We often arrive at that hour. I haven't read the other posts so forgive any repeats.
Yes, you are 'way too ambitious even if you are very young!!
By the time you get to your hotel it will be about 10AM, I'd guess. Check into your hotel--your room will probably not be ready but they will store your luggage.
Go out in the neighborhood and sit at a cafe and have a cup of coffee and croissant (or WINE!!) and get your bearings.
We usually get a Carte Orange so we use this day for "housekeeping"--get the Carte Orange and museum pass (if we are doing it). Unfortunately the pass is no longer sold at the Metro.
On earlier trips we just chose an area to walk around in--Notre Dame and the Ile ST. Louis, for example. Something that took very little "mind". Then we have lunch at a cafe.
We tend to go back to the hotel late afternoon, move in to the room, go out for an early dinner and early to bed.
Doing this seems to get us on a good schedule for the NEXT day on Paris time.
There is very little doubt that your jetlag will be evident. We never try to take a nap upon arrival--just forge on and get a good night's sleep.
We don't plan for a good restaurant that first night either.
However, our last trip with our adult children and their spouses, we did end up on the Seine cruise at dusk--which will be quite early on your trip. It is a good way to spend an hour, see the lights of the city come up.
Buy a bottle of wine on the way to the quai (VERY overpriced to buy from the boat people) and enjoy it for the ride. A perfect way to start in Paris!!

Hi K,

We spend our first day moving about, but not doing anything that requires thought or concentration.

Orient yourself to the neighborhood. Check out the shops on rues Vaugirard and Sevres. See the Luxembourg gardens.

You could even walk to the Seine.

Have dinner and go to bed.

You will be ready for a full day in the morning.

Enjoy your visit.

Gretchen, good idea about the wine on the cruise --does that mean if we bring a bottle of wine, we will be allowed to open it on our own? (we do plan on doing the seine cruise...)

Kitamaria,

I just wanted to post to say we'll be arriving in Paris on the 24th at 7am also

Here's hoping for good weather

Hi K,

>if we bring a bottle of wine, we will be allowed to open it on our own?<

Only if you bring a corkscrew.

alyssamma --that is cool! R u flying from SFO?

Also, I am new to these boards --how do people make the little light-bulbs, and what are they supposed to mean? (Eureka?)

One night when we plannd to take the seine cruise it didn't get dark until after 9pm. We opted for an early dinner at a little cafe.

The waiter heard us talking about stopping for wine. He asked us to let him do it...the price was reasonable. Soon---voila!---a bag with corked wine and 4 plastic wine glasses (gratis). Very nice.



Kit:
Smilesy and other symbols
Copy the code next to the one you want and
past it into your reply.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/smileys/

I have no idea who Smilsey is!

LOL. I meant "smileys".

Kit, no, we are leaving from Cleveland.

We are taking our 3 kids and my mother. It is the first time to Europe for all of them

Hippity hop, Degas, hippity hop!!!



Don't worry kitamaria - a second wind DOES kick in and you'll have plenty of energy.

KC

"We spend our first day moving about, but not doing anything that requires thought or concentration.'

That just about sums up my whole life!

Thank heavens you are not doing all the day trips!
The emoticons are just to annoy. ;o)
Yes, you can bring your own wine--might ask the wine shop to open it for you--or have your trusty Swiss Army knife at the ready (and not in your purse when leaving!!)

bkm

Oh thank goodness you're not doing all those day trips. Why don't you just play it by ear when you arrive? When you see how you feel after landing, getting to your hotel, and having a bite to eat/drink somewhere.

Paris is one city I did with absolutely NO planning. Each morning over coffee we just looked at the map or guidebook and picked a few things to base the day around, and started walking!