If you take the 96 bus to Cité-Palais de Justice, you will see La Conciergerie, most famous because that is where Marie-Antoinette was imprisoned. You could probably walk there easily from the Ile St-Louis as part of the same excursion.

At the same stop, you could take the 96 bus to the Hôtel de Ville, where you will find a large merry-go-round (carousel) that operates in summer and a popular skating rink in winter. After all, Paris for kids is important, too.

For adults who are young at heart, consider joining a group for a free bike excursion by meeting at the Hôtel de Ville at 9:30 pm any Friday.  Contact Paris Vélo for information about renting a bike.

From the Hôtel de Ville, take the Balabus for a fine sightseeing tour for the cost of a bus ticket. The Balabus runs on Sunday afternoons and holidays from April to September. The normal hours are 12:30 pm to 8:00 pm. In pleasant weather, the bus runs extended hours; so you can experience Paris that way after dark as well. Check at the bus stops that post the Balabus sign. It runs all the way from the Gare de Lyon to La Défense.

If you still have time, you could hop the 96 bus again (Porte des Lilas direction) and get off at the St-Paul stop. It’s a fun shopping street. La rue St-Paul, with its many interesting shops and bakeries, is a delightful place to stroll. Look at the quaint rue Charlemagne, continue on St-Paul and stop in at The Red Wheelbarrow, an excellent English-language bookstore, where the owner is most welcoming. If you head the opposite direction on Rue de Turenne, you will get to the famous and beautiful Place des Vosges, where Victor Hugo and many other famous people lived.  There are a lot of excellent restaurants around there.

*There are so many wonderful sights on this route that we couldn't bear to leave any out, but it really is too much to accomplish in one day. Pick and choose how much you want to cover, or split this itinerary into two days.

Next: Itinerary 4