janinet

So, I know you all are probably a little tired of getting itinerary posts, but I need help. I am very overwhelmed and only have four weeks to plan my itinerary. My boyfriend and I will be arriving in Paris on a Saturday evening and leaving Thursday morning. We want to do a day trip to Versaille and would like to do basically everything Paris has to offer, that is possible. We love architecture, art, experiencing different cultures, basically everything, so we would like to include all the major sights. I have made a list of everything, but am having trouble connecting everything and getting tired of looking up where everything is on a map. Not to mention taking into account how much time everything will take. We are not the type of couple to spend 8 hours in a museum, but would love to see the highlights of the museums. Not sure how much time that would take. Please help, any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks ;o) We would also like to do a night cruise on the Seine river and dinner nearby. Oh, and we are staying at Hotel Eugenie in the Latin Quarter right by the river and St. Michele metro. I have looked at so many other people's posts, but am still having trouble. Thanks again!

starfish1

janinet, you'd be best to get a good guide book that describes the areas in Paris and decide which ones you want to explore. Fodors have a good five day itinerary that might help you get started http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/f...ure_30001.html
Other than the major sites you'll want to see, I wouldn't plan the heck out of your four days there. Paris is all about walking and taking it all in.

lamogood

Visit the site maps.google.com . Drag and zoom the screen until you have a map of Paris, then print it (I choose a plain map for this purpose, rather than an actual satellite image).

Next, use web pages and guidebooks to locate your desired tourist sites, hotels, and Metro stops, and draw these onto your printed map. You will now see that some of the sites are clustered geographically, and this will help plan your days. For instance, the Eiffel Tower is near Les Invalides; Notre Dame is near the Conciergerie.

When you finally settle on the sites you'll visit during a given day, transfer these to a more detailed map of just that area (maybe showing important street names, in French). Use this to plan that day's logistics. You could also bring this with you to Paris.

Finally, make sure you research when sites are closed, or when they are most crowded, so there are no surprises.

Brockbank

I would hire Michael Osman for a day. He will walk, ride through Paris with you and show you the highlights of many exciting things and places. Just search his name on this site and you will get lots of info. The only thing anyone will say negitively about him is that he is a little slow on his e-mails, but he is worth the wait!
We were the first ones in Versailles last year on Easter. We took an early train and beat all the tourist busses. We still had time to walk through Versailles, eat at a bit street market they were having, and stop at a fabuous pastry shop. We also bought a few things to take back and eat at our apartment near Musee D"Orsay. Hope you have a great trip.

caladrius

You might get a paper/laminated map that you wouldn't mind marking on, and circle the main things you want to see, and decide what places are near each other. You won't be able to experience <i>everything</i> at all, but you can get a good taste, I bet. But i wouldn't really plan, other than figuring out what's open and closed when. Other than that, just go with what you feel like seeing that day.

Just don't feel like you gotta run around and see everything, enjoy and explore!

ira

Hi J,

Stop fretting.

Choose one thing to do each morning and one thin each afternoon/evening.

Spend the rest of your time enjoying Paris.

You only have 4 days in Paris. I would leave Versailles for when you return.

For Sunday, we like to go to the Parc Monceau (Metro Monceau) stroll through the park and surrounding area to the www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/jandre/
have Sunday Brunch, visit the museum, walk to the Arc de Triomphe, stroll down the Champs Elysee to the Louvre.

You might find a day pass on the www.batobus.com useful. YOu can use it for your evening cruise on the Seine as well as hop on/off transportation.

Enjoy your visit.