I will be in France the same time as you, but in Paris in the later part of the week. I too have been to Paris before so I plan on parking my self in various cafes around the city and just be a part of the french culture.

I didnt see this listed so I will offer it up, the Angelina cafe for a cup of chocolate.

I just got back from Paris last night after spending a month in France. Unless the weather takes a drastic change, as it just well could , it was quite cool, rain came at bursts on most days and friends visiting the Eiffel tower waited over an hour in line this past Thursday afternoon. The highest etage was closed due to congestions.

Very little light colored summer clothes were being worn, mostly black, possibly because of the cool weather or possibly because IT'S PARIS . have a great trip. It's a wonderful city to visit with your sister. Deborah

You mentioned visiting the Louvre on the first Sunday of the month since it is free. I think there are a total of 5 or 6 museums that are free on the first Sunday. I was in Paris on the first Sunday in April 2006 and the lines for the Louvre and the Orsay were huge. Someone later told me that it was a 2-3 hour wait to get into the Orsay. I decided to bypass the free museums and see the sites that cost no matter what day of the week you visit. It becomes a question of time and money. Do you spend 2-3 hours of your precious vacation time to to save $7.00?

In addition to the Louvre and D'Orsay the following are free on Sundays
Pompidou, Picasso, Rodin, L'Orangerie

As all other said, you planed too many things for the first day.
I suggest to visit Versailles (one full day) on Saturday or Sunday, because of the fountains.

forget la defense. It was pointless visiting there. We actually slept through the movie at the "arch" it was so boring (and in french with no subtitles), and the top floor was filled with an "art show" of stuff that looked like high-schoolers fingerpaintings (awful)!
Also forget EuroDisney. Spend more time seeing the sites in paris...sitting at the cafes, and walking, walking, walking. When we were in Paris, we felt like we got a real feel for the city by walking all around it. We were often surprised by "discovering" buildings we hadnt seen before - by walking past.

My personal list of best:
Walking on the Champ Elysses and along the Siene
Eiffel Tower at night
The Louvre, even for just an hour or two
Notre Dame, (loved the tour to the top - we went very early am to avoid a line)
Montmarte
The Catacombs! Very surreal!

I'll throw in a plan..
Day 2 - (outdoor day) metro to Arc (climb?), walk down Chammps Elysee, Tuileries Garden, outside of Louvre, Rue Rivoli, see Opera, see Place Vendome, see Palais Royale, stop at cafe for rest/drink, cross over Seine to Notre Dame, see interior (climb tower...depending on time), finish on Ile St Louis for dinner.

Day 3 Louvre (indoor), walk/metro to Eiffel (go up), Champs de Mars, Place Trocadero, metro to St Germain area for walk about , dinner. Could do Seine cruise Vedettes du Pont Neuf is nearby (Ile de la Cite). Place D'Alma is other location for cruises. Batobus is your other choice.I'd do this at night since buildings and monuments are nicely lit.

Day 4 Left Bank day. Walk St Germain from end to end. Stops at Luxembourg Gardens, Cluny (Museum of Middle Ages - in old convent over Roman baths, small museum), St Sulpice, Place St Germain (Cafe de Flore or Cafe Bonaparte), Buci street market, nice shops, end at Musee Orsay. Could also do in reverse direction. If you like Roman arenas, Arene de Lutece is intersting, could do a picnic there. Somewhere in here, do a walk along seine, checking out book sellers, nice walk at night also.

Day 5. St Chapelle for the stained glass. The go up to Montmartre to Sacre Coeur (metro abesses), take funicular. Also could look at Montmartrobus for getting around. Place du Tertre for the artists (?). Check out Moulin ROuge, metro to Pere Lachaise.

Day 6 Versailles for most of day, return, catacombs tour, and perhaps a concert that night

Day 7
Ecole Militaire, Invalides, Rodin Museum
Sewer Tour

Day 8
Right Bank - Marais area, City Hall, Place Des Voges, Pompidou, les Halles...

Day 9
Final pain au chocolat and cafe creme. Wander neighbourhood.


You might also want to consider a guided walking tour. Paris Walks are quite good, not too expensive and you get some entertainment.

To all who have added more suggestions - a big thank you! This will definitely help to shape a good visit for me and my sister. I will definitely print this post out as a guide.

Lostmymind - Going to the Angelina Cafe is on my list of to do things. Ever since I've read about this place, I've wanted to try their hot chocolate.

DeborhAnn - Thanks for the update on the weather and clothing. I'd been monitoring on weather.com what it was like over there - thankfully the heatwave has come and gone.

Valtor - Yeah, my planned itineary was at best ambitious with trying to get in the major sites in the first day, that's why I'm glad I've asked others for their input to help define it. Considering that we probably won't reach our hotel until 3 p.m., we'll try 2 or 3 (at the most) sites around the 7 ar.

Steviegene - I'd never done the walk up to the top of Notre Dame. I suppose if my sister and I could do the walk to the top of St. Pauls, then we can do this! Also can't wait to do the catacombs. I'm guessing that it's probably good to bring a flashlight too, eh?

And Michel_Paris - You've suggested an interesting itinerary. Thank you!

Make sure you go upstairs at St. Chapelle. We almost did not and we would have missed what might have been my favorite and most moving sight in Paris

Ok - this is it! Leaving for DFW airport in 15 minutes! This should be a good trip. Even though my flight doesn't leave until about 4:30 p.m., might as well leave early due to the security check in. I'm off!

Bon Voyage!

bet you've missed this...you're "on your trip"

Trafaelwyr,

Please let us know how it went. . I'm going for the first time in about month , so this is all very interesting to me!