First timers going to Paris. We want to do the tourist thing and take as much in as possible. We arrive late afternoon.

What would you do with such limitted time?

Thank you!!

Hi. My wife and I went there in April. Check out my trip report with pictures and links. You will find it on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm I would probably visit Eiffel tower, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe...but it depends on what you are into

regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

Hi B,

Too bad you have only 2 days.

See Paris Superthread
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519236

100 Great Things to Do in Paris
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...mp;tid=1277898

Degas’s Paris Walks
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34712768

Jacquemart-Andre’ Museum http://tinyurl.com/p9pol

The Lourve, the D'Orsay and Notre Dame, as well as walk-bys of the Eiffel and Arc.

But please walk around at least one of the neighborhoods and talk to the locals. I always find that to be the most fun and St. Germain helped perpetuate that opinion. Soak in the aura that is Paris. Have a great couple of days.You'll gonna want to return there for more!

With only two days I would not spend any time IN anything - like a museum, or do anything that requires waiting in line for (like climbing the Eiffel Tower). Possibly a bus tour to get you to at least see the major sites although if you do your research and are good walkers you could do it with either the public bus or metro and walking. I would start on the Ile de la cite, which is the geographical and historical center of Paris. See Notre Dame, walk along the Seine for a while. Walk into the Latin Quarter for a while. Have coffee or lunch at a cafe.

If you are good walkers I'd walk across the Pont des Arts to the Louvre and walk around it (the building is as much art as what's inside, and on such a short trip I would not use my time going in, you'll be back). Then I'd walk to Place de la Concorde. Very different feel of Paris here than in the latin quarter. Then I'd walk along the Seine to the Eiffel Tower. I'd try to be there in the early evening, sunset (what time of year are you going?)

If all that only took one full day, I'd spend the second walking around the Marais and Montmartre. In short, I'd walk all over, see the major sites, get a feel for the neighborhoods. Take a boat ride on the Seine. I would "see" but not "do" the major sites.

brenhur, my sister and I will only be in paris for 2 days as well. We don't plan on going 'in' any of the sites .. but will walk by to admire and take some photos. We'll mainly do lots of walking, shopping, picture taking, stopping at cafes and enjoying the cuisine!

Uh-oh. The "walk or ride" controversy.

On an extremely short visit, I do not recommend walking from place to place. You will get plenty of time on the ground walking from a Métro or bus stop to the place you're going to, and after you get to it. Save your strength and your time with a transport pass.

Don't get me wrong - Paris is a great place to stroll in, but if you do that on your first trip, you will probably miss many of the high spots.

Here's a one-day itinerary that will get you around to the top sights: http://tinyurl.com/ovpaw

I'd take a bus tour (Cityrama, Parisvision) when I got there, to at least see all of the main sites. The raminder of that day could be used to see the Right Bank Sites: Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysee, Tuileries Gardens, outside of Louvre, Place Vendome, Palais Royal, maybe Place des Voges...followed be a Seine cruise (this would allow nighttime view of Eiffel). I'd take Vedttes du Pont Neuf cruise since it is near this area. There are some nice places on Ile de la Cite and Ile St Louis for dinner.

Day 2 I'd do Notre Dame, St Chapelle, Ile St Louis and then wander Left Bank: Rue St Germain, Luxembourg Gardens...As stated above, skip going in to places, and allow time for cafes. Lots of nice places for dinner Left Bank. You could wander around the Seine after dinner, or perhaps a church concert.

Mike

You didn't say what time of year you are going. That will make a difference in your scheduling because you can see more things at certain times of the year. In the summer you have crowds, but it stays lighter longer so the outdoor sights are doable into the evening.

I've gone in late July/early August and early September. Late July/early Aug. was actually less crowded than early Sept. because it was mid week and our Sept. visit included a weekend.

Is your late afternoon arrival your first day? Or, do you have two full days after that?

After checking into my hotel the first afternoon and freshening up, I'd eat at an outdoor cafe in the 6th or 7th, strolling through the eme up to the Seine for a cruise. After disembarking I'd walk across to the Trocadero for a view of the le tour eiffel. Depending on the crowds, I'd go up, especially if it were before sunset. Then I'd head toward the Arc de Triomphe and stroll down the Champs, taking the Metro back to my hotel late that night.

What are your interests? If you like art, then you have to go in at least one of the two - the Louvre or the Orsay.

I'd look at Rick Steve's 3 day itinerary and modify it. I'd try and get inside the Orsay because it's beautiful and I like its art. I'd definitely get a museum pass to go to the front of the line and also use it at another must see for me, Ste. Chapelle. I'd go in Notre Dame, but NOT up the tower. I'd skip the Sacre Couer and Montmartre.

For lunch the next day I'd walk through the Marais, get my falafel special and stroll to the Place des Vosges to eat and sit a bit. I'd walk through St. Germain, stopping at a cafe for a drink or in Luxembourg Gardens with refreshments I purchased at the grocery. I'd likely walk all the way up to the Musee Rodin, which is a lovely quiet spot, to sit in its garden and maybe get some refreshment at the outdoor cafe.

If I had another night, I'd just wander a favorite area and soak in Paris.

There are a lot of good ideas here, the problem is the amount of time you have. I would recommend doing a lot of research before you go, Get a good Michelin map of Paris and prepare a good plan before you go to make sure you get the most for the time you are there. If you are really interested in the Louvre, then go, but really limit your time -- or before you know it the day will be gone.

WOW!!! Thank you so much for the advice. I will actually be there on the 26th & 27th of June.

Once again, thank you sooooo much.

I don't think a first-time visitor needs a very elaborate map. The first time you're in a Métro station, ask the clerk for "Le Grand Plan de Paris." This is a combination street/train/bus map the size of a bedsheet that has all the city sights and historical monuments clearly labeled.

Before you go, you might want to print out the Tourist Bus Services map (fits on a single letter sheet) to get an idea of where things are in relation to one another:

http://www.ratp.info/orienter/f_plan...aux&fm=pdf

topping

I wouldn't do the Louvre for on a two day visit. I'd suggest just th D'Orsay and then walk back and forth from bridge to shore across the Seine. You should be able to cover the Eiffel and the main tourist areas in the 8th through 7th Arrondisements.

Stop often, have coffee and/or wine. That's the best part of Paris anyway!

Have a grand time.