go to Napoleon Tomb and War museum. Maybe do some of the July 14th activities. I would like to see Arc de triumph and Champs Elysees but I want to be realistic with time and crowds so might move this until wednesday. Unfortunately when I booked our time, I had no idea we were going during a major holiday. Any suggestions?
We have a dinner cruise booked for July 14 so we wouldn't have to fight any crowds to see the fireworks.
Wednesday
Maybe start the morning off at the Louvre, hit Notre Dame, Saint Chapelle than Luxenbourg Gardens. Not sure if this is when we could add in Arc de triumph and Champs Elysees later that afternoon. OR should we start at the Arc de trump and down Champs Elysees, break for lunch(suggestions?) than head to the Louvre, Notre Dame and Saint Chapelle since Wed they have late hours. I know I need to make dinner reservations, any ideas?
Thursday
We are going to Versailles. Not sure what to do that evening as it is our last. Maybe hit a few museum if we get back into town soon enough. maybe a show that night or something low key?
Friday,
Our flight is at 1pm so I'm thinking we will leave at 10 AM. don't think we can fit anything in before this time, suggestions? probably just do breakfast some where near Rue Cler.
Questions: Should we do the Paris Museum Pass? We will be doing the Louvre, Versailles(I know we will have to pay extra for the garden), Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame for sure. We are hoping to do Nap. Tomb, army museum and picasso as well if we have time but short tours. Is it more time efficient to do the Paris Pass or book each venue separately for each day you go? Or it doesn't matter either way as long as you have paid for some type of entry? I want to do what is most time efficient. Advice? Im fine with booking each one separately if it will help cut the line. I just thought with the pass we would be more incline to breeze through a museum if we saw one that interest us. Also, with the pass, I feel like I could change my itinerary around. I've read so much with all our planning in our different cities that I can't remember what everyone recommended.
I appreciate any suggestions. We have been talking about this trip for ten years but only booked it a few weeks ago. BIG difference in talking about a trip and planning it. Thanks!!!!