Paris Itinerary

You seem very organized. I agree with leaving off La Defense. Given how many museums you're going to try to see, can I suggest the St. Martin canal boat tour. It leaves from the Orsay and goes past Notre Dame to turn into the canal and transit a number of locks through quiet Parisian neighborhoods. It's a great way to see some out-of-the-way sights and get off of your feet.

Judy, Judy, Judy! Slow down! You're planning way too much. The Louvre alone is an all day affair if you love art and so is the Orsay. The Rodin Museum is for the entire morning. To be able to appreciate the various sculpture poses is truly amazing. While there try to figure out which statues' feet were created by Camille Claudel. See the French movie with the same name. You don't seem to have enough time to "watch the world go by" at your cafe lunches. I would spend the arrival day at the Montparnasse area and find a nice place to have dinner and breakfast. Jetlag anyone! Don't be afraid to ask the hotel desk for a dinner suggestion w/in your price range and let them make the reservation. Don't forget to see a French movie in Paris. Just a few suggestions. BTW, if you're bringing children, anything goes.

Actually, this is one of the best Paris itineraries I've seen. On the afternoon of Day 4 be sure to include a visit to Sainte Chapelle which is very close to the Conciergerie(it's surrounded by the Palais of Justice). When your travel dates are confirmed, double check your plans on Monday and Tuesday when most museums close for a day. The Orsay and Rodin close on Monday and the Louvre closes on Tuesday.

On Day 3, I would spend the afternoon at the Louvre. Some galleries are closed in the evening... perhaps ask as you enter which galleries will close early.

It's a good itinerary.

I found the lineup at Saint Chapelle to be ridiculously long, at least in the summer and in the middle of the day. After 2 hours, I went in and felt very let down.

R. Steves book said the Louvre is open late Wed. and Fri. We will check into what areas might be closed and adjust our plans accordingly. Thanks! Judy

I think it looks great, Judy. You can always adjust this downward as you go if you find you want to take it slower or are more tired starting out. We like to have more planned ahead of time, but know what are our "must sees" so they don't get dropped. The suggestion of the Canal trip sounds great -- an activity that gets you off your feet but still gives you an unusual view of the city. I'd like to try that.

Have a great trip.

R U going to Versailles while you are near?

Not this trip. We are going to rearrange our itinerary a little to include a St. Martin Canal boat tour.

Someone else just mentioned YIKES that's too much!!! Is this a once in a lifetime visit??...Just looking at your program for Day 6 is , sorry, exhausting and close to ridiculous!!! Do you seriously think that you can walk down the Champs Elysées, and just pop into the L'Orangerie...Find a restaurant AND eat!!....ETC
It's time to re-do and condense...I live outside of Paris and you've got at least 2 days worth of visiting planned for day 6...I love Montmarte/Sacre Coeur and don't know how you plan to get that in AFTER the evening dinner....Heh! maybe you're 18 and just do everything REALLY fast

Not the canal st matin!! That's for old guys!!! My 18 year old son says NOOOOOO....Go on the Bateaux Mouches in the evening....Lovely to see the bridges and buildings illuminated