How would you group these Paris sites?

I can tell you have already studied a map (which is more than some do who post here): IMO your grouping will work as is, of course each traveler would do those sights in a slightly different sequence. For example, Ile St Louis could fit nicely into day 2. And Champs Elysees is close to the Louvre. Minor note: Spelling occasionally is important, when googling, etc, so it is Place des Vosges, pronounced in French something like "Vozh" although there is no English equivalent for that sound, named for the Vosges mountains, I believe. Another thought: you say you aren't big museum fans but are nevertheless starting off on day 1 with 3 hours in the Louvre? Maybe you would find it more enjoyable to start off with something both of you will really love? The Louvre is a wonderful place, but if you aren't big museum fans, maybe starting off with one of the other sights will be better? Just a thought....

Kent's advice is excellent. I just wanted to suggest making time for the Luxembourg Gardens - well worth an hour or two.

I will join you, take you around, and buy all your meals! You are the first person who has both studied a map and not tried to see every art museum in town. To cap it all, you're staying in a great part of the city and allowing time for wandering some of the neat neighborhoods. Well darn done! Two thoughts from me: I can scoot somebody through the Louvre and get them to see mona, venus, and victory and be back out the door in forty-five minutes. I favor going a couple of hours prior to closing and ducking through the mall entrance. Three hours might be a great over-kill. I can't remember when they nub the trees back in the Tuileries, but sometime in the fall it's getting pretty bleak, it might be more of a scurry-through. I'm not a big fan of the Champs Elysees anymore since it's kind of gone to pot, but you can walk from the west end of the Louvre to the Arc in well less than hour (even a tad faster the other way since it's a bit down hill). Sunset will probably be around seven. I'd combine the two preceeding paragraphs by hitting the museum around four and hiking the Champs so as to arrive at the Arc as it gets dark and go on up to the top since you're not going up the ET. There's no place up that way that I really like to eat, you're on your own there. I've saved you a bit of time. Use it to go over to the Pompidou Center and watch the street entertainers for a while one day. Don't go in, it's just another stinking art museum!

If you tie in Place de la Concorde with the Tuileries, than you can skip that part of the Champs Elysees walk, and instead cut down Avenue Montaigne. This street is much more high end than the Champs, if that is the type of feel you are going for. Also as a fun fact seeing as you're from BC, there is a quick photo opportunity at the front door of the Canadian Embassy, which is on this street. No heavy security like the American Embassay. This street will get you to the Pont de Alma which gets you to the Rue Cler a lot faster than ending your Champs walk at Concorde. Also, I agree with other posters, 3 hours at the Louvre is a lot. It's my least favourite museaum in Paris and if all you want is the highlights you can be in and out of their in about an hour.

I can't imagine you will want to spend three hours in the Louvre. It is very crowded and pretty exhausting. I love art museums, but two hours was enough for me. I would do the Champs Elysees this day (if you must). I would definitely move Ile Saint Louis to Day 2, and I suggest you try to do Saint Chapelle that day. But do it early; the security line gets very long. Your plan is definitely not too ambitious. I would probably add a few things, but I would guess most people would find it just right. It is good to leave some time for wandering around; Paris is such a beautiful and interesting city. Hope you have fun!

Thanks everyone for their help on this one...and catching my spelling mistake! oops! I started a Google map a few months ago and have been plotting things I would like to see when we are there and editing/deleting as I go along so it doesn't get too crazy. I have been to Paris so the Louvre and Notre Damn are things that my hubby wants to see. I was contemplating an evening tour of the Louvre on day once since it will be Wed and it is open later. I know we probably won't spend 3 hours at the Louvre - but want to leave that much time just in case he gets interested in something. Or maybe I can convince him to skip it all together :-) I prefer the Musee D'Orsay personally since I love Monet. My husband has left the rest up to me and so a lot of these places are spots that I didn't see when I was there 6 years ago. We will be there Oct 5th - so do you really think sunset won't be until 7pm? We were thinking it would be earlier than that. Thanks for the note about the possible 'bleakness' of the garden at that time. I love the fall so hoping the trees will be changing colors in early October?! Sounds like the Champs isn't a hit. I walked part of it last time I was there and it was just fun looking around. We definately can't afford the shopping there. We may drop that off our list - or hit it at night just to see the lights etc. And I completely forgot about Saint Chappelle. I don't think I saw it last time...so will have to add that to the list. Thanks again!

Hi Quinne, I'm going to be in Paris that same week and looked up the sunset times and, according to the website I found, it's between 7:15 and 7:25 (7:22 on the 5th, 7:20 on the 6th). Also, you don't mention Montmartre. But if you are interested, there is a harvest festival going on that week at the Clos Montmartre Vineyard. I don't know much about it, but it might be fun... edit - The festival is called La Fete des Vendanges.

Thanks Linda - that is great about the sunset times. I have already been to Montmarte so I didn't add it to the list as my hubby doesn't care either way.

FYI - Here is my updated schedule with a few more changes. This is the daily schedule and we plan to come back to our apartment in the later afternoon for a rest and then head back out in the later evening for dinner and or some night walks. Day 1 (Wed) Morning tour of Paris on the Siene via Batobus starting at Notre Dame, get off at the Place de Concorde, walk through the Jardin de Tuleries,stop for coffee in one of the garden cafes, head to Rue de Rossiers, Place Vosges, evening tour of the Louvre then dinner. Day 2 (Thurs) Notre Dame & Saint Chappelle in the morning, then foodie tour to get items for picnic lunch (if the weather is nice), Grand Epiciere, Keyser or Poliane for bread,Rue Muffetard, Jardin du Luxembourg for picnic lunch (weather permitting), after lunch Ile Saint Louis to look around the island and shopping, Berthillion Ice cream on the Ile. Day 3 (Fri) Eiffel Tower in the morning possibly go up, walk through the Parc du Champs du Mars, Rue Cler, Champs Elysees on the way to Ave Montaigne I haven't added the restaurants in case it makes everyone drool!

Nice work on the revised itinerary. Someone actually taking our advice. It's okay to go up the Eiffel Tower (it will just be our little secret). And you get points for your revised spelling of Vosges, now you have to practice pronouncing it in French. And good for you for recognizing truly good ice cream on the Isle, not that flavored ice they have in Italy.

I too love that you are actually listening to the advice you asked for. The salt caramel ice cream is to die for, have never found anything in the states that is even close. Have a great trip and if you go to the louvre go to Angelina's on the Rue du Rivoli for a hot chocolate l'afriacain.

Place de Vosges has a wonderful cafe on your right if you enter from the south.We spent a lovely evening there in June.

Thanks everyone - well I wouldn't be posting if I wasn't actually going to take someone's advice! The salted caramel sounds amazing and I will be sure to give that one a try! And thanks for the mention of the cafe I will keep an eye out for it if we are in the mood for a rest and a drink. Now I just hope that the weather cooperates !