[PennBF]

First I would go to Barnes and Nobel and buy a map of Paris that shows some of the major sites. I would take the map and check off the Tourist Sites which you want to see and circle them. Look at distances between sites and study which you can walk between and those you must take public transportation. This will point to the Underground system which is easy to figure out. Do not use taxi's they are both expensive and the price goes up in the evening. I am not sure they still run but look to see if American Express has a half day tour. If so, take it, sit in the front of the bus and with your Paris map mark the locations you want to go back to. This is cheap way of getting to know the city. At one time I worked in Paris and we were always amazed at the tourists who were standing on the corner trying to figure out where they wanted to go next. If they added up all of the costs to make the trip they would understand what it was costing to stand there and now decide what to do!! This may sound like overkill but also buy a second map of Paris and tape it to your hotel wall. When you come into the room you are always looking at what you would do next. There are some good recommendations in other notes in this grouping. Montmarte is a good place to visit and it is even better if you are there when the artist's are in the square. Fuscon's by the Opera for sweets cannot be beat. Coffee at Cafe de Lape (Spelliing) is famous and a great place to see the people. The Effile Tower is worth it. Take it to the very top (second lift) and if that doesn't make you nervous nothing will.
When picking up a map(s) at Barnes and Nobel make sure the one has a map of the Underground, if not get one of the Underground. Make sure you have some Euro's for tips when you first land. Pick pockets can be a pain in the neck and should be careful. Very seldom is there a violent crime. For rememberence of the trip rather than buying some cheap thing, pick up
a pebble at the Arch or the Tower, etc and bring it back and put it in a little glass bubble for a necklace, etc. Also be sure to protect your Passport. In some cases that is more important than currency. Leave a copy at home in case yours is stolen you can call home and have the copy expedited to you in Paris. I have gone on too long. I could add more but this is a good
start. (If you want to go to a "naughty" show you could consider The Crazy Horse in Pigale. Probably not worth it?)

[pbkmaine]

You can also go to Google Earth and enter various locations in Paris, then zoom in and out to get your bearings.

[Bonny]

Here ia a link for L'Open Tour Bus. When you go to the page, click on interactive map. It'll show you the 4 different routes and some of the popular attractions. It'll give you a feel of the city.

http://http://www.paris.opentour.com/en/

[CFrance]

Penn's map idea is a good one. Paris is a pretty compact city, and we found many times we could walk from Point A to Point B much easier/faster than taking the Metro. For instance, from Rue Mouffetarde (good outdoor market on Saturday, plenty of inexpensive cafes, for instance La Vieille Tour) to La Bastille, an easy, interesting walk as opposed to taking two metro lines. Very close to Rue Mouffetarde is the Luxembourg garden.

La Vieille Tour Restaurant --good food and interesting decor, pictures here La Vieille Tour Restaurant they speak English

[Chi-Town]

Eye Witness is the absolute best for a city.

http://www.dk.com/us/9781465410528-d...XDxBoC157w_wcB

[CFrance]

I bet you have enough to be overwhelmed by now! Have a great trip.

[Buckeyephan]

The Palais Garnier which is the opera house where The Phantom of the Opera is set. See the grand staircase and Chagall ceiling. Sainte-Chapelle with the spectacular stained glass. Church of Saint-Sulpice with its amazing organ and the Rose Line (daVinci Code). Les Invalides where you can see Napoleon's tomb. The Conciergerie where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. So much to see!

[PennBF]

You may want to consider going back through these TOTV notes and write down some of the places the writers suggested you visit. I may have missed it but I don't recall seeing Notre Dame in the notes? Once you have written them down, go back to Barnes & Nobel and buy a good tourist book on Paris and read up on each of the suggestions and decide which you think are priority. One of the fun things to do when going to a city you have not visited before is planning for the trip. Why wait until you are there and spend your time and trip investments deciding where you will go and how you will go (eg walk, underground, etc) when you are there. You have a great trip ahead and should really enjoy the experience.

[Bonny]

Google must see in Paris. That will give you a lot of the places that every one wants to see. Go from there. Jot things down. If you like museums, shopping, churches, historic places, overall sight seeing or good restaurants. Do what you find interesting and have a wonderful time. Just don't leave there and say, oh I wish we would have...... Do your research.

[Lbmb24101]

All good advise
Do learn some French, like Redwitch said.
Je voudrais
S'il vous plaît, bonjour monsieur, madame
Merci, etc
Will go a loooooong way
The French are proud of thir language and culture....

[brovelli]

Get your tickets for the Louve before you go. The line gets long.
We liked the Museum de'orssay.. wonderful Monets, impressionists!
We also loved the hop on off bus. 3 different loops and it takes you to all areas of the city.
I think that Viator.com has a trip to Versailes Palace. It is outside the city, so you need some sort of transportation
Take a river boat tour.
It is pricey and some people say it is not worth it, but we had a wonderful experience at the Molan Rouge.. danced , had dinner and a great Los Vegas type show.

It is a fanatastic city Someday, we will go back! b

[Northerner52]

Had a wonderful time. Made it to the Louvre, d'Orsay, Eiffel tower, Klimt exhibit, The Arch, Notre Dame, The Seine for a riverboat dinner cruise in the evening. Used the hop-on-off bus. Many other places and dining establishments. Several scanners with fake rings and petitions.

[CFrance]

Super! Sounds like you hit a lot of good spots.

A guy tried to pull the "lost" ring thing on us too. My husband said, "Let's take the "lost" ring it to a gendarme," and the guy disappeared pronto!

[Yorio]

Just returned a week ago from Paris. Yes, pick pockets are rampant. Metro announces it even in English. Don't do back pack. Keep everything in front. Metro is best way to travel around. Buy a carnet(ticket of 10) at a discount for Metro use.

Have never been to Orangerie Museum near Louvre. A small museum but wonderful collection of French artists including Monet.

Try dinner at Relais des Entrecôte on the same street as famous Cafe de Flore. Only rib eye w/o bone and French fries offered. Order medium which is med. rare. No reservation. Arrive before 7 to get seated. Try Restaurant Polidor near Rue Luxemburg. Over 100 years old. Very traditional Julia Child French. If you want candlelight quiet don't go there. Only cash accepted. No reservation so arrive before 7.