Some posts are so absurd that I can't answer differently. I just cannot understand that somebody can come and bluntly ask a question that proves he/she didn't spend 5 minutes on the subject. I see it as a proof of laziness and somehow disrespect towards normal regulars who want to help.>>

pariswat - I have got myself into trouble a few times here for using british "tongue in cheek humour" which some people, even native english speakers, just don't get. I understood your first post entirely but I think that the OP might just have been confused - after all what's Texas got to do with it?

And I am all too well aware of the stupid questions I've asked on other forums to be too critical of others, even if they seem, frankly, daft to me.

Dadelle - what we post here is kindly meant, really, even if some of us express our views more forcefully than others. The title to your thread suggests that you may really know in your heart of hearts that you're biting off more than you can chew and if that's the case - you're right.

BTW - if you decide to fly into Dublin and out of Paris, what you want are "multi-city" flights which should be not a lot more than the cost of a round trip. you could try adding in the Dublin to Paris leg, but it would probably be cheaper just to get a one-way flight with Easyjet or Ryanair.

BTW, Ireland in May could be lovely - the gardens in the south west where they get the gulf stream would probably be spectacular. if that might interest you, why not stay in Ireland? OTOH, if you crave Paris, fly to Paris. but unless you can extend your trip, that's as much as you can reasonably manage, IMO.

pariswat

oops! you've picked the wrong person to snipe at. Kja is a trusted, valuable, polite, exceptionally knowledgable member of this forum. Looks like you've chosen to be the gnat. There are a dozen other Fodorites who will take aim and swat. Deal with it or duck!

Well, I wanted to remove my post because I was realied afterwards I would get this kind of answer, but removal on fodor takes time. And I didn't want to elaborate but you are all making valid answers and are not coming from extreme people - so be it, I'll try to explain/amend (quand le vin est tiré il faut le boire).

Tower
I didn't snipe on Kja.

I was perfectly honest to Kja who seems a very nice person.
No irony here. What I basically said is that I cannot refrain from sniping at some OP's. What I said about refraining of answering was aimed at the original post, not at Kja, maybe that is why you found I was sniping at Kja.

Sassafrass,
Yes, I did notice that Kja was doing this in a constructive way. I did thank her and I do think she (he?) is a nice person. Nice than me actually, because I cannot be always constructive.

Annihig,
reference to Texas is about a poster asking both on TA and VT that she planned to visit all of France in 14 days but then oops realized France is as big as Texas. She got nice answers on VT, I managed to not comment there ...

Wishing you a nice day.
Time for a pastis, we have 30 degrees here.

I've had to learn to bite my tongue and not post every clever thought I have. It never seems quite so clever, mostly just mean-spirited, when I see those thoughts of mine on screen. I have to remind myself regularly to say nothing when the urge strikes. It takes practice to say nothing.

Well, I didn't think pariswat's reply was nasty at all -- I thought it was imaginative and, yes, ironic. I liked the unusual way to say the usual, which all followed.

I don't think we all need to post in the same, vanilla, fashion -- so long as the comments aren't rude or personal or derogatory. As they weren't here.

I do agree that kja is normally quite tactful and gentle, and her comments here seemed to be out of character to me. She's not normally one to try to control others' behavior at all; in fact, her normal statement is: YMMV. That seems to imply, to me, an acknowledgement and appreciation of differences. So it doesn't seem to be in line with that philosophy to try to erase personality and quirks in our posts.

s

well, that's told us, swandav!

and no sign of the OP.

oh well.

My thanks to pariswat, sassafrass, tower, and swandav for their kind words to me. I am glad that so many of you have recognized that my intent is to be helpful. FWIW, I was not trying to control pariswat's behavior -- or anyone else's, nor was I trying to "erase personality and quirks" -- viva la difference! My goal was to provide some food for thought to someone who I suspect has a lot to contribute. If it seemed otherwise, my apologies to pariswat and anyone who took offense.

And BTW, sassafrass, I love your answer to the question about taking water to Europe. ;-)

I have lived in France twice and still have not seen everything I want to. I think Paris is very doable in 3 days...keeping in mind
"Less is more" think of 2 main attractions on your bucket list each day and then let the cards fall as they may... If you must see the Louvre, spend a few hours there, then head down thru Tulleries garden, grab a comfy chair and people watch..Stay in the 7th have a nice dinner then grab a bottle of Bordeaux and hop on a night cruise on the Siene Or walk to the Eiffel... sit in the grass with the locals playing music... You don't have to stand in long lines or go up. I took an avid reader and an artist to Paris so we went to the art shop where Picasso bought his first brushes which was a thrill for her. We took the other to Shakesphere book shop, where she bought a book that they stamped....make sure you study the public transport system and be somewhat knowlegable about cab fares... Especially out of the airport...

Ireland... We are planning a trip there next Spring... I adore small villages, the smaller the better.....I only know what I have read and not to offend anyone I could easily skip Dublin and head west. If it were me, I would consult with those that know Ireland and see if it might be better to skip and just connect In Dublin and fly on into Cork, find a nearby village to base for a few nights rent a car and day trip out...It's only a taste of Ireland, you won't see as much as you would like but You could get a flight out of Cork to Paris...
Also keep in mind European cars are small! 4 adults with Luggage is going to be a challenge, and taking any smaller roads be it in France or Ireland means much longer drive times...
Nice..... I would suggest if you want to see this area... Skip Ireland fly into Paris and then take a flight to Nice.... Or there is a fast train from Paris to Avignon if you want to visit Provence area... .. I have been from St Trop. Up to Monaco..it's congested... It's best to have a car... I prefer the Luberons and Cassi ( my small village addiction)...If you go in late May the poppies are beautiful...
Bottom line no matter where you choose.... Be flexible, make a loose itinerary, keep it simple... you will have a much better time and you just might discover some interesting things along the way!