Paris itenerary

How about a half day trip to Versailles? I think you can buy entrance tickets ahead of time but not sure. I agree the Champs is like Broadway, too many chain shops but I would see the Arch and Climb to the top for great view. I also think you can get advance tickets to the Tower, need to check that out as well. At the Louvre I would just pick several exhibits you want to see, such as Dutch masters, sculptures as no one can do it all. Enjoy.

Père Lachaise cemetery, Bateaux Mouches cruise on the Seine, Chateau Malmaison, Chateau de Vincennes, street markets, Promenade Plantée, Jardins Botanique, Musée Rodin, Arab Institute, bus ride on the No. 42 or 69, Nissim Camondo Museum, Canal St. Martin boat trip, Pavillon de l'Arsenal, Grande Arche at la Défense, St. Denis Basilica.

Norma's list is really good. I would add the Luxembourg Gardens. Not only is it beautiful, very enjoyable to walk around, sit and relax in their comfy chairs, it also gives you the opportunity to be around Parisians who are relaxing and enjoying themselves as well. The LG has two cafes and several bathrooms. We especially like to sit and watch the groups of neighborhood friends play boules (bocce ball) over by the children's playground. Your itinerary is very do-able. Make sure to sit in cafes everyday to relax and people watch.

Jennifer I like the way you have grouped your second and third days geographically. Great way to save time! Is your first full day the day your arrive on a flight from the US? If so, it is really a recovery day. Would suggest a walk of your hotel neighborhood, a nearby park and a cafe! The Paris Museum Pass is for 2 - 4 or 6 days and is a great way to jump the line and save money depending on how many museums you visit. However, you do have to group museum visits if you want to get the best value. The visits must be for consecutive days. When you visit the Eiffel Tower, plan a take out lunch you have previously purchased from a bakery, deli, patisserie to eat in the Champs de Mars, the park on which the Eiffel Tower sits. I would skip the Champs Elysee. Unfortunately, its days of glory are long past. It is no longer a boulevard of high end stores. A disappointment. The Arc de Triumphe and its views are stunning, as you know. Cafes are more expensive here. Take a look at RS France/Paris for neighborhoods to visit, not just sites. As previous poster mentioned, sit in a cafe near a park or on a quiet corner or place without many tourists or traffic. You will need the break to rest, have a drink, and it is great people watching. Twice a day. Check out at least 2 markets, one near your hotel and one in another neighborhood. Make sure you see something YOU haven't seen. After he has been there a few days, do you think your husband can do some sightseeing on his own. One or 2 of the places you have seen? Then you can do something you haven't done. Also check out Fat Tire Bike tours online. They give an overview of the city, get you off your feet. Also have a night tour. Gets you off your feet. Have fun showing your husband around and renew your love for Paris! Bobbie

Your groupings make sense, and it looks like you've done your research! That being said.... wow. Day One is going to be tough. How are you planning to get from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe, for example? Will you walk up the Champs Elysees from Place de la Concorde? How will you get there from the Eiffel Tower? I would suggest connecting the dots on a map (maybe you've already done so) and then connecting the dots. Paris is a very walkable city, so you could conceivably just stroll from landmark to landmark. A note on museums: I can't concieve of visiting the Musee d'Orsay AND everything else from Day One all in a single day. The line to the museum can get long - so if you want to get this all in one day, I would start there, arriving so early that you can get right in as it opens. Also - same note for Notre Dame on Day Two. Lines can be looooonnnnngggg... Other places I would check out are le Marais and St. Germain des Pres. Both are lovely for simply wandering and savoring the utterly charming and unique Parisian atmosphere. If you are too tightly scheduled, you may miss out on simply BEING in Paris. Miss out on savoring a pain au chocolat in a small cafe, watching people and soaking in the sights. Mis out on stumbling across a tiny bookshop with fascinating volumes bound in crackly musty leather. Miss out on stumbling across a little market that you weren't expecting to find. And oh - if you like shopping/fashion - you might want to check out the stretch of "fast fashion" places (H&M, C&A and others) on the less touristy stretch of Rue de Rivoli. Or visit Au Printemps. You can grab a coffee, then browse the AMAZING world of French department store culture. Or at Galleries Lafayette, you can shop and have a glass of champagne! Fashion is very French, and often left off Parisian itineraries. I hate to shop at home, but love it in Paris! HAVE FUN!