Vacationing in Paris gives every traveler the happy problem of having to choose not only what they will see, but what they won't have time to see. Paris offers such a cornucopia of sights and experiences that it is impossible - in the span of a normal vacation - to hit everything.
Nor would you want to attempt it. A big part of enjoying Paris is being able to take in its beauty and charm, not just racing from one great cultural destination to the next. Accepting this ahead of time will make your trip much more enjoyable (as well as relaxing!).
Before you go, do a little bit of research and figure out what you would most like to see. The best advice for any traveler to Paris is to purchase a Paris Museum Pass. They are available in 2, 4, or 6 consecutive day passes, the six day pass costing 60 euros. Not every famous site in Paris is included, but almost. And the neat thing is that the pass gives you UNLIMITED entrance. While it doesn't sound that exciting, it allows you to be much more flexible with how you spend your time. For instance, the Louvre museum is one of the most popular destinations in Paris; however, it is such a mammoth museum with extensive collections, that most people are only able to take in one gallery before becoming exhausted. Instead of devoting an entire day to try to see every piece of famous artwork, you can - with the Pass - spend a couple hours in the morning looking at the Italian Renaissance, then go somewhere else in the afternoon, and come back the next evening for an hour to look at a wing of sculpture without getting charged admission twice (or three or four times, if you like the Louvre).
The Pass also includes the Orsay Museum, which picks up where the Louvre leaves off, with the most impressive collection of impressionism artwork just about anywhere. (If you prefer Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh to Leonardo and Michaelangelo, this is the art museum for you.) The National Picasso Museum, the Rodin museum, and Pompideau Center (Modern Art Museum) are also included, and can be added to your itinerary if you want a more in depth look at some of Paris's amazing art offerings.
If, like most tourists, you plan to go visit Notre Dame on the Ile-de-la-Cite, the Pass can help you there as well (free admission to the Towers). Notre Dame is not to be missed, but if you have the time, stroll a few blocks down the small island to the Palace of Justice. Inside, you can visit Sainte Chapelle, the royal chapel built in the 1240s by King Louis IX (St. Louis); the tall, airy gothic chapel with breathtaking stained glass is more impressive than Notre Dame, and is included on the Museum Pass. Also nearby on the Ile-de-la-Cite is the Conciergerie, a medieval fortress that served as a prison for Marie Antoinette and others before going to the guillotine (Pass inclusive).
One of my favorite walks that we took in Paris was from the Orsay Museum along the Left Bank of the Seine towards Les Invalides. Built as a hospital for wounded soldiers, it now holds the Museum of the Army and the Tomb of Napoleon (both included on the Museum Pass, if you are inclined to stop). From Les Invalides, we walked toward the Eiffel Tower, down the long grassy approach of the Champ du Mars, with breathtaking views of the famous tower.
Until you see it up close, it is difficult to describe just how impressive the Eiffel Tower is. Walking up the long Champ du Mars, the Tower grows bigger and even more impressive, but my favorite view is from underneath the structure, looking up. The cost of admission is not included on the pass, but worth the price to go up to the top observation deck. There is a restaurant on the first level - if you are looking for a romantic dinner location, I can suggest none better than here. At night, the Tower is illuminated every hour by a cascade of sparkling lights, and if you can view it at night, all the better.
A great spot to see the Eiffel Tower at night is from the top of another famous Paris landmark, the Arc de Triomphe. (Included in the Museum Pass? You bet.) A walk from the Louvre down the Champs Elysees takes you right to the Place d'Etoile and the Arc. It is quite a climb to the top, but there is also a small museum display just below the observation deck that explains the history of the monument. The location makes for spectacular views, and if your legs can handle the climb, it's worth it.
One of my favorite areas of the city is Montmartre. High up on a hill on the north side of Paris, Montmartre is teeming with cozy shops, cafes, crepe vendors, artists, performers, and joie de vivre. Sacre Coeur is a beautiful basilica church, more impressive from the outside than in, but worth seeing if you are in the neighborhood. From high up on the hill, the views of Paris below are fantastic.
If you want to get out of Paris proper and see some of the impressive locations near and around the city, the Museum Pass is still invaluable. The famous palace of Versailles is included, along with the Chateau of Vincennes, the cathedral at St. Denis, the Chateau of Chantilly, and the Chateau of Malmaison (home of Napoleon and Josephine).
Whatever you decide to do in Paris, remember to pace yourself for maximum enjoyment. A good rule is to pick one thing to do each morning, afternoon, and evening (unless you are going out of Paris, then block off a whole day). If you get done with something early, enjoy a coffee or pastry in the neighborhood, do a bit of shopping, revisit a favorite museum, or even add a small stop somewhere you hadn't planned on. It is much more satisfying to be able to enjoy your pace, and get to add on a few things you hadn't planned for, than to be rushed and to still feel that you missed out. Whatever you decide to see and do, Paris will leave you captivated.
Enjoy your trip, and bon chance!