gamidtown

In looking at the forecast, it appears the only sunny day we'll have while in Paris will be our first day (after a long flight from the US). We don't arrive until 10am. Suggestions on what/where to see on a sunny day?

I'm tempted to go to Sacre Coeur as I've read about the reviews but would that be too much on the first day? Best alternative? Eiffel Tower view would be great, but not sure if we'll want to wait in a long line on our first day...

Thanks!

hetismij

When exactly are you going - if you are looking at a forecast for more than about three days in advance it could all change dramatically between now and then.

ira

Hi G,

Arriving jet-lagged in the morning, after checking into the hotel we don't do anything that requires thought or concentration.

Going up to Sacre Coeur sounds good.

tekwriter

On my last trip to Paris (Nov. 2006), we awoke to an unexpectedly sunny day. My first thought was, "I must get to Ste. Chapelle!" I'd been there several times before, but there's nothing like seeing the magnificent stained glass in full afternoon sunlight. It did not disappoint! Also, Notre Dame and its Rose Window are better as well.

If you do have a sunny day, I highly recommend checking them out!

gamidtown

We are leaving today. And be in Paris for 7 days so current forecast is what we are working with.

zeppole

I agree that Ste. Chappelle and/or St. Denis are the perfect only-sunny day sights.

gamidtown

Thanks for the ideas! I forgot about how the stained glass windows would look on a sunny day. Merci!

turista

I'd climb to the top of the Arc and see all of Paris below me and then I'd go see all the stained glass windows mentioned by fellow travelers.

BTilke

I wouldn't have the energy to climb all those stairs after a long flight. The very thought of it makes me want to go take a nap right now.

I would head over to the Luxembourg Gardens for a sunny stroll, then to Ste. Chapelle as suggested above...BUT if hungry I would stop somewhere first for a light lunch (salad) and definitely a cup of coffee. Then Ste. Chapelle.
Afterwards, a nice stroll back over to the Left Bank, down along Blvd. St. Germain and over to Les Invalides for a reviving pot of Mariages Freres tea at L'Esplanade cafe. As Forbes noted:
"The Costes brothers' venture overlooks the splendid Hotel des Invalides. This is the perfect place to sit on a summer's evening sipping a glass of Sancerre while drinking in the gilding on the dome of Louis XIV's military hospital."

Right next to the Latour Maubourg metro stop (in case your feet give out). After drinks, over to the Champ du Mars to gaze at the Eiffel Tower. By then, I'd be totally bushed and be willing to have an early light dinner and early bedtime.

poodle13905

if you only go to one museum, I would go to the Musee D'Orsay- it is a reasonable size and truly has the best collection- all 20th century masters and a gorgeous location, with view of the river, too!

gamidtown

Thanks for the recommendations. St. Chappelle was very beautiful on the sunny day we had. We then made our way for a Fat Tire bike tour (yes, we're very active travelers), dinner, and then caught a beautiful sunset at the Eiffel Tower.

Proenza_Preschooler

Jesus Hermes Christ, BTilke. Drink a Red Bull already. What, are you ready for the rest home???

BTilke sees Paris by wheelchair. Makes battery chicken look like meth addict.

Thin

Pittsburgher

The gardens behind Musee Rodin for a nap on the lawn should be on your itinerary.

And even if it's raining, where would you rather be than Paris?

slangevar

Hey - I think the OP already went to and returned from Paris... they only topped the post to thank everyone for their ideas and to let us know what they did.

socialworker

So, gamidtown, was the forecast actually correct? Did you only have one sunny day? I agree that forecasts are iffy. I always try to ignore bad forecasts and also not to count too heavily on good ones. It is generally too imprecise of a "science" esp when looking 7 days out.

cigalechanta

That one sunny day, see what you first thought you might like to see , later,sit at sidewalk cafés, in different areas to watch the difference in the locals,

BTilke

Sorry, Thin, but after placing in the top 3 in the Jerry Lewis charity 48-hour disco dancing marathons two years in a row at Syracuse Univ, I was left with a right knee that complains after three flights of stairs.

And I loathe Red Bull. What a godawful drink! IMO, the company owner founded the gourmet Ikarus restaurant in Salzburg solely to atone for the global tastebud travesty he unleashed with Red Bull.

gamidtown

Yes, we have since gone and returned from Paris.

As to the forecast, thankfully, it was not entirely correct. While our first day there was indeed the hottest and clearest, the later days were not all rain. At most, they were partly cloudy but rain would come up later in the afternoon so carrying an umbrella at all times bailed us out almost everyday except one.

socialworker

Thanks for the update, gamidtown. Your post shows why it is good to be prepared but not to obsess over a forecast. They are often inaccurate or at least do not tell the "whole story".