When visiting a new city, I always recommend you compile a list of all the recommendations your friends and guidebooks make, and then start by eliminating those items that don't suit your personality or interests (for instance, the gorgeous Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the 19ème arrondissement, with its grottos, waterfalls, lake, and lawns, is (a) far from the city center and (b) a very steep walk to fully appreciate. It is, however, one of the few large parks - if not the only one - that allows you to actually lie down on the grass).
Next, plot your "must-do" items on the city's map of whatever most efficient transportation system that city offers (in Paris, the Metro; in London the Underground AND Buses; in LA it's mostly car, but some metro lines offer some good interconnectivity, at last...and so on).
You should now have a plotted image of how to parcel out your available days, as well as another list of "2nd tier" items, which you can now slot in to your agenda. For instance, the Musée d'Orsay is right across from the Louvre and the Jardin des Tuileries. If you are a culture vulture, you might be able to do 2 large museums in a day (I don't recommend it, though), whilst someone wanting a more leisurely day, might opt for one museum, followed by a leisurely stroll through the Jardin. (If you are planning on going to both the Musee D'Orsay, which I highly recommend, and the Musée de l'Orangerie, make sure you save some money by getting the" passport" ticket, which gives you discounted entry in to both).
All that said, here are my list of top things to do and see:
Start with a trip down the Seine on a boat (The "Bateaux Mouches" are the most famous, but the Vedettes de Paris are equally good, if not better, and cost less, to boot!). This will give you a good overview introduction to the major sights. Then, fill your days with any or all of the following (time permitting):
Next, plot your "must-do" items on the city's map of whatever most efficient transportation system that city offers (in Paris, the Metro; in London the Underground AND Buses; in LA it's mostly car, but some metro lines offer some good interconnectivity, at last...and so on).
You should now have a plotted image of how to parcel out your available days, as well as another list of "2nd tier" items, which you can now slot in to your agenda. For instance, the Musée d'Orsay is right across from the Louvre and the Jardin des Tuileries. If you are a culture vulture, you might be able to do 2 large museums in a day (I don't recommend it, though), whilst someone wanting a more leisurely day, might opt for one museum, followed by a leisurely stroll through the Jardin. (If you are planning on going to both the Musee D'Orsay, which I highly recommend, and the Musée de l'Orangerie, make sure you save some money by getting the" passport" ticket, which gives you discounted entry in to both).
All that said, here are my list of top things to do and see:
Start with a trip down the Seine on a boat (The "Bateaux Mouches" are the most famous, but the Vedettes de Paris are equally good, if not better, and cost less, to boot!). This will give you a good overview introduction to the major sights. Then, fill your days with any or all of the following (time permitting):
- Notre Dame Cathedral
- Île St. Louis (grab some Berthillon ice cream while you're there. Yum!)
- Jardin du Luxembourg (they have one of the oldest Guignol theaters there daily, next to a great kids playground; as well as the famous boat pond).
- The aforementioned Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
- The Eiffel Tower (go toward the twilight hours, so you can still get a good look of the whole city, but then come down (which can take a while) and hang out to see the tower sparkle magically as soon as it gets dark. My recommendation would be to go early evening, enjoy the tower in the late light. Come down, go to a nearby restaurant (my favorite is Vin et Maree, on Avenue Suffren) for dinner, then make sure you are out in time to stroll back to the Champ de Mars on the hour, to see the spectacle).
- Maison Jacquemart André - a great look at luxury private life in Paris, with great activities for the kids too.
- Montmartre - Frommers has a pretty good walking guide to get to the top, hitting all the sites of interest.
- Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie, if you love Impressionism.
- The Louvre, so long as you are not easily overwhelmed. This is one of the largest art collections in the world.