What time to do these Paris sights?

Are you just wanting the experience of the Arc de Triomphe or do you want to take photos? That might be a consideration as to what time to visit.

As for the museums, it you plan on seeing a lot of what each has to offer, I'd go in the morning when you are fresh and rested because you will be walking though a LOT of galleries to see everything. Later in the evening you might be too tired. The Louvre is huge and you can't do it in a day.

For Sunday afternoon/evening, if it's a good weather day, just stroll around any particular area and take in all the sights and the people.

I personally love the Louvre in the evening - you won't be able to see the whole thing no matter when you go so pick a section or two and enjoy. It's far less crowded in my experience and it's beautiful getting glimpses of Paris outside through the windows, all lit up at night. Don't try to see too much...chances are that you'll go back again and you can go to new areas of the museum.

I, too, like the Louvre in the evening. Just be aware that there will be areas that are closed in the evening. If I remember correctly, when I visited in the evening the section that houses the crown jewels was closed. And I like the Orsay first thing in the morning. I also really love the Rodin Museum Gardens. It's a great place to just relax and stroll through the sculpture exhibits on a sunny afternoon.

Sunday afternoon take a picnic lunch and head to the Luxembourg Gardens. That would be a perfect Sunday afternoon in Paris for me!

Sunday afternoon, walk around the Marais including Place des Vosges. I second the Luxembourg Gardens suggestions.

Brief guided tours at the d'Orsay and Louvre give a useful orientation; you can check their times on the websites and co-ordinate your visit. These day, individual audio guides let you proceed at your own pace, gaining insights around every corner.

Eleanor,

I do anything with a long line first. that way i can get it out of the way and if i need to spend more time there i can.

When i booked by tickets for the Eiffel Tower, i wasn't thinking about the night time. however, when i go back, i may just book it for the PM.

Same for the Arc. i went during the day and lines were non existent.

happy trails.

Hi Eleanor,

You can reserve your Eiffel Tower tickets on-line, and that will save you a lot of time. We were there in June - reservations at 9pm were perfect for us to go during the day-light and stayed up there until the first light twinkling at sunset. By the way, if you will be in Paris on June 21, it's a fun evening of musicians all over playing that evening on street corners. We strolled around a listened to a 3-piece stringed trio, an old-time band, a 70s type band, etc.

The Siene river cruise is wonderful, too. Enjoy your trip!

I had a professional membership in the Louvre for several years that allowed one guest during evening hours so we always went Weds or Friday nights when we were in town. The museum is less crowded then but there are a couple of drawbacks. First, many galleries are largely lit with daylight and they are gloomy at night. My husband has vision issues and he finds it somewhat difficult to see the art in some of the galleries. Second, there are always many areas closed during the evening so it is possible that something you wanted to see won't be available.

I think the best plan for a new tourist for the Louvre is to go in the morning (entering at any entrance except the Pyramid where lines tend to be long) and spend 2 or 3 hours, then leave and do whatever for the mid part of the day and then return on the same ticket that evening for a couple more hours. I love the Louvre and I love museums -- but I am only good for 2 or 3 hours at a whack. You can re-enter on the same ticket at the Louvre, so you have the opportunity to divide your viewing during one day.

For Musee d'Orsay don't even think of going without either a pre-purchased ticket or a Museum Pass so you can use the special entrance. Sometime there is a wait there especially when there is a special exhibit that is a big draw. They limit the number of people in the museum. But even if there is a wait at the special door, there is ALWAYS a long wait for people who don't have tickets ahead.

If you have a Museum Pass, it also covers the Arc de Triomphe. I went up both by day and by night, and loved them both (different experiences). If you go up the Arc at night, be sure you're there for the Eiffel Tower's light show at the top of each hour.

Another great thing to do (at any time, since it's free) is to see the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero.

As for what to do on Sunday, while many stores are closed, most museums are open (Monday and Tuesday are the usual closing days). It's a good time to go to a less famous museum (the famous ones will all be crowded).