Efficient Paris Itinerary

assuming you will have most of the day on Sunday, when you arrive, this is what I would do: 1. Sun. Notre Dame - walk the islands, Seine (possibly the Louvre, if you have time) 2. Mon. Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triomphe (Louvre if not already done) 3 Tues. D'Orsay, Rodin 4. Wed. Versailles - but watch the weather forecast and go to Versailles on the day with best weather. you may have time to get to Sacre Coeur, add to any day you have spare time.

I would advise doing one of the tour busses first as a way to cover all the sights quickly and efficiently. That way you may see something that really interests you that you want to go back to, and other sights you can check off your list. We found the marais area that way. I always enjoy walking through Rue Rivoli, Tuileries Gardens then up the Champs Elysee to th Arc

What do you want to see? One person's highlights are somebody else's whocares.

Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Versailles, Rodin Museum and maybe Sacre-Coeur.

The HoHo buses stop at the Champs de Mar not far from Rue Cler and at the Eifel Tower. You can also get the HoHo boat across the street from the tower.

Be sure to purchase tickets for Versailles ahead of time,, otherwise you will spend HOURS in lines. You could also purchase a two day musuem pass, use it one day for Versailles , and the next day for Orsay and St Chapelle ( which is lovely and usually has long lines) or, you could purchase your ticket for the Orsay at the Rodin Museum, they sell a same day combo ticket that allows you to skip long line at Orsay( but you still line up for security) To avoid line at Louvre just enter through shopping mall entrance off Rue Du Rivoli,, or use pass if you purchase it. Be aware musuems often close monday or tuesday, so check carefully what you schedule on those days.

Sacre Coeur & Montmarte are packed on Sundays, which can be good and bad depending on your level of crowd tolerance. The square in Montmarte is filled with artists. Seeing that you are coming in on that day, it might not be the best idea. BG lays out a good itinerary, but I'd consider adding St. Chapelle as other posters have suggested, possibly the day you see Notre Dame or the Louvre. St. Chapelle can be done quickly once you've gotten through the line.

Mary Lou- I like BG's ideas, except if I may; you mentioned that you are seniors,and personally, it may be too much to try to do the Louvre on your arrival day. Better to save that for another day, probably Day 2 with the Eiffel Tower and Arch. You can pre-buy your Eiffel Tower tickets online, which I would recommend- that or go early when it opens if you want more flexibility. Versailles is a must do! Like the other poster suggested, buy your tickets either ahead or at least at the metro (RER) stop you choose to get to Versailles.

St Chapelle to me was breathtaking- I hadnt read much about it before we stumbled upon it. Not to be missed. Distance wise its very convenient to do at same time you do Notre Dame. And then just continue walking until you run out of islands