Paris Itinerary help
 

We are husband and wife twenty somethings who one of us (me) has traveled extensively through Europe (although never France) for school/vacation/work and my husband who has never been. I want to the see the highlights, but not to spend long days in museums. I want to feel like we have time to walk areas and get their feeling, but we are only staying in Paris four days before catching a train down into Spain.

We are pretty energetic and aren't big shoppers. We do love a good bottle of wine and a fun atmosphere. We plan to have down time at cafes and park benches during the below itinerary. The restaurant choices listed have been from research of quintessential French bistros and highly recommended moderately priced places.

For those who have toured with Michael Osman, is this a recommended area to explore with him? Should I plan to do Notre Dame on another day? (we would like to have time to climb the towers).

Advice would be appreciated.

Thursday - Sept. 30th direct flight to Paris

Friday - Oct. 1st
8:15am arrive in Paris
Stop at Duquesne Eiffel Hotel (7th)- Leave bags for check in later
Walk Rue de Cler - buy breakfast/lunch for picnic in Eiffel tower gardens
Shower/change/nap at the hotel
Head to eiffel tower for pre-booked elevator reservation - 6:30pm
Dinner in 7th - either Le Violon d'Ingres or les cocottes
If we have energy walk along the Siene

Saturday – Oct. 2nd
Tour with Michael Osman - Louvre, Marais, Île de la Cité, and Île Saint-Louis
Dinner at Robert et Louise
Nuit Blanche activities (what is there to do? How crowded are the museums?)

Sunday – Oct. 3rd
Train to Versailles - tour the castle
lunch near or on the grounds
Afternoon train back to Paris
Arc de Triomphe and walk down Champs to Jardin Tulleries
Dinner - Restaurant La Petite Chaise
Night cruise on vedettes du pont neuf

Monday - Oct. 4th
Morning in Montmarte - Any good lunch places in Montmarte that are not too touristy?
Afternoon to do or redo (do anything that we found on our trip and would like to explore further or to see/eat again)
Dinner at Chez Michel

Tuesday - Oct. 5th Morning Train

We had Michael for 2 days--one for an overview and the other for museums. We told him we were not big Louvre fans, but wanted to to "some". I cannot tell you how enjoybable both days were. It was our family of adult children and spouses. All had been to Paris before in some way. DH and I a number of times. He showed us ALL things that were fascinating, tald anecdotes, educationed us. For the museums, it was terrific. We saw the "high spots, abut then he took us to the basement for the story of how the chateau was built. Also a small da Vinci tour. Then for the Orsay, it was a small are history lesson done with the artists' works. He is an excellent "teacher" with a manner that is captivating.
I told him to design the first day for us==if you tell him your interests he will absolutely be able to show you a part of Paris you have never experienced in teh same way.

I might add that our favortite time for the river cruise timed to start in daylight but just as teh lights are beginning to come on. You might want to do it before dinner--October the sunset will be maybe 7-8? I'm not sure.

That's a lot of ground to cover on Saturday. I might split that into 2.

I might consider replacing Montmartre with a Left Bank tour. Perhaps finish day with evening view over paris from Sacre Coeur.

Palais Royal, Luxembourg Gardens and Place des Vosges are places to fit in along the way.

With only 4 days, I'm iffy on Versailles. With your desire to walk areas and get their feel, you might be shortchanging the city by leaving. If it's a dream to go, yes. But there is much to fill your time in Paris

First off, sorry, I realized I posted this thread twice and so I now have two streams. My computer blue screened (ack!) as I was posting so I ended up with two.

Gretchen - We can only get Michael one day (budget) but I might do Louvre in the morning with Marais in the afternoon with him. My husband was asking me last night, how do you do lunch with him? Does he suggest a place and do we pay for him? I know that we cover our own entry into museums.

Michel_Paris

I had seriously considered whether or not to put Versialles on the itinerary. I am not dead set on it so I think we might take your advice. Maybe we do the Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis that morning instead.

I am curious as to why you say skip Montmartre for a left bank tour. Is there much to see in Montmartre during the day or do people go mostly for the view? Are you suggesting a guided tour of the left bank or just a walk?

Thanks to you both.

I really only answered about Michael, but NO WAY would I go to Versailles with such a short time in Paris.
I'd do something different from Montmartre also. I'd look for a street market one day/morning.
I think your arrival day is 'way overdone. And I would not take a nap. Just keep going. Walk around Notre Dame maybe.
Actually a river cruise on that day could be very nice and an easy way to spend the time, rather than the other day.
The bus that goes down the Champs is a good way to see it--if you must. I find it the most uninteresting part of Paris.

Gretchen - We can only get Michael one day (budget) but I might do Louvre in the morning with Marais in the afternoon with him. My husband was asking me last night, how do you do lunch with him? Does he suggest a place and do we pay for him? I know that we cover our own entry into museums.

I am reconsidering Versialles as Michel_Paris pointed out that I might be skimping on my left bank time. A street market might be interesting, do you have any suggestions?