By Rick Steves
Many people fall in love with Paris. Some see the essentials and flee, overwhelmed by the big city. With the proper approach, you'll fall head over heels for Europe's capital city. The day plans below — for visits of one to seven days — will help you prioritize the many sights.
Paris in One, Two, or Three Busy Days
Sights are listed in descending order of importance. If you have only one day, just do Day 1 (below); for two days, add Day 2. If you want to fit in Versailles on a three-day visit, try the afternoon of the second day (easier) or the third day.
Day 1
Morning: Follow Historic Paris Walk from Rick's Paris guidebook, featuring Ile de la Cité, Notre-Dame, Latin Quarter, and Sainte-Chapelle.
Afternoon: Tour the Louvre.
Evening: Cruise the Seine River, take the "Paris Illumination" nighttime bus tour, or follow the book's "Floodlit Paris Taxi Tour" (in the Nightlife chapter).
Day 2
Morning: Follow the book's Champs-Elysées Walk from the Arc de Triomphe down the grand avenue des Champs-Elysées to Tuileries Garden.
Midday: Cross the pedestrian bridge from the Tuileries Garden, then tour the Orsay Museum.
Afternoon: Tour the Rodin Museum or Napoleon's Tomb, or visit Versailles (take the RER suburban train direct from Orsay).
Evening: Enjoy the Trocadéro scene and a twilight ride up the Eiffel Tower.
Day 3
Morning: Follow the book's Marais Walk.
Afternoon: Stay in the Marais and tour your choice of sights: the Picasso Museum, Carnavalet Museum, Pompidou Center, or Jewish Art and History Museum. (Or visit Versailles, if you haven't already.)
Evening: Take the book's Montmartre Walk, featuring the Sacré-Coeur basilica.
Should I follow this? I don't know if it's really good advice. I mean, it IS Rick Steves!
I wouldn't. That is A LOT to do in just a short amount of time. I would hit the biggies. Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Montmartre Walk.
ReplyDeleteIf you will be there on the 1st Sunday of the month, the Louvre will be free (better than the 18 euro (est.) that it costs.
http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-free-culture.html
well, i was considering buying the paris museum pass. for 2 days it's 30 euros and the list of museums and places included is extensive...not to mention you don't have to wait in any long lines. you go right through.
ReplyDelete