Fun things to do in Paris on first day after overnight flight
 

I'm visiting Paris in September, coming off an overnight flight in coach. My hotel (Banke) can't guarantee an early check in. So I could be wandering around Paris half asleep looking for things to do. I'm staying near the Opera House but have no idea if they allow tours of the inside. I also thought about walking to Sacre Couer, hoping that I don't get lost. I think we will try to walk as much as possible but we will take the Metro or a taxi occasionally.

Any suggestions for things to do in Paris when you haven't had much sleep?

If the weather isn't too bad, walking is a great idea. Getting lost is not really something to avoid when you don't need to be somewhere, and it's a good way to discover unexpected things.

I find it pretty easy to lose my way when walking in Paris, especially when tired. The many acute angles at intersections can make it hard to find the continuation of a street on the other side of a square.

I think walking to Montmartre is a good idea. In addition to Sacré-Coeur, the vineyard behind it is a nice place to stop and look over another part of the city. The Musee de Montmartre is one of my favorite quiet destinations, including its garden. But one of my very favorite places is the Cimetière de Montmartre, a beautiful cemetery behind high walls (like all Paris cemeteries). There you can contemplate (among many others) the graves of Jacques Offenbach, composer of The Infernal Galop, familiar as the music behind the French Can-can, and of La Goulue, said to be the inventor of that famous dance. You'll want to locate the cemetery's entrance in advance, as there's only one way in.

The best option is to pay for the night before in the hotel and arrive early to a room that is ready.
Second option is to take a day hotel at the airport, go in, take a shower, rest a little and then go to Paris.
Next option is arrive at the hotel and ask very nicely. Look tired, smile a lot, look excited at being at the hotel and ask if they have a clean room ready for you.
If all this fails, leave suitcases in the hotel, let them know you would love to have a room, ask them when you should return and then go out.
I would start by having a nice breakfast - not too heavy with lots of good strong coffee. Spend an hour or more enjoying the morning rush hour of people buzzing around.
Take a long stroll, maybe go to Luxembourg gardens or the Tulleries and spend an hour enjoyed the view. Walk up and down Champs Elysee which is always busy with lots of people and coffee shops if you need a little extra boost of energy
At one o'clock I would go in for a long lunch and walk back to the hotel. If room not ready sit in the lobby and take a nap.

You should also consider asking your doctor for some sleeping/chill pill so you can at least sleep for a few hours on the plane.

Thanks for the suggestions, much appreciated!

I would not get a room at the airport. A real waste of money, and eventually time as you still have to get into the city.

Every hotel I have ever stayed at will check or otherwise watch bags if your room is not ready. I would do that, then go around and see some sites. What day of the week will you arrive? There are open air markets that are inteesting and not too demanding if you are not planning to purchase.

To answer your question, there are visits allowed at the opera. Here's info on Garnier, if that's the one you meant (there are two):

http://visitepalaisgarnier.fr/en

Make sure you know where your hotel is, as some Paris hotels use names like Opera and Eiffel even if they are not close to the landmarks so used.

I often suggest to those who arrive from all night, transatlantic flights to take a canal cruise the first day. It gives you an excellent overview of the city and the fresh air keeps you awake.

You can purchase discounted tickets from the Vedettes du Pont Neuf website:

http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

We're coming in on a Monday. I'll check and see what attractions are open.

The boat cruise or heading up to Montmartre & Sacré-Coeur is an excellent idea, especially if the sun is out. A walk through the Luxembourg Gardens would also be quite nice.

I always enjoy the walk along the river to Ile de la Cite/notre Dame. Key for me on arrival day is to keep moving, and preferably outdoors.

"Opera House" can be two things -- the new one at Place de la Bastille, which I don't think is interesting, and the absolutely magnificent old one (aka Palais Garnier) at Place de l'Opera. That one is definitely open for tours -- and it's magnificent. Highly recomended.

My mother and I literally just did this last week - overnight PHL - CDG and neither one of us slept super well. But we did exactly what you thought to do - walked all the way up to Sacre Couer walked back down the back side of the hill to Moulin Rouge. (Moulin Rouge is awful - it's just wear the walk ends). The cardio will do you a world of good!

If it's warm (and it should be in September) and sunny, I'd check my bag(s), go to the Tuileries or Luxembourg Gardens, pull up one of those chairs that lean way back and are hard to get out of, put my feet on another one and lean back and enjoy the sunshine, fresh air and doze. Of course, make sure your money and phone are secure. If you don't doze, the surroundings are beautiful, so you relax either way. :)

OP: Walk to the Jewish Quarter and have a Shwarma plate.

There is some good advise above.

I STRONGLY advise against going to a hotel room and napping on arrival even though you may be quite tired. I've made that mistake and it prevents adjusting to the new time zone.

The best approach is to park your bags and go for some serious walks in the sunlight.

Try to stay awake until 9PM Paris time.

Have snack supplies in your room for the famous 1:30AM awakening the first night. (dinner time in the USA)

Paris is a fabulous place!

+1
Good ideas. Only you can know for sure OP, but my advice is keep moving. If you sleep when you arrive in the morning, your internal clock could likely be off for the whole trip. Best thing to do is make it through dinner if you can and then get a nice long sleep that evening.

I have trouble sleeping on planes, even in lie flat seats, and usually only get about 3 hours on the way to Europe, and the schedule above has served me well.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Keep them coming!