Stopover in Paris - Time to see sights?

Hi. I%26#39;m a novice traveller headed to Greece on May 1st. We will have a stopover in Paris for about 9 1/2 hours (Arrive 8:40 AM, Depart 6:25 PM). I would love to see some of the major sights while we are there, from the outside only if necessary. If possible, I would love to actually go into the Musee D%26#39;Orsay or Musee Rodin. Going into the Louvre with a strategy for seeing only a few things has also crossed my mind. Can anyone give me advice on what would be reasonable within this time period?

Thanks!

Melanie

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Based on your info, your timeline will be tight. If your plane arrives at 8:40AM, you will get out at the airport by about 10:00AM. There will be another hour to get to downtown. So, expect to be in Paris city by about 11:00AM. You will need to leave downtown by 2:30PM to get back to the airport to check-in about 3 hours prior to your flight departure. I just got back from Paris last week and believe me, you will need 3 hours just to check back in. CDG is a busy and big airport.

This leaves you 3 hours for museum. You maybe able to do Musee D%26#39;Orsay or Louvre - 1 hour for line up and 2 hours for the museum visit.

Another option is to see the outside of:

1. Arc du Triomphe/Champs Elysee 45min

2. Eiffel Tower 45min (Metro = Trocadero)

3. Notre Dame 45min (Metro = St. Michel)

By Metro, it only takes about 10 min to get from one place to another.

The Air France bus shuttle drops you off directly from the airport to Arc du Triomphe.

Another option is to see:

1. Arc du Triomphe/Champs Elysee 45 min

2. 1 hour Bateaux Mouche cruise along the Seine River (Metro = Alma Morceaux) to see sites

Hope this helps but again, it will be tight...

Goodluck!

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Will you actually be arriving at CDG on MAY 1st ??...If so, this is a major national holiday and a great many of the major sights and attractions will be CLOSED.

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Dear Mels114,

If I were you, I%26#39;d take the Air France Bus to the Arch de Triomphe (L%26#39;Etoile). That ride takes about 45 minutes. From there I%26#39;d take a cab to Notre Dame. You will then be on the river. I%26#39;d walk along the river and take in the sights. Many of the buildings on the river are magnificent. You can then nip up to areas like the Latin Quarter and St. Germain des Pres. You might want to focus all your wanderings on the Left Bank. Then, make sure you get back to Le E%26#39;toile, do-able by taxi or metro, to catch the bus back to CDG.

Bon chance and bon voyage!

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Do you need a guide for the day? Would make your life much easier and you could max imize your time

dayinparis@aol.com