I'd skip the Eiffel Tower and go up the Arc de Triomphe instead. Then you get a view of the city, with the Eiffel Tower. Skip the Louvre unless you are REALLY into that kind of art. Rodin sculpture garden was very cool. Just enjoy walking the streets and taking in Paris.

Oh and if you like Rodin, the Rodin museum, which is south of everything, is worth seeing - its basically a beautiful old house with a long garden and either end of the house the rooms are round. Really charming.

Don't waste time at the Louvre - it's not just a mess outside trying to get in but inside as well. If you stay in the Saint germain area you can walk to the Eiffel Tour, to the Louvre to take in the pyramid and the architecture, Notre Dam, the Musee D'Orsay, Lauderee (great for lunch!). Do all of that in a day and then go to Montmarte and see the city from the Sacre Cour. Then walk around up there, shop, and take in Paree! Alternative day 2 is wandering/shopping in Le Marais.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eiffel Tower at night is amazing and no lines

Not true. There were still lines at 930pm when we went. We waited 90 mi. to buy tix and then another good 90 min to board the elevator.

Oh, missed this sorry. I am the PP who suggested 930pm. Guess it's a gamble. We were there in Early November fwiw.

Surprised no one has suggested going to the Eiffel late at night. On our last trip to Paris we went because it was DH's first time and we got to the Eiffel at 930pm or so. No lines really, except to wait for the elevator, and amazing views of the city at night. Great way to see the Eiffel in a short amount of time and get a sense for the city of lights. Have fun, OP!

Anonymous wrote:Eiffel Tower at night is amazing and no lines

Not true. There were still lines at 930pm when we went. We waited 90 mi. to buy tix and then another good 90 min to board the elevator.

Eiffel Tower at night is amazing and no lines

Hotel D'Abbaye - small, elegant, garden room for breakfast, they have their own teas, too. Quiet, central.

Walk in the Tuileries - the light as it hits the white sand when it comes through the trees, is just beautiful

And if you want some steak tartare, you can get it in the bistro opposite Gar du Nord called Terminus Nord (not so swanky an area, but very worth the trip for the tartare)

Here's some free walking tours to download

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/paris

Anonymous wrote:Would you buy tickets to the Eiffel Tower directly from their website or go through a tour?

Also, can anyone recommend a river tour company?

I'd skip the Eiffel Tower and go up the top of Montmartre, unless you can somehow skip the line at the Eiffel Tower. We spent miserable hours at the Eiffel Tower. The area was full of guys trying to hawk cheap souvenirs and running away when the police turned up.

I'd try the quiet rooms of the Louvre e.g. Greek sculpture, non- da Vinci artists. It is funny to look at the zoo in front of the Mona Lisa. Also Notre Dame, Ste Chapelle for its stained glass, walk along the Seine, Musee d'Orsay for the Impressionists, Place des Vosges for the architecture. Maybe download a walking tour on your phone/MP3 and put on your good walking shoes.

Re restaurants, find something you like the look of, but not in the vicinity of tourists traps. Moroccan couscous restaurants are good. Pop into a patisserie and choose something fattening.

Would you buy tickets to the Eiffel Tower directly from their website or go through a tour?

Also, can anyone recommend a river tour company?