Paris suggestions 2 1/2 days

Posted by ghackb on 04/02/23 08:46 PM

We arrive at CDG at around 10 am on Friday 5/26, will be there until Monday 5/29. I'm looking for suggestions on how to plan sites for those days. We are staying at Sofitel Arc de Triomphe. Will likely be jet lagged on Friday so looking for low key suggestions (Arc de Triomphe in afternoon, anything else?) Maybe a cruise on the Seine? I would rather not do anything that requires reservations in case we are too tired.

We have a fat tire bike tour planned on Saturday (2 pm) so we want to fill our Saturday morning, maybe another idea for Friday afternoon.

Sunday I am thinking Sacre Couer and Montmartre.
Would like to see Louvre but probably only for 1 - 2 hours. Also Eiffel Tower, maybe Notre Dame (is it worth seeing now)?

It will be two adults, two teens traveling, in case that makes a difference.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

Posted by Pam

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA

04/02/23 09:21 PM

14731 posts

Well, if you all are up for walking on your arrival afternoon Arc de Triomphe sounds good then either head toward Trocadero to see the Eiffel Tower OR head down Champs-Elysee toward the Louvre. It's possible to walk to Notre Dame if you are up for a 3 mile trek.

I do think it's worth seeing Notre Dame for myself but you'd have to evaluate whether you want to see it yourselves. It's an exterior view only, lots of construction scaffold and workers. To me it's iconic no matter what state but you might want to focus your short time elsewhere.

Where does your Bike Tour go? That might determine which direction you go in on Friday afternoon.

For myself, I usually figure on being at my hotel 3 hours after I land. That's to get thru Passport Control and take a taxi in to town. The first thing you might want to do is look for something to eat.

Posted by ghackb OP

04/02/23 11:03 PM

10 posts

Thanks for the feedback. The Fat Tire tour covers Eiffel Tower, Alexandre III Bridge, Tuileries Gardens, Louvre, Les Invalides, Napoleons Tomb, Place de la Concorde, Musee d'Orsay, Champs-Elysees but we would just be going to these attractions, not going in the museums, etc.

Posted by Pam

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA

04/02/23 11:07 PM

14731 posts

Ok, since you are seeing those things, I'd probably not walk down the Champs-Elysee on your arrival afternoon. You could easily head from the Arc de Triomphe to the Trocadero and get a good look at the Eiffel Tower. I'm not sure if you plan to go up but I'd probably not schedule an entrance for this afternoon/evening....to me just too much can derail things on arrival day plus you'll not know how everyone reacts to jet lag. Some may do better with a nap, some may be OK without.