Museum Pass is a good idea. We originally bought it for potential cost savings, but being able to skip the ticket purchase line was a delightful perk. (We still had to wait in line to have bags inspected, but that part was pretty quick). On a rainy day, we ducked into one of the lesser known museums mainly to to get out of the weather… and it turned out to be an interesting stop.
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We will have 4 nights in Paris, and I was also wondering about the Moulin Rouge. TripAdvisors reviews are pretty good, but say to have dinner elsewhere. I’m on the fence in going just because it’s our first time with limited nights, but if you’ve been to Paris before, I think you should go.
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I was thinking of this place also. When we were there (10 years ago) it was a museum complex which included the tomb, the army museum, and the relief maps place. We really enjoyed it.
The OP also does not have the pompidou on their list.
I’ve started biking a lot on Zwift, a program that’s like a video game and lets you ride on courses through London, NYC, France, etc. The resistance varies so that you feel like you really are going up and down hills - it even adjusts for your weight, ugh. I’m enjoying it so much I’m thinking maybe we should rent bikes when we’re in Normandy. Has anyone biked in that region? Is it hilly? One possibility would be to get ebikes, I suppose. My husband hasn’t biked in ages, but he’s so good at it I will have a hard time keeping up with him.
Another vote for the Centre Pompidou. Also, a restaurant recommendation–we went to a wonderful place a little off the beaten track that served Alscatian food-- Brasserie Bofinger. The food was amazing as was the ambiance.
Related story–we stayed at The Meurice Hotel (H was on a business expense account) and the concierge recommended a small restaurant on the outskirts of the city, which we loved. Before we left, the chef came over and started chatting with us. It turned that he had a cousin who was opening a French restaurant in MA (we’re from MA). He gave us the name of that restaurant and we’ve been going there for years (Chillingsworth on the Cape).
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If you have time to visite Versailles, you may also want to consider rental bikes there. The lovely grounds are massive, and biking is supposed to be a fun way to see them. We got tickets for the tram, and that worked out fine. But biking could have been even more fun/.
Note: Versailles is a full day commitment, VERY full day. It was easy to take the train there and then walk to the gate. We got there before gates opened and stood in line. In retrospect, we spent too much time in the museum display rooms near beginning of route. Should have skipped forward to the fancy rooms to skip ahead of the crowd. Using the tram, we saw some but not all of the grounds. It’s a big place.
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We went there in 1989. Got there very early to avoid the lines. We loved it but I don’t think we will go back since there’s so much else to see.
Yea, we’re unlikely to return to Versailles. Next on my list is Giverney (Monet’s Garden).
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We were just talking about that! It looks like it’s right on our route from Normandy to Paris so we will stop by. It will be mid-week, so less crowded. It looks beautiful.
Yes, Giverny is a great place to visit.
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So funny this popped up. We are going to spend spring break seeing our college student who’s studying abroad, and we added a stop in Paris. We arrive this Thursday, and so far, we’re looking at a garbage strike, a rail strike, AND a lot of protests with things on fire. This should be fun! 
I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this. We will arrive in Paris on 4/16 so I’ve been following the situation closely and have been worried about it. A good twitter account to follow is Elodie’s Paris. She is a licensed guide who tweets (in English) about what’s closed, and how the strike/protests are affecting tourist and transit sites. I also read an article that said to ask your hotel concierge or front desk before going out for the day because they usually know where the protests are happening, etc.
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Thank you! She’s been very helpful. We are going to play everything by ear! (Except a friend recommended booking a car transfer from airport to apartment!)
I’m not saying I would go, but as an alternative to Moulin Rouge, the following place has a very good reputation… artistic not notorious?
https://www.lecrazyhorseparis.com/
And If you can, take the RER A out to Chatou on a Saturday morning for the very nice open market there. Get some food for a picnic and head to Rueil for a visit to the Chateau Malmaison…home of Josephine and Napoleon. Very special place.
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@MaineLonghorn if you get a chance to go to Giverny I highly recommend it. H and I took a day trip there by bus on our last trip to Paris (it was fall) and it was wonderful. If you are a Monet fan and have seen the Water Lilies you walk through the garden and see what he painted in real life.
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You probably know, but keep in mind a lot of the burlesque/cabaret shows in Paris are risque. We had some friends who learned that the hard way with their 6 and 8 year old…
I’ve never been to Giverny. I’ve always wanted to go!
Thanks! I looked at the map and it’s on the way from Normandy to Paris, so we’ll stop by on our way. We will still have a rental car at that point. I’m so excited!
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We stopped on our way back from Normandy on our last day. After we returned our car rental and spent the last night at a hotel near the airport. Our trip was early May and it was beautiful.
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For a beautiful walk, the Promenade Plantee, an elevated walkway/park (the inspiration for the NYC Highline), is just wonderful.
Another great activity is a nighttime bike ride with Fat Tire.
We also did a lot of wondering around, as others have mentioned here.
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