Paris - 6/2-6/9

With 7 nights, you probably have time for most of the highlights and maybe a daytrip or two.

Step one: Buy a good map (I like the Rough Guide Paris one because it also shows principal bus routes and taxi stands) and a guide book. Do not rely on the free map distributed at most Paris hotels--it doesn't show many of the streets--we got really lost in the Marais using that map!

Step two: list what you want to see, noting any "not open" days next to your choices.

Step three: Highlight or circle your choices on the map.

Step four: plan your days, visiting nearby sites on the same day

Batobus is useful for getting around, except for Montmartre

Leave lots of time for just wandering, enjoying the different neighborhoods with their parks and cafes.

Do NOT worry about fashionable shoes. If your feet give out, you won't have much fun. Buy serious walking shoes, available somewhere like REI.

If you are not fluent in French, use Google translate to write out a couple of sentence stems like (for a taxi) Bon jour! Please take us to : and then have a map on which you can point to your location. Most Paris taxi drivers do NOT speak much English!

We went in June two years ago. The weather was very pleasant, not too hot. HOpefully, you will get similar weather.

Enjoy! Paris is a lovely city.

Hopefully your hotel will let you store your luggage before check in. I have done that before with no problems. If you're lucky you will arrive on time, but it will still take you some time until you get to your hotel.

If you don't have Rick's Paris book I would suggest you get it. The book contains all the information you are seeking about what is open, when, etc.

As for the free 1st Sunday, be prepared for LONG lines. If you go to the Louvre don't go in through the pyramid where everyone else goes in. Go in the lower level. Rick's books are great for giving all those good tips.

Lena,,

I have a few thoughts, and one is, keep in mind that others ideas of "must sees" and yours can differ. Fill your itnerary with things you think will be of interest to you. I do not like modern art, so would never go to the Picasso Museum,, others wouldn't miss if for the world, neither is incorrect.

Yes, read a guide book, Ricks are the most straight forwardm and fun to read, , but DK Eyewitness and Time Out are very good too.

Avoid Louvre on first Sunday,, it will be insanely crowded . The Louvre is worth paying for, so go another day,, or choose an evening visit,, it is open lateer Wed and Fri . Use free sunday to visit perhaps a lesser known musuem .

The L'Open Tour Hop on Hop off buses (the yellow ones)are a good way to get around. You buy the ticket from the driver. You can buy a 1 or 2 day ticket (not sure if there's one for 3 days). I also recommend that you buy the RS Paris guide book. He explains the Hop On/Hop Off buses, hours and days closed of most all sights/museums, the museum pass etc. I would read the book, decide in order what you want to do and what days according to what's open or closed. This will also help you determine the number of days you want the museum pass to cover. Versailles is covered by the pass, and you'll probably want to go there. The fountains should be running on the week-end. Keep in mind when planning, that the pass must be used on consecutive days. So if you activate a 2 day pass on Fri., it is good through Sat. only.

i am using the RS paris book to help me with our paris trip planning--i created a table. for each attraction i listed closest metro, open hours, good times to go, bad times to go etc (private message me if you'd like the table--it is still a work in progress!). the RS book is great because there's a whole section on when things are open early and/or late and/or not at all.

My husband and I will be in Paris at the same time. Hope you have a wonderful trip. Highly recommend RS paris book. Have used it in planning this trip.

http://www.cooknwithclass.com/

My husband and I spent a week in Paris last summer. WE studied Rick's guide and developed a daily itinerary of what interested us. The research paid off. The best day was a cooking class in Monmartre. We shopped in little shops with our chef, helped prepare and ate a delicious lunch. I highly recommend this to anyone.

Another off the beaten track site - the Catacombs. Rick's directions were great and we found this underground walk so interesting.

Also, try to make it back to the Eiffel Tower at midnight. Then you will understand why the grass on the Champ De Mars is littered with corks, bottle caps and foil from champagne bottles. It is like New Years Eve every night!

Just returned from Paris yesterday. My suggestions:

1. Buy Eiffel Tower tickets online. You get to by pass lines and get right in.

2. Go to Louvre and Orsay on evenings when open late. No crowds so enjoyable. Our friends went during the day and could not move in either museum.

3. Versaille arrive at 1:00pm on Friday. Can enjoy without being smothered.

4. Our hotel was totally safe. Hotel de la Motte Piquet. used their safe no problems whatsoever. Would have left our luggage withouth thinking twice.

5. Tried to follow the RS itinerary but it was way to strenous for us and we are in shape 40ish plus I hated have to try to read everything in the book while doing "the walks".

6. Most important thing we learned for us: It is not the end of the world if we do not see every museum and church. Just being in Paris is fabulous!