There truly are so many places to see in Paris, but I plan on telling you about some of my most favourite places I had an opportunity to see, and my recommendations may take you down memory lane and make you want to hop on a flight and head there tomorrow. I promise, I would be your biggest advocate and may even want to join you!
For someone like yours truly, Paris is the perfect destination not only to explore, but to fall in love!
Where to stay
On my first visit to Paris I stayed in the 5th (The Latin Quarter) and its home to the Sorbonne and Pantheon. Parts of it are a joy to visit; parts are absolute tourist traps.The second time I stayed in the 6th (Saint-Germain) This is the old stomping grounds of Hemingway and one of my favourite Parisian neighbourhoods. The area is chic and trendy, but you’re still close to many of the best tourist spots. Another benefit is being close to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens.
Jardins du Trocadéro
*It might be a bit tricky to get a shot without other people in it since this place is always packed. Try go early morning or go to the side walkways and you might find a spot or two.
Arc De Triomphe
One of the most famous monuments in Paris, standing at the top end of the Champs-Élysées at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle, Arc De Triomphe is another Must-Visit place. Climb to the top via 284 steps to the viewing platform and you can have best views of the famous Champs-Élysées along with 360 degrees views of Paris. Yes, it's definitely worth the climb and no, it's not as scary as it sounds.
Musée du Louvre
The Louvre is the world's largest museum and a historic monument of the city. And an obligation stop on any visit to Paris. The famous Mona Lisa painting by Leonardo da Vinci is inside. It can get crowded so I highly recommend visiting when it first opens or purchase advance tickets. Sunrise photos at the Louvre are also beautiful. Give yourself half a day to spend here.
Every Café In Paris
I've tried many restaurants and cafés during my visit in Paris and to be honest I can't choose some favourites. I'm literally in love with all the pretty café in Paris. My recommendation is to stop by and try out as much cafés as possible.. Afternoon tea in Paris is the perfect pause from sight seeing in the city of lights. What better way to give your feet a little break than by sipping tea in some of the prettiest surroundings imaginable.
What to do in Paris on a nice day?
If you happen to find yourself in Paris while the weather is nice, grab yourself some fresh bread, meat, cheese, wine, etc. and catch the sunset from the Seine. During summer, the river will be almost fully lined with people doing the same thing! And if you're feeling romantic, I would definitely suggest moving your picnic to Champ De Mars - the park right in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Visit the Eiffel Tower at night
The Eiffel Tower is beautiful at all times of the day, but nothing compares to visiting it after dark during the light show. While this is certainly not on the list of unusual things to do in Paris list, it is something you really cannot miss while visiting. At each hour for five minutes the lights of the tower sparkle, making the most beautiful light show you’ll ever seen.
General tips
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TIME - Be reasonable and don't plan too much to enjoy each place; even with skip the line tickets, you need to plan time to enter and take your time to stroll the streets of Paris and soak up the atmosphere.
ACCOMMODATION - If you are staying only a couple days, better to stay in the city center to avoid losing time in the public transportation. My tip would be anywhere within the 1st to the 20th arrondissement.
- *Taxis are hard to catch from the city, book ahead from your hotel otherwise you'll cause yourself unnecessary stress while waiting out on the footpath.
LANGUAGE - Most people speak English but try learning a few French phrases before the trip. Like "Good morning Sir, do you speak English?" "Bonjour Monsieur parlez-vous anglais" "Thank you" "Merci" "Goodbye" "Au revior" simple phrases like these could earn you some points with the French! And remember, the French aren't keen on chit-chat so keep it minimal but respectful.
- FOOD - Don’t be scared to indulge in the national delicacies, like frogs legs, Escargots (snails cooked in garlic and butter), French onion soup, and plenty of macarons, baguettes, and pains au chocolat, of course!
- Overall just enjoy everything the city has to offer and allow yourself to get lost in the beauty that is Paris. There's a reason why they call it the city of love.
With love, Mars x
