lhenry

I am currently planning our first trip to Europe, and we will be visiting London and Paris. After London, we will take an early train (8-9 isn) to Paris. There have been forums about First Days in Paris, but those are from the U.S. where they will be jet lagged. What do you suggest doing on our first day?

lhenry

We will be visiting in December; around Christmas time.

MmePerdu

Let the weather be your guide. Check in/drop bags at your hotel, maybe lunch and if it's miserable outside head for a museum in the general vicinity to have a relaxed visit and a coffee. But if it's strolling weather do just that, scope out the neighborhood, orient yourself, find the closest park, people watch then go to a neighborhood cafe for that coffee.

stricky

I agree with MmdPerdu. I think it's nice to just take a walk, if its not too cold. In the Marais, or window shop in the 6th; Walk across the bridges to get a nice wide angle view of the city; maybe go to a small museum. or have a coffee at a cafe and use the time to plan your day(s) with a map and guidebook. If it is your first time there, I recommend the hop-on-hop off bus - do the whole circuit- so you can get see everything and decide where you want to go back and spend time. In December, The Champs Elysee is lit with festive lights with small shopping stalls lining the route. It's fun to walk it at night - just dress warmly. Even after many trips to Paris, I enjoyed the Seine boat ride. You can sit inside if you need to, and the views are so wonderful.

DebitNM

It has become ritual for us to walk to the river as soon as we have dropped the bags off in the apartment. Seeing the Seine always signals that we are indeed in Paris. If the weather is cooperative, we walk along the river, as well.