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bkm

If you've never been to Paris before 4 days will allow you to just begin to touch on major sites. Unless you have some real interest in somewhere else I would stay in Paris.

If you feel you really MUST do something elese just hop a train to Versailles - you can see most of that in a long 1/2 day.

Thanks to everyone for all of your help. I am looking forward to taking each day as it comes and will not try to "do it all". This was my first post here and I am grateful for all of the advice. Just a shame that one has to take a mocking attitude in their post (lightbulb, etc.) Not everyone has the inclination to tour museums, even just a little time in each. Again, i am very appreciative of all the great advice, especially the menu guide suggestions. I like to be prepared, but with a night job, 2 kids etc. etc., i have not been able to prep as much as i would have liked!
Merci!

HMSB -- if you want to get a sample itinerary, e-mail me and I'll send my last one from a week in Paris last September at [email protected]

Don't worry about not speaking French...I learned a little more this time, beyond good day, goodbye, please, thank-you (the big ones) excuse me, and I don't speak French -- I learned how to say a few extra things like "where is...", "I don't know" and "I'm sorry I don't speak French, do you speak English?" and that went over well. Perhaps sounding SORRY I didn't speak French made me a couple of extra points. HA.

The Internet has done great things for us English-speakers. In the 10 years between my DH's trip in the early 1990s and our trip in 2003 and 2005, more and more people speak English than did before AND, when all else fails, a good fun game of sign language always works, no matter where you go.

You'll find the Parisians much more friendly than their outdated reputation for being rude, and Paris is so beautiful it will take your breath away. Nothing makes a Parisian smile like telling them so, either.

Have a great trip!

Jules

Lightbulb? Mocking? Was a post deleted?

I would say, plan on spending the entire time in Paris with perhaps a day trip to Versailles. Just got back last night after 6 nights there, my third trip and still haven't seen many of the "major" sites like St. Chapelle. Consider Fat Tires bike tour for the trip to Versailles--it is really nice. Bike ride to the train, train, bike to market to buy your picnic supplies, bike through the gardens of Versailles, picnic with a perfect view of the palace, bike back to the train station, train back to Paris, and bike back to the shop. Having just gone on their Giverny trip--liked the Versailles even more.

In addition to what has been mentioned, there also are pastry shops (e.g., chocolate eclairs), ballet, opera, circus, shopping (e.g., chocolate, purses, shoes, cosmetics).

If your uncle is living in Paris, tell him what you are interested in and let him show/tell you his favorite places. Try not to pack too much in on Saturday since you will likely be tired, and arrival will take a good chunk of your day.

As was mentioned above, visit the Rodin museum. For a non-museum lover, it is the perfect place to spend a little time. You can look around the house and stroll around the grounds. Even the resturant is not bad and offers a nice atmosphere for lunch. Plus, it is close to some wonderful sites. A great stop that I think is often over looked by people in PAris for the first time with only a few days.