AlessandraZoe

Actually, if you have four days, instead of expanding your list, I think you want to shrink it. As so many people are telling you, just soaking in the atmosphere is as important as meeting a site checklist.

Are you landing in Paris on one of those days? Are you leaving from Paris on one of those days? Is Paris your only stop? You get my drift: do you have 4.5 days?

Where are you staying? Your daily starting point can help everyone here give you some good ideas about how to structure your days to be time time efficient without running you ragged.

Could you name your top THREE must-sees for yourself in Paris? Then can you name your second three must-sees? That also could help everyone group some sights for you.

Some observations:

1) Actually did Versailles on our landing day in Paris in winter when I first took my two girls there over a Martin Luther King school holiday weekend. Our plane landed around 5 a.m.; we could drop off our bags at the hotel but would not have a room until well after 2 pm. We were close to the RER, jumped on it to Versailles, rented audiotours, and were back just about the time our rooms were available. Note: it was winter so we knew we would not be spending hours and hours in the gardens. Guess I should mention, too, that this worked for us because unlike most people, we like to hit the hay on our landing days as soon as we get into our rooms in the afternoon and wake up just in time for a nice late dinner. Against all logic, we somehow end up functioning on local time by the next day (yep, this is a "to each his own" thing--I never think there is one best way to cope with jet lag--whatever works for you works for you ).

2) I always drink tap water in Paris. 20+ trips, never even had to take a Tums. It's not as great as New York city water (that water is AMAZING), but it's certainly good enough.

denisea

In fact, the bottled water charges at restaurants will add up, so I say always ask for tap water. (carafe d'eau).

You can't go wrong...for pure opulence, the tour of Opera Garnier might be fun for you. It is beautiful!

DownUnder

And nobody mentioned lunch at Le Cinq. But then that probably isn't in the Rick Steves Guide LOL

kodi

Wow, what a great thread. I'm going to Paris next week, and I'll certainly be very happy to follow some of these great suggestions.

nytraveler

In 4 days you can just begin to touch the major sights.

But - to be truly Parisian, in the late afternoon go to an outdoor cafe at a major intersection, get a glass of wine or kir or whatever and just spend an hour watching the world go by. Fascinating - and what a real Parisian will do every once in a while. Check out the cafes of the Grand hotel or one of those near the Boul Mich/Boul St Germaine.

TheParisApartment

If you do nothing else, go to the flea markets, Clignancourt and Vanves on the weekend.
They're the key to the soul of Paris past. You'll get more history and insight walking one aisle than by visiting 10 monuments.

If you're only there on weekdays, visit the Marche d'Aligre which goes throughout the week and always has something interesting. Look through boxes of old books and papers for old handwritten documents and orignal artwork.

avalon

A really fun event is the Vendage ( grape harvest) at Bistro Melac. I have friends who go every year and meet up with others who regularly atted.

http://www.novusvinum.com/features/n...edefrance.html

YOu might also be in time for the Vendage MOntmarte a 2 or 3 day event with parades and food and lots of wine. Goggle for the dates

avalon

Here is a report a friend wrote of our friends annual visit with pictures.

http://www.myparisadventures.dk/1548...ng%20Revisited

JeanneB

janie: I'm an early riser at home, fill the time with long walks in the morning. When in Paris, I tend to sleep later. But I always try to find a couple of days to walk before the city wakes up. Try it; you will find a Paris few tourists get to see.

I usually head out before it gets light. The City of Lights is even more gorgeous that time of morning when all is quiet. Cafe owners will be washing down their sidewalks, leaving glistening streets to reflect even more lights. Fabulous aromas waft from boulangeries/patisseries. I love hearing the banter of camaraderie among the cafe men, delivery men, policemen and other early birds.

I try to stay on main streets when it's dark. As it gets lighter, I'll walk along the river (too dark before sunrise). I love this quiet, sleepy Paris. I think you will too.

avalon

JeanneB I probably saw you on a few of my walks. I love getting up really early and hitting the street and seeing thr little green mn sweeping up , peeking in boulangerie windows and watching the bakers at work and watcing produce being unloaded.

JBX

http://www.timeout.com/paris/feature...to-do-in-paris

http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui...tractions.html

And of course, may want to consider buying the Paris Pass should your itinerary include several museums that can be accessed w/ it ...... http://en.parismuseumpass.com/

JeanneB

Avalon: Perhaps I have seen you. But it's usually just me and a few sleepy Parisians walking their dogs. They look at me like "Where's your chien?!".