<p>Headed to France with a group of 12 this summer. 3 full days in Paris. What would you do? Louve is already on the schedule. Versailles? Monet’s gardens? Some have already been to Paris many times, others have never been. For several it will be there one and only trip to Paris. Ages 15 to 85.</p>
<p>Mus</p>
<p>I get some flack on this, on one of the travel sites- but, you don’t have to spend a long time in the Louvre. Especially when your total time is short. Choose well, what you want to see there. A few hours does it for me. After, I’d walk to Notre Dame. I’d include a walk through the left Bank and roughly sunset up in Montmartre. From there, you can see the Eiffel. Last time I was there, on the hour, it changes colors. I will also say that last time, we did the sewer tour- definitely different. </p>
<p>Others will have their ideas, so I’ll stop there. </p>
<p>Agree with the above and the Musee d’Orsay is great.</p>
<p>I’d take a guided tour of the Louvre if I were on a short visit with some who might not be back again. In addition to seeing the high points, a tour guide can get you through the crowds and closer to some of the most popular works.</p>
<p>Monet’s gardens are not in Paris, but in Giverny. There is enough to do in Paris. Also, consider visiting the Louvre during the evening hours. Some nights it’s open till 10 pm and much, much less crowded. (summer hours are listed on their very good web site) <a href=“404”>404; And to avoid art stress, plan ahead which galleries within the Louvre you want to see. Other wonderful museums: the Cluny, the aforementioned D’Orsay, the Musee de la Cite, and the Sainte Chappelle (just across from Notre Dame) Since your time is so short and you want to avoid lines—buy a Carte de Musee
[Paris</a> Museum Pass | Official Website](<a href=“http://en.parismuseumpass.com/]Paris”>http://en.parismuseumpass.com/)</p>
<p>And if you do not mind the 20 minute metro ride, I would recommend the beautiful and fascinating Basilica of St Denis. The summer crowds never make it that far!<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_St_Denis[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_St_Denis</a></p>
<p>"Mus</p>
<p>Just returned from chaperoning a student trip where the students had never been to Paris and the chaperones had been multiple times.</p>
<p>First timers loved Eiffel Tower, Versailles, Montmartre, Notre Dame.</p>
<p>Old timers liked back streets of Montmartre, Trianons and parts of Versailles not typically included on first visit.</p>
<p>Musee de l’Orangerie was my favorite and D loved the Pompidou best of all. She was an art history major and we were there on the way to deliver her to Berlin for summer study abroad in '07. We spent under an hour in the Louvre seeing the most famous pieces before heading on to other sites. She said she had no interest in spending any more time than that at the Louvre. We loved the Musee d’Orsay, but were there on a Saturday in late May along with every high school aged child in France (or so it seemed). I almost loved the restored building more than the great collection.</p>
<p>“I’d skip the Louvre altogether.”</p>
<p>I couldn’t bring myself to say it but I agree.</p>
<p>The way to enjoy Paris is to become part of it. Stroll the streets, mingle with the people, observe Parisians going about their daily lives. Stop at an outdoor cafe for a drink. Walk along the Seine. If I only had three days, there’s no way I would want to spend any of it in a museum and miss the charm of the city. But that’s me.</p>
<p>Ooh, that’s what I was going to say. Walk, look, sit. But with 12 people and that age range?</p>
<p>On such a short trip, skip Versailles and Giverny. Don’t skip the Louvre, but scope out the highlights ahead of time and head directly for them. Spend time on the Left Bank–doesn’t feel as touristy. Go to one of the many street markets. Ride the bus or walk instead of taking the Metro so you’re above ground and see the city that way. Find places with great views: the Eiffel Tower at dusk is my favorite, and it’s not just for first-timers. Step inside Notre Dame. Take a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens.</p>
<p>I would skip Versailles and a must visit of Musee d’Orsay. We only went to Versailles after 4-5 of visit to Paris. If you go to the Louvre then go to Palais Royal for a quick walk. And yes, find a cafe (sit outside) to see the Eiffel tower at night. </p>
<p>No one has mentioned, but if you want to do a bit of shopping, go to Galeries Lafayette (great store restaurant and the dome) and Printemps. They are right next to each other. There are also a lot of local stores around those two department stores.</p>
<p>I am also a fan of double decker tour buses in London and Paris (or any foreign city I go to). It is a great way of getting to know a city in comfort. You can hop on and off.</p>
<p>Definitely skip Versailles. If you had more days, maybe, but if not, forget it. A time killer. So much more to do in Paris. Orangerie, Musee d’Orsay. Place des Vosges area for strolling. I also loved the Musee Branley. I wouldn’t waste too much time lining up to get on top of the Eiffel Tower, either. Mostly, just eat and stroll, eat and stroll, sit in cafes, relax and enjoy.</p>
<p>There’s a lot of pretty awful stuff in the Louvre, but if you’ve never been it’s hard to skip. I agree taking a short tour might be the way to whiz through and see the highlights. Love the Musee D’Orsay, especially the model of Paris. [Great</a> Buildings Image - Musee d’Orsay](<a href=“Great Buildings Image - Musee d'Orsay”>Great Buildings Image - Musee d'Orsay)</p>
<p>I would go to Saint Chapelle on the Isle St. Louis for the beautiful stain glass windows and have ice cream (glace) at Berthillon’s around the corner. [Sainte-Chapelle</a> - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Chapelle]Sainte-Chapelle”>Sainte-Chapelle - Wikipedia) and [url=<a href=“http://www.berthillon.fr/]Maison”>http://www.berthillon.fr/]Maison</a> Berthillon : la qualit</p>
<p>If the weather is good and you’re there between mid-July and mid-August you may want to check out “Paris Plages” when they close the street that runs parallel to the Seine at river level and turn it into a man made beach resort with tons of sand, volleyball, beach chairs, and more. It’s great people watching and might be a fun change of pace for the young ones especially. </p>
<p>I did a three hour Paris bike tour that was really fun and was actually a great first day in Paris. It gave me a feel for the lay of the land and I also saw things I knew I wanted to (or didn’t want to) return to for a further look.</p>
<p>I am also a big fan of the Musee de L’Orangerie.</p>
<p>Just got back from a week in Paris. First and most important, purchase the museum pass for the number of days you will be there (can be bought in the airport - CDG). </p>
<p>This allows you to skip the line at the Musee D’Orsay (my favorite museum in the entire world - given your limited time spend half a day - start at the top in the impressionists section)</p>
<p>It also lets you enter the Louvre from the secret Rue di Rivoli entrance (turn left if facing the pyramid and go through the arch - you will skip the line and go straight through security). At the Louvre just hit the highlights - winged victory, mona lisa, crowning of napoleon - all fairly close to each other.</p>
<p>Visit Notre Dame (inside only - the line to the top is hours long).</p>
<p>Visit the Opera house and the two department stores across the street (galleries lafeyette - don’t miss the food gallery in the basement of the men’s shop and Printemps).</p>
<p>One night take the night bus tour (this will let you see all of the sights you might not get to and see everything lit up (moulin rouge, etc. - well worth it - my daughter thought it was the best part of the trip.) If the bus driver times it right you will be under the Eiffel tower on the hour and get to see the special sparkly lights.</p>
<p>Walk down the Champs Elysee to arc de triumph and go to the top of it (included in museum pass).</p>
<p>Visit the Eiffel Tower - if rushed don’t bother waiting in line to go to the top (the line is 1-2 hours long.)</p>
<p>Skip Versailles - my daughter agreed that if we had less time she would have skipped it.</p>
<p>Eat in one of the outdoor cafes in the Touliierries garden (we did Cafe Diane there twice for lunch) - great for people watching.</p>
<p>The above is probably too much even for three days!</p>
<p>Must haves to eat - crepes from a street vendor (with nutella and banana), Macaroons (lots of places sell them), bread anywhere and everywhere you can find it, the mount blanc pastry from Angelina’s</p>
<p>Just reread the OP - Paris is very walkable but you will put on miles each day (just walking around museums adds up) -will the 85 year old be able to keep up with the 15 year old? You may want to do one of those hop on-hop off buses to get to places (I have no experience with these we walked everywhere)</p>
<p>Is this a family trip? I think 12 is a high number to traipse through summer crowds with for much of a day. I’d survey interests, mobility and workable transportation methods, and amount of down time preferred each day, and have a few options that will work for varying circumstances. Maybe one whole group activity for all each day and dinner together. Do note that reservations are de rigueur for dinner in Paris, many restaurants are closed in August and 12 is a big number for many smaller places.<br>
I think bateau mouche rides could be fun and are a beautiful way to see the city. I am a fan of the late one to view the summer sunset. Museum passes make sense. You can take those interested to musee des Artes decoratif just see jewelry, for example, without fretting about getting your Euros worth. </p>
<p>To see St Chapelle, consider early evening concert tix. Elders can sit comfortably.
Sounds like a special trip. If anyone is interested in sciences and their history, check out the museum of arts and Metiers. Have fun.</p>
<p>A river boat ride is a must! Also, do not waste your time waiting in line to go up the Eifel tower. Instead, consider taking the elevator ride to here:</p>
<p>[Montparnasse</a> Tower 56th Floor Observation Deck](<a href=“http://m.viator.com/tour/paris/montparnasse-tower-56th-floor-observation-deck/0-2702MONT56/info.htm]Montparnasse”>Paris Montparnasse Top of the City Observation Deck Entry Ticket)</p>
<p>You will be able to see the entire Eifel tower from here :)</p>