Paris Metro: Is this the quickest route and how long should I allow?

Your route looks right. Let me assure you that it is quite easy to use the metro system in Paris, just avoid transferring at Les Halles, which is a major station beneath a mall and transfers between all the lines can get hairy. If I recall correctly, at stations that are the end of the line, there is only one platform, and the train arrives and then returns from the same direction. You'll rarely ride a line to the end, though, because most end up at the outskirts of Paris, further than anything you'd likely be interested in. At every other station, you'll need to pay attention to which direction you need to head (identified by the last stop on the line) and go to the appropriate platform. There will be signs overhead or on the walls, it's really easy and once you do it once, you'll feel like a pro. Do be careful at Ecole Militaire; I think it's that station. You need to know which direction you are headed BEFORE scanning your ticket and going through the stile. I once, with a carte orange (monthly metro card), went to the wrong platform and would have had to wait 10-15 minutes to switch platforms because I goofed before my card would admit me again. I think I jumped the stile (since I had a valid card), but I can't remember. Most stations are not set up that way, so you shouldn't have problems elsewhere, and as long as you know where you're going you'll be fine! So, for your itinerary above, you'll board at Ecole Militaire in the direction of Creteil-prefecture, and then transfer to line 4 in the direction of Porte de Clignacourt. I have no idea on times. Maybe another poster can chime in on how long to expect the ride to take.

Edit: I'd intially suggesting taking the RER C but I remembered that it can take a long time inebetween trains (longer than for the Metro) and with that and the combination of all the walking underground at St Michel you're best off with your original route. You will want to pay attention to direction, but it's based on the final destination of the train, so for the RER C you'll want to follow the signs towards the platform for C "Massy" or "Dourdan" and for the 4 follow signs for 4 "Porte De Cliagncourt" or however it's spelled. It seems tricky but nagivating the metro isn't that hard if you keep that in mind and always have a metro map with you.

Go to http://www.ratp.fr/ for recommended bus/metro/RER routes throughout Paris. Click on the British flag icon for English.

Rachel, Stop reading so much about pickpockets online. Be aware and cautious and you'll be fine! Of course pickpockets are there, but they are interested in easy targets. So don't be an easy target and you'll be fine. And I really do promise that navigating the metro system is VERY easy (as long as you avoid Les Halles/Chatelet). You can do it!

Rachel: Be on your guard at the Chateau Rouge metro station. We have had and/or witnessed several unpleasant incidents in that particular station.

Your ride will take about 25 minutes, including the connection time at Strasbourg - Saint-Denis.

Thankyou all! This help is what I needed. I thought based on the map I was looking at, that the Chateau Rouge Metro stop was the closest to where we needed to be (a cooking class), however I just received an email this morning from them saying that the Jules Joffrin stop is the closest stop (Line 12). So now I need to reconfigure the route. It might be for the best anyway, as Norma stated Chateau Rouge might be a little bit "sketchy". Thanks again for all your input!

Rachel, If you are going to Cookn with Class, Chateau Rouge is easy to use ... it is about a 2 block walk. I wouldn't bother to reconfigure your route. Just exercise normal caution when coming out of the station. I've taken 4 classes there and walked from Chateau Rouge each time.

If yu do decide to ride as far as Jules Joffrin, take metro line 4 to Marcadet Poissonniers which is one stop beyond Chateau Rouge. Then take metro line 12 one stop to Jules Joffrin.

Thanks for the replies. We are going to Cookn With Class, so based on this information, maybe we still can use Chateau Rouge. I'll keep aware of my surroundings, definitely. I'm mentally preparing to be on guard at all times when using the Metro. It's probably not nearly as dangerous as I'm psyching myself up that it is. I need to stop reading so much about pickpockets online.