First Paris Itinerary

RD: You've done a lot of trip planning, nice job! Here's a couple of thoughts:1) You say you fly from Italy to Paris on the morning of the 13th, if so then you won't have time to go to Mont St Michel as a day trip on the same day, the 13th.2) You are flying across the pond and into Paris the morning of the 3rd. No matter how energetic and enthusiastic you feel right now, you probably want to be mentally prepared for the possibility that by the later afternoon or early evening of your arrival day, the 3rd, you won't be immune from jet lag and you may be more tired than you anticipate regarding completing that list of walks you want to do on your arrival day. But if arrival day jet lag hits, no problem, Paris is a delight when viewed by even the jet lagged from a sidewalk cafe. Many travelers don't have 100% of their usual energy for a couple of days after the flight over.

http://troi.cc.rochester.edu/~tdip/tomsguidetoparis.htm

RD, the above link might help... P

Your schedules is well organized, but it seems you're like the energizer bunny... you are on the go-go-go!

Since you are doing a lot of the attractions, I hope you're going to get the museum pass.

Here's 1 tip, if I may. On Monday as you're walking the Champs, stop for a break before you hit the Arc... especially if you're planning to go up the arc. Bring water too. There's no snacks or water sold at the Arc. There's 193 steps going up, 193 steps going down. I strolled thru the Champs, not realizing how many more steps I'd have to take at the Arc. Walking down the Champs at night is nice too.

If you're doing the Montmarte walk from the Moulan Rouge side, maybe start it toward the evening. Its a good climb and to do it at night may be cooler. Maybe even stop at a cafe along the way, take a breather and then finish the walk at Sacre Couer.

On Tuesday your' 4-6 TBD may overlap with a museum. The d'orsay is huge. I did not realize how big it was til I got there, and I spent 2 hours there and got only 3 of the 5 floors. At the d'Orsay head to the back of the museum. There's escalators to get you straight to the top. Then work your way down.

If you're doing Mt. St. Michel, you may want to consider renting a car. I know many posted its do-able by train, but the area is so vast, I feel a car will get you there faster, and you won't feel as rushed.

Have a great trip!!!

I don't know your age, but particularly on Aug 4 & 5 it seems to be an awful lot of museums scheduled. If you are at the Louvre from 8-12, you will not be able to do any more walking for a long time -- is my guess. Much less see Orangerie and then go out to Montmartre and walk around up there. Then, are you planning to walk down the Champs Elysee and then to the Arc? Still lots more walking.

Same thing on the 5th. Don't think this is a very realistic schedule, but if you can keep to it, more power to you!

Thanks for your comments. I think people have misunderstood my inclusion of these walks. In Montmartre, there is only 1 mile to walk, but there are lots of stops, particularly cafes. It is entirely possible we walk for 20 minutes, chill for an hour at a cafe, then continue the rest of the way.

The museums seem like a lot of time, but I only intend to spot check things at the Louvre. I made 8-12 for the Louvre, but may only spend 1-2 hours there. I may see the Orangerie or I may not. I have only listed certain things there as options.

The two of us (my brother and I) are 20 and 25 respectively and fairly athletic. We can handle the walks.

I don't want to do Mont St. Michel on Wednesday (4 hours each way). What to do? Suggestions anyone? I thought about Rouen, but I feel Paris deserves an extra day to go back to my favorite spots

On your Wednesday, you might want to consider taking the tour of Opera Garnier. They offer an English tour on Wednesday afternoons, I think at 1:30. You don't have to like opera to enjoy this tour---the focus is on the architecture. The opera house is like a mini-Versailles---extremely opulent and very historic. You get to see the Chagall ceiling and some extra rooms if you go on the tour, but you can also walk around on your own. The talk during the tour is very entertaining and provides an interesting window on Paris society in the 1800s.

Just as a "check" you might want to adjust your schedule by 2 hours in both directions to see what has to get dropped or expanded as your travels progress. You may want to stay more or less at some place and then you'll know what will suffer later.

Also, I believe that the L'Orangerie doesn't open until 1230 for individual visitors (only groups before then).

Looks like a good trip. Enjoy.

Don't miss the Orangerie. It is FANTASTIC!

I agree with the suggestion above to schedule the Montmartre Walk in the early evening since it's mostly outdoor, and it's atmospheric to see the Moulin Rouge windmill lit up. That would free up the daytime a bit more for attractions you want to enter.

What I found when I was in Paris was that the worst two places for lineups were Saint Chappelle and the Notre Dame clock tower. Both have lineups half an hour before they even open. So they're best done at the beginning of the day if you want to enter. I didn't find Saint Chappelle that amazing, though maybe I was a bit out of it after the super long wait (since it's in the same complex as the courts - extra security check).

I thought the Cluny museum was a disappointment... I liked Louvre, D'Orsay and Carnavalet.

I am currently in Paris and just wanted to say that I went to Mont San Michel last week and it's a day trip. I agree with the advice on renting a car. I also went to see the areas of the WWII invasion and it is along the way. Very well worth the stop to see Omaha Beach, the American cemetery, surrounding villages, and the WWII museum in Caen. It would be a long day.

Might I suggest for your free day, if you'll really have it, Giverny? We went there years ago. I don't remember if we combined it with Versailles or not. Giverny is the town Monet lived when he painted his Water Lily series. His home and gardens were a museum and it was very beautiful.