Paris Itinerary need help!

I was in Paris in 1997 and really enjoyed a dinner cruise in the evening that went by the main sites. It was beautiful and I remember that fondly. Fortunately I am going back to Paris this year with a friend and hope we do that again.
Jan

Is there time to visit Giverny or to take a couple of days to visit Norman beachheads? Don't get me wrong, Paris is great and there is plenty to do to last 16 days, but aren't most of these activities covered on your tour?
I see no need to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower AND the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc is ascension by stair only so take that into consideration. I'll never understand the fascination with the stodgy Rue Cler either, but see it if you must. I much prefer the Rue St. Denis scene in the 10th or Place de Clichy bordering the 9th and 18th.
I would definitely think about an overnight trip to the American cemeteries in Normandy. Everybody I know who has been says they can't be missed.

I think your plan is a good one, well organized geographically. Presumably (I haven't checked) you're not revisiting places you saw on the RS tour. Of course, if you want to spend more time in the Louvre, Orsay, or wherever you should stay flexible enough to do that.

I understand why Rick and others recommend the Rue Cler, but really after you've been in Paris that long you'll have seen equally pleasant and charming neighborhoods with fewer Americans clutching blue and yellow guidebooks. I wouldn't go out of my way to see it. But of course you will be in the Invalides area so not far off. The Rodin Museum has a nice café in the garden for lunch if the weather's nice that day. (And BTW, unless you're a big Rodin fan you might want to skip the museum itself and just wander in the garden, for a small entry fee, which is filled with some of his best sculptures.)

I think you're very smart and lucky to plan some days before and after your tour so you can reduce jet lag at the start and find your own places to enjoy after you've been in the city awhile. Really, I don't think you need to plan much ahead for those last days, except maybe to get Eiffel Tower tickets (which involves a gamble on the weather though). During the tour you'll figure out what you want to see afterward, and your guide can be very helpful with recommendations and ideas. Have a great time!

My friend has never been to Paris, but I have. But I do enjoy views of the city and he really wants to go to the top of the Eiffel tower and I would like to go to the top of the Arc de Triomphe. I also want to take him to the Rue Cler because I think it is nice.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to plan the days, I would be most interested in that.

I am trying not to do the things the tour does while in Paris, but as I said if I feel I did not see enough of museums or places I already saw then we can do it during our five days. The tour goes to the Normandy Beaches and Monet's house so I will not be doing that during my five days in Paris. I want to stay in Paris as my friend has never been to Paris and wants to see Paris.

Your itinerary is well planned and organized by area.
Possibly, you might enjoy some of the following:
Place des Vosges
Jardin du Palais Royal
Opera Garnier
Pompidou Center
St. Sulpice church
St. Germain-des-Pres church

I agree with the other poster who suggested an evening boat ride on the river, one that goes by Notre Dame with the night-time lighting of the southwestern facade.
And possibly an evening concert at Sainte Chapelle; I realize you're seeing the church itself on the RS tour, but a concert in the evening at the time when the sun is setting behind the southwest windows is special.

Ann, there is an elevator to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, mostly reserved for those who really need it, but the attendant will likely let you use it if you ask nicely.

Go hear the Sunday 11:30 am pipe organ recital at St. Sulpice. This is the organ that Widor composed and played his toccata.

You might also be interested in some of the outdoor markets ... Food as well as flea. Our favorites are the Saxe Breteuil in the 7th on Thursday and Saturday, the President Wilson market in the 16th on Wednesday and Saturday and theRue Mouffetard market in the 5th every day but Monday. These markets are great and you can get bread, cheese ,olives fruit,and have a picnic. The Saxe Breteuil market is within walking distance from the Eiffel Tower and the rue Cler area. These markets are in the morning and start closing up by noon or one. We also go to the Porte de Vanves flea market on Saturday and Sunday morning...same hours. The earlier you go to the markets the better.They are fascinating and an integral part of Parisian life.

Sounds like a great itinerary! I don't know if the RS tour includes ascending the towers of Notre Dame but there's a pretty terrific view from there too, amidst the gargoyles. Agree that a picnic on the quais of the Seine would be nice, eating food from the markets or specialty shops, like the amazing cheese stores (fromageries) (as well as pastry from Gerard Mulot!). Giverny is easy to get to by train and would give you an outing out of the city (get tickets online beforehand), and the Cluny is a great museum if you like medieval art. The pleasures of Paris are endless!!

Dorothy, the OP is doing Giverny on the RS tours they're doing as part of the OP's trip.
I know, this post is confusing because you don't know what they're already doing as part of the RS tour, which is not much because they're only in Paris 3 days but they're seeing a lot of Paris in 3 days. Some strenuous days.

I want to thank everyone. I need all the help I can get. I will check out the places you have suggested I go to.

Ann, I'd actually move these around a little to avoid two museums in one day or one day of all outdoor activities, depending on the weather, of course. It's just a tiny bit more of a metro ride from the Jacquemart than from Montmartre to Pere-Lachaise.

Day: The Nissim de Camondo and Parc Monceau followed by Sacre-Coeur and Montmartre.

Day : Jacquemart-Andre Museum, lunch at the tea room, followed by Pere-Lachaise cemetery,

I would welcome comments on my planned itinerary:

Day 1: Louvre tour; lunch at Le Fumoir; Les Deux Magots or Gerard Mulot for pastry; Champs-Elysees Walk

Day 2: Left Bank walk, Pantheon, Restaurant Mariette for lunch, Victor Hugo House, Picasso Museum, Pompidou Center

Day 3: Musee D'Orsay tour, Orangerie Museum, Le Tastevin for lunch, Marmottan Museum, Pere Lachaise Cemetery

Day 4: Rue Cler walk, Cafe Constant for lunch, Rodin Museum, Army Museum and Napoleon's tomb

Day 5: Historic Paris Walk, Ma Salle a Manger for lunch, Opera Garnier tour

Day 6: Montmartre Walk, Chez Dumonet for lunch, Eiffel Tower tour

Day 7: Marais Walk, Au Bourguignon du Marais for lunch, Sebastian Gaudard Patisserie, Carnavalet tour

My plan is completely taken from my reading of Rick Steves' 2015 Paris Guide. Thanks so much for opinions.

Patrick,
You'll get more replies if you post your separate topic as a new question.
Instead of piggy-backing it onto an existing thread.
It will help us too, otherwise things get confusing.