I was in Paris for about 3 days but i came back quite dissapointed. Anyway, in my humble opinion you should visit Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, Montmartre with Sacré-Cœur, Champs-Élysées, Pigalle Square and nearby Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle. Skip (!) Louvre, Château de Versailles and Disney, you would waste a day standing in queues and don't see a damn thing. About Disney - your kids are too young to enjoy it so it's worthless. Anyway, prepare for crowds beyond your imagination in Paris

Well Paris is my favourite city in the world! I would get a good guide book and pick out your must sees. Then arrange by area. I would stick to 2 big sites a day - so pick out your top 6, and then ensure you know when closing times are so you arent disappointed.

Everyone is different so its hard to make recommendations without any idea of your interests but the Eiffel Tower is a good one to book ahead. I cant help with the tickets, but what error message are you getting? If you cant get booked tickets do it at night or first thing in the morning when it opens to avoid the main queues.

Another good thing to book online is a Seine Cruise. We like http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/ and if you book online you get a good discount. You dont need to specify a time.

I wouldnt bother with Disney as your kids are too young to really appreciate it.

Enjoy!

@ Kosecky. Tks, this was the best I could do with the no. of holidays I have, since I am spending 5 days in Switzerland prior to coming to Paris. Surely Disney is out. I am not a great fan of art so the museums will be toured only from the outside, I will not dare stand in the queue for this. Off course Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay (exteriors), Montmartre with Sacré-Cœur, Champs-Élysées, Pigalle Square and nearby Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle are all on the itinerary. What is the best Paris pass that will help me during my 4 night stay. Appreciate more recommendations.....anyone??? tks again.

If you are going to see everything from the outside just get on the Hop on Hop off bus and do all its tours. your child will even like it. And then you can spend all the time you need to stand in line at the ET if not able to get tickets.

I agree with the advice to see two big sites a day. Then try to learn what is around each site. Paris can keep you busy for years just exploring.

No need to go into a museum to view art in Paris. It is everywhere -- not to mention the architecture. A stroll through the Tuileries or the Jardin du Luxembourg comes to mind, with sculpture everywhere. Your son will probably enjoy seeing the other kids sailing their boats (in both parks) or the marionette show in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Don't stress too much if you don't manage to get tickets to the Tour Eiffel. Unless you love panoramic views from on high (and there are many other places to get that), in my opinion it is better seen from outside.

You will be there at a beautiful time of the year. Bon voyage.

Hi Y,

I agree that there is no reason to go to Diney with such a young child.

I also agree with Gretchen.

I further suggest that your 5 days in CH will probably calm you down enough so that you will be able to visit Paris at about 1/2 your usual speed.

>Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay (exteriors), Montmartre with Sacré-Cœur, Champs-Élysées, Pigalle Square and nearby Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle are all on the itinerary.<

You have been reading too many tour brochures.

I think that toddlers need occasional changing, feeding and napping. You might wish to consider making time for this in your plans.

>I am not a great fan of art so the museums will be toured only from the outside,<
Why bother looking at the outside of a museum?

>How to optimize 4 nights in Paris <

Plan for one thing in the morning and one in the afternoon. Leave the rest of the time for serendipity, eg, a walk along the Seine, the bookshops near Notre Dame, the Ile St; Louis, Luxembourg Gardens, Napoleon's Tomb, Parc Monceau, the Tuilleries, Pl Concorde, Pont des Arts.

I won't mention the museums.

My understanding is that there is work going on now with the Tour Eiffel elevators; only one is working; and it can take 3 hours in line to get on it. I wouldn't count on getting up the tower on this visit.

I wouldn't call Pigalle or the Moulin Rouge essential on a 3-day trip (or ever, really); and the Champs Elysées is just a big wide street with lots of traffic. Your child would probably far more enjoy the Jardin de Luxembourg, the Tuileries, the Jardin d'Acclimatation, Deyrolles, a boat ride on the bâteaux-mouches, Berthillon for ice cream, and the outdoor artists around the Centre Pompidou.

The only museum that I would find interesting from the outside is the Louvre, where the courtyard with the pyramid is striking.

I don't see any need to see Pigalle or the Moulin Rouge.

@ Ira,StCirq,toupary6...tks a ton. Makes it much simpler now. Just the last piece of advice needed. What is the best Paris pass/metro pass that I should take....merci beaucoup....

Ditto Pigalle and the Moulin Rouge. Don't bother. The childs' park at the Luxenbourg Gardens would be fun for your child. A Seine cruise on the Ponts du Vedettes would be fun for all. Be sure to see the Eiffel Tower at night when it flashes lights every hour on the hour.

You don't need a métro pass. Just buy a carnet (packet of 10 tickets). If you need more, buy another or individual tickets. They're good on the buses, too.

Oh, and it's Vedettes de Paris for the boat ride (not Ponts du Vedettes). Google that and you can get discount tickets online.

Sorry, I messed it up too (so much for multi-tasking): it's Vedettes du Pont Neuf.

You guys are great... Its my first trip as well first time blogging...u make it xtra special...I keep my fingers crossed 4 the trip....tks 4 all the tips.. That I will pass it on to other first timers....cheers.