I’d love to hear what people think about my initial planning! We (couple in our mid 60s) will be in Paris on our own for 5 days in early June prior to heading to the Loire Valley for a Seymour tour (Loire Valley, Brittany, and Normandy). We enjoy history, walking tours, and food. On past trips to Rome and Dublin we had days where we walked 10+ miles.
We have been to Paris once before, in 2014. It was the conclusion of our Rick Steves 21 day tour and it was crazy hot. The places we visited that we don’t want to repeat on this visit are: Eiffel Tower climb; Versailles visit; Louvre visit. Don’t feel the need to fight the crowds at any of those places.
I have college friends currently living in Paris and we’re hoping to spend at least one afternoon and evening with them. I think they live in the 11th.
Okay…what do you think:
Fly nonstop Newark to Paris with scheduled arrival at 7:05 am Friday morning
Day One/Friday: taxi to hotel in Latin Quarter; drop off luggage; get coffee
Walk to Luxembourg Gardens, Cluny Museum, Rodin Museum/gardens, stopping for lunch and snack breaks (I think we won’t need advance tickets for any of these so if our flight is delayed we can skip one or more and try to fit them in later.)
Return to hotel to check in; light dinner; early to bed
Day Two/Saturday: Notre Dame (cathedral interior only; if possible pre book for 8:15 opening time slot); Paris by Mouth Left Bank food tour 10:30 am to 1:30 pm; return to hotel for mid day rest; late afternoon metro to Arc de triomphe for climb to the top and lighting of the eternal flame; light dinner
Day Three/Sunday: early morning—should we visit Montmarte? I’m super conflicted because I’ve read it’s crazy touristy. And yet there’s so much fascinating history there. Has anyone taken the Semi-Private LIV tour? I think it starts at 8:30 a.m. We actually like getting out very early in big cities because it’s usually less crowded. Alternatively does anyone know of a private guide for Montmarte? Other ideas for Sunday morning???
Afternoon: if offered, Paris Walks Occupation and Resistance Left Bank walk 2:30-4:30
Evening: maybe this would be a good time for dinner with our Parisian friends.
Day Four/Monday: Morning 9:00 a.m. Notre Dame tower climb; if offered, Paris Walks French Revolution walk 10:30 - 12:30
Afternoon— maybe the Opera House tour (2:00 pm) and window shopping nearby? Or maybe this would be a good afternoon/evening to visit our friends and take them to dinner?
Evening— whichever evening we dont see our friends, take the twilight Paris River Cruise
Day Five/Tuesday: Morning 8:00 a.m Orsay Museum (purchase tickets in advance).
Afternoon— not sure. Catch up on anything we weren’t able to fit in days 1-4? Another food tour? Explore a different neighborhood? Other ideas?
We’re not really night owls but would be open to evening music on any of the nights if you have suggestions
Wednesday morning we’ll take the train to the Loire Valley to start our tour.
Eager to hear what you think…
Posted by
UK (London - Chelsea Harbour)
480 posts
Sounding fun already! :-)
Just some brief thoughts: I’d skip the Arc de Triomphe in favor of hanging out at Trocadero to watch the lights come on on the Tour Eiffel. It is crazy romantic. (Yes, touristy, but romantic as all get-out, and the view is spectacular.)
Montmartre is TOURISTY. I don’t enjoy it at all any longer. It’s always rammed, the “street art” is mass produced junk, and it’s honestly kind of depressing. We much prefer a ramble through the streets around the Moulin de la Galette (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moulin_de_la_Galette)
Why are you splitting Notre Dame into 2 separate visits?
Tuesday afternoon: why don’t you just stroll and chill? There is so much to see as you ramble the back streets… maybe get a cafe creme and a croissant and people-watch from a cafe somewhere? Le Marais is great for this, for instance: le Place des Vosges (https://share.google/3ZIrXDK9G4pt4H2Ys) which is the oldest square in Paris, and utterly charming.
Friends dinner: Les Frenchies on YouTube have tons of ideas for eating out, and they are age-appropriate. :-) In fact, you might peruse their channel for other ideas, too.
Have fun! Paris is AMAZING!
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
917 posts
A couple of thoughts for you. If you decide to skip Montmartre, a lovely alternative for your free afternoon on Tuesday would be to wander Rue des Martyrs (lots of shops are closed Sunday/Monday). It is a quintessential Paris street of locals and some of the best food shops. You could also read Elaine Sciolino’s book, The Only Street in Paris, a memoir of her time living on that street.
The other thought for you relates to your friends. With them living in the 11th, I encourage you to explore that area with them and eat there. The 11th has the best food scene of any arrondisement in Paris these days.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1518 posts
A few things to be aware of.
Generally, pre bookings at Notre Dame begin at 9 am. Of course, you could visit earlier without reservations by queuing. There shouldn't be a long wait. You could also attend a mass at the Cathedral, usually at 8:30 on Saturday mornings.
Paris Walks usually offers a Montmartre walk on Sunday mornings in the summer. It is a nice way to learn about the village without the crowds.
Tickets to climb the Tower at Notre Dame must be prebooked.
If you haven't been yet, the Pantheon is worth a visit. And the view from the Panorama is wonderful.
It's too early for summer 2026 schedules, but you may want to look into the various classical concerts offered at churches throughout Paris. Sainte-Chapelle also has short 1 hour concerts in the evening. But, I'm not sure if they offer them in June.
Posted by
RIchmond, BC,Canada
1111 posts
Just a couple of initial thoughts. Your day one plans may be a little optimistic after an international flight. It took me an hour and a half just to get a stamp on my passport at CDG. Slowest airport exit I’ve ever experienced! Then it could take you up to an hour to get to your hotel in the Latin quarter.
I spent a good hour just wandering around Luxembourg garden, and another couple of hours in the Cluny museum. After this, you may not have the energy for the Rodin museum. I spent another couple of hours there. There is a nice cafe on site, though. I walked up the stairs to Sacré Coeur, and really enjoyed the view, and sitting on the steps for a while. But, I see you are going to be there in June. It’s going to be a lot hotter, and more crowded than October when I was there. The shops in the area full of a lot of the same old thing, and it’s an area I actually didn’t buy anything.
I would recommend a visit to the Liberation of Paris museum, it’s near the catacombs, and is free.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17800 posts
It took me an hour and a half just to get a stamp on my passport at
CDG.
EES is likely speeding that part of process up: no passport stamping anymore.
https://www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/flight-preparation/security-borders-controls/entry-exit-system
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16438 posts
Here are my thoughts:
Day 1: Probably too much BUT you are right, you don’t need timed entries for either the Cluny or Rodin so you can play it by ear.
Day 2: You really don’t need a timed entry for Notre Dame and I agree that that early you may be able to walk right in. Plus if you don’t get going as early as you anticipate you can buzz by there after your food tour. When I went last October I got there just before 10 and the line went so fast I forgot to time how long it took. There were 3 big tour groups from Viking cruise ships who arrived right at 10 so I’d either get there before 10 or later in the day.
Day 3: Montmartre sounds fine for this AM. Have only taken Paris Walks of Montmartre and that was before Covid. You could pick up Cluny or Rodin today if you missed them on arrival day.
Day 4: This looks good. You could also meet with your friends yesterday afternoon.
Day 5: This looks good.
I am sure you’ll enjoy Mark’s tour of the Loire, Brittany and Normandy!! I did it in Oct 2024. Is he picking you up in Saumur? Do monitor any information on the forum regarding any train strikes. They have to announce 2 weeks ahead, I think. I am a worry wart when it comes to strikes so for a tour I usually try to be in place the day before. IF he is doing a pick up in Saumur it’s a cute town and worth a night there if you decided to go down on your Day 5 in Paris. On my tour, 4 opted to spend a night or 2 in Saumur while 4 came in on the train that arrived at 3P or close to that.
Do you have an interest in Megalithic sites? If so, when you are in Vannes and if you have a free afternoon tell Mark you want to go “see the stones” he showed Pam and Jan, hahaha. He particularly likes them as well! He did a youtube walk thru stones during Covid which I will try to find for you. He was not as adept then as he is now with filming a walk and talk but as always his information is phenomenal.
Editing to add: OK, I found the video on very cool stones at Saint-Just. Makes me want to go back!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2761 posts
Volva,
Your plans look pretty good to me, although, as Anita said, day one may turn out to be a bit much for arrival day. However, you have taken that into consideration. One thing not mentioned by you is Sainte Chapelle. If you haven't been, please try to go see it. This could be your opportunity for a concert as many are held there. I would look into it. Both the Cluny and the Rodin Museum would need about two hours apiece, minimum...perhaps 3 for the Cluny. That is of course, what I would need. YMMV. By the way, the Rodin museum, particularly the gardens, are a must-see for me. I go every time I am in Paris. And shopping before or after seeing the Opera is good planning, because it is very close to the Galeries Lafayette with its wonderful ceiling. And Printemps is nearby also.
You are well organized and have not overpacked your days and have allowed for flexibility in your sightseeing. Tres bon!
Double check the places that need reservations (Ste. Chappelle, Notre Dame Tower, Notre Dame, although that is doable without pre-booking I hear.) The Orsay needs reservations as well, and your Seine cruise (Vedettes de Pont Neuf can be reserved ahead of time online), Paris by Mouth, Paris Walks (?), Opera Garnier tour....all should be prebooked.
Most people put Montmartre down. Granted, I haven't been in a long time, but I personally love the mosaic work inside Sacre Coeur Cathedral, and love the view of Paris from there. My guess is Sunday morning might be the best time to visit. One other place is the Basilica of St. Denis. Many of the French kings and queens are interred there.
You will have a wonderful time! Amusez-vous Ben!
Posted by
82 posts
We are just finishing up 8 days in Paris. Here are some suggestions:
We started our trip in Montematre after an early morning flight. We dropped luggage at a local hotel using a luggage storage company. Then, we wandered over to Sacre Coeur and the artist square (had coffee there) before it was mobbed. We actually were able to watch artists set up and it was enjoyable. Then we did an Eating Europe food tour before heading to our lodgings in Le Marais. It was a great way to start our trip, and meant we didn’t have a long metro ride to Montmartre later in the trip.
Le Marais is amazing. Highly recommend. VoiceMap app has several great walking tours with audio guides, including one of Le Marais. We also did a food tour here and loved it. We did a Context Travel audio guide of the Notre Dame interior and that was good. We also did another guide of the Latin Quarter. The audio guides are lovely because you can pause them and enjoy. Rue Mouttard in the Latin Quarter is a great spot for street food.
The Notre Dame Bell towers were a true highlight.
And, we did a baking class with Maison Fleuret Sunday morning, which was a great way to spend a Sunday when less is open. We e also did one earlier in the week (our son likes these kinds of things a lot). We enjoyed the croissant one more than the macaron one, but both were enjoyable, and the macarons more likely to be eaten before they are stale!