@Carolyn – it’s also worth investigating if certain places are far more doable with a guide – the line for Versailles with a guided tour was close to nothing. There were hundreds of people waiting to get in as regular visitors.

@Carolyn – yes! You can buy tickets in advance and online for most of the museums and sites (like the Eiffel tower). We were amazed at the hundreds of people in line to buy Eiffel tower tickets AT the Eiffel tower, when there were only about a dozen people in front of us for security in the “avec billets” (with tickets) line. There are still security lines many places but you’re generally better off with tickets than without them.

@Helen – I hope you both get to do what you like!