Paris - First day itin.
 

The first day is the most difficult for me to figure out. We get to CDG around 10:00 a.m. on a Saturday and are staying around the Arc. Here is what I have thus far, any comments are appreciated.

Get to hotel around noon.

Have lunch somewhere along the Champs Elysees.

Go to Jacquemart...sounds interesting and it isn't on the museum pass list so might as well do it on a day when we don't have the pass.

Head to Eiffel Tower.

Dinner around Place de la Concorde.

Either back to Eiffel or do a non-dinner cruise down the Seine.

Any comments on this? It seems to mix in some walking and one museum that is on my list. Also probably allows for purchase of the museum pass.

Hi md,

Sounds like a nice day.

I suggest that you have lunch at the Jacquemart-Andre, see the museum, take a walk through the Parc Monceau.

Walk back to the Arc de Triomphe, stroll down the Champs.

Go to the Eiffel tower at night, when it's lit up.

I think you will not have time to do it all justice. The Jacquemart-Andre museum may be private, but it is not miniscule. I found it to be very interesting.

What are your plans when you get to the Eiffel Tower? Ascend? Look?

I think after dinner, you will be ready to conclude your day.

The Eiffel trips will likely be the first of a few more visits.

I could always skip the return to the tower/cruise down the Seine. I know we'll be tired, but I want to stay up until around 10:00 p.m. to get on Paris time. We'll be up around 8:00 the next day to make 10:30 mass at Notre Dame so we will be able to get a full night's sleep.

I'd save the Jacquemart-André for Sunday - go for brunch and then linger to look at the collections.

I agree with both Ira, Bob adn StCirq. If you want to go to the Jacquemart Andre, have lunch there. (BTW there are not a lot of <i>good</i> places to eat on the Champs, but there was a thread on it so do a search). But, as Bob says, it's a great museum &amp; you might be a bit tired so maybe save it?

I think a walk sounds like the best idea. Pick a destination (la tour eiffel, peut etre or Notre Dame so you know how to get there?) Check out the area around your hotel, stop for lunch. I suggest you make a dinner reservation ahead of time. Sat. night can be difficult.

Only you can say how active you want to be on your arrival day. Personally I suffer bad jet lag, so keep day one close to my hotel, with a nice meal or two, exploring the neighborhood, a nap, and going to sleep as early as I can manage. Then hopefully hit the ground running next morning. If you've done a trip like this before, successfully, disregard!

I agree w/ all the others. Plus, you may not have as much time as you think. 2 hours from touch down to check-in at your hotel is pretty optimistic. Then you'll have to unpack, freshen up etc.

Don't count on be out and about until maybe 2 p.m. . . . .

topping

Here's a nice walk.

Take the Metro to Palais Royale Musee du Louvre. Go directly across into the Louvre complex, left past the pyramid into the courtyard and then right and to the Pont des Arts. This little pedestrian footbridge is one of the lovliest spots in Paris and a nice place to linger for a while. Then on the other side, go left along the quay.

If the weather is fair, lots of people will be out and about, and it's enjoyable to be in the midst of people enjoying themselves.