Paris, France
Ahhh Paris, one of my favorite cities in the world! I could literally write ten posts on this city alone, but I'll limit it to just one today. I'm picking Paris as my first destination post because it is a perfect spot for all travelers. Whether you're a travel newbie looking for your first passport stamp or a seasoned traveler like me, there is so much to do and see in Paris that it is a perfect place to visit. Plus, it is fairly easy and inexpensive to get to no matter where you live. I'll break this post into two sections: tourist "must see" spots and those lesser-known, but totally worth seeing spots.
Tourist "Must See" Spots
1. la Tour Eiffel (aka the Eiffel Tower) - When you think of Paris, you think of the Eiffel Tower. You can't go anywhere in Paris without either seeing it or seeing art, postcards, souvenirs, etc. featuring the Eiffel Tower. It truly is a beautiful sight to see! I have been to Paris three times and each time I'm left in awe looking at it. There are multiple options for great views of the Tower, plus you also have the ability to go to the second floor and the top of the Tower. First let's discuss great spots to view the Tower. If you walk along the Seine (the main river in Paris) on the north/northwest side of the Eiffel Tower you will come to a beautiful location to take photos. At this location there is a carousel and with the Eiffel Tower in the background, you can get some awesome pictures! Here is one of my favorite shots from this location:
Another great place to get photos is in the Champ de Mars. This is a giant park that extends from the south/southeast side of the Tower. You can bring a blanket and a baguette with some wine and cheese (you are in France after all) and have a picnic while you take in the lovely view. Finally, you can get great views and pictures from the Jardins du Trocadéro. This area is across the Seine and features a array of fountains. You can walk down along the fountains or you can stand on the platform area above. No matter where you choose, you'll get some great photos!
Going to the second floor and/or the top of the Tower is also a "must do" when in Paris. You can purchase tickets online here or at the ticket office at the base of the Tower. On my first visit to Paris the top of the Tower was under construction, so we could only go to the second floor. The ticket price for the second floor is 16€. On the second floor there is a multi-story observation deck, a gift shop, a Michelin-starred restaurant (the Jules Verne), and a macaron bar! You can also access the first floor which features a glass floor looking down the center of the Tower. If you want to go to the very top, the ticket price increases to 25€. Once at the top you get more views of Paris and there is also a champagne bar. On my second visit to Paris, I was able to go to the top of the Tower. If I'm being honest, the pictures were not much different from the second floor to the top. So if you're on a time crunch, afraid of heights, or on a budget, it's okay to skip the top :)
One final note on the Eiffel Tower: every night from sunset until to 1am, the Tower has a "light show" in which the Tower lights up with sparkling lights for ten minutes. The light show happens during the first five minutes of each hour on the hour. It is truly magical to watch, so make sure you're somewhere where you can get a good view of the Tower once nighttime arrives!
2. The Louvre - After the Eiffel Tower, the next thing most people think of when they think of Paris is the Louvre Museum. This museum is well-known for housing the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, and for the I.M. Pei-designed glass pyramid in the front of the museum. If you are not a museum person, the glass pyramid is worth a trip to the museum (you can see this for free).
Even on a rainy day, it's an architectural beauty!
There are several options for your visit once you've entered the museum. You can learn more about admission prices and times here. Note that the museum is open every day EXCEPT Tuesday. After you have purchased your ticket, there are multiple tour options from walking around on your own to simple audio guides to tours with a tour guide. There are also both permanent and temporary exhibits, so it's always a good idea to check the museum's website before planning your visit so you know what there is to see.
The Mona Lisa is the most well-known art piece in the Louvre. I'll warn you: you will wait in line for a while and once you're up to the front to view it you will be surprised how small it is AND that it is covered in glass, so there is bound to be a glare in all of your photos. Still, it is a sight to see given the history and importance of the piece.
3. Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées - Another "must see" in Paris is the Arc de Triomphe. Not only is the Arc itself worth seeing, but its location at the end of the Champs-Élysées makes it even better. The Arc de Triomphe is covered with sculptures with incredible artistic details. Each sculpture represents a significant moment in France's history such as important moments of the French Revolution and the Treaty of Paris. Once you've walked all around the exterior, you can take an elevator to the attic where you'll find a museum and a set of stairs leading you up to the terrace. You can get some great views of the city from the terrace.
Note: The traffic in the roundabout surrounding the Arc de Triomphe is insane. It is highly recommended that to get to the Arc you should use one of two underpasses located at the Champs-Élysées and the Avenue de la Grande Armée. Don't risk your health/life by attempting a real-life game of Frogger :)
The Champs-Élysées is a gorgeous tree-lined avenue that is home to retail shopping, theaters, cafés, and my favorite macaron boutique Ladurée. This avenue is the location of the annual Bastille Day Parade and also the site of the finish line for the Tour de France. At night, the trees are lit up and are a perfect example of why Paris is known as the "City of Light" (not the City of Love as so many people think).
4. Notre-Dame Cathedral - The Notre-Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in the world. It sits along the Seine and is one of the best displays of French Gothic architecture. The interior features the stained glass Rose Window as well as a very large organ featuring over 7,000 pipes. The exterior of the Cathedral features multiple flying butresses and an array of gargoyles. Whether you're standing in the front of the Cathedral, viewing it from the Seine, or in the back, there are plenty of details to view. Definitely worth a visit when in Paris!
5. Sacré-Cœur Basilica - The Sacré-Cœur Basilica is a Roman Catholic church located at the top of Montmarte (the highest point in Paris). Inside the Sacré-Cœur you will find a large mosaic of Jesus Christ and a very large organ (Note: photos are not permitted in the interior of the church). The exterior of the church features multiple domes and arches.
What makes visiting the Sacré-Cœur is the surrounding area. There is a multi-level lawn descending from the front of the church. Here, you can sit and take in the stunning views of the city from its highest point. You can also walk around Montmarte and visit the Place du Tertre, which is a square a few streets from the Sacré-Cœur filled with artists and their easels. Here, you can watch local artists in action. You can buy their work or just admire their talent. It is a very unique and very Parisian experience to walk around the square.
Other Lesser-Known Spots Worth Visiting
1. Galeries Lafayette - Galeries Lafayette is a department store in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. What makes this store worth visiting is the center interior dome. The store is seven stories, with the center of the store completely open leading to a stained glass dome. During the Christmas season, there is a giant decorated tree hanging from the dome. A bonus at this store is that on the rooftop there is a great open area where you can take in wonderful views of the city. There is also a bagel shop and Indian restaurant on the rooftop if you want to grab a bite to eat while enjoying the views.
2. Pont de Bir-Hakeim - This bridge is one of my favorite spots in Paris. The bridge is a steel, two-level bridge connecting the 15th and 16th arrondissements. What makes this bridge so unique though is the bike path/pedestrian walkway down the center of the bridge, which is lined with hanging pendant lamps. You may remember this bridge from the movie Inception. Bonus is that is has amazing views of the Eiffel Tower. On my most recent trip to Paris I probably spent thirty minutes at this bridge taking tons of photos. I was inspired by some dear friends of mine that had their engagement photos under this bridge. Whether you're posing with the love of your life or just taking shots of the bridge itself, it is 100% worth adding to your list while in Paris!
3. The Sainte-Chapelle - Paris, like most European cities is filled with churches. It's hard to know which ones to visit and which ones to skip. On my first two visits to Paris, the Sainte-Chapelle was not on my list. I was a bit younger and on group trips both times, so my priorities were elsewhere. On my most recent visit I finally went to the Sainte-Chapelle and OMG was it gorgeous! I had no idea what I was missing all these years. The main chapel features fifteen large windows entirely made of stained glass. The stained glass features scenes from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. You can spend quite a bit of time just walking around and taking in all of the detail of each scene. From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Kings, all the way to The Passion of Christ, the depictions are beautiful.
4. Versailles - While technically not in Paris (and obviously not "lesser known") it is something that people don't necessarily think they can fit in when visiting Paris. The Palace of Versailles is about an hour train ride from the center of Paris. I assure you it is worth the ride! Versailles includes the main Palace, the stunning gardens, and the Hameau de la Reine (Marie Antoinette's playground). The main palace includes 700 rooms with ornate decor throughout. The Hall of Mirrors is one of the most well-known rooms, but you can also view several bedrooms, galleries, and even an opera house.
When you exit the Palace from the west, you will walk out to the Gardens of Versailles. The Gardens include precisely manicured lawns and shrubbery , flowers, sculptures, and flowers. As you continue along the grounds on your way to Marie Antoinette's playground, you will see even more gorgeous flowers and manicured lawns.
The Hameau de la Reine (Marie Antoinette's playground) was my favorite part of Versailles. It felt like something straight out of a Disney movie. It was as if Belle would open the door of one of the little buildings and start singing to us! The point of this area on the grounds was to give Marie Antoinette and her friends a private place to retreat from the Palace. The "playground" includes a farmhouse, a barn, a lighthouse, lakes, and a grotto. There were swans in the lake and their presence just added to the magical feeling. It was a bit of a hike from the Palace, but definitely a must see once you're there!
How To Get There
From the US: Almost every major city in the US will have a direct flight to Paris. Right now, flights to Europe are at the lowest they've been in a long time so there are tons of deals. I recommend following Secret Flying (their website can be found here and I also suggest following them on Facebook) and The Points Guy (website here and I suggest following on Facebook as well) for alerts on flight deals. Just this week, The Points Guy posted a deal on flights to cities in Europe (including Paris) for under $400 round-trip! I always recommend checking budget carriers like Wow Airlines & Aer Lingus for deals as well. Just be mindful if you fly Wow Airlines that food/beverages & entertainment on board are an added expense.
Within Europe: Depending on where you are in Europe prior to heading to Paris, there are several low cost options. Flights are quite cheap with airlines such as easyJet & Ryanair (as always be sure to add in the baggage charges). I've flown both of these & have had no issues. If you prefer train travel, Eurostar & Rail Europe offer many convenient options.
Where To Stay
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (neighborhoods), so it is good to know a little about each to decide where you want to stay.The lower the number of the arrondissement, the closer that neighborhood is to the center of Paris, with the 12th-20th arrondissements making up the exterior of the city. The 7th Arrondissement is the heart of all the action which includes the Eiffel Tower. The 8th Arrondissement is an upscale neighbourhood with luxury accommodation which includes the Champs-Élysées. Montmartre can be found in the 18th Arrondissement which is an affordable option and views of the city. The Louvre is located in the 1st Arrondissement and can be categorized as a business district with many hotels and shops.
No matter what your budget is, you will find something in Paris. There are plenty of luxury hotels with stunning views of the Eiffel Tower for those who want to splurge (Shangri-La Hotel, Paris is a top choice). For a more moderate budget be sure to search the well known hotel chains such as Best Western and Holiday Inn. I recently stayed at the Holiday Inn Gare de l'Est using IHG points. However, the price per night was under $100 had I paid cash. It is located in the 10th Arrondissement across from the Gare de l'Est (train station) and offered amazing views of the city (Eiffel Tower out of one window and Sacré-Cœur out of the other:
There are also several budget hotels and hostels throughout Paris for those on a tight budget. Be sure to note which neighborhood the hotel/hostel is located in when making your choice. Lastly, Airbnb offers some amazing apartments in Paris to really feel like a local.
Tips
Getting to/from the airport: Taxis and uber are available for transport to/from the airport. If you have the money to spend and want convenience, a taxi or uber is your best bet. If you want to save some money and have the time, there is a train that will take you from Charles de Gaulle Airport (most likely your flight will land here) to one of the main train stations in Paris for less than 5€ and just under an hour.
Food: It's Paris so need I say more?! Do yourself a favor and walk into the first bakery you see. Whether you get a baguette, a croissant, or a pastry, you will leave happy. The French love bread and they put a lot of love into their baked goods. There's nothing better than a warm croissant and a cafe au lait to start your day off right in Paris.
If you want to try some traditional French cuisine, a few favorites of mine are escargot (yes that means snail, but they're served in a garlic butter that is divine), croque-monsieur (open-faced ham and cheese sandwich), and coq au vin (a stew with chicken braised in red wine, crisp bits of bacon, mushrooms and pearl onions). Crêpes are also a classic French dish which can be sweet or savory.
Pastries, pastries, pastries! The French know what they're doing when it comes to dessert. Whether it is an eclair, a fruit tart, a macaron, profiterole (cream puff), or crème brûlée, your tummy will thank you!
Wander: Be sure to carve out some time in your schedule when visiting Paris to just wander. Paris is filled with unique architecture, lovely cafes, gardens, and shops. I cannot recommend just wandering the streets enough! You never know what you'll come across when you just start exploring a city. You can read all the travel blogs there are and you still may not know everything there is to see in a city. The best way to see the city is to just walk around and take it all in. You never know what you'll find!
Language: I can't count the amount of times I've heard people say that French people are rude. I couldn't disagree more with that sentiment. While many people in Paris will speak English, French is the official language and the language Parisians speak. Often times tourists just assume that everyone speaks English and will speak English without even attempting the language of the country they are in. I've seen this countless times and while most people will respond politely, there are those that (rightly so) become irritated at the lack of trying to speak their language. Paris is no different in that regard. I think it is a good idea to always know a few key words and phrases when visiting a foreign-speaking country. It will be obvious to the person you are talking to that it is not your first language, but they will appreciate the effort you are making. My words phrases I always try to learn in every country I visit are hello, please, thank you, and English. Trust me when I say people will be much more willing to help you when they see you've made an effort. Kindness is universal in any language :)
Bon voyage!
