As a young girl, I always dreamed of living in Paris. I dreamed of sipping coffee at an outdoor café and people. I dreamed of meeting a guy and falling in love. I dreamed of getting engaged in front of the Eiffel Tower. Well the majority of that didn’t happen (except the last) but Paris remains one of my favorite cities. I’ve had the chance to visit during the spring and fall and it never fails to amaze me.
First of all, if you’re starting your trip in another European country, fear not. The trains in Europe make it easy to travel. I love taking the Eurostar which leaves from Paris Gare du Nord. From the train station, it’s easy to hop onto the Metro or your transportation of choice to your hotel to check in. Once you drop off your things, let the exploration begin.
My personal favorite way to explore this city is by foot. You can get lost in the culture, buildings and history. The cobblestone streets are beautiful but be cautious if you’re in heels. Here’s some of my favorite things to do and eat.
Eiffel Tour – obviously no trip to Paris is complete without a trip to this well known landmark. Make sure to visit it during the day and at night as it has a completely different feel. During the daytime, there’s more crowds and tours and take the time to go to the top for views of the city. However, at night, watch the Eiffel Tower light up the place. There’s many different places to view the Eiffel Tower but one of my personal favorites is from Avenue de Camoens. If you want a view from the top, I love seeing the city from the from of the Arc de Triomphe. However, if you want a free view of the Eiffel Tower, go the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. There is a restaurant at the top – 58 tour Eiffel which I thought was overrated. We went for lunch and the views were nice but the food wasn’t too impressive. The views from the top outside are much nicer.
Arc De Triomphe – this monumental arch sits at the end of Champs-Élysées. If you’re only going to spend on going to one rooftop – this is the one. It has amazing views of the city and my favorite time to go is right before sunset so you can see the city during the light and as night falls over. It’s fascinating to see the layout of Paris from this angle. Can you find your hotel?
Champs-Élysées – from the Arc, head down this happening street. Here lies 1.2 miles of a shopper’s paradise. You’ll find high end brands as well as some great places to grab a bite. If you’re looking for a new purse or some new shoes, this is the place to be. Make sure you have your wallet ready and don’t look at the bill.
The Louvre – if you can spare even half a day, definitely go to the Louvre. Standing in front of the pyramid and looking around at the architecture is enough reason to make it hear. Obviously, it is home to some of the most iconic artwork, including the Mona Lisa. I will say, though, I was disappointed by the Mona Lisa. It seemed like a very small treasure surrounded by too many people trying to get a selfie.
Now onto food!
- Lauduree – a staple across the city with several locations. You can find the restaurant in the states, but it does not compare. I likely it for lunch and of course grab some macaroons on the way out.
- L’arpege – if you want a fancy multi course meal, you won’t be disappointed. It feels like you are taken down into a small cave and your adventure begins. One of the first dishes was a beet tartare and I cringed at the site. But much to my surprise, it was one of my favorite dishes that night.
- Paul – another quick lunch bite. These are all over the city but great for a sandwich on the go.
- L’as du Fallafel – this is a place not to be missed. Good falafels are hard to find and this place nails it. It’s nothing fancy and most of the time it’s hard to find a seat, but how can you complain about grabbing a falafel sandwich and eating outside on the cobblestone streets?
- The Red Door – this was one of my favorite bars in the city. I wish I had stolen a menu because it was so cute. It was like looking through a children’s picture book.
- Patrick Roger – great place to grab some chocolates to bring back home
- Pierre Herme – my favorite place to get macaroons! Don’t expect them to be cheap!
Trips y Treats 