Visit the district of Montmartre
Montmartre is a popular district on a hill known for its cobblestoned streets, rich nightlife and the Sacré Coeur church, marking the highest point with views of Paris. It offers a village atmosphere with plenty of markets, boutiques and restaurants.
If you’re interested in seeing the Moulin Rouge, it’s only a 10 minute walk from Montmartre which you can see on your way to the Sacré Coeur church. However, if you don’t feel like walking, there’s a mini train that takes you on a tour up the hill.
Make sure to visit the prettiest street in the district called Rue De l’Abreuvoir. And if you’re hungry, be sure to stop at La Crème de Paris for some delicious crepes.
Visit the most famous Eiffel Tower
I know you probably already have the Eiffel Tower on your list of things to see, but I think it’s important to share some information about visiting this landmark because it can really be quite a challenge depending on the time of year that you visit.
Once a controversial landmark, the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of beauty and innovation and stands 324 metres tall, dominating the Parisian skyline.
You can choose to climb the tower or take the elevator to the top. Do note though: the third level can only be accessed by the elevator.
We chose to use the stairs, which saved us hours waiting in line and quite a bit of money. You can book tickets from The official website.
Once at the top, there are various restaurants, gift shops and bars where you can relax and take in the stunning view. Keep in mind, the restaurants and gift shops on the second floor are much more affordable than the top level.
And don’t forget to see it light up at night. It sparkles every evening, starting at dusk and finishing at 11:45 pm. It lasts for 5 minutes at the start of each hour, with a special final display at 11pm. For the best places to catch the tower sparkle and take those Instagram pics head over to Place Du Trocadero, 4 Av. de Camoens and Champ de Mars. Remember to watch out for pickpockets and be prepared for the crowds.
Visit the Louvre
The Louvre is the largest museum in the world, spanning over 73,000 square metres of exhibition space. It is also the most visited museum in the world with over 15,000 people visiting every day.
With that in mind, you won’t be able to get through everything in one day so make sure you plan your visit before you arrive. It’s best to prebook tickets with a time slot so that you can skip the queues.
Don’t forget to see the Mona Lisa! While it is beautiful and totally worth seeing, you should know that the painting is around the size of an A2 piece of paper and security makes it hard to see it up close.
Fancy a break? The Louvre offers various restaurants, cafes and takeaway counters which are quite affordable, including Starbucks for those who need their iced vanilla latte.
Walk down Champs Elysees
Known for its theatres, cafés, luxury shops and perfectly manicured trees, Champs Elysees is one of Paris’ most iconic streets. Located in the 8th arrondissement, it stretches 1.91 km long, taking 90 minutes to walk down the entirety.
If you’re looking for a great place to grab a drink and see the sunset, Champ Elysees is one of the best spots to do it.
See the Arc De Triomphe
Dividing the street of Champ Elysees is the Rond-Point (“roundabout”) where the very famous Arc De Triomphe is located.
The Arc de Triomphe was built in 1806 to honour those who fought and died for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The inner and outer surfaces of the monument are inscribed with the names of all the French victories and generals.
The Arc can be seen from the roundabout, but if you’re wanting to get a closer look there is an underground entrance which will lead you to the heart of the monument.
You can also climb the 284 steps to the top of the Arc De Triomphe, however there is a cost and a long queue, so if this is something you’re interested in, be sure to plan extra time before you go.
See Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chappelle is a royal, gothic style chapel situated in the medieval Palais de la Cite, built during the 13th century by Louis IX to house a prestigious relic of Christ, the Crown of Thorns and a fragment of the True Cross. It was then home to the Kings of France until the 14th century before it was damaged during the revolution.
Since then, the chapel has been restored to its glory, with its incredible architecture and stained glass windows making it a popular historic monument totally worth visiting. Visit this website for tickets. Visitors under 18 are free.
Visits take around 30 minutes or less, and audio guides are available for as little as $6. If you prefer a guided tour, there’s one every day at 11 am and 3 pm lasting for about 1 hour with no extra charge.
Oh, and if you’re interested in experiencing a classical music concert at the chapel be sure to check this website for dates and tickets.
Walk through the Latin Quarter
Situated on the left bank of the Seine, the Latin Quarter is one of the oldest districts in Paris and is only a 10 minute walk from Sainte-Chapelle.
The area gets its name from Latin language, taught in the Middle Ages at many schools in the district. Both Parisians and tourists enjoy the lively atmosphere and incredible architecture.
The quarter is also home to many attractions like the Jardin des Plantes (botanical gardens), the Panthéon and the Musée de Cluny (history museum).
Explore the Panthéon
Just a short walk from the heart of the Latin Quarter, the Pantheon is a 18th century monument built to house the reliquary of St. Genevieve. Today, it houses the ashes of many famous French citizens like Victor Hugo, Jean Moulin and Jean Jaurès.
Upon entering the Pantheon, you will be able to see the Foucault Pendulum, an experiment conducted by French physicist, JeanBernard Leon Foucault in 1851. Using the pendulum and the sun’s shadow at different times of the day, he was able to prove the earth’s rotation on its axis.
While there, be sure to explore the Nave and the Crypt, and if you’re interested, you can climb to the panorama for an extra cost to enjoy stunning views of the city.
The Pantheon has many restaurants surrounding it if you’re hungry. Just make sure to check the prices as these restaurants are quite expensive. If you’re looking for something more affordable, venture a few minutes away into the quieter streets for a local place.
Explore the very royal Palais Garnier
One of the most famous opera houses in the world, Palais Garnier is a landmark you cannot miss out on when visiting Paris.
It’s the location the Phantom of the Opera book and musical is based on and appears in several movies such as the 2017 film ‘Ballerina’.
The theatre offers self guided and guided tours as well as audio guides. If you’re interested in seeing a performance, be sure to check the calendar for dates here.
Take a day trip to Versailles
Home of the Palace of Versailles, the town is a 45 min drive or 50 min train ride from Paris.
The palace is one of France’s greatest achievements in 17th century art. It was formerly Louis XIII’s old hunting pavilion before it was handed down to his son, Louis XIV, who installed the Court and government there in 1682.
The palace has 2,300 rooms and houses one of its most famous galleries, the Hall Of Mirrors, including over 350 mirrors.
The palace is a truly beautiful work of architecture and is a must see when visiting Versaille. Don’t miss out on seeing the gardens too, stretching over 2,000 acres with over 400 statues throughout.
Be sure to book in advance and check the Palace’s opening hours as it changes depending on the season. (*Note the Palace ticket is separate from the Jardins ticket).
Disneyland Paris
Last but definitely not least, a trip to Paris would not be complete without visiting the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland!
Disneyland Paris actually has two parks: Disneyland Park, which has Sleeping Beauty’s castle and famous rides such as Big Thunder Mountain and It’s a Small World, and Disney Adventure World, which is themed around Marvel and Pixar with Ratatouille and Tower of Terror.
I would most definitely recommend spending at least two days and visiting both parks, however if time doesn’t permit and you have to select one I’d consider going to Disney Adventure World for a more unique experience with lots of thrills. If you want the classic Disney experience however, with less extreme rides then visit Disneyland Park.
To find out more visit the official website here.
Have a wonderful time!
Au Revoir,
Jacqui.