Meredith052013

I spoke with my friend. She just meant stopping at a bakery for a croissant. If there's no seating, we will opt for a cafe instead. Thanks, StCirq.

Christina

Cafes usually have plain croissants, but they don't usually have more complicated things from the bakery (which means anything else, like a even a pain chocolat, or croissant aux amandes, which is my favorite). And you'll pay more at a cafe, most likely. YOu don't need to plan stuff like that, as you said, you don't need to plan where to buy a snack or have a drink.

Lexma90

On the overplanning thing, everyone has their own style. Just don't get so caught up in the concept of "we need to go here for lunch" or "we need to do that next" that you pass up on something special that you see on the way.

I usually plan one major thing in the morning and one major thing in the afternoon, with as little booked in advance as possible, in case of change of plans due to weather or people's moods or change of interests. We are REALLY into food, but rarely book or plan specific lunches, because (again) we don't want to be too boxed in on timing. But I always have an obsessively large list of restaurant ideas for any area of the city that we're likely to be in at lunchtime.

I also include possibilities of other things on the way or in between. And other interesting things in the same locations. For example, at Montmartre, we've used Rick Steves walk of that area, which I think is interesting and informative, in addition to the visit to Sacre Ceour.

For our breakfasts, we negotiate which local bar/cafe we will eat outside at (more money than standing at the bar, but we love to sit outside and people-watch on vacation, and are willing to pay extra), and have cafe creme and croissant (or pain au chocolat at the one local place that offers those). There's a great little patisserie nearby, and I usually stop in there after breakfast for something small and extra - I feel so French when I buy a bag of chouqettes!

For drinks and rest / relaxation stops, we definitely don't plan those in advance, though come to think about it, I probably have areas in mind that we could stop for things like that. And there are a couple of bars that we like, so we tend to gravitate toward them (also in the 6th, mostly).

Meredith052013

Thanks for the input, Lexma90. I agree that I think we will enjoy the trip with less restrictions on where we will eat when. Although, I understand we have to make reservations for dinner. Most of the time we will have dinner in the marais so we will get a chance to make reservations at some point in the day or maybe even the day before. For lunch, I like your idea of making a list of places we'd like to try in different areas. Then, depending on what area we are in, we can turn to the list.

I also like your idea of planning something for the morning and another for the afternoon with other possibilities between or near the activities. I wish I could limit activities to one in the morning and one in the afternoon, but with never being to Paris before, there is so much I want to do. I think once we get there we'll get a feel for what pace is comfortable and make revisions where necessary.

Thanks again for your help.

Seamus

Bang on, Lexma! You'll be fine, meredith - everyone over- or under-plans at first. When I first began visiting Paris - prior to the availability internet resources! - I made exhaustive lists after combing through multiple guidebooks. After a few visits I realized I was spending too much time referring to notes and worrying about schedule and not enough time enjoying. Now I follow pretty much the same strategy as Lexma - plan one major activity for morning, one for afternoon and make up the rest as I go along. That last bit is made easier by having a list of "places and things I think might be interesting" that can be done if the opportunity arises (e.g., located around or en route to/from that day's planned activity) but do not lock into a schedule.

Meredith052013

Thanks, Seamus!

Happytrav

book marking

vanne

If you are still planning to buy a museum pass and anticipate the line will be long at the place you will use your pass for the first time, you can stop in at a less popular museum just to buy the pass. For example, we stopped at the Conciergerie and bought our passes (we did tour it as well) then went to Ste. Chappelle, with the pass allowing us to bypass the ticket line.

Since you'll be staying in the Marais, you might consider going to the Musee Carnavalet, which is very interesting (no admission charge -- even if you don't go inside, don't miss the lovely courtyard garden!). I'm a fan of the Impressionist painters. If you are, I highly recommend the Musee D'Orsay and L'Orangerie.