Help with my trip to Paris

Some comments on best sites: Agree with you on the museums; with just three days I wouldn't spend time at the Louvre! But check out the attractions offered on the Museum Pass; you'll have to get a two-day, the shortest offered, which could get you to the head of the line at the Arch of Triumph, in the Invalides to see Napoleon's Tomb, maybe you'd like Sainte Chapelle, worth 30 minutes for the beautiful stained glass, an hour at a smaller museum? It might be cost effective for you, even with skipping the giant museums. Certainly consider the front-of-line privileges. For us, Eiffel Tower is a must, an easy climb to level two with shorter lins than those for the ride to the top.
(Not ion the pass.) Pick several areas to walk using RS's tours; we liked Montmartre, the Marais, Ile St Louis----enjoy a meal or a drink at each. Bakery treats, local street markets----.just wandering for your three days would be a lovely Paris experience. Have so much fun!

Miserably hot! Heck no. We're freezing. I've had a sweater on every day this week. Fireworks planned for Bastille Eve may be canceled if the rain keeps up today. But August could be a heat wave. It was hot last year after a cool July. So be prepared to dress in layers and then be happy if you can ditch the raincoat and sweater to go around in tees and a shirt. It all depends on the north Atlantic current, el niño, and all the rest.

I suggest you get the Rick Steves Paris guidebook, which will give you many ideas about what to see in Paris and the best way to use your time, based on your interests. My suggestions on what to see: Stroll the Ile de la Cite and Saint Louis. visit Notre Dame and climb the tower, for a great view if you like waiting in line and are not claustrophobic. Stroll the Seine. See the Eiffel Tower (from the ground) and view the light show at night. Starts at 10pm (goes for 10 minutes every hour till 1am). Not to be missed. Even if you do not go in, visit the Louvre building, walk the Tuileries Visit the D'Orsay museum. Strolling around the Latin Quarter is fun, stop in a cafe, sit at an outside table and enjoy the people watching scene. Strolling and shopping in the Marais area is great.
(the Lizard Lounge and L'As du Falafel, Les Philosophes, are great places there) Check a guidebook to see what museums and sights use the museum pass and if they are ones you want to see, it is wise to get a pass to avoid very long ticket lines. Paris has some of the greatest art in the world, I think you should at least check out some of it, though with only 3 days, perhaps one good museum is enough.

Do not miss the D'Orsay museum! It's a wonderful treat and time well spent. The Louvre will be crowded....especially around the usual tourist exhibits - Venus/Mona, etc. You can use your pass (if you purchase one) there and it has a line for pass holders separate from others. Careful of the "ring scam".....we've had it tried on us each of the three times we have been there! If you do visit the Louvre, go first thing in the am and enter from the metro stop Rick mentions in his guidebook!

I agree, Musée d'Orsay should not be missed; also not to be missed is L'Orangerie.

Another not to be missed: the Luxembourg Gardens.

I agree with others that the Orsay is splendid, but it was jammed a few days after Easter this April. Probably same or worse in August? If you feel you need a museum experience, maybe consider a free museum such as Petit Palais, Carnavalet (splendid period rooms, paintings, art deco.....wonderful variety, see RS for details), the Bourdell (sculptor) near Montparnasse. At each you collect a free ticket to enter. Please report back and let us know how you spent your time in Pais!