first day in Paris

What is the Hop-on Hop-off bus?

The first thing I would do is walk down to the river and walk through Ile Saint Louis (the little island behind Notre Dame), Ile de la Cite (bigger island with Notre Dame) and along the river as far as you'd like, cross over, and walk back. We really like the Hop-On Hop-Off bus (either one) which I would do after the walk and lunch. Great way to see all the big sights and get a good overview. You don't have to get off. Don't miss walking through the Luxembourg Gardens at some point, it's wonderful. Have Fun!

There are two different "hop on hop off" sight seeing buses in Paris. One is yellow (L'Open Tour) and the other red (Les Cars Rouge). You can buy a ticket for one day, or more than one day. They stop at all of the major tourist sites and you can stay on as long as you like, or get on and off at any of the various stops. It's a great way to see the city.

The HO HO buses on the first day literally put me to sleep. White noise from the bus, plus the road movement is like a sleeping pill the first day. I need to keep moving day 1, preferably outdoors.

thanks for the tips about the bus, sounds like a great way to get around. Michael, we will take your advice and avoid on day 1. I think it would do the same to us.

I try to keep moving that first day. You might want to find a walking tour that will give you the lay of the land, so to speak. I don't know what time your flight gets in, but I'm sure you can find a tour that will leave at an acceptable time. Just google "walking tours paris" and see what you come up with. Keep busy until after dinner, then go to your hotel and crash. Hopefully you will be good to go the next day. You are lucky you are coming from the east coast. Flying from California is a much longer trip!! As for ways to get around, another fun way is the batobus. It is a boat-bus that has stops on both sides of the river. A multi-day pass is only slightly more than a one day pass.

We were there in March, arriving in the morning also. Agree with Susan that the best thing is to walk around. The architecture is great and you can always step inside some of the churches. You can also check out your neighborhood bakery, etc. and get your bearings. We (middle 60s) weren't tired or sleepy while we were walking the first day so the fresh air helps. Then you can get a good night's sleep and be ready for a full day the next morning.

We fly to Europe from Los Angeles (non-stop); usually arrive in Europe about midday. We try to dump our bags at the hotel (sometimes they will book you into your room) and then walk around sightseeing. Most trips we are comfortable on that first day. reasonably early to bed should be all you need. We are probably a little older than you, You should be fine, its not the killer people make it out to be. There is lots to see in Paris in easy walking distance from the Latin Quarter

Try and sleep on the plane if you can. I usually can't. Latin quarter is a great location. When we arrived in Paris, we caught the train and got off at our stop in the Latin quarter then went right to our hotel. We unpacked and then walked to Notre Dame. Free and a easy walk. I'd say do that until it gets later at night then grab a bite to eat and call it a night . The best way to fight jetlag is to stay up until it's time for bed. Lots of shopping and food in the Latin quarter. You'll love it. Have fun.

Just for clarification... The Hop-On Hop-Off bus is a double decker, open top bus. We always sit up top and in the fresh air and excitement of being in Paris you may not fall asleep. I never have, but we're all different.

... and the odds it will be (a) warm enough and (b) not raining in April are what? 50% maybe?

There is an alternative to the Hop on Hop off bus now, called Foxity foxity.com It is much cheaper than the Ho Ho, but does not stop. It merely gives you an hour and a half tour past 50 or so of the major sites in Paris. I have not taken it yet, but am going to do so with my friends when we go in May.

Our 1st trip was in April. We were a couple hours late getting to Paris. And by the time we got through immigration and to the hotel (Rue Cler) it was late morning. For me the jet lag wasn't too bad till about early evening (7 or 8). Maybe it was a adrenalin rush. We did a fair amount that 1st day. Grabbed the HOHO near the Eiffel tower. Got off at Notre Dame, The Ilse de la Citie is compact. Not too much walking required. After ND a quick munch at a sidewalk cafe and Saint Chapelle and a brief trip to d'Orsay before dinner and an early bed time.

Your hotel will certainly let you drop your bags off early. As others have noted, the last thing you should do is rest up when you arrive--you'd prolong your jet lag--so your biggest problem is deciding what to bring with you in day bags while you explore the city. Speaking of jet lag: It can be debilitating, but it can also be beaten. You and yours might want to figure out what your jet-lag strategy will be. It's likely to be cold and wet when you arrive, which will make it just a bit harder to press on outdoors. Still I would go for a walking tour of Paris's many monuments, with stops as needed in cafes.

Here's an idea for a first day that combines walking and seeing sights: Take the Metro from your hotel in the Latin Quarter out to the Eiffel Tower, and walk around Champs de Mars (the park under the Tower) and enjoy the sight of the Tower. Then catch the #69 bus, which is a great public transit bus that takes you by all the main sights for around $1.50 each! (all the details are listed in Rick Steves' Paris book - just look up Bus 69). The bus begins near the Eiffel Tower. Even if it's a cold day, the bus is fun and comfortable to ride on, and you can get on and off if you like. I was just in Paris in November, and it was cold outside, but comfortable in the bus. Don't forget to take layers! If it's cold, silk long john's under your jeans make a big difference!
Have fun! You'll love Paris - it's wonderful.

I agree with many previous posters about getting outside and walking, but when you are ready for a museum, one of my favorites in all of Paris is the Museum of the Middle Ages (Musee du Moyen Age, also known as the Cluny Museum) which is in the Latin Quarter, just off Boulevard St. Michel several blocks from the Seine. It has a wide variety of artifacts including the amazing tapestries of The Lady and the Unicorn.

We too arrive early in Paris but after dropping our luggage off at our hotel (in our room if it's is ready); walk around our area have lunch then head over to the Eiffel Tower area where we've rented 4 Segways to tour Paris with a group of 8; which we'll see all we want before going back to those areas we want to see more of. http://citysegwaytours.com/paris/directions/to/6812 your teenagers will love it! We fly somewhere in Europe every May and don't have time to take a rest as soon as we arrive; that way we'll be tired that night and get acclimated to their hours. Cheers,
Jean

thanks everyone for your help, seems as though getting out and walking when we arrive is our best bet. We are staying close to Ile de la cite and ile de Louis so a walk to one may be what we do. thanks again.

I agree you should just walk around. You don't need a specific plan. From your Latin Quarter hotel location you will be in the heart of the city and wherever you go will be great.

Boy! Are you in for a treat!!!! I'm sure your hotel will let you drop off your belongings. You're in luck, as you're in such a vibrant quartier of Paris! Drop off your bags and head for the NEAREST bakery where you can get your taste of French pasteries. From there, take a walk around, get used to thet area around your hotel. It's easy to get lost in the Latin Quarter---but that's not a bad thing, it just means the more you get lost, the more you discover! Familiarize yourself with the metro stops around you. Memorize the word "Odéon", if that's your metro stop. I advise you to start exploring on day one. Don't waste it by resting, if you rest it will make it harder for you to get used to the time change. Hope this helps!

Thanks Alexander, it reinforces what others have said about getting out and about the first day. I think that is our smartest option. You can be sure we will head for the nearest bakery, I dream of it everyday. I am happy to hear the comments of the Latin quarter as well. Was not sure where to book our hotel, this is our first trip to Paris. I had to book based mainly on our budget and finding a hotel to accomodate 4 in a room which I discovered is very hard to do in Paris. I am relieved to here all the wonderful comments about this area and can't wait to get there to experience it.

We arrived early on Easter Sunday to pouring rain. Hallelujah for the Louvre, which was open! Great way to use a rainy first day. As it turned out, the rest of our 9 days were lovely, so it was great to have spent a rainy day in the museum we would have visited anyway.