Sueonthemove, that is PERFECT! Hubby and I are walkers - and what a way to experience Paris. So I read it and the side bit about the tower. Since we'll be back next year, maybe I'll just go up the tower then. So our full day in Paris I think will be the walking tour on your link minus the louvre since we'll be there the day before - it hits quite several of our wants list and will just use the suggestion of Trocadero for the full view of the tower.

Flaneur, depending on how far montmartre is from where we are (I have to look it up), that may be a good option for us for the last morning we're there before we head to the airport.

sorry rncheryl, i just saw your link for the river cruise. Will check it out now - thanks!

One way to get into the Eiffel Tower and skip the lines is to have lunch at Jules Verne. It is not inexpensive, but (a) it will afford you a view of Paris from inside the Eiffel Tower, and (b) you skip the lines and take a separate elevator up the the restaurant. From the restaurant there is an outside platform for you to get a 360 degree view of Paris. If you're only in Paris for one full day, I would splurge on this special lunch. Early reservations are a must even for lunch.

The best place to take your "Paris photo" with the Eiffel Tower in the background is from the Palais Chaillot at the Trocodero above. Just cross the bridge over the Seine, and walk up the hill from the Eiffel Tower. It's a short easy walk and worth it for the fabulous view and photo op.

Enjoy your short visit!

OK, river cruise tickets, done. Got it for 10 euros too! Thansk rncheryl.

Sassafrass, so is 5pm a good time to get on the cruise? It's an hour long. Thinking we'll be by the louvre already that first day so walking over to pont-neuf falls right into the plan. What time do they light up the eifel tower? It looks like sunset there is happening around 6pm?

The river cruise should take you right by the Eiffel Tower at night, when it is lit up - as long as you take the cruise at dusk, which I highly recommend. It's a little cheesy, but also very charming and romantic at the same time, . You will also see Notre Dame lit up..

The Louvre and Musee d'Orsay are so different from each other, and each are worthwhile, but if you only have time for one, I'd pick d'Orsay.
To make the most of your time, see about booking a guided tour of either museum. The tour will take care of your entry tickets and you should be able to skip any lines. The tour guide will show you the highlights of each museum in a couple of hours.

We did not walk up the Eiffel tower on our first visit, but on the second one, my daughter insisted, so we did. It was nice, and the view is good, but imo, it can wait until your next visit when you have more time.
I do recommend going inside Notre Dame if time permits, but I love churches, so that may be just me...
Also, stroll around a neighborhood like the Marais (left bank) and/or St. Germain de Pres (right bank, and more upscale). The Marais is a good area for eating btw. I really think it's one of the "hippest" places I've ever been to - and lots and lots of different restaurants to choose from.
Finally, check out the Dorling-Kindersly guide from your local library or buy it. Concise, informative, illustrated with good self-guided walking tours.

Definitely go over to Trocadero - great view of the Tower there.

Just saw the restaurant at the eifel tower -59toureifel. 99 euros per person and they have a 9pm reservation available for the 13th. Has anyone been? Is it worth the price?

Yes! I agree that going up the tower isn't the best use of your time. If I were you, I wouldn't go inside the Louvre or Notre Dame. There are plenty of other gorgeous little churches around that never get their full due. Also, Hôtel des Invalides is one of my favourite places. Make sure you hit that. Don't forget to always look up! You never want to miss the architectural beauty of Parisienne buildings in their full glory. Too much sidewalk gazing will spoil the magic.

Thanks BumbleB6. I already purchased tickets to the Louvre - I really want to see the Mona Lisa so will check out d'orsay next time. Think for time sake, I will stick to the walking tour SueOnTheMove suggested for our next day. I also looked at reviews of 58toureifel restaurant and think I'll pass. I did see a suggestion in one of the other threads of the Moulin Rouge - they have an 11pm showing. Has anyone seen it that can comment? I'm just thining next time we'll have the kids so may be a good time to stay up and see it.

The Moulin Rouge has been discussed at length here previously, and big surprise, both yeys and nays. I confess at this point, I was a dancer in Paris many years ago and while I was at a bigger theatre, had friends at the Moulin Rouge. What you'll still see there today are remarkably accomplished dancers and a polished show. If you enjoy Las Vegas-type shows, you'll very likely enjoy it. It's entirely subjective, so all anyone can say is whether they liked it (assuming they've actually seen the show - some will comment anyway), not what you'll like. It isn't cheap but it's fun.

>>Day 3: breakfast somewhere, walk around, check out, fly back to England.<<

You will need 3+ hours from leaving the hotel to the airport gate. Where are you flying to? And from Orly or CDG? Where does the family live? In London? If so, it would be faster and much easier to take the train.

And - are you also flying to Paris? Depending on <i>the family lives the train may be a better option.

Basically . . . which airports are you using on both ends?

family lives in north england - near york but because of available flight times amongst all the airlines, we're driving to manchester to catch an airfrance flight to cdg. so i guess just breakfast then. our flight out is at 1pm.

OK -- MAN makes sense.

If your flight back is at 1 PM you really can't do anything on that day. You'll need to be at CDG by 11AM - so leaving your hotel before 10AM

On the first days do you arrive at CDG at 11AM? If so you, might get to your hotel by 1 or 1:30.

There were some posters here who ate at the cheaper ET restaurant and were disappointed. You could have LUNCH at Jules Verne for that price--we LOVED the daytime view of Paris from JV. Even eating at JV, we did not go to the top.
I much prefer seeing the ET from the Champ de Mars--with a picnic lunch, than from Trocadero--where I DO have a picture of our kids in the foreground.
You have a VERY short time. You are obviously young and you will return to Paris for a longer time. Save the ET top for that time!! OR go late at night and see what the line is like. Our son asked his wife to marry him at the top late at night.
I'm not sure what reservation you made to see the Mona Lisa, but you'll still be looking at it across a throng of heads--and will be amazed at how small it is!!
Soak up Paris in a café, and plan your next trip!!
Fontaine de Mars is very good and charming--make a reservation. We had a good cassoulet (if it is that 'season' when you are going) and delicious foie gras.

among the must - sees, can I tempt you with

http://www.messynessychic.com/2014/0...paris-archive/

?

menachem - I'm tempted, I'm tempted. Crud! This looks fantastic!

It is, I can assure you. That whole site has great Paris tips.

I know it will be difficult, but resist the urge to run all over town to get to the essentials. Please please make time for the unscheduled even if it's only a cup of coffee at the bar of a neighbourhood cafe, or a trip to the supermarket to see what's on the shelves

Love the idea of a river cruise........and some of these restaurants sound fabulous!

Maria_so, your husband sounds like a keeper.

I'm the type of tourist who will happily spend a day with Leonardo DaVinci (and others), even if I'm visiting for just one night. I will visit a city specifically to spend as much time as I can in its museums. I feel the same way about visiting a fabulous restaurant. How anyone can set aside a visit to a fabulous art museum and opt for a silly, mindless stroll is beyond me. If you want to do mindless activity, take your stroll late at night when everything is closed. Paris is magical at night.

To be a flaneur in Paris is magical at all hours of the day and is never mindless.


//I will visit a city specifically to spend as much time as I can in its museums.//

Oh, for shame.